In a message dated 01/06/2009 2:32:36 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

        Ed, the only thing an oil  pressure test is gonna do now is tell
you more of what you already know.   If the oil pressure light is flickering
at idle then the engine bearings are  pretty well at the end of their life.
The next thing that happens is  number three rod will break at the big end
and come through the top of the  case.  This will end any possibilities of
ever rebuilding that motor.   See the photos of a high mileage engine core I
just disassembled.
_http://picasaweb.google.ca/FCondelli/Vanagon21WaterboxerEngineCorePics#_
(http://picasaweb.google.ca/FCondelli/Vanagon21WaterboxerEngineCorePics#)       LOOK at the condition of the bearings.  That's what
yours look like for  sure.

>>>>>>My '85 with 1.9 and around 170,000 miles is  gettin old and tired.
When I =
have the time and money, I'm going to  replace it with a good =
used/rebuilt 1.9. For now, I'm settling for just  trying to judge how =
long it's got left. I did a compression test last  year- forgt the =
results right now, but it was "low but o.k.'

Now  after sustained highway driving at 60 mph or so, when I come to a =
stop  and idle, my oil pressure light flickers. It goes out if I step on =
the  gas. It doesn't do it after slower, easier driving.=20

My dilemma is  this: I don't have the equipment to check the oil pressure =
myself, and am  trying to get other things done on the van before a trip =
from CT to VA.  I'd rather not leave it off at my mechanic for a day. =
Will an oil  pressure test really be  worthhiile?<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://frankcondelli.com/busindex.html)  -
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://frankcondelli.com/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://www.busfusion.com/bfhome.htm)  a  VW Camper camping
event, Almonte, ON, June 11 ~ 14,  2009