Bill,
Your winter is marginally less severe than mine, but I change from 20W50 to
10w40 about November. I've had some mornings in the teens this year and the
10 weight starts easily with no oil light on extended drives.
Regards,
John Meeks
Top of Lower Michigan
91 Westfalia MultiVan
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  >-----Original Message-----
  >From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
  >Of Bill H.
  >Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 11:06 PM
  >To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  >Subject: Re: Best Oil Viscosity?
  >
  >
  >I've been using the 20w-50 most of the year and the engine has
  >been pretty happy with it, completely eliminated a tapping
  >lifter problem I was having. But in the winter and with the van
  >sitting outside (Pittsburgh) I've been switching to 10w-30. Is
  >there a better grade for winters in the north?
  >
  >Bill H.
  >Pittsburgh
  >
  >
  >Use the 20w-50. The 10w-30 will cause oil pressure problems during
  >extended highway travel. Better yet would be a synthetic such as Mobil
  >15w-50. The Waterboxer needs a high viscosity oil due to it's poor
  >tolerances, marginal oil pump capacity, and the fact that the case
  >expands when heated increasing clearances at the bearings.
  >
  >
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