>         I'm looking at a vanagon that all it's life has had a diet of
Mobil 1
> Synthetic oil. Being on the  verge of owning this van, and seeing how
> EXPENSIVE synthetic motor oils are, I'm wondering if it really is
necessary
> to continue using the synthetic stuff.

Joel...

does it leak any oil?  and how much does it use?  when I bought my very low
mileage 89 syncro (38K original) a little over a year ago, I dumped the dino
and started with the synthetic.  I like the way the engine runs with that
slippery stuff in there.  Some folks also have more leaks they tell me
because the molecules are smaller (which is why it lubricates better I
guess).  I did not have leaks, but unfortunately my engine did start to use
more oil, simply they tell me, because the thinness of it allows more to
burned through the engine. So, as a compromise, I went to a synthetic
blend... I guess it's about half/half syn and dino.  Anyway, now I still
seem to have most of the benefit of the synthetic, but don't burn much at
all... and still no leaks, of course.  Bear in mind that you do not have to
change synthetic as often as dino since it does not break down as fast (or
at all?), but it will collect garbage that needs to be cleaned out
periodically.

Still run pure synthetic in the front and rear trannies... redline is the
choice of listees everywhere... they swear by it and I can't argue.

Can't speak to what if the car has had synthetic since day one as you
mentioned, but that's been my experience on the subject anyway.  I probably
have not explained everything exactly right technically, but I think I got
the gist of it right.  My guess would be that it would be ok to switch to
dino or return to synthetic at any point... you just experience the pros and
cons of each when you do.

As they say, you're mileage may vary.

Mick
89 Syncro Westy
Hilo, Hawaii

----- Original Message -----
From: Joel Sell <jsell@PHILA.K12.PA.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2001 6:24 PM
Subject: Syn oil to regular oil- Dangerous?

> Volks,
>         I'm looking at a vanagon that all it's life has had a diet of
Mobil 1
> Synthetic oil. Being on the  verge of owning this van, and seeing how
> EXPENSIVE synthetic motor oils are, I'm wondering if it really is
necessary
> to continue using the synthetic stuff. The van already has 130K on it and
> I'm looking for another 75K or so from it (without a rebuild (yes, it is
> totally possible)). Does anyone out there have any experience with
switching?
> I guess I've just never been convinced of the advantages of the synthetic
> stuff; at least not convinced enough to go from about a buck a quart to
> almost 4 bucks a quart.
> My "head smarts" are telling me to just bite the bullet and keep going
with
> the synthetic, but my wife (and our one income and two children) are
making
> me look into the possibility of doing it cheaper.
> I always get ADVICE when I post to the lists, but what I really want is
> actual, real world, experiences. Of course, all responses, experience or
> otherwise, will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Joel
>