Date:         Sat, 17 Jul 2004 00:08:24 EDT
Reply-To:     DanielCRoberts@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         -- Dan Roberts <DanielCRoberts@AOL.COM>
Subject:      dramatic drop in oil usage with Pennzoil 5-50
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I have an 89 Westy with 157,000 miles. I bought it a year ago with about
130K. I had new rings installed but was disappointed to find it needed a quart of
oil about every 1200 to 1300 miles. I switched from dinosaur oil 10-40 to
Mobil one 15-50. The oil usage did not significantly change but I stayed with
Mobil one on the hope my engine would show less wear.

While traveling in Washington state a few weeks ago (from Wisconsin), I
needed an oil change but the Speedo service I found did not have Mobil one. It did
have Pennzoil 5-50 so I thought what the hell. To my surprise and glee, my oil
usage has dropped substantially. Usage during a subsequent 3,200 miles
required only 2/3 quarts.

Have others tried Pennzoil 5-50? With what results? I don't know yet where
I'm going to find the stuff. Seems to be unavailable. I hope I haven't
discovered a discontinued option.

Second comment: I notice my dip stick shows less oil in the morning rather
than the expected higher reading. I thought the oil would tend to flow downward
overnight and show a "true" reading but I get a higher reading after running
the van for 15 minutes or so, waiting five minutes and then taking a dip stick
reading -- which is consistently higher than the early morning reading.

What's happening here? I don't understand. Can anyone help?
I will appreciate responses to either questions.

Dan R.