Date:         Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:01:54 -0800
Reply-To:     John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Bange <jbange@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Oil temp musings and hairbrained ideas
In-Reply-To:  <6E14BDC30D2C428497C4ABD2BDCCE2A9@mike2d93581d7f>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

> Also, why fix what ain't broke?
>  Many people think that they could somehow 'out-think' the VW engineers on
> what they perceive to be 'wrong' with their vehicle.
>  The only thing that's wrong there is their thinking.........

Well.... that's debatable. I've already had to "out think" the VW
engineers by installing additional grounds, individual 10ga feeders
through relays for the headlights, brass inserts in the radiator hoses
to keep the metal ends from squeezing out of the plastic coolant
pipes, replaced the plastic coolant elbow on the right-side head with
a metal one, tossed the splittie-era 14" wheels with pizza-cutter
tires in favor of wide and stable 16's, and larger front disc brakes
that will actually STOP the van in a timely manner are already
purchased and soon to be installed. So yeah, I'd say that it's worth
casting a jaundiced eye at any engine component or subsystem. VW
engineers were clearly crafty, but they seemed to be incurable
minimalists. 35 years ago, my grandfather special ordered a Ford LTD
with a truck transmission, transmission cooler, and oversized radiator
because he planned to pull a trailer. Both the stock LTD and the stock
Vanagon were engineered for a certain range of usage. If you're
planning on operating a vehicle closer than "normal"  to the edge of
its design envelope, it's probably sensible to adjust that envelope to
give yourself more of a safety margin. I run my work van up and down
steep hills in bumper to bumper LA traffic in 100 degree heat with a
regular 500-1000 pound load of tools and parts. I see oil temps
approaching 220degF at the drain plug, which means even HIGHER oil
temps internally. I find I don't care whether VW engineers reckoned
they'd engineered it adequately for that--- I'm going to add an oil
cooler!

--
John Bange
'90 Vanagon - "Lastwagen"
'90 Vanagon GL - "Wiesel"

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