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Date:         Sat, 21 May 2005 14:55:17 -0400
Reply-To:     vanagon-rcampbell@USA.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Campbell <vanagon-rcampbell@USA.NET>
Subject:      Re: Oil Pressure Light went On...Abort Trip?
Comments: To: Taobythesea@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

James,

I am in South Florida and I run 20W50 all the time, nothing but! And, I use ONLY the Mahle filters (ordered 4 at a time), changing EVERY 3000 miles.

When I first got my Vanagon Carat 2 years back, it had 10W40 in it, the buzzer-o-death would come on during slow downs. Since the switch to 20W50, no problems or issues! I'm now at 161K on the odometer, original engine and

managing just fine (albeit, I know that the passenger side head drips now and then -- only during our "winter" here).

So, I agree with all the others, dump that 10W30 and get 20W50 in there, and use quality OEM filters ONLY -- there are many stories of issues when you

don't.

Good luck and have fun! And, I get the ribbing from my friends as well, but it's usually when me and 6 of my friends are IN the van on the way to a group lunch :-) Try that in anything else! Yeah, I hear of these 7-passenger vans, and I've even had the joy of folding myself up to fit in one -- no thanks! I find my van more useful, more entertaining and more a joy to drive than anything else I have ever owned!

-Robert

------ Original Message ------ Received: Fri, 20 May 2005 09:55:08 PM EDT From: James Benthall <Taobythesea@AOL.COM> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Oil Pressure Light went On...Abort Trip?

> Hello fellow Vanagonauts, > Sorry to bother ya'll with another problem, but this one is serious. We > were all packed and heading to > Minnesota (moving my wife...long story) when we got 25 miles out of Houston > and my freakin oil pressure > light starts flashing! [This is very upsetting to me since I constantly > have to listen to non-Vanagonauts > question my sanity for putting so much money in "such an old car"].

Anyway, > I pull over immediately > to the side of highway and turn off engine..step out of van and go check

the > oil. Oil seems fine. Plenty > of it. Ok, what to do? Since we were getting such a late start anyway, and > it is already hot as a hades > here in Texas, I decide to turn around and head back home. Made it all the > 25 miles back home without > another incident. Checked oil upon my return. All is a-ok. > Background: > I had this VERY THING happen about 6 months ago. Oil light would flash and > scare the bejabbers out > of me. Pull over and check. All is a-ok. Took to my mechanic and he

> checked. All seems fine, so we > put in new oil pressure switch to be safe. Been all this time and no > problems. > Questions: > How do you check to see if oil pump is going out? Would the van had made it > back the 25 miles if > the oil pump was out or going out? I had the oil changed last week, and > someone said on another > thread that lightweight oil could be the problem, does this seem likely?

We > use 10w30 down here > since it is so hot. If the oil or oil filter is the problem can I

continue > to drive it and ignore the warning? >

> I appreciate anyones input on this problem. I really need to get on the > road ASAP, and I REALLY hate > the thought of having to rent a car. Thanks all. >

> James in Houston > 87 Westy (The Phoenix) >

> ps > I almost forgot...I have a "hybrid" type van with the wiring harness of an > 84 (I know, terrible situation but > it has been running fine for almost a year now). Do ya'll think it could be > a wiring mix up or something? > And if so, would it hurt it to go ahead and drive it? >


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