lol..
thanks for sharing all that.
First I've heard their dipsticks break easily- gotta save money 
somewhere manufacturing the thing !
Perhaps a good ole straigtened coat hanger.

   I can't say waterboxer parts are hard to get though ..
there are quite a few sources..
the VW dealer being about the last one to even consider.
  Given VW of America's general attitude about older VW's ..
I wouldn't expect them to support these fine machines actually ..and sadly.
    They would be smart to though.
And ...the aftermarket vendors are doing great generally.
scott
www.turbovans.com

On 1/19/2013 3:25 PM, chris and/or ruth wrote:
> How are you measuring the oil used?
> Are you measuring oil added and removed during an oil change? Or  checking the stick?
> I ask because I have a Ford with a z-tech family motor.  I have found that the dip-stick is the only undependable thing on it.  Example: I am showing my 10 year old how to check oil, "Son, this is how you check the oil on a car". I pull the dip-stick and the pull bar breaks off of the stick.  I have to remove the old one that has now slid down into that little pipe. I buy a new one for $22 and 6 months later I check the oil and the tip--right where it says "full" has broken off,  is now useless and the tip is laying in the oil pan ( I hope). I bought a generic dip-stick at a FLAPS. I rarely check the oil. At 14 years and 123,000  miles it doesn't really use any. I find it to be a really good engine that needs almost zero maintenance except for the timing belt and that was only $124 installed.  The only way I'd ever own a Vanagon is with a z-tech. Not because they are a good, cheap engine, but all the stuff around the water boxer is getting
>   older and some of those parts are no longer available from the dealer. You can't run a daily driver and wait 10 days for a special part from goWesty.
> Sorry if this sounds like a Ford Z-tech Forum.
>   
> Chris C
> GBX
> ---------------------------------------------
> Zetec Using oil
>
> Bostig records show the engine they installed in my 85 Vanagon had 24K
> miles on it.
>
> It's using oil. After about 2500 miles I've put in 1 quart. The engine
> is not leaking oil, no smoke is coming out the exhaust, and the coolant
> does not have oil in it.
>
> Is there a way to determine how the engine is using oil? And id so, what
> is the fix?
>