TheSamba.com :: View topic - Oil Grade Selection for An Aircooled Vanagon?

Tue May 22, 2007 1:29 pm

Hi Friends,

So I have read Richard Atwells artice on distinguishing between oil grades several times http://www.ratwell.com/technical/OilSelection.html

Now.... I am still baffled. What type of oil do you run in your 2.0 aircooled Vanagon? I live on the California coast, but venture into the valley occasionally (So temps will range from 50 in the morning to 100 in the afternoon. It seems like 10W40 or 20W50 would be best. I just entered the aircooled world, and am curious who has had good luck in similar weather conditions with their grade.

Thank You All,

J

Tue May 22, 2007 1:45 pm

I run 20w50 all year in Texas.

Tue May 22, 2007 2:35 pm

I use single 30wt old dino style oil all year round in Washington. keeps my lifters quite and pumped

Tue May 22, 2007 3:07 pm

Mobil 1 15-50 all year.

Tue May 22, 2007 5:20 pm

Does air cooled and water cooled use the same weight motor oil ??
Just curious

Tue May 22, 2007 7:53 pm

RCB wrote: Does air cooled and water cooled use the same weight motor oil ??
Just curious

Typically, an aircooled motor is going to run hotter than a water cooled. This is especially true on a hot day. Therefore, an aircooled (at least theoretically) would benefit from a heavier oil in the heat to prevent breakdown. This is a highly debated topic, hence my question.

Tue May 22, 2007 9:02 pm

20/50 Castrol GTX will do your AC engine well.

Wed May 23, 2007 8:14 am

Dude....20w-50.........high mileage kind

Mon May 28, 2007 11:02 am

what about synthetic oil?
would the viscosity be the same (20w-50)
in My 81 westy

Mon May 28, 2007 1:53 pm

I have been running Mobil 1 15W-50 synthetic for years in ACVW's, it seems to handle the heat very well. You don't get that dark blackish crud building up inside the valve covers you typically see on engines running dino.

Mon May 28, 2007 6:07 pm

worthwhile reading about engine oils:

http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

Mon May 28, 2007 9:03 pm

Quote: worthwhile reading about engine oils:

http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

To summarize: Those of us who've been plugging Castrol GTX Dino have been doing a very good thing!

Best!

Mon May 28, 2007 10:21 pm

To further summarize, you gotta keep an eye on the oil suppliers. They may change their formulation without notice. Delo 400 and Castrol GTX remain OK for the time being...

Tue May 29, 2007 11:38 am

Randy in Maine wrote: Mobil 1 15-50 all year.
ditto