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Date:         Tue, 14 Sep 2004 17:32:43 -0700
Reply-To:     dave <dmenche914@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         dave <dmenche914@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Disappearing Coolant - Head Lean?
Comments: To: Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Read the manual for the Vanagon. Heavy weight oil is recommended. If you put in the thinner stuff (ok for some modern engines) you will drop oil pressure dangerously low, ecspecailly if hot weather, and high load is on engine.

I know from experience that the 5W-30 oil causes oil pressure problems.

i run Mobil 15-50 oil, I would prefer a 20-50, but mobil 1 does not make that (20-50 is recommended multi viscosity for hot (85F plus) weather)_

The problem with oil breaking down does not have to do with thicker oil breaking down sooner, the real problem is that multi viscosity oils tend to break down in viscosity much faster than straight oils.

VW even recommends straight 40 oil for hot weather operation, that is really what I'd like to use, but again, Mobil 1 does not make that product, so i stick with the 15-50.

As stated by other auuthor 5-30 oil is too thin unless you live in a freezing cold area. Also of improtance is stick with a genuine Mann, or Mahle oil filter, Fram filters have greater pressure drop, and do not have a good enough back flow valve. Fram will cause my lifters to clack like crazy after sitting several days, OEM filters solved that problem.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Vince S" <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 10:32 AM Subject: Re: Disappearing Coolant - Head Lean?

Chuck,

I agree with you my coolant leak though does not appear to be the sensor and possibly the tank. I was suspectious of the tank as o-ring rarely fail unless you distrub it. I will not be surprised that it is the tank getting britle.

I will carefully unscrew the sensor and see.

I did put in 5W30 yesterday. I had in the past used 10W30 but never anything heavier. My reason is 1) Many high performance vehicles including my supercharged Mini uses 5W30 synthetic so I don't see why the Vanagon couldn't unless the bearing tolerances in it is wider. 2) I read from some good source that heavier weight motor oil is "thicken" by additives. Since synthetic have very long and strong polymer chain it is OK to run significantly lower viscosity when the spec calls for heavier petrolium based.

The Mini's official weight is 5W30 and am quite sure most BMW is the same too.

Why are people putting down Mobil 1? I have used it for years and it was one of the first synethic.

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net 1989 Vanagon GL Camper 1993 Mazda Miata (for sale) 1996 Land Rover Discovery 2005 Mini Cooper S

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Chuck Mathis Sent: Sunday, September 12, 2004 7:16 AM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Disappearing Coolant - Head Lean?

Vince;

Sounds like you are definitely leaking from the sensor area. When I dealt with that problem the o-ring was intact and very subtle while the sensor was leaking. If you've got dry contacts it probably is the o-ring but it could also be a crack in the tank at the threads. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Are you really running Mobil 1 5W-30 in a WBX or is that a typo? The WBX usually requires something in the range of a 40-50 weight. I ran Mobil 1 15w-50 for years but recently switched to Castrol Syntec 5W-50 cause all the FLAPS were out of the heavy Mobil 1.

Chuck '85 Wolfsburg Westy - 'Roland the Road Buffalo'

Vince wrote:

Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2004 15:16:32 -0700 From: Vince S <gipsyflies@COMCAST.NET> Subject: Disappearing Coolant - Head Lean?

I was performing my annual tune up / oil change on my 89 Westy today. I started off by checking the oil level but I notice the coolant filler/reservoir tank is totally empty. What happened? I filled it a couple of months back when it was just below the Min mark and now it is bone dry. My immediate thought of the dreaded inevitable water boxer head leak which I have been lucky so far.

I crawled under the engine to see if there is signs of the leak. Sure enough the left rear header pipe is wet and it is unmistakably coolant. Very carefully I visual inspected the head on the driver side and there is no sign of coolant residue. Suspecting the water pump I check that too and there is also no sign of coolant.

Time to look from above so I open the rear engine hatch. I can see much trace of coolant clinging to the outside of coolant expansion tank, especially what looks to be the seam of the top and bottom halves. The plastic expansion tank must developed a leak at the welded seam, I thought.

I more carefully inspected the tank with better lighting and I notice the pool of coolant in the dimple at the top of the tank where the coolant level sensor resides. Without the necessary part to repair it I didn't want to disrupt the area. I just wanted to see if the leak is from within the sensor, or leaking between the sensor and the tank. I unplugged the sensor connector and it is bone dry on the contacts so it appear the lead is between the sensor and the tank. According to the Bentley there is a o-ring. The o-ring must became harden over all this years and now does not seal under pressure. Since it is weekend I decided not to unscrew the sensor in case I need to use the vehicle during the weekend.

I was relief that it is not the dreaded head gasket leak.

I proceed to a complete tune up including changing the spark plugs, distributor rotor, distributor cap, air filter, oil filter and change the oil with Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic.

I also thoroughly wiped down the ignition wire with soap and water as well as every parts I can clean in the engine bay. If there is a cleanest Vanagon engine bay award I think I stand a good chance of winning it.

- Vince

http://gipsyflies.home.comcast.net 1989 Vanagon GL Camper 1993 Mazda Miata 1996 Land Rover Discovery 2005 Mini Cooper S


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