Sounds like you have an oil cooler o ring leak.  It is common for this o
ring to fail on our vans, especially after very cold weater.   There was
even a recall in Canada.  Its a super easy fix.  Obviously the guys at
Murphy Bros don't know much about vanagons or else they would have known
this.  You remove the oil filter.  Then you'll see a threaded pipe that the
oil filter screws onto.  Remove this pipe (its not too tight) by turning it
by hand with a rag, using pliers around a rag, a strapwrench, 2 nuts turned
against eachother or any other creative way.  Then between the oil cooler
and the engine block you will find an o ring that is probably cracked.  Get
all of the old o ring out put in a new one (availabe from list vendors) put
the pipe back in, oil filter back on and you're all set.  A $5.00/1 hour
fix IF this is the problem.

Good luck,
Andrew

                    "David M.
                    McClelland"              To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
                    <sdaveemt@IX.NETC        cc:
                    OM.COM>                  Subject:     Fw: Murphy Bros. Quincy Ma.
                    Sent by: Vanagon         Good or bad or O.K.
                    Mailing List
                    <vanagon@gerry.va
                    nagon.com>

                    07/13/01 12:05 PM
                    Please respond to
                    "David M.
                    McClelland"

----- Original Message -----
From: David M. McClelland
To: David M. McClelland
Sent: Friday, July 13, 2001 12:03
Subject: Re: Murphy Bros. Quincy Ma. Good or bad or O.K.

For the benefit of anyone in the Boston area...
I took my vehicle in and told them it was most likely a seal arround the
oil pump or cooler.
I went back on my way way to work 8 hours later just to see if they had
found the source of the leak. They said "it was either a seal arround the
oil pump or the cooler".!!!!
I asked for a repair guestimate. They said "We won't touch it".
So unless you have something newer than 10 years old, don't bother going
there.
 ----- Original Message -----
 From: David M. McClelland
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
 Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 14:24
 Subject: Murphy Bros. Quincy Ma. Good or bad or O.K.

 I've just made an appointment for my '83 aircolled westy at the above est.
 I have an oil leak (probably a seal).
 The place is full of all types of V.Ws.
 Just curious. It's within walking distance of my house so hopefully the
 reports will be good.
 David M. McClelland