Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 17:25:52 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Synthetic oil and winter storage
In-Reply-To: <926CCFEC-88AF-44E5-AB5E-E4740A44B8B3@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Eric,
Sorry for the delayed response. If you are planning to somehow use the van
at all during the winter there is little need to anything special. I often
have vans sit for weeks and with healthy batteries there is no problem. You
do have to be aware of battery condition if you have things like radios or
alarms that drain them. Both my Audi and 600SEL can take the battery down in
two to three weeks to the point of needing a jump. The stock Vanagon doesn't
have this issue.
As for oil, the Waterboxer can and does benefit from synthetics.
Particularly, they can function at much lower temperatures than there
viscosity rating indicates. For example a normal 20w-50 become very heavy
at temperatures below freezing the 15w-50 synthetic has no problem going to
the tens or even single digits. I once did trip and had to do cold start at
-4F with the 15w-50 Mobil 1. I think the pour point of that is still about
-30F. As for the concept that the waterboxer is a "loose" engine when it
comes to things mechanical, excess clearance on one side means insufficient
clearance and increased load on the other side. This is why these engine
need higher viscosity oils. Also, the Waterboxer runs most of the time under
load and at higher RPM than most engines. The main reason these engines need
oil changes are the breakdown of the oil itself. Oil analysis does show the
nitration and oxidation both due mostly to higher ring temperatures. Again
the synthetics shine here.
Your oil consumption is normal or even better ten most.
Based on you use and climate I would suggest the M1, 15w-50 all year and an
annual oil change will suffice. Treat to a really good filter. I am now
using the M1-205.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Eric Caron
Sent: Monday, October 14, 2013 11:20 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Synthetic oil and winter storage
Hi Listers,
I have about 140 K miles on my 1.9. Currently using Castrol 20/50.
I often don't start the van for weeks at a time and soon it will go into
winter storage. If I change the oil to Synthetic. Will that help with
protecting the bus and perhaps prevent the engine ticking that happens when
I don't start her for several weeks?
If I change is there a weight or brand I should use?
Also, may be helpful to know that from June to October I added almost a
quart of oil but only ran the bus for about 2,500 miles. She is not a daily
driver. Used for special trips from May to October and will run about 3,000
miles a year.
I live in Vermont so I may have to start her now and then in cold
temperatures.
Suggestions greatly appreciated.
Eric Caron
85 Westfalia GL Auto
