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Date:         Mon, 11 Mar 2013 09:42:47 -0700
Reply-To:     Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: '87 Westy - Oil Change, out of hibernation
Comments: To: jjstov@YAHOO.COM
In-Reply-To:  <20130311155045.0DZ7V.562121.imail@eastrmwml214>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

It's actually best to change the oil before you store a vehicle, so do that next year and then you can just drive off in the spring.

MMO has been around since the '20s way before the invention of detergent oils, and is a light solvent type oil that can loosen sticky lifters and valve guides. It contains methyl salicylate (wintergreen) so it smells like candy. I doubt there is any consensus, but used up to 25% in a fresh oil change it will clean things up but tends to burn off, so check your oil every fill up and top off with regular oil, using something at least 20w-40, and synthetics are best. Probably not needed if your lifters don't tap loudly on start up. I used it on my '84 once in a while when it was over 150k miles and the lifters were noisy. I just ran it 3000 miles or so and change oil.

Before you take a long trip do some shakedown day trips. Since you are in Seattle, couple of runs up to Stevens or Snoqualmie Pass would be a good test, especially if it ever warms up around here!

Good luck and happy driving!

Stuart

---- Jeremy Stovin <jjstov@YAHOO.COM> wrote: > Hi, still sort of a newbie, so be patient with my simpleton questions. We bought Lola, our '87 Westy last summer, and in January, covered her up and put her in hibernation for a few months. Just took her out of her long rest and she started up no problem. But, I want to treat her right so I wanted to get some advice on her first days out of hibernation. Oil and coolant levels look good. No puddles underneath. I drove her around the block, and the engine seemed a bit tinny, but that may be normal as I hadn't listened to the engine in a while. It was recommended that I change the oil, using Marvel Mystery Oil. Someone else said I should put some Marvel Mystery Oil in now, drive it for a couple of weeks and then change the oil to normal oil. Someone else said I should change the oil with the MMO, then drive for a while and then change the oil again. What is the general consensus on this? I am planning our first BIG trip this July, driving the family from Seattle to San Diego, and want our 5th family member running right. Anything else recommended we check on?


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