Drain and refill with good quality 20W-50 and head north. 10W-30 is just
too thin in hot weather. You most certainly do not have an oil pump problem.
Oh, and don't even think about 10W-40, okay?

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
James Benthall
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 9:50 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil Pressure Light went On...Abort Trip?

Hello fellow Vanagonauts,
Sorry to bother ya'll with another problem, but this one is serious.   We
were all packed and heading to
Minnesota (moving my wife...long story) when we got 25 miles out of Houston
and my freakin oil pressure light starts flashing!  [This is very upsetting
to me since I  constantly have to listen to non-Vanagonauts
question my sanity for putting so much money in "such an old car"].
Anyway,
I pull over immediately
to the side of highway and turn off engine..step out of van and go check
the oil.  Oil seems fine.  Plenty of it.  Ok, what to do?  Since we were
getting such a late start  anyway, and it is already hot as a hades here in
Texas, I decide to turn around and head back home.  Made it  all the
25 miles back home without
another incident.  Checked oil upon my return.  All is  a-ok.
Background:
I had this VERY THING happen about 6 months ago.  Oil light would  flash and
scare the bejabbers out of me.  Pull over and check.  All is a-ok.  Took to
my  mechanic and he checked.  All seems fine, so we put in new oil pressure
switch to be safe.  Been all this time and no problems.
Questions:
How do you check to see if oil pump is going out?  Would the van had  made
it back the 25 miles if the oil pump was out or going out?  I had the oil
changed last week,  and someone said on another thread that lightweight oil
could be the problem, does this seem  likely?  We use 10w30 down here since
it is so hot.  If the oil or oil filter is the problem can I  continue to
drive it and ignore the warning?

I appreciate anyones input on this problem.  I really need to get on  the
road ASAP, and I REALLY hate the thought of having to rent a car.  Thanks
all.

James in Houston
87 Westy (The Phoenix)

ps
I almost forgot...I have a "hybrid" type van with the wiring harness of an
84 (I know, terrible situation but
it has been running fine for almost a year now).  Do ya'll think it  could
be a wiring mix up or something?
And if so, would it hurt it to go ahead and drive  it?

--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.12 - Release Date: 5/17/2005

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.12 - Release Date: 5/17/2005