Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 22:04:49 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Trip Report and oil leakage
In-Reply-To: <001a01c4cb5e$78ca3a60$0100a8c0@OnWord>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Assuming stock tires and gearing, 3400 rpm is only ~ 60 mph. The Syncro
odometer also over reads by almost 4%. You probably only traveled 3,165
miles and got 16.1 mpg.
2 quarts of oil for this trip is fairly normal for the 2.1L, especially
if the level is kept at the full line. The 2.1 will have cooler oil and
less consumption with the level kept near the middle or close to the low
marks.
Leaking oil seals are usually the result of something else wrong. A
failed seal is the result of over heating, over filling, excessive
blow-by, etc. A groove worn on the flywheel is another possibility.
Small case cracks, a porous part of the case, and seam leaks are also
possibilities. Look carefully before taking things a part.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of David Devere
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 5:00 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Trip Report and oil leakage
Hello fellow listees,
As a continual service to our community I present these mind numbing
numbers for your digestion just in case anyone is doing a vanagon
mileage survey.
On a recent business trip from Duluth MN to Houston TX and back total
=3295 miles, all interstate miles. Cruised at 65 which for my 87 Syncro
Westy is about 3400 rpm or so (the needle on the tac is broken so I can
be sure). I used 195 gallons of fuel with an average of 16.79 mpg. My
best was 19.36 and my worst 14.50. I was carrying 700lbs of books on
the way down and (do to a good show) nothing significant on the way
home. The added weight never noticed. The van performed just the same.
I did use 2 quarts of 20W50 oil. The leak from where the
transmission and the engine meet has gotten worse. The back of the van
shows the evidence.... I've had the leak since I bought the van in
2001, but it has never been this bad. I usually don't drive that hard,
800 miles one day. So my question is do you think my main seal has
finally given up? Do I start my winter project and attempt to replace
the seal? This is a scary proposition. I'm handy but lets face facts
every repair I done on my van is a new experience. The local mechanics
up here in northern Minnesota don't usually know the engine is in the
rear of the van! Consequently I do all my own work.
Anyhow opinions as always are welcome.
Thanks -
David Devere
On-Word Bound Books LLC
7004 Olson Rd.
Two Harbors MN 55616
www.onwordboundbooks.com