Date:         Wed, 20 Dec 1995 19:56:15 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         SyncroHead@aol.com
Subject:      Re: Help on buying '87 Westy

In a message dated 95-12-20 12:21:30 EST, swright@smus.bc.ca (Shawn Wright,
SMUS Network Analyst) writes:

>-After driving about 15 minutes at moderate speed, I ran up the 
>highway at about 3500rpm in 3rd, before braking for a hard right turn 
>to the dealer, and up a short hill (in 1st), after which the oil 
>pressure light/buzzer came on- it stayed on for 5-10 secs before I 
>killed the engine & coasted. Temp was middle gauge, fan not on. I 
>started it again & seemed fine, oil level ok.
>I suspect that the run at 3500 pumped the oil to the heads, and the 
>quick stop & turn starved the oil pickup for a moment, but I can't 
>believe it was this easy to do...
>My Jetta's got 330K & only had this happen once, while climbing a 
>mountain pass flat-out (turbo diesel)...
>Is this a common thing, or should I be looking for signs of trouble 
>here?

This has only happened once on my '87.....I just replaced the engine!

>Is the '87 a 1.9 or 2.1 l. ? Is there a code difference? 

Engine code should be MV, a 2.1 liter.

>The engine 
>looks *very* clean (NO oil underneath) almost like it's been steam 
>cleaned. 

I'd be certain that it has been steam cleaned.  Dealers like to do that.

Jim Davis
87 Syncro
88 Wolfsburg