Date:         Fri, 11 Oct 2002 15:34:44 EDT
Reply-To:     Willolyn99@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bill Marshall <Willolyn99@AOL.COM>
Subject:      (TIICO) ridiculous oil pressures
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"

forwarded from the Tiico list.....

Hi everybody,
      The engine is acting a little squirrely again.  I've been getting a lot 
of clatter from the valves.  Since this is not a diesel semi, I decided to 
check the oil level and pressure.  Level is fine, using Mobil 1 15W-50.  I 
bought an oil pressure gauge at Walmart for $6 and installed it (it is the 
tube type, not electric, so it doesn't go all the way to the dash.  It's 
mounted in the back, where I can see it in the rearview mirror).

I started up the engine, which was slightly warm.  The gauge read 70 psi at 
idle.  So I revved it to 2000 rpm, got 90 psi.  At 3000 rpm, pegged it at 100 
psi.  So I let it idle a little bit more.  The pressure eventually dropped to 
50, but still climbed rapidly with any acceleration.

So, what the hell is this all about?  I've heard of folks seeing 80 psi when 
barreling down the highway, but rolling down my block at 15 mph?  I've also 
heard that too much pressure is bad for the engine.  What could be causing 
this high pressure?  And can high pressure cause valve clatter?

If anyone else has figures to offer, please write back.  I will be checking 
through the Vanagon archives and looking up specs for Golfs on the Internet. 
 Thanks.

Bill Marshall
85 GL Tiico "Pandora's Box"
Bradenton FL