this is what I use .......
in all not new, not just rebuilt, and not very modern cars, vans and
engines -
ffor engine oil , for a non-synthetic : Cheron Delo 15W40............
never ever had a bit of trouble with that oil. I might not use that weight
at zero degrees ........but for normal summer and mild winter.......that's
what I use, in everything that's not brand new or super modern.
  I might add a hydrualic lifter cleaner for hyd. valve lifters if needed, I
might put in 'engine restore' on a very high miles tired engine.........but
bascially.......that's a suepr fine great oil, which  I use full time
professionally.

on coolant .......I don't think the blue VW stuff is absolutely needed.
My normal coolatn mix is regular high quality ( like Prestone Extended Life
in the yellow gallon job ) anti-frz..........mixed 50/50 with tap water. If
you think your water is hard or whatever, then use distilled. Then I put in
machinist's water soluble oil as a water pump lube and rust inhibutor.,,
like a teaspoon or tow.   I have been doing this full time on cars for about
20 years. This works, believe me.  Makes the coolant a little milky
looking..........I swear buy it.
  I have even changed the coolant, using this mixture, on a waterboxer
engine  with  seeping  outer water gaskets, and treated the coolant with a
little Bars Leak  ( the only one I recommend ) and kept that engine working
just fine for another year at least.
scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Aileen Boyd" <aileen.boyd@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:10 PM
Subject: Oil and Coolant Reccomendations

> Hi everyone, Back to re-guessing the age-old question of which oil and
> which
> coolant to use in my Automatic 88' Westy. We are currently using a Castrol
> 10w/30 Synthetic Blend. Is this the thickness we need? We've heard about
> using 50weight but we think this is better for new engines. Our engine was
> a
> bit neglected by previous owners, and also has 136,000 miles or so. Should
> we go with a thicker oil? What do others with similar vehicles use?
> Also, can green coolant be phosphate-free? People rant and rave about the
> great blue Volkswagen coolant. Is this truly best? I have also heard about
> Engine Ice. The van currently runs hotter than I would like. I would like
> to
> see it go down by 10 degrees or so. Does not overheat, radiator fan comes
> on
> when idling in traffic for long periods in hotter weather, or going up a
> veeeerrryyy steep hill (as in the Rockies) recently.
> Thanks!
>
> Aileen
> 88' Westy
> "Simone"
>
>
>
> --
> If not Peace, then Justice.....