Date:         Mon, 3 Mar 2008 09:05:40 -0500
Reply-To:     Bob Donalds <donalds1@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Donalds <donalds1@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: oil pressure woes
Comments: To: John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1; reply-type=original

Fellow vanagon types
I have never used the VDO gauge but I do get calls from people telling me
that they have low oil pressure after they install the VDO gauge. two things
I have come to understand about the VDO gauge are. #1 the switch for the
light is of higher value meaning it goes on at a higher idle pressure than
the stock .3 bar switch. #2 the gauge reads in 10 pds incroments and often
shows 0 pds at warm idle. I would recomend a screw in type gauge for testing
only like the snap on gauge I use to test oil pressure on the engine stand.
.3 bar is all you need at warm idle and as I said the VDO gauge will not
show that.

I would say if the light is out at idle and the buzzer goes off then the
dynamic warning system should be checked and you might install the .9 bar
switch under the Wpump
the other questions are does the lower fan speed work on the radiator and
does this van have a history of running hot
this does not sound like a oiling problem to me

Bob Donalds
Boston Engine Exchange

----- Original Message -----
From: "John Bange" <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 1:15 AM
Subject: Re: oil pressure woes


>> Can anyone recommend an oil pressure gauge kit (brand, where to buy)
>> so I can verify whether the pressure is really too low?
>>
>
> I went for the Van-Cafe VDO gauge kit <
> http://www.van-cafe.com/vanagon_parts.jsp?pa=p&p=297115875>
> and I found it to be fairly easy to install. The most awkward part is
> punching a hole in the engine tin to route the extension tube through. The
> rest is a snap. As I recall, that gauge was the first thing I added, and
> it
> has definitely paid for itself many times over just in terms of peace of
> mind.
>
> --
> John Bange
> '90 Vanagon - "Geldsauger"
>