Date:         Sat, 4 Aug 2001 22:31:13 -0400
Reply-To:     Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Golen <rgolen@UMASSD.EDU>
Subject:      HELP! Sucking in oil thru breather
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

Hi All,

I guess drive-in night, for me, wasn't meant to be. We were heading up to
Smithfield, RI when my 87 started loosing power. It would clear up,
especially above 4,000 rpm, but then loose power. Rather than risk a
breakdown at midnight we turned around and came home.

As soon as I got home I started poking around in the engine. Nothing on the
surface seemed to be amiss. So I figured I'd do a compression check. I
pulled off the air-cleaner and noticed the inside of the rubber tube that
connects the air filter to the throttle body was covered in oil. The
throttle body was also covered with a film of oil. I checked the oil and I
was about 3/4 of a quart low.

I did the compression check and all cylinders were between 135 and 150 psi.
The plugs looked ok...white insulator, greyish electrode. Given 99k miles,
I figure the compression is ok.

Anyone have any idea why my engine has started to suck oil through the
breather tube? It seemed to happen tonight. We had done a couple of road
trips in the past week with a fair amount of 70mph driving....and tonight I
was cruising at 70 when the problem started.

Any help, advice, hints, etc. are appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ric