oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

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bitsumishi
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oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

Post by bitsumishi »

Hi,

I know the issue of the oil light and overheating is a popular topic, though I somehow feel the two incidents are related!

My van - 1980 2 litre Aircooled automatic (which has generally run fine until now), developed a slight problem over this weekend in the baking heat. After about a 45 minute to an hour run, at a steady speed of between 40 and 60, and 5 minutes after being stopped (engine off) for 10 to 15 minutes, it lost power and the engine cut out when going up a slight incline. I could not get it started, it was turning over and sounding as though it wanted to go start but would not. This was the same for the next 15 minutes.

So... On went the hazards and the breakdown service was called!! A further 25 minutes later (after having a chat with the police who pulled over) I tried the van again. Hey Presto, started and everything OK. (Called the breakdown people again and went about my day). The van got home and no problem. Is this just an overheating issue or is this more serious...

Today, I took it for a run, nothing far, around 16 miles or so. Van ran fine. When I got back the oil light was flickering on idle/park. It only went out when revved or driven, back to idle and it kept flickering. The oil filter is new, the oil is also new. The engine runs fine, the carbs were set up by a garage to ensure it passed the MOT (previous fail due to emissions). There was no drop in power etc on this run.

The thermostat does not seem to work (it was tested with a heat gun and did not activate). However, the thermostat was closed when removed - I think this indicates it is OK? I have no idea about this as I did not test it, my dad did, where the van is parked. He has opened the cooling flaps so they are constantly open (he thinks). He also let it sit on idle for around 30 minutes (poor neighbours!) and di dthe dipstick heat test which he reports was OK and was not ridiculously hot and could be touched.

The light did not do this until the overheating issue at the weekend, that is why I think they might be related. Or am I just way off the mark?

Tinware to my knowledge is all present and correct. Seals appear OK. Heat exhangers are knackered and have been disconnected due to fumes in the cab! Oil level is fine, just below maximum. No leaks (not major anyway). Using VW grade halfords oil. No knocks or noise coming from the engine. Sounds very quiet and runs well.

Mileage says 45K, more like 145K!! I have no idea to be honest!!

Any ideas? I need the van for a festival next week so I hope this can be sorted . Or do I just need to do regular stops for 30 minutes at a time for the engine to cool? Nice... Any advice much appreciated. :D

Rob.
Last edited by bitsumishi on 30 May 2012, 20:25, edited 2 times in total.

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kevtherev
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Re: oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

Post by kevtherev »

bitsumishi wrote: Oil level is fine, just below minimum.

that's not "fine".... that's asking for more heat and engine wrecking
oil is your coolant as well as air, the pick up will start to foam the oil if you let it go low, oil pressure is lost and damage is done
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

bitsumishi
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Re: oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

Post by bitsumishi »

kevtherev wrote:
bitsumishi wrote: Oil level is fine, just below minimum.

that's not "fine".... that's asking for more heat and engine wrecking
oil is your coolant as well as air, the pick up will start to foam the oil if you let it go low, oil pressure is lost and damage is done

SORRY - meant Maximum!!! Will E D I T the post to stop any confusion!! Lesson learnt - proof read before posting!!

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kevtherev
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Re: oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

Post by kevtherev »

what oil are you using?
AGG 2.0L 8V. (Golf GTi MkIII)

bitsumishi
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Re: oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

Post by bitsumishi »

15W30 Halfords Volkswagen/Audi grade semi synthetic. This is what they have listed under the model guide in store... Which means is it is probably wrong! :roll:

Have read in places regarding mineral oil being better suited to Aircooled engines - is this a possible cause? if so what grade is needed?

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kevtherev
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Re: oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

Post by kevtherev »

I'd be inclined to use a 15/40 or even a 15/50.
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Re: oil pressure light following recent (possible) overheating

Post by ghost123uk »

And also

The thermostat does not seem to work (it was tested with a heat gun and did not activate). However, the thermostat was closed when removed - I think this indicates it is OK? I have no idea about this as I did not test it, my dad did, where the van is parked. He has opened the cooling flaps so they are constantly open (he thinks)

Although I am no Aircooled expert, I would for sure check that the thermostat & flaps are working, or at least are fixed wide open. Stuck shut is another way to wreck an engine ;)
Got a new van, but it's a 165bhp T4 [shock horror] Accurate LPG Station map here

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