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Date:         Sat, 4 Oct 2014 08:48:02 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: drive from Oklahoma to Spokane, WA
In-Reply-To:  <BAY406-EAS5215CE6328F04903AF867FA0A70@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

So, experts, am I looking at a rebuild or engine replacement? The beast runs great with no indications of low oil pressure.

I would not be happy with those numbers and sounds from a motor. I don't have any WBX experience, but in most other motors, any type of knocking under a heavy load is an indication that something is not right. It can be hard to tell whether your engine is having detonation or the bearings are worn...they sound sort of similar...but with 20psi oil pressure under load and 5psi at idle...that is 'low' oil pressure where I come from....again, not WBX-land, but in most other motors that is considered kinda low.

It's pretty stressful sitting behind the wheel of a laboring vehicle that is making bad sounds, knowing you have another ten or so miles of uphill and wondering if you are going to make it..watching your mirrors to see half a dozen cars and trucks built up behind you////

Having an aftermarket oil cooler on your rig...that *should* rule-out the oil getting too hot...but I'd check closely on that installation...when similar stock vehicles work OK without a 'performance enhancer' but yours, with an aftermarket improvement is getting hot...you may have something going on with your installation. Having the additional cooler and still seeing 5psi hot oil pressure at idle...that can't be very good...20/50 oil is pretty thick stuff.

The good news is Spokane is relatively flat, you could drive around in that valley without stressing your vanagon...the bad news is iin every direction from Spokane you will be encounter big mountain passes. Having a Vanagon that causes you worry and stress when you use it, especially when using it to leave town......that kinda defeats the purpose of them. Having one that lugs down to 40mph with knocking sounds and overheating at each major 'hill'...If it were me, I would want to do something about that. It would be inconvenient to need to stop on big hills to let the motor cool off all the time..It would also be inconvenient to blow up in the remote areas of the northwest. It doesn't look enjoyable (to me, anyhow) running the Interstates, being passed in the truck lane by semi trailers with their flashers going...I have seen quite a few Vanagons in that situation..


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