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Date:         Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:00:41 -0800
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: 88 Vanagon - oil pressure alarm
Comments: To: Mark Drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4786D8A2.3000506@cox.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Well................there does seem to be resistance to using 'real' diagnostic procedures. Like rigging an oil pressure gauge even temporarily is not within reach of most gerrryvanaogn members. Shoot - the cheapo gauges cost $ 9.95. and are not that hard to rig up. Though I perceive that a lot of people are trying to diagnose and fix their vanagons and syncro when they can't even get them jacked up and get under them properly. A little extra effort to get proper access is really worth a LOT . So trying to 'get somewhere' while resisting doing basic and proper things, like get the back end off the ground some, get the left push rod splash shield off, and connect to that oil pressure hole there.................that IS what people hope to avoid doing apparently. Your mileage may vary, lets say that. It's too important a thing to not really know what's going on. It IS the life blood of the engine and the most critical running factor - oil pressure. And of course a flickering oil pressure light is almost always reflective of actual low pressure. Not a dim one, but a flickering on. Seems to be resistance to real-get-your-hands-dirty on work to me. Personally, if find I very rewarding to actually work on the thing, like get in there like an animal and really root around - you get really funky clothes on, you put this waxy stuff on your hands to the grease washes right off afterwards, and you really get in there. ...............that's the old fashioned way, the 'real work in the trenches way.'

And I recognize that some people have no tools, the van has to park in the street or apartment parking lot all winter in the cold and rain and snow, or in a driveway, and can never get indoors in any way, and people have to work 5 days a week - I recognize that, but it's a really difficult way to try to interact with issues and problems on a vanagon, especially at this time of year. So IF someone couldn't do an oil pressure check really, then I suppose all they could go on is the electrical checks, but the actual oil pressure won't be very sympathetic if there is a real problem. I'm sure everyone does the best they can. I just encourage getting just a few proper tools, and addressing issues in a complete way, like a real hands-on way.

'if it doesn't work right, it's just a blockage or leakage of fluids or electrons."

( and fluids are more than just liquids. )

enjoy and love your vanagon ! there's a lot of life left in them. LOTS of life left in them. Very unique, lovable, useful, adorable even. They are worth taking good care of. And tell me, if YOU don't who is going to lube the hundred plus things that move and pivot on vanagons. Surely not shops doing 'tune ups.' And a rust spot, I stop surface rust 'forever' in under 10 seconds on most surface rust spots. They are worth taking care of. They're irreplaceable in many ways actually. Modern enough to be great, not so modern that they're crazy and you can't work on them. They're a rare opportunity actually. I have about 10 now myself, many of them for sale. Campers only, or sunroof ones too. I restore or fine tune about 400 things on each one. Can't help it even ! - lol

Scott

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Mark Drillock Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 6:47 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: 88 Vanagon - oil pressure alarm

I have fixed the intermittent oil alarm in 2.1 models many many times. It was never due to actual engine problems. I'm sure it happens, as you say yours did, but I have never seen it. I did not say to ignore the problem and drive around. He is already doing some of that so he will have to live with any consequences. There are possible causes that may lead to serious damage if ignored. Testing for an electrical cause is simple and straight forward. Most any owner can do it without purchasing any test equipment or removing parts to gain access to the pressure switch.

Mark

Thomas Pfrommer wrote: > I agree with Scott, > I had the same symptoms and did the same thing, i.e. waiting, checking > electrical, waiting and driving a bit more and then one bearing > completely seased and I had to open the entire engine .... > FIRST thing is check your oil pressure with a mechanical gauge! > The low rpm sensor between the push rods is better as it is farther > apart from the oil pump right in between the galleys where you want to > have the pressure. In addition it is way easier to be attached to an oil > pressure gauge. No belt is in the way. Just be sure to not touch the > exhaust with any tubing unless it is teflon tubing. > This being said it is for sure an easy task to first check the obvious > electrics .... > When you change your oil open the filter and check if there is any > indication of metal chips, if yes .... hm sounds like something is > somewhere in the galleys. > Hope you got an easy problem and i did nto scare you too much, just told > you what happened to me. > Cheers > Thomas > > Mark Drillock wrote: >> Come on, Scott. The problem is most likely electrical. FEW people can >> test their own oil pressure and doing it the way you suggest may open >> cans of worms best left alone. Most people CAN test 2 wires and their >> connections. That is the first step. >> >> Mark >> >> Scott Daniel - Shazam wrote: >>> John, >>> There is only one proper thing to do first. That's to check the >>> actual oil >>> pressure with an oil pressure gauge. You would read that at the sender >>> that's on the left underside of the engine.... >>> Between the push rod tubes. Need to remove that cover first , but >>> that's >>> the normal oil pressure switch, and I'd first see what oil pressure >>> warmed >>> up and at 3,000 rpm is, >>> And if that's ok, then it'd pursue the electrical. >>> >>> ............... >> >


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