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Date:         Thu, 10 May 2012 12:15:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Chapman <scott@MISCHKO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Chapman <scott@MISCHKO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer? Oil
              preesure-temparature guages!
In-Reply-To:  <1191B6FB-9A67-45D3-A27C-CF61A342EEAB@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8


Suggestions on purchase and installation of the oil temp, pressure, and
external oil cooler?


I have an 85 Westy and I'm getting concerned about it's future as well. I'd
love to have the information available and the help of an external cooler
to help it last longer!


Happy trails,
Scott




On Thu, May 10, 2012 at 11:39 AM, Chris S. <szpejankowski@gmail.com> wrote:


> 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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