About the time I got on this list, I made a long trip out of town after
driving only locally for a year or more. During that time I decided
that doing my own oil changes just wasn't worth it, and I started using
a quick-change service. Besides the horror stories I could tell you
about how little they know about the vanagon and how much damage can
come from that lack of knowledge, the upshot is that I got away from
german filters made for the vanagon (with an oil return check valve)
and I got away from Castrol 20W50 which I had always used when I was
maintaining the oil.

I left on the trip for NY in august loaded with about 1000 lbs of stuff
and passengers. At one point I had to slam on brakes and the the oil
buzzer went off. When I pulled into a rest area, the lifters were so
loud that I had to plan on how to abort the trip at that point. When I
got to ny and parked for three days, the lifters clacked for half an
hour.

When I got back, they clacked anytime the van was left for more than a
few days without running.

Then I saw the oil discussions on this list. I had never realized the
importance of the OEM-style filters, either. So I went back to 20W50
and bosch filters. I've made two trips to NY since then, and no
clacking, even with the van parked for three weeks.

Unless you're going to sell the van tomorrow and you don't care what
happens to it and the new owner, don't cut corners on the oil filter
and oil. Others may recommend different/better oils, but don't let
anyone talk you into a purolator filter or any other filter besides a
Mann or Bosch.

It just isn't worth it.

Jim

On Jun 7, 2004, at 2:07 PM, Joe Federici wrote:

> I've read a few oil filter reviews and found that Purolator filters are
> always high on the list. I haven't used them but wondering if others
> have switched over.
>
> JFF
>
>
> On Jun 7, 2004, at 2:11 PM, S.Harrison wrote:
>
> http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy-german.html
>