Hi Ryan,

At that mileage, you should expect an oil light!  Quite likely the light is behaving accurately, but it would be good to put a pressure gauge on the engine to be sure.

If I read your post correctly, you were running 20/50 and the light was flickering.  Then you switched to straight 30 and the light flickered more.  Of course it will!  It is thinner oil.  20/50 is 20 weight cold and 50 weight hot. Straight 30 is 30 weight all the time.  You are better of with 20/50.

After you check oil pressure with a gauge, if it is low, you can buy some time by adding in some Lucas oil treatment.  Effectively is it really thick oil...no miracle here...just really thick oil.  That will buy you months if not longer to plan your next move.

Z

On Thursday, September 4, 2014 2:08 PM, Ryan Perry <rjdperry@GMAIL.COM> wrote:

Hey Listers-
'84 WBX Manual with 190K original engine

Van for the most part runs well, bit of a loping idle and off idle bog but
runs decent at revs. Certainly not the strongest but it gets me to the
campground an hour away and back without issue.

Lately when I am coming off of highway and down to idle the oil light
starts to flicker. Sometimes more, sometimes less.  I have noticed that it
is getting worse, used to only happen when on highway for an hour or so and
running fast, now it seems to happen after maybe 15min no matter what speed
I drive.  If I am just driving around town it never happens, no problems
whatsoever.

I have been running Castrol 20-50 synth with Napa Gold Filter but just
changed to Castrol 30 dino with a bosch filter.  No change, in fact I
believe it has gotten worse. Oil level is just at or below half where I
have always kept it.

So I am wondering what might be some good next steps?
Anything quick and easy that can be checked?
Was considering getting a Van Cafe oil pressure gauge kit but they are all
out.
How about the pressure relief spring?
Maybe go to a higher oil weight?

I live in Asheville, NC and temps are right at 80-85 and lows around 60.

thanks ya'll for any help you may have!!
ryan

Ryan Perry
84 Westie "Artie McParty"