James,

I am in South Florida and I run 20W50 all the time, nothing but!  And, I use
ONLY the Mahle filters (ordered 4 at a time), changing EVERY 3000 miles.

When I first got my Vanagon Carat 2 years back, it had 10W40 in it, the
buzzer-o-death would come on during slow downs.  Since the switch to 20W50, no
problems or issues!  I'm now at 161K on the odometer, original engine and
managing just fine (albeit, I know that the passenger side head drips now and
then -- only during our "winter" here).

So, I agree with all the others, dump that 10W30 and get 20W50 in there, and
use quality OEM filters ONLY -- there are many stories of issues when you
don't.

Good luck and have fun!  And, I get the ribbing from my friends as well, but
it's usually when me and 6 of my friends are IN the van on the way to a group
lunch :-)  Try that in anything else!  Yeah, I hear of these 7-passenger vans,
and I've even had the joy of folding myself up to fit in one -- no thanks!  I
find my van more useful, more entertaining and more a joy to drive than
anything else I have ever owned!

    -Robert

------ Original Message ------
Received: Fri, 20 May 2005 09:55:08 PM EDT
From: James Benthall <Taobythesea@AOL.COM>
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?
>