Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:43:36 +0000
Reply-To: kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Now...Water and Oil idiot lights? Doh!
What is your oil pressure at idle when warm? 7-10 psi? This is normal. What about at 2000 rpms? All vans start out in the morning with high oil pressure and then it decreases when the oil warms up. I am wondering if you are actually having an oil pressure problem or if you are having a problem with your warning system (very common). The coolant light blinking is due to the level in your expansion tank (blue cap under engine lid) being low. When the van is cold top this off and it should go out and stay out. If not check it again. If it is low, then top if off again while having someone rev the engine at around 2000 rpms. If you never bled the system after your engine rebuild this would be a great time. Also after an engine rebuild you should always run the engine for about 30 mins at 1500 rpms. Then dump the oil and put in new oil. Then drive for around 500 miles and dump the oil again and change the filter. You will see metal flakes in the oil each time. That is why
you are dumping it, and it is a normal part of the break in process.
Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Anthony Kimmons <akimmons@GMAIL.COM>
> Well, I remember now why I let my van sit for so long...
>
> Now that I've gotten the van to start up again after several years
> (thanks again to the List!), I'm having some other issues that I'd
> thought I'd check about with the List before I jump into it on my own.
> Of course, I'll be checking the archive as well on this-
>
> My idiot TEMP light is on constantly from the moment I start up. As
> the van idles, temperature goes up slowly about midway on the gauge,
> then the radiator fan kicks in (loud). There looks as though there are
> lots of bubbles coming into the reservior in the back, so I'm sure it
> needs to be bled at least.
>
> After idling for about 15-20 minutes my oil pressure slowly creeps
> down on my gauge.
> When first starting, pressure is around 40 and then as it heats up the
> pressure falls until the idiot light and buzzer comes on. (I have a
> VDO oil pressure gauge hooked up)
>
> The engine is idling ok, although it's far from smooth and
> perfect...Of course, when both of these indicators light up, the
> engine dies pretty quickly, or I turn off the ignition.
>
> Any thoughts on where I should start to look to fix this? This engine
> has a total rebuild, my first, so I am fearful that I did something
> wrong along the way (ie... bearings) I changed the oil pump but did
> not change the plate in front of it. I know I've seen something about
> changing it when you replace the pump. Think this could be the cause
> of the pressure drop? It's got a new VW filter, relief valve, 20-50w
> oil. What could be wrong? What tests should I be doing?
>
> My plan so far for tomorrow is to bleed the system first and see if
> the oil pressure problems are being caused by the oil getting too hot
> and thin. Also, I'm going to check the blue temp sensor (this is new,
> but has been sitting for awhile) Sound good? What next?
>
> THANKS!
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