I'm putting my money on the O-ring.

The low temperature simply puts the most stress on the O-ring and it cracks.

At least it isn't too hard to replace!

On 1/26/07, Richard Golen <rgolen@umassd.edu> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
>
> Today, the temp here on the seacoast of SE Massachusetts has been in
> the teens, actually this am it was zero!
>
> I went to take my 87 Westy out for a little drive this afternoon, and
> as I pulled out of the parking spot, I noticed a large puddle of oil
> where the van was parked. I crawled under the engine and noticed that
> the oil was coming out of from between the oil cooler and the engine
> block.
>
> Last night, when it was 25 degrees out, I drove the van and it didn't
> puke oil. I'm assuming its because of the frigid temperatures.
>
> I'm not sure what the exact problem is, but here's a potential list:
>
> 1. Oil too thick - it currently has 10w-50 Castrol synthetic in it
>
> 2. O ring between the block and the oil cooler has become "stiff"
> from the cold and not sealing properly
>
> 3. It has a Fram filter...somewhere I recall a post a number of years
> ago about VW and Mann filters having a pressure release spring inside
> to aid in cold starting...
>
> 4. The problem is all of the above.
>
> Does anyone recall the discussion about non-VW filters and pressure
> relief springs??
>
> I'm tossing the idea of dumping the 10-50 and putting in 10-30 for now....
>
> Any suggestions, comments, etc?
>
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> Ric
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com