Date:         Tue, 28 Dec 2004 09:59:14 -0800
Reply-To:     "the.mobile.conference.room" <kite.wagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "the.mobile.conference.room" <kite.wagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      did i kill it?? [temp-sensitive oil pressure light]
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

So about ten minutes from home last night (in the midst of this crazy
SoCal rainstorm we're having) my oil pressure LED came on, very
gradually.  alarmed i exited 101 immediately, pulled into a sheltered
Chevron island and shut down.

Tried to look at all the logical stuff (whilst strategizing about how
to get home and where to leave the van), but found no oil dripping or
pooling under the engine, oil cap was tightly screwed on, no obvious
leakage in the engine area when i took the cover off.  After 15
minutes, the dipstick read that she was only about 1/4 quart low (oil
changed about 1k ago).

I figured since the engine did appear to have plenty of oil it was
safe to start up and at least move it to a parking spot before calling
the tow truck.  Close to 30min has passed by now.  I finally psyched
myself up to start up the van (and free up the gas pump i was
blocking) and....

the oil pressure light was off.  I idled for a minute and it stayed
unlit.  WTF?? i thought, was this just an imagined crisis?  Maybe the
crazy rain set off the oil pressure light switch somehow.  Proceeded
to drive, with a bit of euphoria, the last 10 minutes to home.  No
light most of the way, but just before the last hill the LED began to
re-illuminate, verrry faintly.  However, as the engine continued to
warm, it got brighter.  Peak was prolly 50% brightness compared to
test light when you start the engine.  Interestingly, I coasted down a
hill and it appeared to dim slightly as the thermostat went down.

Also, as before, there was no perceptible change in sound or feel of the van.

I realize i shouldve stopped again, but it was cats and dogs and by
that time i was only a couple miles from home... so i kissed the
rosary and babyed it the rest of the way home.

Then laid awake with guilt and anxiety all night long.

thoughts, oh wise ones?  thanks in advance for any shared.  sp