Date:         Fri, 23 Nov 2012 05:13:07 -0500
Reply-To:     Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Oil dilemma
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252

        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