I haven't changed the oil yet...I just got the van 2 weeks ago.  I checked
the previous owners service records and he changed it 20 miles after the
rebuild.  He put 10w40 in it and used a vw filter.  I'll use a new vw filter
and castrol 20w50 today.  Thanks

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Brennan [mailto:kimbrennan@mac.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 9:17 PM
To: Brett Whistler
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Oil warning light and buzzer go off when going uphill

1500 miles on the rebuild...Just changed your oil recently after the
break-in period? Did you use 20w50 oil? Or did you use 10w30?
Waterboxer powered Vanagon's need 20w50.

On May 18, 2005, at 10:52 PM, Brett Whistler wrote:

> Hello Listee:
>
> I'm a rookie...so I apologize ahead of time for any stupid questions.
> I
> have an '86 Syncro w/ a 2.1 L WBX that was rebuilt ~1,500 miles ago.
> I just
> purchased the van, and it's been running great.  I live in the
> mountains of
> Park City, UT and many times am driving up and down steep hills.
> Today I
> was driving up a steep hill and my oil warning light and buzzer started
> sounding.  I immediately pulled over and put a quart of oil in
> it...without
> checking the level first.  That was a mistake.  I start up...make it
> until
> the next hill, and the warning starts up again.  I pull over and THIS
> TIME
> check the oil on a level surface.  I'm 1 quart over now.  I don't
> think I
> was ever low obviously.  The warning doesn't occur when I'm on the
> flats or
> going down hill.
> 1. Any suggestions as to where to start?
> 2. Should I stop driving it until I resolve this...even though the
> warning
> usually doesn't go off?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Brett