Date:         Mon, 2 Mar 1998 20:47:17 -0800
Reply-To:     David Raistrick <keen@TIORA.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Raistrick <keen@TIORA.NET>
Subject:      Re: Engine Advice (Overheating?)
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <19980303031211.6835.rocketmail@send1b.yahoomail.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

> >
> > As a new 1982 Vanagon L Wesfalia owner, I was curious to find out
> about
> > how my engine will hold up while on long rides?
> > What I want to know is, assuming I'm traveling at a steady 60mph, do I
> > need to stop and rest the engine or let it cool every so often?  How

Noo!  Presuming that you're timing is set properly, you have no critters,
or other objects hanging around in your fan/inside the engine tin, and
that you're fuel/air mixture is right, and that you have oil in her, you
can drive and drive and...well, fill up.:)

Point of proof: October i drove from GA to WA, stoping only for gas.
(well, and that accel pump jet we ate in atlanta...:) While this WAS a
differnt style engine and bus, non the less, it is the same situation.

> > will I know if it's getting too hot?

Hmm...I'm not very familar with the aircooled vanagon engines (in fact,
i've never even laid eyes on one!), but as a rough guess, without aid of
gauges, when you stop to get gas, go first to the engine.  Pull out the
disptick, and feel it, at the bottom.  Can you hold your hand in it
without branding yourself?  If you can hold it wothout having to bounce it
between hands, then your've fine.

If you need to bounce it between hands, you may want to investigate your
timing, and or fuel mixture, but it will probably be fine for a while.

If you cant even touch it, ya better find a mechanic...:)

Note: dont check your oilat the same time you check the temperature:  The
oil needs time to settle before you check it, but you dont want the engine
to cool down before you check that...


So go back, after you've gased up, releaved yourself, and cleaned your
windows....Check the oil now.:)

.....david

--
David Raistrick  '69 Westy-Itchigo                      keen@tiora.net
                 '66 Hardtop Westy                      in Augusta Ga
Mike West's Pushing Back the Darkness Series:
http://www.tiora.net/~keen/west/darkness.html

The Turning 40 Nostalgic VW Service Tour, and Search for the Beginning of Wind
http://www.tiora.net/~keen/charlie/charlie.html