In a message dated 1/18/00 6:30:34 PM, vbob@PRIMENET.COM writes:

<< a loud noise (like an alarm clock) sprang up and the oil engine light went
on. The noise scared the bejezus out of me as I down-shifted into 2nd gear.
It happened 3 times in one day but hasn't recurred since...... Does this
indicate a deeper-seated problem? >>

John:
The best answer I can think of is ... maybe.  It all depends on whether or
not your Dynamic Oil Pressure System is working properly.  There is six pages
of flow chart in the Bentley manual for troubleshooting this system so, I
guess it is not without its problems.  I was once told by a VW mechanic that
he routinely disconnects the annunciators because they are so troublesome.  I
am dubious about the wisdom of that.  Regardless, the most important thing to
do is to determine the oil pressure and the best device for that is still a
pressure gauge.  Pull out the oil pressure switch and plug in a pressure
gauge.  If you want to get an indication of what your oil pressure is doing un
der load, install the gauge in the cockpit.
Rich