About the oil, the first number is what the engine sees as the viscosity
when it's cold.  The second number is what the engine sees as the
viscosity when it's warm.  If you lower the second number the oil may be
too thin for highway use.

I'm in northern Maine and it was -11� F the other morning with a wind
chill factor of -30�.  My '85 started up fine with it's Castrol 5W 50 oil.

Mike
Houlton, Maine

Richard Golen 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
>