Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:43:52 -0600
Reply-To: David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David Johnson <davidj@ELPASOTEL.NET>
Subject: Oil Change Screwup - HELP!
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Ok. I think I have messed up big time, but want feedback. I was
getting Blue Midget, my 1980 Vanagon Westy ready for a trip over the
weekend. As part of this, I went ahead and did an oil change (first
time on this car). But I didn't ready my John Muir completely before
I did it, and so I screwed at least one thing up, but I am wondering
about more.
1. When I drained the oil, I saw the big disc shaped thing with a
bolt in it, and figured that was the drain plug. So I undid the bolt
(13mm), and it was a huge mess. As I finished draining the oil from
this, I saw the larger bolt that I then figured out was the drain
plug. So no problem, but a mess.
2. Did the filter, but then realized I didn't have a new gasket for
the disc cover thingy. But I saw a gasket up in around it, so I
thought I might be able to just tighten it a little more and make the
seal work. Engine started right up, no leak problem obvious, oil
pressure light flickered for a minute, but then went off, and no
other problem. Also did the air filter at the same time, but that
was easy.
3. The following AM, got on the road, and about 5 miles along,
started to get a hesitation while running. It was almost like it was
running out of gas, except the fuel tank was full (or like the clutch
was slipping). So, turned right around, limped it home, shut it
off. I did not get a chance to check if the engine was overly hot.
Switched over to our Eurovan for the trip, and went camping anyway.
4. Now, I have read the John Muir "compleat idiot" guide more
thoroughly, and talked to my Dad who used to have a Bug. He said
overheating can cause a similar symptom, which if somehow I impeded
the flow of oil, would lead to overheating, of course. And then I
read in the "compleat idiot" guide that if I torque the oil screen
bolt down more than 9lb it will damage the cam shaft. Problem is,
the piece I was working on was not a bolt, it was a nut. There is a
little bolt coming down that this nut goes onto and holds the disc in
place.
So. Did I completely f* up my car by ignorance? What gasket am I
actually asking for to seal this disc if I have to redo things? I
asked for an oil screen gasket at Autozone on the way home, but it
seemed far too large and more complicated than what I pulled off.
Any help would be really welcome here - I want to get this car fixed
again if I can, but need to know what I am up against. Until I get a
solution, I am not driving it of course, as if I was running with too
little oil, I already took 10,000 miles off the engine anyway.
Thanks in advance.
David.
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