In a message dated 27/12/2004 4:31:17 PM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Then I'd  suggest refilling with a lighter weight oil.

    Well, not exactly the good solution.  Yes, the  lighter weight oil will
not tend to blow the O-ring but it will also be not  the proper weight oil
after the engine is up to operating temperature and on the  highway for hours on
end.  What you need is either 15w50 Synthetic  oil or a block heater to warm
the engine before starting with the 20w50  dino oil.  In either case it is well
advised to use the block heater prior  to starting any engine in these cold
conditions.  Your causing a lot  of undue wear and tear on the moving parts of
your engine starting it up at  very cold temps using any kind of oil

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com