Hi Mark.  Sounds like leaking head gaskets are a real possibility here.
Have it checked at a real VW shop that knows the watercooled Vanagons.  If
the head gaskets are the problem, it will get worse not better, so you
shouldn't wait on this.  What city are you in or near?  If you don't have a
good vanagon mechanic, maybe some one on the list can give you the name of a
shop in your area.

Bob
87 Westy "RDRUNR1"
Albuquerque

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Watts <MVAone@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, May 24, 2001 4:12 PM
Subject: Gas in oil

>Listees,
>
>Just got my van back from its paint job. Halfway home oil light comes on,
>buzzer sounds, urine down leg, etc. Pull the dipstick oil level is
overfull.
>Smell dipstick smells like gas! Limp to Jiffy lube. Replace 5 quarts of new
>Mobil one with 10 w 40 Shell. This has happened one time before. What is
the
>problem and what is the solution? Any ideas appreciated. Oh and filled up
>with gas also. In the gas tank:-)
>
>
>tia,
>Mark
>
>99 Passat
>87 Westy
>93 Cabrio
>