Date:         Tue, 2 Jun 1998 16:59:56 -0700
Reply-To:     Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      Re: oil pressure
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

At 01:19 PM 02/06/98 -0400, Pawling NY wrote:
>I may get toasted for this but here goes.
>
>"How much oil pressure does my engine need?" I have heard this many times.
>
>Here is the answer: None. Yes, Zero. Your single cylinder Brigss & Stratten
>doesn't even have an oil pump. But it will run for many thousands of hours
fine.

Don't try this at home or with your own car.

The layout of your vanagon engine and actually any car engine requires oil
pressure to reach all the parts that need lubrication. 

Oil pressure and oil circulation are also needed to filter the oil and to
cool it or cool certain engine parts. For example turbodiesel engines need
oil pressure to cool the pistons (the oil spays against the underside of the
piston and acts as a local coolant). If your engine has an oil cooler, it
needs a pump to be effective and circulate the oil. 

Your single cylinder lawnmower engine has a different layout and should not
really not be compared with a vehicle engine.

If you have no oil pressure in your vanagon engine (red light): STOP and
check cause immediately (if you don't want to toast your engine).

A note on viscosity: 
Ideally you need thin oil when you start the engine and thgicker oil when
the engine gets hot.
Oil becomes thinner when it heats up. That's why there are multi-viscosity
oils who counteract this. However, if you have a multi-grade oil with a
large range and the engine gets hot, then the more volitile additives tend
to evaporate and you will notice higher consumption. Look in your manual
where it tells you which grade to use in which climate. I use 10-40 during
the winter and 20-50 during the summer. My engine has almost 250000kms on it
without ever taking it apart.

Do change oil religiously every 5000 kms (3000 miles).

cheers,

Björn Ratjen

Mill Bay, B.C. 

1987 Syncro Est Alia (self camperized)
1995 Passat TD
(1982 Vanagon Diesel)
1979 VW Bus (self- camperized)