Date:         Tue, 17 Mar 1998 10:59:25 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Mark McCulley <raven@HALCYON.COM>
Subject:      Re: What's Correct Oil Level: MIN or MAX?!
Comments: To: Kevin J Turinsky <turinsky@JUNO.COM>, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 08:11 AM 3/17/98 -0900, Kevin J Turinsky wrote:
>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."
>
[snip]
>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.
>
My experience shows (I have an oil temp gauge) that the Vanagon oil temp
will indeed run a bit hotter (maybe 15-20F) if I fill my oil to the max
mark. I try to keep mine filled from 1/4 to 1/2 way between the min and max
marks.

-Mark McCulley
87 syncro Westy