Date: Fri, 23 Nov 2012 10:21:56 -0700
Reply-To: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: OlRivrRat <OlRivrRat@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Oil dilemma
In-Reply-To: <2B806A07-C032-4D4C-89D5-C270BDF650F1@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=WINDOWS-1252; format=flowed; delsp=yes
Frank
Just to make You happy I just reread the LubricationSpecs in the
OwnersManuals of both my 83.5 & 90 Westys & in fact
in the SingleWeight columns SAE50 is not even mentioned ~ SAE40 is the
recommended Oil for Temps from 70º on up off
the end of the chart. SAE **w-50 is indicated in the MultiGrade
columns but shares the Temp'Range with SAE **w-40. SAE10,
5w-30 & 5w-20 are even recommended under certain conditions. Certainly
in an OldEngine there might be a need to run SAE50
under some Temp' conditions but I would let my OilPressure be my guide
not necessarily a manual that was written 22 - 29yrs
ago. I would run nothing but 0w40 in my H2OBoxr if Valvoline made it
but the thinest they go is 5w40 so that works for me. I
know that Mobil1 comes in 0w40 but I just did an unscientific 3000mi
test of Mob1 0w30 in my 90Westys EJ25 & experienced
some goofy O'P's so I won't ever use or recommend Mobil1 again.
ORR ~ DeanB
On 23 Nov , 2012, at 3:13 AM, Frank Condelli wrote:
> Sorry, but this is completely WRONG ! AND, I can't empathize
> this WRONG enough. Once the engine is fully up to operating
> temperature the oil MUST be 50w, read your specs in the owners
> manual. The engine does not know it's cold outside EXCEPT when
> starting. That's were the dilemma is and that's were the damage is
> done. Too thick an oil at cold start up will wear life off of the
> bearings and other moving parts that do not get lubricated until the
> oil get warm an starts to flow properly. You will not know this
> until the engine wear's out prematurely and you then ask why ?
> That's why there are block heaters and heated garages to start
> engines in cold temperatures. So…….what to do: using the
> recommended 20w50 dino oil, you need a block heater or heated garage
> or move to a warmer climate. 0w50, 10w50,15w50 synthetic will work
> well without the use of the block heater or heated garage but I
> myself and me would still like to have that block warmed up before
> starting MY engine ! Prematurely worn engine = BIG BUCKS ! You'd
> think this was the first winter for these antique Vans !
>
>
> On 2012-11-22, at 3:12 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > wrote:
>
>> Heading into WinterWeatherConditions in Northern Michigan I =
>> would not =20
>> be
>>
>> the least bit worried about leaving the 5w30 in there as long as
>> you =20
>> are sure that
>>
>> your OilPressureSensor is in good working order so as to keep you =20
>> properly informed.
>>
>> I am of the opinion that oil that is overly thick is harder on an =20
>> engine than oil that is
>>
>> a bit on the thin side as the thick stuff might not be able to get
>> =20
>> into all areas that it
>>
>> is needed. I have a Subaru engine in my 90Westy now but back in 09
>> =20
>> just before I
>>
>> did the swap I ran my 2.1H2OBoxr on 5w30 for 3000mi without any
>> issues =20=
>>
>> during
>>
>> the hottest months of the year here in NM & for curiosity & =20
>> PeaceOfMind I had the
>>
>> OilPressure professionally checked & it was just fine ~ my H2OBoxr
>> did =20=
>>
>> have 120K
>>
>> fewer miles than yours though. I normally ran that engine on 10w40
>> & =20
>> would never
>>
>> run anything thicker than that unless I was experiencing low O'P' =20
>> issues.
>>
>> ORR ~ DeanB
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster &
> Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
> Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in
> the Ottawa Valley
> Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
> BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013
