Date:         Mon, 20 Jan 1997 20:51:22 -0800
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Lawrence Johnson <ljohnson@halhinet.on.ca>
Subject:      Re: Really COLD starts

Gary E Thaxter wrote:
> 
> Hi all.
> 
> I'm waiting for the weather to warm up so I can do some work on my van
> (install used engine).  It's been too cold to start working outside ( -41
> before wind chill (yes minus 41 degrees)).  I live in Northern Ontario
> Canada.  40 below is 40 below celcius, farenheit, same thing.  It was only
> a couple of days, but we usually get about a week of that stuff near the
> end of January.
> 
> The first year I had my van (85 transporter), I was coming home from work
> at about 5 am, 40 below and my oil light came on.  I pulled over to find my
> oil all up my back door and in a puddle underneath.  Scared the heck out of
> me but it ended up it was only the oil filter gasket had blown out.  Quick
> change that afternoon and all was well.  I still had to walk home though (3
> miles).
> 
> Anyone know what weight of oil is recommended when hell freezes over?
> 
> There was some talk of block heaters on the list a while back.  I couldn't
> live without one.  My 74 transporter had one as well.  Every bug I ever
> bought had one too.  They are actually "oil heaters" on the air cooled
> ones, and the water cooled one is the same only bigger.  It basically is an
> element in an aluminum block that bolts to the bottom of your motor and
> keeps things toasty.
> 
> When I first got my water cooled it didn't have one (I bought the van in
> Southern Ontario).  A cold snap set in and I was stranded.  To get to the
> dealer to buy a block heater (an hour away) I had to use an old trick my
> grandfather used to use when he worked in the bush.  When the skidders and
> dozers wouldn't start, they would light a fire underneath.  Not so
> dramatic, I filled an enamel pan with hot coals from the wood stove and
> propped it up on boards until it was close enough to just warm my bottom
> (my engine bottom ;~)  ).  After three hours and a bunch of refills, old
> unfaithful sputtered to life.
> 
> I thought that this is maybe what caused my filter gasket to go, but almost
> on the exact same day, one year later, and almost in the exact spot. . .
> (play twilight zone music now)  it happened again.  It was later in the day
> and I got a ride that time.  I was even using lighter oil.  How light can I
> go at 40 below?
> 
> The next year the van was parked for January, and this year I'm replacing
> the engine, so I don't have to worry, but we still have a couple of months
> of winter left.  If anyone has cold weather experience with their vans or
> any recommendations, let haul, I'ld like to hear from you.
> 
> And does Propex make an industrial size heater? Ha, kidding. My BA6 will
> melt plastic (left a cassette by the floor vent).
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Gary Thaxter
> 85 transporter
> 74 transporter (panel)
> still looking at an 86 syncro
> 
> Does really cold weather affect VC operation in a Syncro?
> Any other list members live in the North?

According to Bentley pg 17.8
-30C to -10C use 5W20 or 5W30
-20C to +15C use 10W30
-15C to +30C use 15W40 or 15W50
-10C to +30C use 20W40 or 20W50

I use 15W50 Mobil 1 year round. It started two days ago at -33C with a
warm booster battery and ran smoothly. Took 10 km to get temp needle to
the post and another 10km to get temp normal 1/2 way mark (over warning
light).

Larry
'86 Syncro Westy