Dan:

I tried synthetic in the WBX a few years ago�  ... it was all I had
on-hand.� �  I didn't note any issues, but my mechanic at the time (R.I.P,
Gunther) said it was unnecessary and just cost more.

I have a '66 Westy with a 1500sp in which I always used non-detergent
straight 30w in the summer (due to the sermons/brow-beatings from Bob
H.).�  Over the years this has become increasingly difficult to find.� �
2-3 years ago, after sitting in the garage, neglected for some time, I
changed the oil and fuel, stuck a battery in the bus and she started and
ran (280K miles).� �  All I had at that time was a 5w40 synthetic, so I
used it or the resuscitation.�  Once the aircooled was up to temperature,
she started weeping oil in several spots.� �  I shut it down, found some
traditional 30w, flushed and refilled and all was fine.

Dan N wrote on 2021.08.10 12:50:
> thanks Roy,
>
> I don't know that we can use 5W40 or 5W50 in a WBX.. are they synthetic or
> standard oil?
> My mechanic doesn't recommend synthetic at all...
>
> On Tue, Aug 10, 2021 at 8:42 AM Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>
>> Dan:
>>
>> Out east here (Maritimes), I typically run Luqi Moly 5w40 in the WBX as
>> well.  When we make a long-haul summer trip - west (across the Prairies) or
>> south (into the U.S.A.), I'll use the 50 weight.
>>
>>
>> Dan N wrote on 2021.08.10 12:32:
>>
>> For the WBX engine the only thing I worry about is the thickness of the
>> 20W50 oil... so go easy with the gas pedal at cold startup... I just blip
>> the throttle to keep it running. The ML430 uses 5W40 synthetic oil.
>>
>> On Tue, Aug 10, 2021 at 8:02 AM Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>>
>>> Dan:
>>>
>>> That's the manner in which most of our diesels operate.
>>>
>>>
>>> Dan N wrote on 2021.08.10 11:59:
>>>
>>> The idea of giving a little gas when you start a cold WBX engine (without
>>> dle controller) was from my observations on my ML430 SUV. When I start it
>>> cold the idle speeds up to about 1500 rpm for a couple seconds then going
>>> down gradually to 1200, 1000, 800 and and stops at 550 rpm all in a lapse
>>> of about 30 to 45 seconds. I asked my mechanic about it and he said *"Mercedes
>>> has not used an idle control valve since around 1990. The idle is
>>> controlled by the throttle valve actuator and timing via a sensor... If you
>>> start your cold engine and it idles right away at 550 it will stall and die
>>> and something is wrong with the sensor.**"*
>>>
>>> dan
>>>
>>> On Tue, Aug 10, 2021 at 4:06 AM Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Jeff:
>>>>
>>>> My son and I did a test week in Fundy (~400km in total) with the ICV
>>>> disconnected.  Occasionally, the WBX stalls at idle - mostly when cold,
>>>> so as Dan said, put your foot in it a little for a minute and all is
>>>> well.  The only other time it stalls is when there is a load on the
>>>> alternator (running lights on) or the helm is hard over (power steering
>>>> pump loaded) at idle ... it does not compensate (I presume the ICU is at
>>>> play ... or asleep ... here).
>>>>
>>>> Fuel consumption may be a little higher typical ... but there could be
>>>> other bits a play there.
>>>>
>>>> Since driving with the ICV unplugged seems to be tampering the wild
>>>> behaviour of the idle control unit, I am going to try waiting until I
>>>> put the Hyena into hibernation to send the ICU off for rebuild.
>>>>
>>>> Roy
>>>>
>>>> Jeff Palmer wrote on 2021.07.27 17:57:
>>>>> Hi Roy. I have had the same issue - surge then idle then surge - for a
>>>> couple of years now. When I drive and not moving it idles nicely at 900.
>>>> Maybe you can wait to send it out until you park it this winter? Assuming
>>>> you don’t drive it right now. Maybe I’ll send mine with you - I’m in St
>>>> Andrew’s NB for holiday. (No van).
>>>>> Jeff
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 27, 2021, at 2:57 PM, Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@nbnet.nb.ca>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>> Stuart:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That's interesting.  Though being dead-in-the-water for a couple of
>>>>>> weeks or more (I am in Canada) is discouraging.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thank-you,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Roy
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> stuartmacm@gmail.com wrote on 2021.07.27 14:40:
>>>>>>> Idle control unit.  Have it rebuilt:
>>>> https://modulemaster.com/products/vw-volkswagen-vanagon-1986-1991-idle-controller-rebuild
>>>> After 30+ years in a wet environment they all fail.
>>>>>>> Stuart
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
>>>> Roy Nicholl
>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2021 10:25 AM
>>>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>>>>>> Subject: Idle gremlins still at play
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Good day all,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> The Hyena (88 Westy WBX)   started racing at idle (from 1100
>>>> climbing to
>>>>>>> 2500 last summer).   If you were at the back of the van and pushed
>>>> the throttle hard closed - sometimes wiggling it - the van would fall back
>>>> into an idle.     With the engine shutdown, you had to do the same to hear
>>>> the click of the TPS.
>>>>>>> This morning, I replaced the throttle body with a new GoWesty unit.
>>>> Things were fine for the first test run.   After lunch, I restarted the van
>>>> and it began surging at idle, but differently than before.   The WBX will
>>>> surge to 2200 - 2500 RPM, but after 1-2 seconds falls back to idle.   Rinse
>>>> and repeat.
>>>>>>> I unplugged the 12v from the idle control valve and the engine
>>>> remained at idle.     I removed the idle control valve; cleaned it with
>>>> carb cleaner and tested it with 12v leads (valve appears to move).   I
>>>> re-installed the valve and the same thing happens.
>>>>>>> So, is it possible the spring is too weak and the valve is bad ...
>>>> or is my problem likely to be elsewhere (i.e. idle control unit) and more
>>>> expensive?
>>>>>>> What's the impact of running with the power to the idle control
>>>> valve disconnected while I await a new one?
>>>>>>> Roy
>>>>>>>
>>>