My mechanic has said the oil pressure is spot on throughout the RPM range, so I hope I don't have to worry about tossing a rod.  I'd just cry if that happened.  How can I tell about the condition of the engine?  It has 93k on it, it sounds pretty good, no funny pings or anything, the head gasket has been replaced already and it doesnt leak anything from the head or anywhere else.

Jeff
90 GL

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Saturday, January 27, 2007 7:22:26 AM
Subject: Re: A few questions from a newbie

In a message dated 26/01/2007 7:38:32 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

Hello  all.  I just scored a sweet white 91 gl a few months ago and I have  b=
een driving it and loving it ever since.  I met some folks from  this list u=
p in PA one day when I was running up there to see a friend of  mine.  Anywa=
y, I have a few broken things and questions I am dealing  with right now and=
I just wanted to toss them out there and see what  everyone thinks.=0A=0AFi=
rstly I am having the problem with the oil  pressure light/buzzer coming on =
randomly.  I've read alot about this  problem and I have gone back to the gu=
y I bought the van from to find out  what he knew.  He said he had replaced =
both high and low sensors and  the sending unit, and since he is my mechanic=
I had him verify the  wiring.  I still get the buzzer, right at 2000 rpm wh=
en engine speed  is dropping.  It doesnt happen often, and when it does a to=
uch on  the gas pedal makes it stop straight away.  It normally seems to  hap=
pen after I have spent a long time (>15 minutes) at highway speed  (>3000 rp=
m) and I'm slowing down.  Since so much has been done I  am unsure where to =
start with checking this out, anyone have experience  here?=0A=0ASecond is a=
set of tires.  I bought it with some incorrect  tires on it and I really wa=
nt to get the right ones before something  drastic happens.  I see everyone =
saying these Yokohama Y356 and Y370  tires are great and I am going to get a=
set of them, but I really want a  set of white walls I think.  I know at on=
e point Yoko was offering  these in a white wall, but I am unable to locate =
them anywhere, wondering  if anyone might have a line on a set of these or a=
nother appropriately  rated whitewall.  I've got the stock 14 inch steel roa=
d wheels and  I'll either stick with them or get another identical set from  =
busdepot.=0A=0AThird and much more serious is the problem I have mostly  got=
in the bag.  I was having some sputtering and dying problems so I  get my m=
echanic to take a look and he finds some serious contamination  (rust) in my=
fuel.  They drain the tank and replace the fuel pump and  filter.  About a =
week later the symptoms start again so I go back  over there.  They check ou=
t the fuel tank and turns out it is rusted  so I get another from busdepot (=
props to you BusDepot guys for getting my  tank out so fast, I got it the ve=
ry next day).  The mechanic (he's a  good VW mechanic from Germany) puts tha=
t tank in and another fuel  filter.  I've been ok for the last 2 or 3 weeks,=
except I am still  hearing a buzzing noise come from the fuel pump when I f=
irst start  up.  I am looking more for someone that has experienced a rusted=
fuel  tank and heard that fuel pump buzzing, but I am definately wondering =
if I  should replace it again or just go with it? Has anyone used that  alter=
native model that busdepot
sells for $100? I'm sure its hard to  make a judgement call here, but this =
fiasco has already cost me quite a  bit and another fuel pump is just more m=
oney.=0A=0AFourth I am wondering  about window tint.  Is it difficult to tin=
t the sliding  windows?=0A=0AFifth is the Pzwo fog lamps.  Has anyone put th=
ese in?  Are they good?  I really would prefer them because they look like  t=
hey are part of the car and at least in my opinion would rarely be a  target=
for theft.  =0A=0ALast question is about a new set of  locks.  The lock cyl=
endar on my rear gate is damaged so it no longer  takes a key to unlock it (=
anything flat can turn the lock).  I'd  like to get a completely new set, ig=
nition, doors, gas cap, and rear  gate. Anyone know where to get this?=0A=0A=
Sorry for being so long  winded,=0AThanks,=0A=0AJeff Michal=0A=0A=0A =0A____=

    Jeff, welcome to Vanagon Land !  The oil  pressure problem -  you need to
have the oil pressure tested to make sure  it's to spec.  If so then the
problem is electrical.  Maybe the engine  is worn out and the buzzer is trying
tell you that and your not believing  !  You can always wait until the number
three rod comes through the upper  crankcase then you will believe !
    The fuel pump buzzing story has been cover so many  times on this list I
am not about to get into that long drawn out story one more  time.  Check the
archives.  Basically if the pump is buzzing it's due  to fuel starvation.  The
pump is lubricated by the fuel.  Not enough  fuel to the pump = it buzzes.
Your other questions I cannot comment on.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains (_Collection
for  sale_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/trainsal.htm) )
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon  Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007

 
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