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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
Comments: To: Stan Shapiro <mail@STANSHAPIRO.COM>
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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