Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009 21:16:38 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Should I really bother with oil pressure test?
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an oil pressure test won't 'really change' anything of course ......
the OP is whatever it is.
And most likely it's what you think it probably is .............right around
the threshold of the OP switch at a hot idle. I forget what that is in psi
.........
but it's probably a little below 10 psi.
You could try a thicker oil, that's one thing you could do........that could
help.
I've seen high miles engines idle at almost no psi, hot. Like 5 psi at a
hot idle on a warn engine is 'normal and fine' .........if all else is
pretty or at least roughly in spec. You can't have 50 lbs compression on one
cylinder say ............or horrible exhaust leaks say ........but if the
engine is running pretty well.....
'lowish oil pressure at a hot idle' isn't a big deal.
fwiw........there's one 1.9 waterboxer engine I have ....belongs to a friend
.........once warmed up .........the oil light was on anytime the engine was
below 1,500 rpm !!
yet......it ran fine........I even took it to 72 mph in 4th ( 5 speed
trans ) accidently going over a hill......which had to be over 6,000 rpm
.....
didn't hurt a thing.
so I wouldn't worry 'too much '.............assuming everything else seems
normal - runs decently, starts well, idles well, gets decent fuel milage.,
etc.
At least do a fresh oil change before you trip .....
I like 15W40 for an oil wieght in vanagons, especially during 'not winter.'
I havn't found 20W50 to 'seem thicker' and never use it anymore.
If things are really 'bad' ......run striaght 50W. Like 50W Racing
Oil....but I don't think you're needing that yet.
I like to replace 1.9's with 2.1's.........almost a pure 'bolt-in. '
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Duntz" <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 10:51 AM
Subject: Should I really bother with oil pressure test?
My '85 with 1.9 and around 170,000 miles is gettin old and tired. When I
have the time and money, I'm going to replace it with a good used/rebuilt
1.9. For now, I'm settling for just trying to judge how long it's got left.
I did a compression test last year- forgt the results right now, but it was
"low but o.k.'
Now after sustained highway driving at 60 mph or so, when I come to a stop
and idle, my oil pressure light flickers. It goes out if I step on the gas.
It doesn't do it after slower, easier driving.
My dilemma is this: I don't have the equipment to check the oil pressure
myself, and am trying to get other things done on the van before a trip from
CT to VA. I'd rather not leave it off at my mechanic for a day. Will an oil
pressure test really be worthhiile?
Ed in CT
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