Date:         Sat, 31 Jul 2010 15:24:35 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: In Missoula, overfilled oil
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2010073117382734@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Sat, Jul 31, 2010 at 2:30 PM, Rob <becida@comcast.net> wrote:

> At  7/31/2010 10:00 AM, Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" wrote:
>
>> Thanks, David (and all who have responded) -- I just called Steve and
>> left a message. I'm briefly in town where I have Internet and cell
>> service, the cabin is too remote for that fancy stuff.
>>
>> 200 miles ago, with a pretty darn cool engine -- it was 95 (F) so cool
>> is relative -- the dipstick showed oil too high. This morning the level
>> is good, below the upper notch. Operator error?
>>
> .  Finding too much oil during a refuel stop and just right
> after sitting overnight is not anything I'd be worried about, the
> overnight check is probably correct ... I would be worried about my
> mechanic ever having time to look at anything of mine after I just
> did this to him on the Vanagon list.
>

  My vanagon is really pretty sensitive to being on a level to give an
accurate dipstick reading.  It only takes a slight tilt to throw the oil
over the full level or below the add oil level..  I check mine before every
highway drive and at ever fuel stop...always.
   Hold over from the air/oil cooled VWs in my past, I guess.  After a while
you get an "eye" for how the dipstick reading really relates to how much oil
you have in the motor at what degree of tilt, etc.  Mine leaks some (rear
main seal on an inline gas VW, I am guessing) so I lose a quart/liter about
every 4 fillings...Since they only hold about 4 qts total, I top mine up
every tank full of gas with whatever it needs to stay near the full line...
  Low oil and highway driving is an awful thing to do to your motor...
  Don Hanson