Date: Tue, 17 Mar 1998 08:11:47 -0900
Reply-To: Kevin J Turinsky <turinsky@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Kevin J Turinsky <turinsky@JUNO.COM>
Subject: What's Correct Oil Level: MIN or MAX?!
Hi Jim and List Volks:
Well, I wondered if someone would comment on the oil quantity (4.25
qts.)! The owner's manual states 4.2qts. w/o filter, 4.8qts. with filter
change, and that the difference between MIN and MAX is 1 quart. In
reality I probably got around 4.35 - 4.40 in the thing.
I got the idea to try the engine with a little less oil from a List post
from Ed McLean (mcleans@earthlink.net), dated May 1, 1997, titled
"Overheating? Try these ideas."
Who knows if he knows what he's talking about. I've been intending to
write him about his long-term experience - maybe today.
Ed made 6 points (I paraphrased the first 5):
1) Make sure the inside of your radiator is clean.
2) Make sure the OUTside of your radiator is clean.
3) Make sure your coolant is in spec.
4) He installed a slightly modified 82 degree C. thermostat.
5) Use a high quality lube - Synthetic if you can.
6) "I NEVER fill the crankcase oil level to the tip of the operating
range on the dipstick. I always keep the oil level between the bottom of
the operating range and 1/4 up from the bottom. This lowered my oil
temperature (VDO drain plug sensor and electric gauge) from 255 degrees F
to 185 degrees F at 70 mph on a 80 degree day! Usual oil temperature is
about 175 degrees F even in 30 degree weather. Before reducing the oil
level, hot idle oil pressure was sometimes 1-2 psi. Now it is generally
10 psi. Hot, 3000rpm oil pressure is 30-40 psi now. The oil warning light
and buzzer came on a few times before I made these changes but they never
come on now."
So, I tried this by carefully filling the crankcase by 8oz. at a time,
after the first 3-3.5 qts. First I poured some oil into the oil filter
and attached it. Then I began adding oil through the top. At about 4.25
qt. (coulda been a bit more - I got distracted once) the dipstick read
1/4 above the MIN mark. I drove around on Sunday, Monday, and today,
checking the oil level both before and after running. The level seems
fine, slightly higher than 1/4 above the MIN mark, probably due to the
oil I poured in the filter.
Now, as a pilot, when dealing with Air Cooled engines, oil is used not
only to reduce friction but also to REMOVE heat. Too much oil in an
airplane engine can lead to higher engine temps. Seems like the same idea
with the Vanagon engine. Now, granted, starving the engine of oil is NOT
something to mess around with. These engines have enough problems
already. So, I'm watching the level very carefully, have additional oil
in the vehicle to add a little if I need to, AND I'll be changing that
Fram filter out this weekend for an OEM.
I'd really like to know what you think about this. It sounds like good
sense to me, but I'd also like to hear what others think too.
Oh, and thanks for the Amsoil filter part #. I knew there had to be an
Amsoil filter that fit. I called Amsoil and they said "No." I'll be
moving to Amsoil a little later - putting braided stainless steel hoses
on too.
Hasta,
Kevin...turinsky@juno.com
"Anchored, down in Anchorage---Alaska"
On Mon, 16 Mar 1998 21:04:27 EST SyncroHead <SyncroHead@aol.com> writes:
>In a message dated 98-03-16 18:51:39 EST, you write:
>
>> 4.25 quarts
>
>Uh..... I've been using 4.7 qts. Maybe you should put in a bit more?
>
>> Is there anything/any brand
>> better than OEM, other than Amsoil's by-pass filter setup? What ARE
>the
>> best oil filters out there?
>
>Without going to the trouble of the whole bypass filter system, I'd
>use (and
>do use) the Amsoil filters. Model ASF-34 for a 2.1L Vanagon. I did
>install
>the bypass filter setup and had trouble with one of the hoses getting
>too hot
>from proximity to the exhaust. Still have not tried to re-engineer
>this & re-
>install. Someday though!
>
>Regards,
>Jim Davis
>
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