Date:         Mon, 15 Nov 2004 16:00:04 -0600
Reply-To:     David Devere <vwpub@ONWORDBOUNDBOOKS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Devere <vwpub@ONWORDBOUNDBOOKS.COM>
Organization: On-Word Bound Books
Subject:      Trip Report and oil leakage
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

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