We are currently getting our Vanagon ready to sell, so have been searching
this list for new information about the problem common in the dynamic oil
pressure system where the light/buzzer comes on at low rpms. Since it is
winter now the problem doesn't occur, and I wonder if the check ball and
spring would still show the sticking problem (from list postings in May last
year) if that is the culprit. The only other thing we haven't done is change
the oil viscosity in warm weather. This van has about 95K miles and we are
the only owners. The problem has been checked out several times since it
started happening probably 8-9 years--maybe 10,000 miles ago and we were
told everything was fine and it was likely just a problem well known with
the dynamic sensing system. But just the last time we drove it we heard a
knocking noise from the valves when it first started. After about 5 minutes
it went away and the engine purred like usual. The shop mentioned bleeding
the valves, but I am concerned it is related to the oil pressure problem.
I was on this list 3 years ago and had several offers for the Vanagon but
couldn't bring ourselves to sell it since it is such a great driving vehicle
and has taken us on some very cool trips. Now our son lives in Switzerland
and our travelling is usually trans-Atlantic so the van mainly sits in the
car port which isn't good for it. Also here in Iowa it is very difficult to
find mechanics who will work on old Vdubs. This is a Wolfsburg edition, red,
and a beautiful original one-owner van. The AC was switched to non-freon and
now won't hold a charge, and the cruise doesn't work. It has a high power
stereo amp and bass booster under the back seat. We will sell it cheap to a
good home and drive it to a buyer (best offer over $3000) within reasonable
distance. I can send images by email.
Jane and Mike Meggers