Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 12:29:42 -0400
Reply-To: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Sam Walters <sam.cooks@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: 1985 1.9 Vanagon Oil Lite Shenanagons
In-Reply-To: <001801c67a75$c6219610$0100a8c0@korky>
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Just completing a few thoughts others have touched on.
I have had intermittently flickering coolant lights that I ignored
because repeated checks showed it to be a short somewhere in the dash
area. This is pretty common, but never have I heard anyone say ignore
the flickering oil pressure light. I'll agree - ignore this mechanic.
You need 20W50 dino oil or 15W50 synthetic, preferably Mobil 1 and a
proper filter, like the Mahle/Mann filter sold by list vendors. It is
the same design as the OEM filter. Purolator filters have the same
design and I have used these successfully when I was out of the
Mahle/Mann and in a pinch. Search Mobil 1 in the list archives to read
why you should use it. Its extended life and better protection offset
the cost. This is all I use in my Vanagons and has been for about 5 years.
The proper oil weight is critical. The flickering oil light for low oil
pressure due to worn bearings around the crank is more frequently found
in the 2.1 l WBX, but that doesn't mean it can't happen in the 1.9l. If
your engine is to this point, it isn't a good sign if the problem
persists when you get the right oil and filter in there. But tell us
what weight oil you are running, where you live so we have a sense of
the temperatures, and how fast you drive on the highway / where you keep
it in terms of rpm's. Engine oil temp in the WBX's goes up
substantially at about or slightly over 4k, decreasing the oil pressure
and lubricating capabilities. Of course, this would be exacerbated by
the wrong weight oil.
Yes, try the new cap on the main coolant tank as a first attempt to stop
this coolant "belching." I was having a little loss in my Syncro
recently. And there would be an air pocket in the top of the main
tank. Nothing dramatic like yours. Finally one day I looked in just
after running down the highway for a while and found some coolant around
the base of the cap. Had another one around the house and swapped it.
No loss whatsoever since then and the tank is full. Get a blue one, not
a black one. Think all black ones are gone now, but mention this just
to be sure.
For the WBX, I'd bleed the system after putting the new cap on.
Don't "do nothing" if you want to keep the ride going. I do have a
couple of good spare 1.9 engines I'd like to sell, but hopefully you
won't be in the market for one.
Sam
--
Sam Walters
Baltimore, MD
89 Syncro GL, Zetec Inside
85 Westy Weekender
85 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel - to become veggie oil powered
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