Date: Sat, 9 Oct 2004 14:15:19 -0500
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject: Re: Fw: '86 Westy Oil light flickers briefly...other basic ?'s
In-Reply-To: <009901c4adb5$0c2bf630$93d23b45@Dell>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Larry,
One more nightmare to know about........!
The stock 2.1L engines use a "Stretch to spec" bolt for the rod endcaps
that clamp the rod to the crankshaft. During the life of the engine
these bolts continue to stretch and somewhere in the neighborhood of
130-150 thousand miles, the rod bolts will have stretched enough to
allow the rod ends to become oval. When that happens, oil pressure is
lost, and without lubrication galling of the rod bearing on the crank
throw occurs, and then the rod locks to the crank, breaking the bolts
and the rod, and throwing it throuugh the engine block. Congratulations,
your engine has been reduced to a pile of metal ruble in a few moments.
The more knowledgeable mechanics fix this problem when the engines are
rebuilt, by installing 1.9L rod bolts, which are no-stretch types.
For more on this and other engine things, go to
http:\\www.bostonengines.com. Bob Donalds there has a wealth of stuff
about the subject.
Regards,
Johjn Rodgers
88 GL Driver
]
Larry Occhipinti, DVM 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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