Date:         Sun, 14 Mar 1999 21:19:18 -0800
Reply-To:     John Scheckel <jscheckel@NUTLEY.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Scheckel <jscheckel@NUTLEY.COM>
Organization: John Scheckel Architect
Subject:      Re: oil in gas
Comments: To: Gary Basey <gbasey@LINK2000.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Gary Basey wrote:
>
> I just put my newly rebuilt engine in my '80 westy.  I had trouble
> getting it started.
> I found that the wire to the temperature sensor was broke.  After I
> fixed that it took right off and I let it run about twenty minutes.
>
> Later, I went out and checked the oil before taking the van for a test
> drive.  It smelled like gas so I drained some out to see and I
> definately have gas in my oil!
>
> Is this a result of my earlier attempt to start the moter (i.e. I
> flooded it) or could it be something more problematic?  Could it be
> simply change the oil and I'll be alright?  I must have tried six or
> seven times to start it up before I went searching for the cause.
> When I did start it, it ran great (after the lifters quieted down in
> 2-3 minutes).
>
> I don't have much knowledge of fuel injection systems and any insight
> would be helpful.
>
> THANK YOU,
>
> Gary
>
> '80 Westy
>
> P.S.  I tried the archives and kept getting a failure to connect
> message (after about 10 minutes).  Does any one else have a problem
> searching the archives?
>
>
I had this problem after I rebuilt my '87.  After the rings seated
(several thousand miles) the gas in the oil syndrome seemed to be
alleviated.  A good friend of mine who just happens to be a mechanic
said that this is a common occurance on rebuilt engines.  The fix is to
run the motor, let it break in and change the oil after 500 to 100
miles.

Good Luck

John