Date:         Mon, 1 Sep 2003 07:52:04 -0400
Reply-To:     Matt Sutton <msutts@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Sutton <msutts@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      planning for the inevitable(trip preparation)
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi folks,
    Finally straightened out the oil pressure warning system this weekend
(PO had reversed the the high and low pressure signal wires- no wonder I
wasn't inclined to trust it). No more random flashing, buzzers, etc- pretty
satisfying.
    Running Castrol semi-sythetic multigrade now, seems to hold better than
the 20w50, and I will probably go full synthetic on the next change.
    In trying to figure out the oil pressure warning system, I did a lot of
reading (articles on the boston engine, van-again, volks cafe, vanagon.com
sites), and started thinking about what I'd do if/when I get a true oil
pressure alarm. First diagnostic test, assuming the senders and wiring are
in order, seems like swapping the oil for a heavier grade, like 10w40. If
the alarms stop, then that indicates your clearances are failing and you're
looking at a rebuild. You can't stay with the heavy-weight oil because it
won't be there for non-tropical cold starts, and you'll be causing more
damage.
    However, what about this scenario: You're on a long trip, driving 5-6
hours a day, in temperate climates. The low pressure alarms come, and a mid-
trip rebuild or engine swap isn't a option. So you change the oil to
heavy-weight, and you drive like you're breaking in a new engine until it is
fully warmed up. Your oil-pressure (hopefully) stays good, and you've bought
time and miles.
    How does this sound? As you may have guessed, I'm headed out on a long
trip in about a week and am trying to plan and prepare as best I can.
    Trip will start in the Northeast, head out to Madison WI, then south to
Texas, looping back home again through the south.
thanks,
Matt Sutton
88GL