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brownbetty Samba Member
Joined: October 21, 2004 Posts: 78
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject: Vanagon: Oil and Oil Filters |
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[Moderator note: This topic is now locked. Please use the new, updated topic for continued discussion: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764725 .]
Great site, I appreciate all the sage advice. About to conquer my first oil change and was wondering what brand and weight is recommended and what brand of filter to use. If anyone has any tricks or tips it would also be greatly appreciated.[/i] |
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shaunspad Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2005 Posts: 37
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:23 pm Post subject: |
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I recently bought a 1986 vanagon with the 2.1 and I used 10W 40 mobile one synthetic. I was hopeing to lower the engine temperature a few degrees by running synthetic since it has done so on all my other vehicles in the past. As far as the filter goes I just ran over to kragen and got a Fram filter and the Mobile 1 synthetic motor oil. So far I would say my temp guage is just slightly below where it used to be so it worked for me.
My engine has 150K on it and it purrs like a kitten.
Good luck! |
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buspor63 Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2005 Posts: 1179 Location: Knoxville,TN Where America stops for gas
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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Only use Mann or Mahle oil filters. Oil weights is another story. On my 100K mile WBX I use 10/40 Valvoline dino oil. Others will have differing opinions. I based my descision on the Volvo world where I once read a theory about using medium weight oils that sounded good to me. |
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Randy in Maine Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 3:25 am Post subject: |
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Male/Mann filters (busdepot) and Mobil 1 15-50 (walmart) in my air cooled. |
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mlf Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2003 Posts: 120 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 3:53 am Post subject: |
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oil filters from my local vw dealer . castol syntec 20w 50 . |
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molson88 Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2004 Posts: 143 Location: Gabriola Island, BC
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 5:05 am Post subject: |
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Mahle/Mann filters and Castrol Syntec 5w50 (Costco).
I find the 5w50 synthetic gives me slightly higher oil pressure than the 20w50 dino oil I used prior to switching, plus it makes for much easier starting on cold mornings.
Fram filters are evil... _________________ Cliff
99 Eurovan Camper (current)
88 Vanagon GL Camper with Subaru EJ22 (gone)
83 Vanagon Camper (best forgotten...)
2012 Audi Q5 3.2L |
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alnvilma Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 395
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:10 am Post subject: oil weight |
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If you read the owner's manual, the factory suggests 15x40 or 20x50 over about 70 degress F. 10x30/40 is too thin for heat. |
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mightyart Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2004 Posts: 6188 Location: Portland, Oregon
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Randy in Maine Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 7:59 am Post subject: |
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I agree, 10-30 is too thin for me. |
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DanJReed Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Riverton NJ
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 8:42 am Post subject: |
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20w-50 - Valvoline Max Life - Mann filter.
I drive mainly in summer. _________________ -Dan
(87 Westy Vanagon, 98 Jetta GLS 2.0, 95 Golf Sport) |
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Tram Samba Socialist
Joined: May 02, 2003 Posts: 22683 Location: Still Feelin' the Bern- Once you've felt it you can't un- feel it.
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 9:22 am Post subject: |
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Everyone is telling you Mann or Mahle oil filters, but without telling you WHY. THOSE filters have the proper check valve that helps prevent all of the oil backdraining with the engine off. This prevents "dry starts" and often significantly lessens or eliminates collapsed lifter clatter after sitting for several days.
WIX filters also have the check valve, if you can't find Mann or Mahle.
My lubricant of choice is Castrol Syntec 5w50. You can't beat it. It'll flow at 30 below zero, and give great protection at high heats as well. Plus, with this oil and the filter with the check valve, you'll hardly ever hear your lifters, if ever. _________________ Немає виправдання для війни! Я з Україною.
Bryan67 wrote: |
Just my hands. And a little lube. No tools. |
To best contact me, please use the EMAIL function in my profile |
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DanJReed Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Riverton NJ
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 11:21 am Post subject: |
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Good point about the filter design, I have cut open a Fram, and a Mann and a Mahle.
The German filters beat the *pants* off Fram. My students start to ask for them (Mann) for Civics and such!
