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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!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

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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