Frank

        Just to make You happy I just reread the LubricationSpecs in the  
OwnersManuals of both my 83.5 & 90 Westys & in fact

in the SingleWeight columns SAE50 is not even mentioned ~ SAE40 is the  
recommended Oil for Temps from 70� on up off

the end of the chart. SAE **w-50 is indicated in the MultiGrade  
columns but shares the Temp'Range with SAE **w-40. SAE10,

5w-30 & 5w-20 are even recommended under certain conditions. Certainly  
in an OldEngine there might be a need to run SAE50

under some Temp' conditions but I would let my OilPressure be my guide  
not necessarily a manual that was written 22 - 29yrs

ago. I would run nothing but 0w40 in my H2OBoxr if Valvoline made it  
but the thinest they go is 5w40 so that works for me. I

know that Mobil1 comes in 0w40 but I just did an unscientific 3000mi  
test of Mob1 0w30 in my 90Westys EJ25 & experienced

some goofy O'P's so I won't ever use or recommend Mobil1 again.

                                                        ORR ~ DeanB

	
On 23 Nov , 2012, at 3:13 AM, Frank Condelli wrote:

>        Sorry, but this is completely WRONG !  AND, I can't empathize  
> this WRONG enough.  Once the engine is fully up to operating  
> temperature the oil MUST be 50w, read your specs in the owners  
> manual.  The engine does not know it's cold outside EXCEPT when  
> starting.  That's were the dilemma is and that's were the damage is  
> done.  Too thick an oil at cold start up will wear life off of the  
> bearings and other moving parts that do not get lubricated until the  
> oil get warm an starts to flow properly.  You will not know this  
> until the engine wear's out prematurely and you then ask why ?   
> That's why there are block heaters and heated garages to start  
> engines in cold temperatures.  So��.what to do:  using the  
> recommended 20w50 dino oil, you need a block heater or heated garage  
> or move to a warmer climate.  0w50, 10w50,15w50 synthetic will work  
> well without the use of the block heater or heated garage but I  
> myself and me would still like to have that block warmed up before  
> starting MY engine !  Prematurely worn engine = BIG BUCKS !  You'd  
> think this was the first winter for these antique Vans !
>
>
> On 2012-11-22, at 3:12 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
> > wrote:
>
>>       Heading into WinterWeatherConditions in Northern Michigan I =
>> would not =20
>> be
>>
>> the least bit worried about leaving the 5w30 in there as long as  
>> you =20
>> are sure that
>>
>> your OilPressureSensor is in good working order so as to keep you =20
>> properly informed.
>>
>> I am of the opinion that oil that is overly thick is harder on an =20
>> engine than oil that is
>>
>> a bit on the thin side as the thick stuff might not be able to get  
>> =20
>> into all areas that it
>>
>> is needed. I have a Subaru engine in my 90Westy now but back in 09  
>> =20
>> just before I
>>
>> did the swap I ran my 2.1H2OBoxr on 5w30 for 3000mi without any  
>> issues =20=
>>
>> during
>>
>> the hottest months of the year here in NM & for curiosity & =20
>> PeaceOfMind I had the
>>
>> OilPressure professionally checked & it was just fine ~ my H2OBoxr  
>> did =20=
>>
>> have 120K
>>
>> fewer miles than yours though. I normally ran that engine on 10w40  
>> & =20
>> would never
>>
>> run anything thicker than that unless I was experiencing low O'P' =20
>> issues.
>>
>>                                                       ORR ~ DeanB
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster &  
> Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
> Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  
> the Ottawa Valley
> Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
> BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013