Date: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 16:21:55 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ecaron1@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: exact foot pounds for the oil plug?
In-Reply-To: <CAB2RwfjuOBmOW9P35aBnrXQG+YSmdCiNV2r2GyFs5enwLpWcRA@mail.gmail.com>
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Thanks everyone for all the great advice.
Oil change is mostly complete. My oil plug is original I believe. I have crush washers but decided not to use one as the plug has a white plastic or similar washer that came on the bus after Ken Wilford changed the oil in 2013. Ken told me I could reuse that washer and I have done that for the third time this change. I didn’t trust my torque wrench as it is a large one not designed I think for such light settings. I decided to finger tighten then do a gentle quarter turn with a fairly short handled wrench. I am trying to be gentle but be sure it is on well enough.
All seems good. I put in about 4.5 quarts and rand it a bit then a friend checked it and said it was right between the lines. So clean it is a bit hard for him to see.
Oil filter is finger tight with a quarter turn with the filter wrench as finger tight with my oil covered hands was questionable.
A future purchase will need to be a smaller torque wrench.
I want to take the bus for a ride then check again to be sure the level is the same.
I appreciate all this support as I need a little encouragement when I head out alone to do these projects.
Eric Caron
85 GL Auto Westfalia
> On Jun 17, 2016, at 2:16 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hi Eric.
>
> I hesitate to ask, as it sounds like you've changed the oil at least
> several times on this
> engine, but it does have the original OEM oil drain plug correct? If I
> recall, that OEM plug
> has cut outs lengthwise along part of the threads.
>
> A Vanagon specialty shop found that the drain plug hole on my 2.1 WBX
> was damaged.
> Unbeknownst to me at that time, their fix was to install an NPT thread
> brass plug along with what is likely an anaerobic sealant. (goop in
> small white bottle in Reinz engine gasket re-seal kit)
> The fix appears to work but I only tighten that plug by feel and very
> lightly at that.
> My thinking being that were it torqued to 18 foot pounds, the case
> hole threads could
> get damaged even further each time I reinstalled that plug.
>
> I've read of other types of drain bolts being installed on WBX or air
> cooled engines.
>
> Neil.
>
> On 6/15/16, Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Time for my yearly oil change and I believe the Bentley gives a exact foot
>> pound reading for the oil plug. I always just guess and am always
>> concerned. I now have a torque wrench and would like to take the mystery
>> out of the oil change.
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
>
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
>
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
>
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
