Air Cooled VW Type IV engines overheat.
That's just the nature of the beast.
In your situation I suggest that you install a new oil pressure sender
because they often fail (even new ones).
I've never trusted idiot lights so I always used an oil pressure gauge on
VWs.
If you can't hold oil pressure at 1000 RPMS idling then consider installing
an oil cooler.
Check the position of the baffles that pass air over the oil cooler. If the
thermostat is bad or missing you'll need to tie the flapper so it directs
air over the oil cooler.
If you don't have at least 7 psi at idle and 18 psi at 3000 rpm and at
highway speeds with a fully warmed engine (At least a 30 minute run to get
engine temps up.) I think we can clearly state that you've run the rod
bearings out and you're running on borrowed time.
The rod bearing clearance failure was due to over heating and thinning of
the oil.

Stan Wilder

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jake Beaulieu" <jake_beaulieu@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 7:48 AM
Subject: low oil pressure at warm idle

> I drive an air cooled 82 Westy with 25,000 miles on a VW remanufactured
engine.  The low oil pressure light has started coming on at warm idle.  As
soon as I start moving again or rev up the engine the light goes off.  I am
running 10W50 oil with the correct Mahle oil filter.
> This is bad news, but just how bad.  Can I expect to get another 100 or
50,000 miles out of engine with this symptom?
>
> Thanks,
> Jake B
>
>
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