Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2015 20:45:06 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 81 Westfaila
In-Reply-To: <CAAEUmu-OuucPTbjhB4Z5n8a5=JbZrUzDvVJ+a=A2aKnxyJogOw@mail.gmail.com>
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Regardless, that much oil consumption should be a concern. You’re talking a quart for every tank of fuel. You need to have the situation evaluated. These engines can run hot and if a cylinder is not doing what it should it is just a question of when, not if the others overheat to the point of burning pistons or even the heads. Once the engine is established as healthy a cylinder head temperature gauge is of great importance especially for extended highway travel. Most likely the EGR system is no longer there or functional. EGR helps to reduce peak flame temperature both for NOx reduction and for these engines head and piston survival.
Dennis
From: Christian Smith [mailto:christian.smith.84@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 7, 2015 7:43 PM
To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>; vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Subject: Re: 81 Westfaila
Pretty sure it's burning more than leaking but I am not sure, after I park it a few (3-5) drops of oil are found underneath, not large drops, nothing puddle like, just a few drops, there is more often the smell of burning oil.
Any suggested steps to take to avoid a major issue?
Thanks
On Mon, Dec 7, 2015 at 7:28 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com <mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > wrote:
A quart of oil in 200 miles is excessive. A quart in 1,000 is a more normal upper limit. Is it burning or leaking it? It is common for these engines to have the heads loosen or the cases warp so oil will leak out at the base of the cylinders. A telltale is if you get oil smells in the heating system or if the engine sounds like it needs an exhaust. Burned pistons and broken rings can also be a cause of excessive oil consumption. Time for a compression and leak-down test.
Dennis
From: Christian Smith [mailto:christian.smith.84@gmail.com <mailto:christian.smith.84@gmail.com> ]
Sent: Monday, December 7, 2015 12:34 PM
To: d23haynes57@hotmail.com <mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
Subject: 81 Westfaila
Greetings! I recently purchased a 1981 Westfalia, I just completed an 800+ mile trip from Chicago and she ran very very well, there is a "slight" oil drip and it does seem to consume a fair amount of oil (4 qts over 800 miles in 3 days).
I will be driving her upstate to store her for the winter but I wanted to have a professional have a look at her.
I'd love to hear some recommendations in terms of projects or maybe just make some suggestions for what I should keep an eye out for or have fixed/upgraded by a mechanic sooner rather than later.
Let me know if I'm barking up the wrong tree.
Thanks!
