---- Phil <mypactor@PACBELL.NET> wrote:
> Good question.  I should have said more.  There are some that claim that
> there is less valve clatter with synthetic oil than regular dino oil.
>
> Anyone care to comment?

Hmmm.  I use Pennzoil 20W50, change at 3K miles, though I do change it at beginning and ending of winter, when I drive little.  Formerly, but for reasons not mentionable on the list according to one moderator no longer, I used Castrol 20W50.  Never have heard any clatter.

mcneely

>
> Thanks, Phil
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Scott Daniel - Turbovans
> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 7:22 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Newbee question
>
> re
> but if you're not having any problems with a less expensive oil, why would
> you switch to the more expensive Mobil 1?
>
> Unless you are sending out an oil sample once in a while for analysis, you
> really don't have a solid idea on how much wear is occurring in the engine
> over time.
>   just because it doesn't leak or use oil..
> that does not mean wear isn't occurring ..
> and depending on use of course..
> say very hot running in the summer with heavy load up long grades ..
> that can increase wear for sure ..a synthetic would be much better in such
> conditions.
>
> so can lots of short cold trips cause wear ..badly even.
> so can just sitting around with condensation building up in the oil, which
> isn't good for the internals of the engine.
>
> 'generally' ..
> better more expensive oil will protect better than less expensive oil.
>
> so I would say ..
>  for a low miles 89 Wolfsburg with a tight strong engine  that doesn't use
> oil  or leak ..
> something like Mobil 1  15W50 is a good investment.
>
>   I don't find that waterboxer engines tend to use oil anyway, generally
> speaking.
> Sure not known as 'oil burners' at all I'd say ..
> they may be 'head gasket eaters' ...but they sure do not tend to be oil
> burners at all in my experience.
>
> so if they have good life left in them yet ...........they are worthy of
> very good oil.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Mcneely" <mcneely4@COX.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 6:04 PM
> Subject: Re: Newbee question
>
>
> > ---- Phil <mypactor@PACBELL.NET> wrote:
> >> I have an '89 Wolfie with 73,000 miles on it.  Would there be a problem
> >> if I
> >> used, say, Mobil 1?
> >
> > Phil, that depends on the Mobil 1.  I'd use Mobil 1, 15W50, but nothing
> > lighter.  but if you're not having any problems with a less expensive oil,
> > why would you switch to the more expensive Mobil 1?
> >
> > mcneely
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> I use Castrol 20-50 in it now and have had no problems
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Thanks, Phil in Bakersfield, CA
> >
> > --
> > David McNeely

--
David McNeely