Date: Thu, 10 May 2012 14:39:23 -0400
Reply-To: "Chris S." <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Chris S." <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer? Oil
preesure-temparature guages!
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds208FECD94CE49E9C8D3E59A0160@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Amen to that!
Which is why I use both oil temp and pressure. I also run an external oil cooler.
Chris.
Wysłane z iPhone'a
Dnia May 9, 2012 o godz. 22:51 Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> napisał(a):
> One of the problems with the Waterboxer is that the lubrication system is
> marginal for pressure and temperature. As such it is possible, in fact quit
> easy to put the system into a thermal runaway causing oil pressure loss and
> the resulting engine failure such as a thrown rod or seizing a main bearing.
> Having a perfectly working cooling system will not ensure the oil doesn’t
> overheat to the point of failure. Any of the following conditions can cause
> a rpblem:
>
> Excessive oil level
> Wrong viscosity
> High engine speed and/or load for an extended time.
>
> With a well-designed oil temp and pressure guage system you will soon learn
> what is normal and how different conditions can cause changes.
> During extreme conditions you will see when it is time to back off before
> damage begins. You will also see if additional oil cooling is needed for you
> driving conditions.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Richard Koerner
> Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 2:35 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
>
> 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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