The info I saw was in an 85 owners manual -

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/1985vanagon/56.jpg

My engine is an 1.9 waterboxer, rebuilt about 8,000 miles ago. Most my driving is in South Florida. The oil was just changed last month prior to a trip up north, my mech says one thing, the shop I used had a different blend and I see opposing info from this list.  The VW book - nearly 30 yrs ago, shows the limit for higher temps. Granted with improved developments in oil, what is the best viscosity as far as preventing engine wear. Next year I hope to travel out west where temps are much greater so is synthetic worth the extra expense?

Thanks.
Tom

On Dec 3, 2011, at 11:28 PM, "Scott Daniel  - Turbovans" <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:

> hi..
> where are you getting information that says a conventional non-synthetic engine oil is only good to 85 degrees F ambient ?
> 
> that makes zero sense..
> as it's well over 85 F a LOT all over the US in the summer.
> 
> if you want to talk about 'oil temp' ..yes....
> that's a limitation for sure ,
> and synthetic oils stay healthy at higher temps than non-synthetics.
> And a non-synthetic driven intelligently can be ok.
> 
> to be really on top of it , an oil temp gauge is a nice thing to have on your rig.
> 
> personally ...
> I probably would not put a full synthetic in an engine with that many miles on it ..if it's the original engine, or bottom end at least.
> 
> in 83 it could be an air-cooled vanagon,
> or it could be a 5 speed diesel vanagon  ..
> and you probably have an 83   1.9 waterboxer.
> 
> Scott
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Torrella" <ttorrella4@COMCAST.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2011 10:16 AM
> Subject: Synthetic Oil selection?
> 
> 
> Questions: Is it ok to switch to synthetic oils in my 83 vanagon with 193,800 miles?  The multi-grade is only good to outside temps of 85*F, will that be a problem to use in hotter climates?
> 
> 
> 
>