Due to the operating temps, expansion characteristics, and minimal oil
pump the WB needs higher viscosity oils. I use the Mobil 1 15w-50 as it
is readily available. I have changed my oil at 7,500 mile intervals and
now have almost 205K on it. Still has original head gaskets.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Douglas L Urner
Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2003 1:11 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Synthetic Oil for a 2.1?

We've got a just broken in (around 3,000 miles) NW Connecting Rod 2.1 in
our '84 Vanagon and I'm leaning toward running a synthetic oil in it.
I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.  In particular what is a good
synthetic: Redline, Castrol, Mobil, Amsoil?  Are there real differences
between them?  What grade of oil to run?  The Redline web site seems to
suggest that it might make sense to use both a narrower viscosity range
and a lighter high end.

If you're running synthetic how often do you change it?  Do you do
filter changes between oil changes?

My goals are engine life and, hopefully, a bit more fuel economy.

Thanks, Doug
--
Douglas L. Urner <dlu@canishe.com>  Port Orchard, WA   +1 360 769 5565