Date:         Sun, 15 Jul 2001 01:27:07 -0500
Reply-To:     clerkin <clerkin@STUDENTS.UIUC.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         clerkin <clerkin@STUDENTS.UIUC.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Well, I made it... (Correction!)
Comments: To: Jeff & Jenny Warner <jwarner@NETWALK.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

Make sure you have 20w50 and the oem oil filter.  The filter seems to make a
big difference along with the oil.

/Patrick

>===== Original Message From Jeff & Jenny Warner <jwarner@NETWALK.COM> =====
>Volks,
>
>It would seem I made an error this morning in my assumptions about the oil
>presure light/alarm and the low coolant tank.  I'm a bit disappointed that
>nobody brought me to task on this one but I know many of us will believe
>almost anything when it comes to our Vanagon's troubles.
>
>Anyway, I went out for lunch and everything was still fine but when I left
>the base to head home the alarm went off again.  Obviously this time the
>coolant tank was full so my earlier theory went right out the window.  Upon
>further reflection I remembered that the symptom I had been experiencing
>with the GL was the coolant light flashing when the engine was still cold.
>This is what indicated that the tank was low.  This, of course, makes much
>more sense.  DUH!
>
>I remembered reading a post earlier today regarding the two oil presure
>switches, what they do, and what conditions set them off.  In both cases
>when the alarm went off, I had started the van and driven off immediately.
>I reasoned that the oil presure had not built up sufficiently enough with my
>quick takeoff to prevent the alarm from sounding.  I restarted the van and
>let it idle for about a minute and then drove off with no more problems the
>rest of the way home.
>
>Is there a solution to this problem?  Is it really a problem?  I'm inclined
>to think the PO used a lighter weight oil than the Vanagon would usually
>prefer.  It's very clean but I have no idea what weight it is.  Could this
>be the culprit?  I prefer to use Castrol 20/50 in all my VWs and was
>considering changing it anyway since I don't know what's in there.
>
>Thoughts???
>
>Jeff Warner
>'86 Westy Weekender "Barry"
>'87 GL "Van"
>Bunch of other stuff.