Date:         Tue, 25 Nov 1997 18:45:14 -0500
Reply-To:     DAPrescott@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         DAPrescott@AOL.COM
Subject:      Gas in Crankcase

Greetings all,
Its great to have the list back.  I realize now how much I learn form you
all, and how much I enjoy your (collective) company!

Last week, I was driving along (84 wasserboxer, 174K) when I seemed to lose
power -- no bad, bad noticeable.  On the way home that evening, it got worse.
 Tremendous clouds of blue smoke folowed me home as I limped along, nearly
powerless.

Surveyed the situation and found my oil full of gas.  Somehow fuel had found
its way down there.  The now very thin oil/gas mix found its way back up into
the pistons, and was (only partially) being burned as fuel.  Parking on the
driveway indicated additional oil where it shouldn't be -- in the exhaust
system, leaking out at flange coupling.

I've drained the offensive cocktail, replaced the oil and filter and have
driven it over short distances a few times since.  The only problem seems to
be the residual burning off of oil that's where it sholdn't be.  Oh, and a
very small droplet of coolant hanging from the tin by the oil filter after
the van sat a few days.

The questions:  What happened? How much am I pushing my luck? What other info
can I give to shed more light on the problem?

I have no idea of work done (not done) by the DPO, with whom I have no way to
contact.  I've had the van since 115K, and this is the first really serious
problem.

I'd appreciate any words of wisdom.
TIA

Doug
84 GL daily driver, 174K (The Blue Cloud?)
84 Westy, 74K