I am still in the "dino" oil camp and have read and listened to what
everybody says about the great things about syn oils.
I like running 20-50 dino oils in my rigs here in hot Calif, and  I dont
believe in not changing oil regularly.
Couple things to consider.
The vanagon was not designed with bearing clearances to run on light weight
syn oils.
The oil filtering system is not designed with syn oils in mind as new cars
are today.
The main failures to vanagon waterboxers is not typically hot oil related,
its head gasket related.
I have rebuilt several vw motors over the years including waterboxers and
IMHO the oil in the vanagon
is not getting hot enough to warrant the higher temp capabilities of syn,
It a non-issue in a vanagon.
However the low vis of syns IS.

Doug

----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Powell" <spowell1681@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2005 9:29 AM
Subject: 87 GL Sythetic oil vs. regular

> I have a recent purchased '87 wolfsburg weekender with 98K on original
engine.  No leaks, runs good.  Avg MPG on highway is 18+.  Previous owner
used Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W30 which I keep in it also.   I drive it daily but
concerned that oil may be too thin for hot weather in SE.  (and it is damn
hot right now)  Someone told me the synthetic oil also retains more heat
than regular oil.   Thanks for your insights.  Steve