Date: Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:27:27 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Oil light and buzzer
In-Reply-To: <010901d0db8d$a6ab9a00$f402ce00$@stanshapiro.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
What gear were you doing the 40 mph in? One of the weak links in the
Waterboxer is the thermal capacity of the oil system. During high speed-load
conditions oil temperatures can soar. Add to this the engine case is
expanding allowing the bearings to loosen and the oil pump is also losing
capacity. All this combines with the reduced viscosity of the oil and oil
pressure plummets. It is not that difficult to get the oil up 275F and
still have perfectly normal coolant temperature indication. The automatic
trans adds to this due to torque converter heat being put into the cooling
system and the reduced radiator flow due to some of the coolant flowing to
the ATF cooler. Having the load and heat of AC adds to this. Engine
modifications simply add to the situation.
The easiest fix is to run with a reduced oil level. The "full" mark is in
fact the "Maximum do not exceed no matter what" mark. Oil change with
filter, 4.5 quarts. Run to fill filter, check level, that is the new "full"
mark.
Best fix for extended high speed-high load travel is a good oil cooling
system. Upgrading the oil pump will help the pressure problems but
overheated oil and the engine parts is still of concern. If you plan to
drive these engines hard an oil temperature and pressure gauge is
invaluable. You will soon see the relationship to driving conditions and
learn to slow down or stop when needed.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Stan Shapiro
Sent: Thursday, August 20, 2015 5:18 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil light and buzzer
90 Westy, 2.2 Gowesty WBX, Automatic
Going up a mountain pass on Interstate 90 in Montana, went up the pass at
the usual 50mph, crested the pass, then on the way down, the oil light and
buzzer went off for about a total of 20 seconds, then it went off on its own
while I was still driving. NO room to pull over due to construction.
Light and buzzer remained off. Pulled off an exit, checked the oil which
was fine ( closer to full). Drove another 40 miles home, with no
problems, the van drove as normal, no oil buzzer or light. The only
recent change to the van was a new water pump.
Any thoughts???
stan
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