Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 12:27:37 -0700
Reply-To: Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
In-Reply-To: <C00ED16B-8B34-452B-A2A7-963270EA6346@q.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
How about some good ole straight 50w?
We used to run it in our race buggy back in the '70s. Just don't give it
any throttle until it warms up!
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Karl Wolz
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 12:01 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
Thicker oil won't replace missing metal, but it will help maintain oil
pressure. If you get a flicker when hot, consider going to 20w/70 or such.
Could save your bacon for the short term.
Karl Wolz
Sent from my electronic umbilicus
On May 9, 2012, at 11:34 AM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
> Thanks, Volks, for the insight into what to expect when a well-maintained
and gently driven Waterboxer starts to reach the end of it's life, which
appears to be in the 250,000 mile range or so. What I'm taking from the
discussions is that the exact number isn't so important or even known, too
many variables. But what is important is that there will be some warning
beforehand: the gradual appearance of the flickering red oil pressure LED.
The general feeling I'm getting is that catastrophic failure is still a few
thousand miles down the road after the initial flickering begins; hopefully
enough life left to hightail it (or limp) back home to San Diego from pretty
much anywhere in the USA.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> --- On Tue, 5/8/12, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM, "Stuart MacMillan"
> <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
> Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 12:29 PM
>
> Stuart,
>
> Thanks, that's helpful information; I'll keep an eye for that oil pressure
light flickering. I've had an occasion recently of very faint dull red glow
from the LED at startup and idle, which subsequently quickly faded away once
at operating temperatures.
>
> Reason I'm asking is that I'm trying to plan for the future. I've been
know to take some pretty long roadtrips in my Vanagon, like 10K-12K miles at
a crack. That would be unfortunate, to have to decide on a rebuild or Subie
conversion while on the road thousands of miles from home base, lots of
downtime too and expense. And still not sure what my long term travel
plans are, to keep Vanagon-based for the next 10 years or upsize a little to
something like a Sprinter or the next generation Ford Transit scheduled for
USA manufacture in 2014 (latest rumor). I
> still really appreciate the handling of the Vanagon and garage-storage
capability, both of which would be compromised by a larger van-style rig; I
don't know if even a small Class A motorhome would suite my style which is
on the "minimize" side. And I've been a VW Van owner since 1974 so it's in
my blood now.
>
> So if my current motor would be good for another 25K or so, it would buy
me a few years time to dial in my long-term options. I know at this age of
the vehicle there are just so many factors to take into account regarding
overall vehicle longevity, but I appreciate the helpful List advice on this
issue.
>
> By the way, when I said it doesn't "burn oil", I guess it would have been
more accurate to add "excessively"....I use about a half quart every 2000
miles.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> --- On Tue, 5/8/12, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 9:31 AM
>
> Rich,
>
> Just drive on, and forget about it! If you do a compression test,
> what will you do if it's low (and it will be)? The death signal is
> when the oil pressure light starts coming on or flickering, particularly
after a long run
> on the freeway. When that happens it's time for a rebuild, or if it get
so
> gutless a passenger has to help you push it up hills.
>
> My '84 went over 200,000 miles and was running strong, but I replaced it
> with a used 2.1 just for the fun of it years ago. Bad idea. I blew that
> one up (http://volksweb.relitech.com/21rodbrg.htm) and I don't have
> that rig anymore.
>
> Stuart
> '85 Westy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Richard Koerner
> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 3:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
>
> The 1.9 engine in my 85 manual Vanagon has 198,000 miles. Never been
> opened for any reason. Runs smooth as silk. Gentle driving, burns no
> oil, always passes smog, power seems about the same as always.
> Wondering how long this thing can last? What's the best way to get some
idea, compression test?
>
> Rich
> San
> Diego
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