Date:         Sun, 1 Mar 2015 10:42:48 -0600
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Fwd: RE: 2.1L WBX -oil pressure light flickers at idle
In-Reply-To:  <CA+az7_5+DWNGzMdPQvr9FympjWT-TxE9pBLwfUiD_D_H=c8iyQ@mail.gmail.com>
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "John Rodgers" <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
Date: Mar 1, 2015 10:39 AM
Subject: RE: 2.1L WBX -oil pressure light flickers at idle
To: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
Cc:

I will check the idle rpm to make sure it's up to 950. Good to know KENDALL
is one of the better oils.

The is my Carat. The engine is original. Has never been opened up. Taking
the rocker shafts and rocker arms off to change pushrods, tubes and seal
was as deep into the engine as anyone has ever been.  So ordinarily I would
expect the case, bearing, etc, to be still within tolerances. The oil pump
might could bear being changed. Would a GoWesty high output pump be a good
thing?

The engine in my '88 GL was completely overhauled by JIM CONNELL of LEEDS,
ALABAMA. Jim  is and an old timer with VW engines.  I have put about
140,000 miles on that engine and it is still running strong. Replaced the
flywheel seal not too long ago. Only trouble I ever had with it. Jim is the
local VW engine guru. Has 6 or 7 engines in his shop at any time, being
rebuilt. His phone number is 205-553-5861. He ships all over, last time I
checked.

As you will recall, I had an over-heat incident a while back when the Carat
was driven by another party. I was told about it after the fact. Your
earlier discussion about sticking valves and my finding bent pushrods and a
longitudinal crack in a pushrod tube - all has given me pause. Thinking
through, I am going to open up the driver side of the engine and inspect
the pusrods there as well. There is no leakage, but those pushrods should
be looked at. Will report my findings.

John
 On Mar 1, 2015 8:47 AM, "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> How well is the engine idling? A lower than normal idle speed will bring
> on the low oil pressure light. There is a big difference in the pump
> performance at 700 vs. 850 rpm. Just figure I'd ask since you have an
> automatic. Try bumping the idle speed just a tad to 950 or so. Will the
> light go out if you just go into neutral?
>
> As for Jim's suggestion of changing brands there some tolerances and some
> brands tend to run higher viscosities than others. Kendall is one of those
> better choices. A health engine should not high viscosity oil except for
> extreme situations.
>
> As for you rebuilt engine, who rebuilt it? Very few rebuilders and
> definitely not will have to ability to properly inspect and re-condition
> the case. The case is a wear item especially at the main bearings. Just
> changing parts will not restore the fit of the bearings in the case and
> they do wear loose and cause pressure losses especially the center bearing
> which is a split shell. It may so be time to consider the oil pump.
>
> I use the Mobil 1, 15w-50 except for winters like this year where I run
> the 0w-40 or 5w-40. All my non Vanagons get the 0w-40 all year.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of John Rodgers
> Sent: Saturday, February 28, 2015 5:26 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 2.1L WBX -oil pressure light flickers at idle
>
> I have cases and cases of this oil passed down to me by 'Unca Joel. This
> engine has never known anything else. Oil has zinc in it. I really don't
> see where changing oil brands would have any effect, except where
> synthetics are concerned, like moving from dino oil to a synthetic like
> Mobil One 15W50.
>
> John
> On Feb 28, 2015 1:46 PM, "Jim Felder" <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Switch to Castrol
> >
> > On Saturday, February 28, 2015, John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> Oil is Kendall GT-1 20W50.
> >>
> >> At idle, flickering light, turn the engine off, then restart, the
> >> light no longer flickers. It might, or it might not, flicker at the
> next stop.
> >>
> >> I have never had a low oil pressure indication before. But the engine
> >> was out of service while the oil cooler seal was replaced and two
> >> pushrod tubes were replaced on the side opposite the oil pressure
> >> switch. That switch was undisturbed. When the van was again put on
> >> the road, the first time out, the light flickered at a stop. Am
> >> mystified why it has never flickered before, now suddenly it does.
> >> Engine has 114, 000 odd miles on it.
> >>
> >> John
> >> On Feb 28, 2015 12:58 PM, "Dan N" <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> > either the oil pressure sensor are bad or you have a low oil pressure
> ..
> >> >
> >> > what grade of oil are you using?
> >> >
> >> > On Sat, Feb 28, 2015 at 10:45 AM, John Rodgers
> >> > <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> >> > wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> The oil pressure light comes on after a long run at speed when I
> >> >> have
> >> to
> >> >> drop to idle and stop for traffic or a stop light. Doesn't happen
> >> >> every time but frequently enough to keep me spooked. I have
> >> >> checked the wires and found no faults. What is happening. What
> >> >> else might cause this?
> >> >>
> >> >> John
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
>