Date: Mon, 22 Jan 2001 12:54:25 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <macmillan@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: any guesses on oil light woes
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Brian,
Consider investing in the VDO oil pressure gauge and dual sender, and be
sure you have towing coverage! You can use it with any engine, so it
won't be a waste of money. Personally, I think all cars should come
with one.
One critical thing the early 1.9 vans lack is the dual pressure warning
circuit of the 2.1s. On those there is a second sender that will trip a
buzzer if the pressure drops below 8 psi (or something like that) at
2000 rpm or above, which is much more critical than the idle pressure.
VW knew the weakness of the 2.1 rods, and put this extra warning system
on this engine.
With an oil pressure gauge you can monitor the situation at all times.
When the pressure at cruising speed starts to get down around 10-12 psi
the engine is in critical condition, and you need to stop driving. If
you can keep it above that range you can buy some driving time, but
don't plan on more than a few thousand miles. Without the gauge there is
no way of knowing. I think it will be worth it to you if you want to
milk some more time to save for a replacement to install the gauge, you
can do it in two or three hours.
As Bob pointed out, it is entirely reasonable to install rebuild rods
and rod bearings in this engine (as long as the crank is not scored),
along with a high volume oil pump. This would be your least expensive
route, and would probably get you another 100,000 miles.
Brian Cochran wrote:
>
> If that's true, and i'm guessing it is (a little pessimistic) how much time
> to I have before it does die??
I made it about 5000 miles after the flicker started before the engine
threw a rod and destroyed itself. That was pretty much all freeway
driving on a long trip, and the rod went while I was cruising at 55
mph. At that time the oil pressure dropped suddenly from 10 psi to 8
psi, and the engine let go a few seconds later.
What does the STP do?
It thickens the oil a bit, which will increase oil pressure, and
supposedly has a high film strength, which might help a worn bearing
somewhat.
I am just hoping to
> prolong a life for a 30 mile rt commute a couple times a week until I get
> another ride and/or I can finance a Tiico. I'm not sure if it's worth the
> effort to get the pressure tested. When every cent counts I think a new
> sender, an oil change/filter will be proof enough.
Don't bother with changing the sender, it is nearly as much work as
adding a real oil pressure gauge, and they rarely fail, they just leak
sometimes.
>
> For the record I'm using the good filters and the 20w-50 oil.
I'd go to the 40w single viscosity, it is physically thicker than a
20w-50 and will give higher oil pressure.
>
> Thanks for the feedback!
> brian
>
> ps- how much (ballpark figure) does bry's pay for 2.1's and where is
> "bry's"? never head of 'em.
>
Bry's is in the industrial area of south Seattle. They specialize in VW
and Audi salvage, and are a good place to do business. Call him and ask
what he is paying for 2.1s right now, 206-938-3868.
--
Stuart MacMillan
Seattle
'84 Vanagon Westfalia w/2.1
'65 MGB (Daily driver since 1969)
'74 MGB GT (Restoring sloooowly)
Assisting on Restoration (and spending OPM):
'72 MGB GT (Daughter's)
'64 MGB (Son's)
Stripped and gone but their parts live on:
'68 MGB, '73 MGB, '67 MGB GT
