Date:         Wed, 28 May 2003 07:55:34 -0700
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: Oil consumption by Vanagon engine
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 06:26 AM 05/28/2003, you wrote:
>>There is no oil leak, and I use 20/50 Mobil oil and
>>Mahle filter. The gas consumption over the 650 mls long trip over the long
>>weekend was about 19.5 ml/gal of regular unleaded gas with A/C on
>>(halfway) most
>>of the time, cruising mostly between 65-70, never exceed 4000 rpm. I did not
>>feel any significant lost of power during the entire trip.

I'd say you have nothing to worry about. Continue to monitor oil level and
top up and keep records. If the rate of use begins to increase, you will
know it's time to budget a tear down. Monitor compression balance. As long
as that is alright, worn oil control rings won't hurt you up to burning a
quart every 600 miles. Worn valve guides will get worse before they get
better. Monitor spark plugs for fouling. Don't panic just because you have
to add a quart or two between changes. Keep the oil clean at all times to
reduce rates of wear, regardless time/mileage, by inspection.