Date:         Mon, 1 Jul 2002 08:49:04 -0700
Reply-To:     Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Keith Hughes <keithahughes@QWEST.NET>
Subject:      Oil musings on a hot day....
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hi Ben,

I'll assume you're running a WBX'er, since you have a buzzer. Here
in Phoenix, I've run Valvoline Racing oil during the summer in all
my air and water cooled vanagon motors. For air-cooled I always ran
SAE40 unless I was going on a trip where it was too cold for it. In
the 100+ range, I ran SAE50 and even SAE60 for some tired motors.
Never had a problem.

For my '86 WBX, with the same oil buzzer problem, I did 2 things.
First, I replaced my oil pump and ran SAE40. This worked fine for
another 50K or so. After that, it was SAE50 in the summer, SAE40 in
winter. That worked for another 60K, for a total of 210K on the
original motor (with head gaskets at 100K of course).

I don't know where you live, but the thing to be careful with is
too high viscosity in the mornings. Here, where overnight temps
stay in the 85-100°F range in the summer, it's not a problem. But
if you're dropping into the 60's, say, you may have starting
problems in the morning, and while your oil pressure will be fine,
you'll have some lubrication problems until the oil heats.

Keith Hughes
'86 Westy Tiico "Marvin"

> Date:    Mon, 1 Jul 2002 09:09:13 -0600
> From:    Ben McCafferty <ben@KBMC.NET>
> Subject: Oil musings on a hot day....
>
> Hi all,
> I've been driving around a lot in CO with temps in the upper 90s, and have
> noticed an increase in the incidence of the oil pressure light/buzzer when
> the engine is at its hottest.  I am currently running Castro 20W50
> non-synthetic and Mann oil filter.  (I have had the usual intermittent
> Vanagon buzzer when decelerating from highway cruises).  I can only assume
> the oil is hotter and thinner, and being compressed out more easily?
>
> Looking in the owner's manual at oil recommendations, I see that 20W50
> really doesn't go up to these temps, and I think the fact that the engine
> works harder at altitude and on hills doesn't help things.
>
> I see that SAE40 is recommended from about 80F to 100F, and am planning to
> make the switch for the remainder of the hot summer weather.  Anyone out
> there in severe heat given this a try?  Results?  Favorite brands?
>
> Thanks, and I'll post my results to the list when I have them.
> bmc  :)
> "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."