Thanks everyone for all the great advice.

        Oil change is mostly complete.  My oil plug is original I believe.  I have crush washers but decided not to use one as the plug  has a white plastic or  similar washer that came on the bus after Ken Wilford changed the oil in 2013.  Ken told me I could reuse that washer and I have done that for the third time this change.  I didn’t trust my torque wrench as it is a large one not designed I think for such light settings.  I decided to finger tighten then do a gentle quarter turn with a fairly short handled wrench.  I am trying to be gentle but be sure it is on well enough.  

        All seems good.  I put in about 4.5 quarts and rand it a bit then a friend checked it and said it was right between the lines.  So clean it is a bit hard for him to see.

Oil filter is finger tight with a quarter turn with the filter wrench as finger tight with my oil covered hands was questionable.

A future purchase will need to be a smaller torque wrench.

I want to take the bus for a ride then check again to be sure the level is the same. 

 

I appreciate all this support as I need a little encouragement when I head out alone to do these projects.

Eric Caron 
85 GL Auto Westfalia 

> On Jun 17, 2016, at 2:16 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi Eric.
> 
> I hesitate to ask, as it sounds like you've changed the oil at least
> several times on this
> engine, but it does have the original OEM oil drain plug correct? If I
> recall, that OEM plug
> has cut outs lengthwise along part of the threads.
> 
> A Vanagon specialty shop found that the drain plug hole on my 2.1 WBX
> was damaged.
> Unbeknownst to me at that time, their fix was to install an NPT thread
> brass plug along with what is likely an anaerobic sealant. (goop in
> small white bottle in Reinz engine gasket re-seal kit)
> The fix appears to work but I only tighten that plug by feel and very
> lightly at that.
> My thinking being that were it torqued to 18 foot pounds, the case
> hole threads could
> get damaged even further each time I reinstalled that plug.
> 
> I've read of other types of drain bolts being installed on WBX or air
> cooled engines.
> 
> Neil.
> 
> On 6/15/16, Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> Time for my yearly oil change and I believe the Bentley gives a exact foot
>> pound reading for the oil plug.  I always just guess and am always
>> concerned.  I now have a torque wrench and would like to take the mystery
>> out of the oil change.
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Neil n
> 
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> 
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> 
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> 
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