At 10:06 AM 12/11/1999 EST, you wrote:
>Dear Listees-
>
>We will be driving our '88 Westy from South Carolina to Minnesota for the
>holidays. I run a thicker 20w - 50 oil with no probs in the warm climate, but
>is there any reason to change to a lighter weight to accommodate the colder
>weather up there (easier cold stars, etc.)? On a recent trip to D.C. a small
>oil leak left a thin film across the rear window (running 20/50). I wonder if
>a lighter wt. oil would tend to make even more of a mess back there!?
>One more thing... any tips on save-the-day spare parts to keep under the back
>seat?

I believe you will find in your Owner's Manual, as well as the Bentley, the
approved oil viscosity diagram for selection of oil weight for the various
ambient temperatures anticipated. Follow it.

If you have an oil leak that exceeds a quart every coupla tank fulls of
gas, I would be very hesitant about the extended travel you contemplate. Do
watch your oil level very closly and note all addition of oil and milage so
you can monitor for increases. Watching the rate of deterioration in this
way can anticipate the kind of failure that will break you unawares.

T.P. Stephens aka Doktor Tim
Surveyor, Mechanic, Poet, Philosopher
San Juan Island, WA