2 other filters that seem to stand up well are Purolator and the K&N designs. Both (I have cut open) and find that they all have metal caps, and quality silicone anti-drain back valves... Also Motorcraft (Ford) OEM filters are high quality and I believe are made by Purolator .
But its German filters for my German cars... _________________ -Dan
(87 Westy Vanagon, 98 Jetta GLS 2.0, 95 Golf Sport) |
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vandukw Samba Member
Joined: January 25, 2006 Posts: 55 Location: Boston
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 6:45 pm Post subject: |
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Why the concern about using only filters with the anti drain-back valve, the filter is almost upsidedown when installed, does the oil in waterboxers defy the laws of gravity? |
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Randy in Maine Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 7:09 pm Post subject: |
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Actually they do defy gravity.
Use the Mahle/Mann and pre-load them. |
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Mulcheese Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 548 Location: Maple Grove, Mn
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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Check this out, they dont test Mann/Mahle but they give some useful info on many others.
http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oilfilterstudy.html
Hope this helps in the all the debating. _________________ 82 Westy: Air is cool! |
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mr_vanagon Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005 Posts: 589 Location: Southern Illinois (GO SALUKIS)
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Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2006 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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I have used Fram PH2870A oil filters on my vanagon for more than 200K miles with no problems. I understand the need for the anti-drain back valve and I wonder if the Fram doesn't have it. I don't have a Fram filter in front of me to check either. I notice that the part number has a letter at the end. With Fram stuff (and most other products) a letter usually means there has been a big revision in the design. Might this "A" indicate the addition of an anti-drain back valve? I called the folks at Honeywell (parent of allied signal who makes, among other stuff Fram filters) to ask about this but they don't do support on the weekends. I’ll be happy to call on Monday and report back.
For oil I have long used Pennzoil 20w50. Picking a brand of oil is like picking a brand of shoelaces. They all sort of work the same unless they fail all together. Any name brand will work about as well as any other. Check to be sure there is an API rating on the back of the bottle. Often the store brand is made by one of the big guys and packaged in a diff bottle. A division of Pennzoil-Quaker State makes the Wal-Mart brand for instance. |
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mr_vanagon Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005 Posts: 589 Location: Southern Illinois (GO SALUKIS)
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Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject: |
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I checked a Fram Ph2870A at the FLAPS today. There is most assuradly an anti-drain back valve on this filter. I cannot speak to the quality of the filter medium but I can see the "valve" in the end of the filter. I still plan to check with the fram people about this revision and the numbering scheme.
Jim |
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mr_vanagon Samba Member
Joined: March 31, 2005 Posts: 589 Location: Southern Illinois (GO SALUKIS)
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Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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I talked with a tech support guy at Honeywell today. He tells me that the Fram PH2870A indeed has an anti-drain back valve and is safe for use with a 2.1L Vanagon. It seems that the common feeling about this filter is likely based on old ideas from back when the PH2870 was in use without an anti-drain-back valve. As I have said, this says nothing about the quality of the filter medium in a Fram filter. I would use a Fram filter on a 2.1 with no fear of damage. My next investigation will be of the cheap green prestone antifreeze. The info on the web says the green stuff is phosphate free and is safe for all cars and light duty applications. I assume that the ideas about this being a bad product for vanagons is also based on an older product that had phosphates unlike the blue VW stuff. I'll keep you posted. |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:01 am Post subject: |
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mr_vanagon wrote: |
My next investigation will be of the cheap green prestone antifreeze. The info on the web says the green stuff is phosphate free and is safe for all cars and light duty applications. I assume that the ideas about this being a bad product for vanagons is also based on an older product that had phosphates unlike the blue VW stuff. I'll keep you posted. |
I thought it had to be silicate free too? Right?
Also, what is light duty? _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:10 am Post subject: |
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BTW: a quick google of the web http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=antifreeze+color&spell=1 indicates the color is meaningless today. Also, you can mix and match colors as much as you want, it just tends to reduce the lifetime of the coolant, but does not hurt they engine, so they write.
This sure does suck! _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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