I would never want to use a plastic tube to bring pressurized oil into the
passenger compartment. Use an electric gauge. The VDO with the dual
terminals, ( gauge and warning light) are amongst my favorite. Especially
since it will activate the light at a higher pressure than the stock unit.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Durham [mailto:jon_durham@knology.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2012 7:53 AM
To: Dennis Haynes
Subject: Re: Best way to judge life left in Waterboxer?

What type of oil pressure gauge shall I install? A sensor or one in which
the oil flows thru a tube to the gauge?

On 5/8/2012 11:17 PM, Dennis Haynes 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.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----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
>

--
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
Anatole France