Date:         Mon, 10 May 2004 09:53:28 -0700
Reply-To:     Jake Beaulieu <jake_beaulieu@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jake Beaulieu <jake_beaulieu@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      low oil pressure/gas in oil
In-Reply-To:  <BCC40BBA.1EE7E%albell@uvic.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

A couple weeks ago I asked for help figuring out why I had low oil pressure at warm idle in my 82 air cooled westy.  I am running 20W50 oil (i had mistakenly stated 10W50) with a Mahle oil filter.  The thermostat is bad, so I am running it with the cooling flaps at the default position.

At the advice of Boston Bob I checked for gas in the oil.  Sure enough, oil smelled like gas.  I changed the oil and filter and took it for a ride.  The oil light still flickered at warm idle, but it was a LOT better.  Things remained pretty much that way for about three weeks, then the light started coming on even after short drives.  I checked the oil and sure enough it smells like gas.  So why am I getting gas in my oil?  I let it warm up for at least five minutes before I drive, and it has been warm out (over 50F).

Two more clues.  Last winter I replaced a blown head gasket.  After putting about 300 miles on the reassembled engine the head gasket blew again.  It still has the bad head gasket 1000 miles later.  Don't know why it would blow like this, stud pulling out of block?  Secondly, when it is warm out it starts easily, but quickly dies.  It will do this once or twice and then it will run fine.  Not sure if any of this is related.  I have thoroughly diagnosed the FI system per the Bentley.  Everything checks out.

Thanks,

Jake


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