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Date:         Sat, 9 Oct 2004 09:48:25 -0700
Reply-To:     Joel Cort <joel_cort@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel Cort <joel_cort@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Fw: '86 Westy Oil light flickers briefly...other basic ?'s
Comments: To: "Larry Occhipinti, DVM" <guardmans@PEAK.ORG>
In-Reply-To:  <009901c4adb5$0c2bf630$93d23b45@Dell>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi Larry and welcome to the Vanagon family.

I have been fighting for 2 years with the oil flicker issue and I have several recommendations.

I used to run nothing but Castrol 20-50 with the MANN oil filter in my 89 Syncro Westy. My van only had 80K miles and well maintained previously and religiously by me so I knew that the engine could not be going ... yet. The oil flicker does not occur until the oil is nice and hot. I would get this low oil pressure signal when pulling off the freeway after cruzin at 65-70 mph for a while.

First ONLY EVER USE THE VW SPECIFIED OIL FILTER, NOT THE ONES AT THE CORNER OIL CHANGE STORE. GO ONLINE TO www.busdepot.com or www.gowesty.com or www.volkscafe.com and purchase the MANN oil filters from any of them. This is crucial. the VW specified oil filter has a relief valve not found on the FRAMM or BOSH oil filters that will cause a drop in oil pressure.

Second: Check all of your wiring to ensure proper connections and proper grounds. Lets assume that all of that is OK.

Third: The oil pressure switch may be defective, but let's also assume that it is not and it is working properly.

On my van, I have added an electric VDO oil pressure gauge and replaced the stock low pressure switch with the VDO sender with the dual terminals to keep the stock oil pressure light active. Yes it does work when the oil pressure is at or near 0 the oil light starts to flicker and blink. I also have a VDO oil temperature gauge with the sender at the drain plug. I monitor both oil pressure and oil temperature as they are related. The oil temp goes up the oil pressure becomes more viscous and drops.

Someone on the list suggested switching to Mobil One Synthetic oil. I have done this and now run 15-50 oil. This as remediated some of the problem with the oil pressure giving me about 3 extra PSI at warm idle. I no longer got the oil flickering, but if the engine was really hot, like with the oil temp over 100 degrees Celsius, the flickering would return at idle.

Frank Condelli, from the list, suggested changing the idle relief spring and valve. I purchased a new spring/valve/washer for about $10. This was pretty easy to change. The spring is retained with that big 1 inch round sloted screw right by the oil filter on the engine block. It is accessible from under the van. On my Syncro I had to fight a bit more due to the skid plates. I found that my stock pressure relief spring was about 1/4 inch smaller or more compressed than the new unit. I have done this replacement of the spring and the little valve. The valve had some wearing but looked OK. Since I had a new one I replaced it anyway.

Now I get 8-10 psi at idle with the warm engine which is acceptable. At start up the cold engine will run 60-65 psi.

My recommendations:

* change to Synthetic motor oil every 3000 miles * Only use the VW recommended oil filters

If this does not fix things try replacing the oil pressure relief valve and spring.

Worst case is that your oil pump may not have been replaced when your engine was rebuilt and may not be operating at 100% check the paperwork on your rebuild and see if they have changed the oil pump and the oil relief valve/spring.

Coolant wise, you should not have to add too much to the expansion tank. If you regularly add some coolant then start checking for drips or leaks. This is a sealed system and the good running engine should not be loosing any coolant. You can add distilled water or a mixture in the expansion tank.

Cheers and good luck,

Joel Cort 89 Syncro Westy Rochester NY Western NY LiMBO representative

"Larry Occhipinti, DVM" <guardmans@PEAK.ORG> wrote:Dear Vanagon Listmates,

I'm new to this list, and a first time Westy owner ('86) and glad to be onboard....from the few posts I've gotten today this should be a great learning experience.

I'm not a mechanic by any means, so I am hoping someone on this list can recommend a good westy mechanic in the Newport, Oregon area who can tend to my '86 Westfalia...

I just aquired my first Westy on Sunday....luckily for me it has been gone through very extensively during the last 12 months and 10,000 miles- completely rebuilt engine/replaced heads, new exhaust system, brakes, cooling system, clutch, etc...it is a good runner for sure, but occasionally the oil warning light flickers on briefly.

It was a quart low on oil when I got home with her, and I topped her off before heading out yesterday morning, and while it is not doing it as often now, it still occasionally flickers, especially when rpms are low...I figure no big deal since it runs so great, but thought I'd ask if this is something that should be addressed.

Another basic question is should I follow the factory rec for oil changes every 7,500 miles, or do my usual every 3,000 mile change?

Is it vital to only use the factory german oil filters, or are the ones installed at the neighborhood oil change places adequate?

I'm using Castro 20/50 wt oil....hope that is the best for these.

It is not leaking a drop that I can see on the driveway.

Do have the blue coolant....should I add it full strength for top offs , or dilute 50 : 50 with distilled water?

Sorry for all the questions on my first post....thanks again, and if there is a good westy mechanic in my area please let me know where he is!!

Looking forward to gaining good basic pointers from you all and sincere gratitude for your sharing of pertinent vanagon info...

Larry Occhipinti

Newport, Oregon

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