Clogged breather pushed oil out my dipstick tube, causing a vacuum leak.
Just another site to examine.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, December 11, 1999 9:00 AM
Subject: Re: Heading NORTH on 20w-50

> At 07:40 AM 12/11/1999 -0800, you wrote:
> >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?
>
> Will also add, check the crankcase breather and hose for restriction. If
> not venting properly a small increase in pressure inside can push oil past
> an otherwise perfect seal ring. Could solve the problem all together.
> Again, you would know the effect by monitoring rate of use.
>
>
> T.P. Stephens aka Doktor Tim
> Surveyor, Mechanic, Poet, Philosopher
> San Juan Island, WA
>