The water boxer is not designed to operate with oil this thin. The bearing
clearances are too great for this to work reliably.  The bearings will be
the first to fail.  If you must do this, add oil pressure and temp gauges so
you can shut the engine down before it's too late.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Joseph Tu <joe@GREENCASTLE.PETRINI.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Monday, June 21, 1999 5:37 PM
Subject: Oil viscosity ??'s

>Hello,
>
>I am wondering if it is okay to use a 5w-30 motor oil in our waterboxer
>motors. I know it is way thinner than the 20w-50 that i use now, but the
>gas mileage and power gains are appealing. Is there enough oil pressure
>at fwy speeds with the 5w-30at running temp? Any input about this is
>appreciated.
>
>Thanks,,
>Joe