Ron, etal,

      This may be a very good reason why the vanagon engines
have oil pressure problems, after many miles.
    NOw the real question:  Why does Mann and Mahle make
a specific Vanagon oil filter????   Why not use the vanagon
quality oil filter on the Golf anf Jetta?  Somthing is up
with this.....
                                Eric

 The Bus Depot wrote:

>>I see everyone say  to only use MANN or Mahle oil filters,
>>What about Bosch? Thanks -- Jim Newcomb
>>
>>
>
>
>
>>Bosch are fine too. In Canada, Bosch appear identical to the
>>VW filters sold at the dealer, made in the US by Champion.
>>See this link for a test which seems to suggest this also:
>>
>>
>>
>http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy-german.html
>
>
>I disagree. Mann and Mahle make a specific Vanagon oil filter.
>Champion/Bosch does not. There is a difference.
>
>If you look at the test linked above, it covers the Golf/Jetta filter
>(Mahle OC47/49 and Mann W719/5). While this filter will physically fit a
>watercooled Vanagon, it is NOT the correct oil filter for it. It's
>completely different internally in all respects - the pressure bypass,
>anti-drainback valve, and even the quality of the paper filter element -
>as per original Volkswagen spec. In the U.S., only Mahle and Mann - not
>Bosch - still offer the OEM Vanagon filter that meets original specs -
>the Mahle OC108 or Mann W719/12. This is the filter that we sell for the
>Vanagon, under the VW part number 070115561. (Direct link:
><http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=070115561>)
>
>The fact that this filter is NOT interchangeable with the Golf/Jetta
>filter was confirmed by Mahle themselves (who were OEM to Volkswagen
>when the Vanagons were built). Several years ago (as this issue comes up
>on the list periodically), a list member actually emailed Mahle in
>Germany to ask whether the Golf/Jetta filter could safely be used on a
>Vanagon.  Mahle/Germany replied with a resounding "no," stating that
>using that filter on a Vanagon could result in oil starvation on
>startup. It's in the archives if anyone cares to look for it.
>
>Despite this, the U.S. filter manufacturers all sell the Golf/Jetta
>filter as being suitable for the Vanagon. I suppose they don't sell
>enough Vanagon filters to justify producing a special filter for it, and
>perhaps don't feel that the difference is significant (or even may be
>unaware of it, since they were never OEM suppliers for the Vanagon to
>begin with). Unfortunately, here in North America this applies to Bosch
>as well, since they are simply rebranding U.S. made Champion filters
>instead of selling their own OEM filter as they do elsewhere in the
>world. If you look up a Vanagon in a U.S. Bosch filter catalog, it lists
>the same 71250 filter that is indicated for Golf, Jetta, etc. Just as in
>a Champion, Wix, or other U.S. filter catalog. By comparison, the Mann
>and Mahle catalogs have never listed these filters as being
>interchangeable.
>
>We sell the correct Vanagon filter for only $4.29. Which is actually
>cheaper than the Bosch costs at most places. Keep a few onhand, whether
>you do oil changes yourself or just provide one to your mechanic to make
>absolutely sure he uses the right one.  Maybe the real-world difference
>is insignificant, but the original suppliers of the Vanagon filter (who
>should know) clearly think otherwise. Filters are cheap. Engines are
>expensive. Why chance it?
>
>- Ron Salmon
>  The Bus Depot, Inc.
>  www.busdepot.com
>  (215)  234-VWVW
>
>_____________________________________________
>Toll-Free for Orders by PART # :  1-866-BUS-DEPOT
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>
>