Date:         Tue, 1 Jun 2004 09:29:03 -0500
Reply-To:     Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bruce Nadig <motorbruce@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Mobil 1 oil change interval
Comments: To: vanagon@ASTOUND.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

I beg to differ on 180 degrees being optimum oil temperature.

Standard passenger car motor oil, whether dino or synthetic, lubricate best
between 180 degrees and 225 degrees. It is important that engine oil
temperatures reach at least 212 degrees periodically. Why 212? That is the
point at which water will vaporize out of the oil.

Even air-cooled engines get a build up of water in the oil. All gasoline
engines get water in their oil systems from at least two different sources.
First is condensation in the crankcase. While this is more pronounced in
colder temperatures, it can happen at any time of year. Second, one of the
byproducts of a properly running gasoline engine is water vapor. Inevitably,
part of this ends up in the oil.

Because of this, it is important that periodically you get your engine oil
temperatures up over 212 degrees.

Cheers,
Bruce
motorbruce



>From: Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
>Reply-To: Doug in Calif <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Mobil 1 oil change interval
>Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2004 06:17:23 -0700
>
>Agreed,
>synthetics do hold a higher temp than dino oil.
>and the Air / Oil cooled engines can run higher oil temps.
>180 is optimum temp for oil in most vehicles like my Porsche.
>That is where the factory designed the temp.
>260 is hot but not outside the range of most dino oils capability.
>The waterboxer has an oil cooler that runs the oil no hotter than the water
>temp.
>Thereby allowing the radiator to cool the oil.
>
>Doug
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: David Brodbeck
>   To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>   Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2004 5:48 AM
>   Subject: Re: Mobil 1 oil change interval
>
>
>   On Tue, 1 Jun 2004, TJ Hannink wrote:
>
>   > > What exactly does a vanagon engine pushing around a 4000lb vehicle
>   > > with the AC on 95% of the time run with respect to oil temp in
>   > > degrees?
>   >
>   > Don't know, Vanagons didn't come with oil temperature gauges.
>
>   I saw it get over 260F in my '75 aircooled bus, once.  (At which point I
>   got scared and slowed down.)  I could see an argument for synthetic oil
>in
>   an aircooled engine, especially when you consider the oil is running
>   through those 350F cylinder heads.
>
>
>   David Brodbeck, N8SRE
>   '86 Volvo 240DL wagon
>   '82 VW Vanagon Westfalia Diesel