Dennis has just been crazy busy and then when I do get time sometimes I'm just to tired. 

The Waterboxer is extremely sensitive to oil level, especially for extended high speed operation. I find that things work best mid-way on the dipstick. There is very little reserve for both oil cooling and pressure. Even with massive external coolers I have found that even a 1/4" above the "Max" mark can put the oil temp out of control under the wrong conditions. The stock cooler set up works well for 4,000 to maybe 4,200 rpm with my recommended oil level and 15w-50 Mobil 1. I like to see oil pressure close to 10 psi/1,000 rpm. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 9:31 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Oil overfill... or not? (long post)

---- Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:
>.... through  extensive testing it was found that the
> oil temperatures stayed lower at this  level rather than at the MAX level.
> This he conjectured was due to  frothing of MORE oil in the crankcase.
>
> >>>>>Re: Oil overfill... or not? (long  post)<<<<<<

Frank, do you have the data from the "extensive testing"?  If this is correct, it would be consistent with the drop in pressure (though still adequate) that my '91 Campmobile with rebuilt 2.1 waterboxer experiences when ambient temperatures are high on long drives at highway speed.  I would like to keep the pressure up to the "normal" level of around 30 psi.

Does anyone have any information other than conjecture about the postulated frothing?

Of course, my obvious check is to just drop the oil level down so it is closer to the "min" level on the stick with the next oil change (coming up right away) and drive the dickens out of the van.  But that will not be the same as "extensive testing," and I don't have an oil temperature gauge anyway.

Thanks, David

--
David McNeely