If you'd like to change over to a an accurate through-the-block
dipstick for a diesel-style inline four installation, I've written up
instructions for how to do it using steel brake line from a FLAPS, a
brass compression fitting ring  and a vanagon diesel dipstick from
the dealer. It's in the archives on this list and the diesel vanagon
group.

Jim

On May 8, 2007, at 1:20 AM, Zoltan wrote:

> So, I had an educated guess.  Drained the whole thing and put in
> 3.7 quarts
> because the filter was not changed.  I only was trying to find out
> this oil
> level thing.  Cost me time and some quarts of oil.
> I also had no reference that I found, what kind of viscosity of oil
> I should
> use.  Used 20/50.
> Thanks for the input, sir.
> Zoltan
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ahlgrim, Kevin" <kahlgrim@iusb.edu>
> To: "Vanagon Mailing List" <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>;
> <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2007 10:48 AM
> Subject: RE: Keep pouring oil in ...
>
>
> You need to disregard the oil stick that goes into the engine block
> and
> only use the stick from the oil fill tube.  The engine you have in
> your
> Vanagon is probably from a Golf or Jetta. The original engines in the
> diesel Vanagon did not have the oil check stick in the block, only
> through the oil filler tube.  If it looks homemade someone has
> replaced
> the original one for some reason.  Hopefully the person measured the
> stick with an original.  You can still find original oil sticks
> with the
> filler tube but they are getting harder to find since the part is no
> longer available.  You are correct on the slanting part, that is
> why the
> filler tube is the only one to use.
>
> Kevin
>
> Date:    Mon, 7 May 2007 00:01:48 -0700
> From:    Zoltan <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
> Subject: Keep pouring oil in ...
>
> I checked the oil level of a diesel and there was no show of oil on
> the
> = stick.=20 But this van has a stick that is built into the oil
> fill cap
> too, so one = does not have to open the engine area.  On that stick it
> was ok, but it = is obviously a home made thing.
> I checked the back of the Bentley and it says 4 quarts.  And less
> if the
> = filter is not changed.
> I had to put in more than four to make it to the top of the mark of
> the
> = factory stick and there was plenty in there already.
> I have a Golf with the same engine and it is not as slanted as the
> one =
> in the van. =20 Anyone knows about this subject?
> Zoltan
>
>
>
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