Tony,

I've run into this problem with a couple of my vanagons, here's the two
issues I had:

Vanagon #1:  It was as simple as installing new oil pressure switches and
making sure I was using the correct oil filters.  Only Mahle and Mann oil
filters will work correctly on vanagons, other filters (i.e., Fram, etc.) do
not maintain the oil pressure.

Vanagon #2:  The camshaft bearing were completely worn out, which is why I
didn't have any oil pressure when it got hot.  Unfortunately this required a
complete overhaul... ouch.

Hope this helps.

-jeff

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of A. Widoff
Sent: Friday, November 29, 2002 7:11 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 87 vanagon with oil pressure(?) trouble

hi there all,

wish i had something other than novice questions to contribute to this
list...

background: i�ve had problems for a while, especially during the hotter days
of summer which seems pretty normal for these engines.  typical oil light
and buzzer going off when engine gets a real workout.  occasionally over
this summer the van would lose all power and I�d have to pull over and let
it sit for a while.  Then it would be fine for another stretch.  I found
that by leaving the cover off the engine compartment I never really ran into
trouble anymore, but the stereo listening environment was severely
compromised.  What I could never understand is that I never saw the
temperature gauge go particularly high during any of these episodes.

now: I recently took a longer trip where the belt to the water pump broke.
shortly after that, the pump itself broke.  since the water pump was
replaced i have the oil light and buzzer problem even when the outside
temperature is cold.  there is also a distinct but faint burning smell.  it
does not seem to be leaking antifreeze and the temperature gauge reads
normal all the time (obviously when the pump and belt blew out the gauge was
pinned high).

The other day it occurred to me that perhaps there�s a specific coolant that
this system needs to function correctly?  I wouldn�t be surprised if the
mechanic who installed the pump didn�t know anything about it.  I�ve taken
it back to him and he can�t come up with a good theory of what�s going on.
Any ideas / suggestions greatly appreciated.

THanks

Tony Widoff
Hudson NY