Steve,
You could remove the tin pan shield (driver's side) under the van, remove
the oil pressure sensor and the mechanic could insert a new sensor & connect
to a oil pressure gauge & run the motor for a while... a this could be done
in the shop and seems safer than risking a trip to Las Vegas.
You didn't tell us what oil viscosity you are using and weather you are
using the proper oil filter or not. It can make a difference.
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Wickham <sawickham@YAHOO.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, October 16, 1999 1:07 PM
Subject: oil pressure trouble far from home

>Hi All,
>
>I am currently on a road trip in Utah. I live in
>Vancouver B.C. so right now we are a long way from
>home. When we set off this morning the oil pressure
>warning light and buzzer went off (the van is an '86
>Vanagon GL Westy). We have had some initial
>discussions with a mechanic who does not seem to think
>we actually have an oil pressure problem (no lifter
>noises). I have done some reading on the dynamic oil
>pressure system which has pointed me towards the high
>pressure side of the system. There is no problem with
>idle, but  alarm goes off immediately when revs exceed
>2000). After I finish typing this message I am going
>to attempt to replace the high pressure sensor (I just
>bought a new one) to see if this fixes the problem).
>Ideally I would like to have a mechanic attach a real
>sensor to the engine to detect whether or not we
>actually have a problem. Right now we are in Beaver,
>Utah and will probably attempt to drive to Las Vegas
>this afternoon. Can anyone recommend a good VW
>mechanic in these parts? I was also wondering about
>the possibility of fooling the high pressure sensor
>into thinking everything was fine. I realize this is
>not the brightest idea, but if it turns out that the
>pressure is a bit low but still acceptable, it will be
>better that listening to the buzzer. From the reading
>I have done I think that this could be accomplished by
>grounding the sensor lead. Any comments on this idea
>would be appreciated. Thanks,
>
>Steve Wickham.
>86 Westy
>
>=====
>
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