And overly optimistic speedometer would 'help' ..make it look like it's
going faster than it really is.
I wonder about his tire size too.
of course..
larger front tires make the speedo read lower ( compared to smaller ones )
..
and since the speedometers do read a bit high stock.
slightly bigger tires can bring the speedo to 'right on' sometimes.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 3:23 PM
Subject: Re: Oil in Coolant

> What size tires are on those 15" wheels? It could very well be the engine
> cannot turn fast enough to make the horsepower required to get to the
> speed
> you want. This "lugging" of the engine is not a good thing at all.  The 87
> may also be more inclined to have an overly optimistic speedometer.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Finn Runyon
> Sent: Monday, January 09, 2012 9:59 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Oil in Coolant
>
> Thanks in advance for your ongoing support of this issue.  Those who have
> been following this issue may remember that I moved from NJ to Taos, NM
> last
> summer.  I purchased a second Westfalia upon our arrival out here because
> our 87 has serious rust.  The 87 is an automatic, the 89 a 4 speed with
> positraction and Rhein 15" wheels.  Several questions, Now that there is
> no
> further migration of oil into the coolant since I changed the oil cooler,
> I
> am trying to get a feel for the performance of this engine.  At
> 7000 feet here in Taos, I believe that the hp loss is around 21%, vs my 87
> automatic at sea level. I imagine that the 89 also feels a bit slower due
> to
> the 15" wheels, but I can't directly compare the two as the 87's front end
> is apart. Is there anyone listening that is at a similar altitude.  I
> would
> have no problem getting to say 75 mph at sea level in the 87.  If feels as
> though 75 in the 89 is unreachable?  Where I am going with this is
> wondering
> if the overheat that the previous owner did damaged something else?
>
> My second issue is at start up.  The bus will start and idle pretty
> smoothly
> if I let warm up a bit.  If I start it and try to move without letting it
> warm up fully it stalls and is cranky to get going again without some
> throttle input.  Once it is warm, it runs pretty smoothly.  Is there
> something I should be looking into for start up.  I don't remember the
> choke
> situation, but it acts as if the fuel injection is not compensating for a
> cold start?
>
> Thanks,
> Finn