Oil pressure prob

93cabby · Post by **93cabby** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 8:41 am

First what weight oil do you guys use in older VW's

Hey guys got that cab I was talking about and really didn't notice any problems on the 120 mile trip home until after I changed the oil when I got home. Now once the car is warmed up I have none or very little oil pressure below 1000 rpms. I took it to the dealer who changed the pump and switch but still have the same prob.
I read some posts here about 20/50 and 10/40 oil ,but am not really sure about running 20/50 as that is a reallly thick oil. Also talked to some other garages and they said that runnning a higher weight is like covering up a potential problem.
I need some insight and advice here.

Just bought the car and it only has 28k original miles, I don't want to blow the engine yet. And yes that is original. You know those old ladies that just drive to the store once a month. I found one.

Post by **Briano1234** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:26 am

I run 20/50 all the time. A thin weight oil for a 4 cyl engine isn't really in MHO really a good thing. I ran 10w40 in a car to break it in, but after that I have always used 20w50 Castrol.

Get a good filter Mann MAhl, Wix, Bosch, Genuine VW.

Yes very low pressures are a sign that hte mains, or timing shaft bearings are going, but with an engine with that low mileage it shouldn't be a cause.

If you go to a Jiffy Lube place, then that is a cheap filter, and very iffy oil.

IMHO.

93cabby · Post by **93cabby** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:07 pm

This info came from A VW dealer, they are the ones that did the diognostic and told me that I had a bad oil pump. I even questioned them about the oil weight and told me that 5/30 was fine. I also checked the filter and it is either a Bosch or VW filter. They also changed the pump, swith and gasket for a few c-notes.

Any other Ideas. I have to take it back to the dealer on Tuesday just because I want them to fix the problem or at least change my oil to a heavier weight.

Also so that people know, The Dealership is Wyoming Valley Motors in Edwardsville Pa.

Post by **Calimus** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:08 pm

I'm also a big advacate about 20/50 oil. However, if you live in a climate that gets cold winters, you will want to drop to a lower weight oil in the winter.

Definitly get a good filter like Brian mentioned.

CalAltaDubber · Post by **CalAltaDubber** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:42 pm

93cabby wrote:This info came from A VW dealer, they are the ones that did the diognostic and told me that I had a bad oil pump. I even questioned them about the oil weight and told me that 5/30 was fine. I also checked the filter and it is either a Bosch or VW filter. They also changed the pump, swith and gasket for a few c-notes.

Any other Ideas. I have to take it back to the dealer on Tuesday just because I want them to fix the problem or at least change my oil to a heavier weight.

Also so that people know, The Dealership is Wyoming Valley Motors in Edwardsville Pa.

I Question this VW dealer. I just looked in the Bently (mind you it is for 85 to 89 MY cars) and it recommends 20W 50 oil for operatin in a Climate range of +5 to +85 Degres F.

10W 30 is used from 0 to 60 Degrees F. and 5W 20 or 5W 30 should only be used in the winter where the climate ranges from 10 degrees F or colder.

A good filter never hurts either.

gull · Post by **gull** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 8:44 pm

I think these older 4-cylinder engines were built with looser tolerances. I wouldn't put 20W50 in a Honda, but it's fine for an old VW.

93cabby · Post by **93cabby** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 11:35 pm

Thanks guys for all the info. Just got the car back later this evening (from the dealer) and will keep you guys up to date. They did chnge the oil after I questioned them about it. So far so good. Will also post some pics for you guys to see my ride.

Later