If oil pressure is a problem, BMW 10-W60 synthetic oil may help to nurse that baby along. 

I don't have an oil pressure issue and I use it. It helps in the southern heat. 

Chris.

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Dnia May 9, 2012 o godz. 11:49 Paul <wognacious@GMAIL.COM> napisał(a):

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Paul <wognacious@gmail.com>
> Date: Tue, May 8, 2012 at 9:59 PM
> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
> To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
> 
> 
> Based on that discussion , and I kinda knew it in the pit of my stomach but
> for some reason needed confirmation, I'm driving on a dying engine. I'm in
> the East, way East, Bay area near San Francisco. And I'm gonna need a
> transplant. I've gotta milk this one for as long as I can. I hate to do it
> to the engine but I just don't have the means to pull it now. Does anyone
> near Tracy, CA have a reasonably priced long block that they can live
> without? If so please let me know........
> TIA for my soon to be MIA 1.9
> Pablo R
> 1985 Westy
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, May 8, 2012 at 9:17 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> A properly working oil warning light is either on or off. No faded glow. It
>> shall turn on each time the ignition is turned on and then turn off after
>> the engine starts and sufficient oil pressure is reached.
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Richard Koerner
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 3:30 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
>> 
>> Stuart,
>> 
>> Thanks, that's helpful information; I'll keep an eye for that oil pressure
>> light flickering.  I've had an occasion recently of very faint dull red
>> glow
>> from the LED at startup and idle, which subsequently quickly faded away
>> once
>> at operating temperatures.
>> 
>> 
>> Reason I'm asking is that I'm trying to plan for the future.  I've been
>> know
>> to take some pretty long roadtrips in my Vanagon, like 10K-12K miles at a
>> crack.  That would be unfortunate, to have to decide on a rebuild or Subie
>> conversion while on the road thousands of miles from home base, lots of
>> downtime too and expense.   And still not sure what my long term travel
>> plans are, to keep Vanagon-based for the next 10 years or upsize a little
>> to
>> something like a Sprinter or the next generation Ford Transit scheduled for
>> USA manufacture in 2014 (latest rumor).  I still really appreciate the
>> handling of the Vanagon and garage-storage capability, both of which would
>> be compromised by a larger van-style rig; I don't know if even a small
>> Class
>> A motorhome would suite my style which is on the "minimize" side.  And I've
>> been a VW Van owner since 1974 so it's in my blood now.
>> 
>> So if my current motor would be good for another 25K or so, it would buy me
>> a few years time to dial in my long-term options.  I know at this age of
>> the
>> vehicle there are just so many factors to take into account regarding
>> overall vehicle longevity, but I appreciate the helpful List advice on this
>> issue.
>> 
>> By the way, when I said it doesn't "burn oil", I guess it would have been
>> more accurate to add "excessively"....I use about a half quart every 2000
>> miles.
>> 
>> Rich
>> San Diego
>> 
>> --- On Tue, 5/8/12, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
>> Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2012, 9:31 AM
>> 
>> Rich,
>> 
>> Just drive on, and forget about it!  If you do a compression test, what
>> will
>> you do if it's low (and it will be)?  The death signal is when the oil
>> pressure light starts coming on or flickering, particularly after a long
>> run
>> on the freeway.   When that happens it's time for a rebuild, or if it get
>> so
>> gutless a passenger has to help you push it up hills.
>> 
>> My '84 went over 200,000 miles and was running strong, but I replaced it
>> with a used 2.1 just for the fun of it years ago.   Bad idea.  I blew that
>> one up (http://volksweb.relitech.com/21rodbrg.htm) and I don't have that
>> rig
>> anymore.
>> 
>> Stuart
>> '85 Westy
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>> Richard Koerner
>> Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 3:45 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?
>> 
>> The 1.9 engine in my 85 manual Vanagon has 198,000 miles.  Never been
>> opened
>> for any reason.  Runs smooth as silk.  Gentle driving, burns no oil, always
>> passes smog, power seems about the same as always.  Wondering how long this
>> thing can last?  What's the best way to get some idea, compression test?
>> 
>> Rich
>> San Diego
>>