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Date:         Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:00:50 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris S <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Oil temp musings and hairbrained ideas
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I've installed an oil temp and oil pressure gauge in my Westy just to monitor the health and life of the 2.1l Wunderboxer. I've had some interesting observations since then.

1. When driving at 75mph oil temp climbs quite impressively. 2. I replaced the thermostat. My coolant temp is stabilized but my oil temp stayed same about the same until... 3. I drained Castrol 20W50 and put in Mobil 1 15W50 synthetic. The oil temp is down about 20c (that's Centigrade) while cruising at 70 mph during my extended testing. Did the cooling system burp an air bubble in the oil heat exchanger or is the synthetic oil absorbing less heat? The daytime temp was about the same. 4. Despite what I previously believed, I now think our Westies do need an oil cooler of some sort for extended highway running. 5. VDO dual-pole senders are NOT compatible with low pressure alarm on our Vanagons. The low pressure alarm goes off at a higher pressure. Install a T-connector and hook up a factory .3 bar low pressure sensor.

HAIRBRAINED IDEA #1: Has anyone installed a scoop under the oil pan of the WBX to catch air and increase cooling of oil inside? Something like Terry Kay's famous auto transmission scoop idea? (pic: http://community-2.webtv.net/VanStuff/VanagonWestfalia/media/captureD35.jpg)

HAIRBRAINED IDEA #2: A bigger oil cooler for the WBX? http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=78993

-- Chris S. Disclaimer: "Death and serious injury may occur"

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