Bob McMain wrote:

> 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
> >

Doesn't sound like a head gasket problem to me.  More like something causing the
injection system to run way too rich.  If it's intermittent, perhaps a bad
electrical connection or sensor somewhere.

Larry A.