Date:         Tue, 24 Feb 2004 08:56:24 -0800
Reply-To:     Steven Dodson <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Steven Dodson <steven@EPOCHDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Re: 89 Vanagon oil usage question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Dan,
Based on your compression readings you are leaking badly from those two low
cylinders.
Compression at or under 125 should be looked at as a problem. As Tom
mentioned, rings are the probable culprit, though worn valve guides could
also be a problem. My van has roughly 215K mi and uses about a half quart
between 4000 mile oil changes. Since I rebuilt it last year, the compression
is perfect all around and most of the leaking oil is coming from the spent
crush gasket on the oil plug. That crush gasket is getting replaced this
weekend when I do my next oil change. I suspect I will not loose any
significant amount of oil between changes after that.

-Steven Dodson
Kneeland, CA
"Inga" the 87 Syncro

On 23 Feb 2004 at 11:50, -- Dan Roberts wrote:

> I purchased an 89 Vangagon Westfalia in the spring of 2003 and, on the
> recommendation of a VW mechanic, had the head gaskets and rings replaced.
He also
> completed several other engine repairs including replacing the wiring
harness,
> plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, water pump and fuel pump. This
vehicle
> has been driven 140,000 miles. I believe the previous owner gave it
reasonably
> good care but was not nearly as conscientious as I am.
>
> My question is about oil usage. I have driven to the east and west coast
on
> the interstate from Wisconsin. I drive at 70 mph and find that this
vehicle
> uses a quart of oil every 1200 to 1400 miles. Is this normal use? By the
way, I
> had a compression test completed and it showed: 125 - 140 - 120 - 140. The
VW
> dealership insists the oil use is normal but I ask for your experience.
Any
> comments will be appreciated.
>