It's a matter of proving it to yourself.
Your engine will run hotter with the oil up to the max mark.
It will run cooler with the oil down about 1/8" below the max mark. This
difference only represents about 1/2 quart but it will make a difference.
Run you engine at the max mark for a few days and them remove enough oil to
drop the level down below the max mark.
Of course you won't prove anything if you don't have a good quality
temperature gauge measuring oil temperature and with a WBX you should also
be measuring the water temperature.
I've seen lower oil temperatures on my 356c, 912e, 66 westy, 83 westy all
with air cooled engines.
Checking the oil on my dry sump 911 is somewhat different but even with a
remote oil tank I seem to have lower operating temperatures at highway
speeds if the oil level is lower. If the oil tank is overfilled you can
definitely see higher highway temperatures.
-------------------------------
I think it all has to do with the crankshaft slinging oil in the case and
your oil being more foam that you'd get with lesser oil in the pan.
I know a windage tray is a definite plus in controlling oil foaming and oil
mist in the crankcase.

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry Chase" <roadguy@ROADHAUS.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 10:08 PM
Subject: Dipstick oil level

Volks,

Somewhere along the line I became convinced that the correct amt of oil in a
Vanagon Waterboxer engine, was 1/2 way between the Dipstick "max' and "min"
marks.

Even though the owners manual states,

"The oil level is correct if it is between the "max" and "min" marks on the
dipstick".

Searching thru the archives I find several references to this.

But I'm curious what the current collective think is on this?

What say you?

good road, good adventure

larry chase

www.roadhaus.com
www.roadhaus.com/shops.html
www.roadhaus.com/tires.html