Date:         Mon, 1 Jul 2002 22:56:28 +1000
Reply-To:     Simon Glen <simonglen@BIGPOND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Simon Glen <simonglen@BIGPOND.COM>
Subject:      Re: Reduced oil temperatures..
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Kenneth Lewis wrote: I was surprised

> to see how quickly the oil temperature jumps from 195ºF to 220ºF when you
> increase speeds from 60mph to 70mph.
>
> .....The Vanagon is a high stress application for any 2.0L engine. Oil
> temperature is critical. Shouldn't be much below 200 F and not above 235
> F.
> The heavy duty VW applications use a very effective thermostatic valving
> system to keep oil temperature above 180 F at all times. The oil must be
> hotter than 180 to get rid of sulfuric acid residues and other combustion
> byproducts., not to mention dissolved gasoline.

I have owned a 1982 model Type256 Bus (Vanagon) with 2 litre AFC injection
air-cooled motor, a 1992 model Type252 Syncro panel van with 2.1 with
Digifant injection waterboxer motor and now I own a 1978 Type234 Westfalia
with 2 litre air-cooled twin-carb motor.

Both air-cooled models have been fitted with a VDO dipstick oil temperature
thermometer and gauge.  With the engine correctly tuned, I have found that
ambient temperatures have a significant bearing on the oil temperature.  On
the open road during the summer, oil temperatures remain static at around
250F at 100km/h (60mph) whereas, now that it is winter, open road
temperatures are static at about 230F at 100km/h (60mph).  However, try
powering the vehicle uphill at 100km/h (60mph) and the temperature quickly
rises to 270F in summer.  At these temperatures there seems to have been no
harm done.

And, previously I owned a 1973 model Type234 campervan in which I travelled
more than 460,000km (290,000miles) on the same 1600 single carb engine.
This engine would cruise and labour all day at 280F in deserts.  Yet, no
harm was done to the motor and, moreover, unlike the 2 litre motors these
engines are made of soft magnesium alloy.

The watercooled Syncro's 2.1 engine was not fitted with an oil temperature
gauge but once warm the coolant temperature would remain just above the
halfway point on the gauge unless left it idling in traffic a lot or if one
powered the vehicle up steep grades.  Occasionally, powering up our local
hill she would get so hot that the oil warning buzzer would come on.  So,
I'm not so impressed with the Wasserboxer.

Anyway, has there been any official Volkswagen publication or manual which
discusses or provides information and advice on oil temperatures?

Simon Glen
Toowoomba, Australia.