Date: Tue, 1 Dec 1998 08:49:20 -0800
Reply-To: YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: YauMan Chan <YauMan@CCHEM.BERKELEY.EDU>
Subject: Re: Oil Filter* Conundrum*
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Some parts dealer on the list should answer this but here's my experience.
When I still own two rabbits, I noticed that the rabbit (and audi) oil filter is the same as my 87 GL. In fact, if you look at the reference listing in your FLAP, the 3 major brands Fram, Lee and AC all list the Rabbit and Vanagon as having the same part number. However, if you look at the Mann reference, they have different part numbers. I always buy Mann for my Vanagon. Upon this observation, I asked my VW dealer parts department about this and this is their explanation. Yes, they are physically the same and share the same threads etc and are therefore interchangaeable. But, they claim that the one for the Vanagon has a lower pressure by-pass, ie it takes less to bypass the filtering when the filter element is clogged. This they claim is important for the Vanagon. I find this explanation a little weird because I thought that the oil filter by-pass valve should be in the filter mount and not in the filter itself.
So, I don't know the answer. I will continue to use Mann just 'cos my vanagon is running so well after 11 years of faithful service..
Yau-Man Chan
87 GL
>>> Melissa Mourkas <legacy@JAVANET.COM> 12/01 6:50 AM >>>
Dear listees:
I have recently aquired an '81 Westy (Hildie) and an authentic '36 German
mechanic (Albert).
Recently, Hildie and I visited Albert for an oil change, among other
winterizing chores. Albert prefers to use an oil filter which is
actually spec'ed for the Rabbit/ Jetta/ Golf: it's a little taller and
narrower, easier to remove (he claims), same screw fitting. Because he
is such a cantankerous ol' curmudgeon, who really seems to know his
stuff, I allowed him to install a Mann Filter, W719/5, spec'd for the
Rabbit/ Jetta/Golf. He assures me it has the same volume capacity as the
Vanagon-specified VW or Mann brand filter. Albert sold me an extra
filter for half-price so I could have it handy. What a guy, eh?!
My questions for the list are:
1. Was I sold a bunch of bull....?
2. Is he a flake?
3. Is this just an inventory reduction move on his part?
4. Does any of this really matter in light of world hunger, global
warming and loss of plant & animal habitat?
Inquiring minds want to know...
Melissa Mourkas
81 Westy 'Hildie'(hibernating peacefully, thank you)
Haydenville, MA
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