Date:         Thu, 1 Dec 2011 10:57:00 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon engine noise - collapsed lifter?
Comments: To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk03TAnMZz7PJxT9--MyffrT1oYp+VVHqsenRybhZOmC-Q@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Jim, that is interesting.  I use Castrol 20W50 despite my dislike of BP as a company, because it seems the best alternative in terms of quality and price.  But, how would a synthetic 15W50, with synthetics reputedly maintaining viscosity better than conventional oils, bring on the oil pressure problems you allude to?  It has the recommended viscosity range, including the critical 50.  Lots of other folks, including the two shops here that I trust to understand waterboxer engines, recommend Mobil 15W50.  One of them said with regard to my continued use of the Castrol (actually I dropped it for a while in favor of Pennzoil 20W50, which ran at lower pressure at temperature for me) that it is ok since I change oil frequently.

mcneely

---- Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> John and others FYI--
>
> My local VW gurus recommend against synthetics in a Vanagon. Castrol 20W50
> is recommended. In my experience, you are asking for a buzzer moment with
> anything thinner.
>
> Jim
>
> On Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 9:04 PM, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:
>
> > Collapsed lifter syndrome. Not to worry. Drive it a bit and it will pump
> > up. A few that help to keep it from happening - Mann Oil Filter,
> > hi-grade synthetic oil like Mobil One in 15W50 wt. Add a dash of
> > Marvel's Mystery Oil. These steps will extend the time between periods
> > of lifter flatness. But - it will run great, no no probs - until you
> > park it wrong and then  it will go flat. Just drive it, and it will pump
> > up.  You will need to run it every two or three days to keep them pumped.
> >
> > On an aside, good maintenance on your AC if you have it, is to run it
> > once a week, winter and summer - to keep the seals lubricated so they
> > don't dry out and lose the refrigerant.
> >
> > John
> >
> > John Rodgers
> > Clayartist and Moldmaker
> > 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> > Chelsea, AL
> > Http://www.moldhaus.com
> >
> >
> >
> > On 11/30/2011 12:22 PM, Todd Last wrote:
> >
> >> My Vanagon has been sitting for awhile and upon starting, is making a
> >> noise and puffing out a fair amount of smoke.
> >> Is this a collapsed lifter?
> >>
> >> I made a short video here:
> >>
> >>
> >> <http://www.flipshare.com/**login.aspx?nRecipient=**
> >> N0I5MzFDMkItQzNGNy00RjVELUE4MD**AtNjdFODNEOTREMjQy&nFrame=**
> >> RDBBNUE5QkYtQTAwRS00N0Y3LThDNk**MtM0UzNDU5OTZCOEQx&nMethod=**
> >> ZW1haWw=&nMedia=**ODkxRUM0NDYtQ0UyQi00ODk0LTkyNE**UtNTEyODYxMEMxQjEy&emt=
> >> **de084a1a-1ea9-454d-8bff-**ac2049edb15b&slocale=en_US&**
> >> emailThumbnail=single<http://www.flipshare.com/login.aspx?nRecipient=N0I5MzFDMkItQzNGNy00RjVELUE4MDAtNjdFODNEOTREMjQy&nFrame=RDBBNUE5QkYtQTAwRS00N0Y3LThDNkMtM0UzNDU5OTZCOEQx&nMethod=ZW1haWw=&nMedia=ODkxRUM0NDYtQ0UyQi00ODk0LTkyNEUtNTEyODYxMEMxQjEy&emt=de084a1a-1ea9-454d-8bff-ac2049edb15b&slocale=en_US&emailThumbnail=single>
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Todd
> >> '88 Westy
> >>
> >>
> >>

--
David McNeely