Oil Light!

stubug Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 3 Jun 2008, 1:07 pm

#649767

Hey Dubbers,

Got a quick question. . . . . .

My bug has a good condition, recently serviced 1776cc but when I take it on longer trips (over 45min) and stop at the lights the idle speed drops to the point where the oil light comes on. I use 10W30 fully synthetic good quality oil and the engine never seems to get hot (even on long runs in the middle of a Perth summer!).

Any ideas what causes this?

555bug WRX Bug Boy

1,123 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Jun 2008, 1:42 pm

#649774

two possible issues 1) the idle is to low 2) the oil pump is stuffed and the clearences are out, when it gets hot the oil gets thinner and the clearences cause your issue. If you pull the cover off your oil pump you may see score marks from the two gears.

just my thoughts, good luck

stubug Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 3 Jun 2008, 2:20 pm

#649781

Cheers, 555bug
I will look at the oil pump on the weekend.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 3 Jun 2008, 2:30 pm

#649783

I wouldn't be running 30 grade oil in an air cooled VW

not even in a water cooled engine...
unless I was in Antartica...

15w/50 is the lowest I would use... in an air cooled engine
synthetic oil is very thin , oil light is coming on because the oil has become too thin when its hot..

DUMP the empensive stuff anf refill with Castrol GTX 2

and the oil light won't come on..

and the engine will be protected all the time...
including when sitting at the lights....

Ford in the US started recommending 10w/30 oil a few years ago because their engines could NOT meet the US MPG test
when running 10w/30 oil, because its thinner, the cars reached the Miles per gallon target..

they knew the engines wouldn't last as long, but most original owners would have sold the car by the time the engine wore out....

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

stubug Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 3 Jun 2008, 2:59 pm

#649788

Cheers for the advice Lee

I'll see what sort difference it makes.

(this is another reason while it would be GREAT to have some gauges in the car, I just don't want to ruin an oval)

Sulla Seriously Crusin Dubber

149 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 3 Jun 2008, 6:04 pm

#649855

Synthetic oils were designed for modern cars - not for 30 year old vehicles.

Whoever recommended such an oil for your car should be excuted!

Wrong oil your car!

1963 6 volt Beetle - Driver
1976 Kombi Camper - Driver
1963 Beetle 6 volt - Project
1964 Beetle 12 volt - rustbucket for parts
1975 Kombi Shell - parts

I drive VW aircooled to save water AND I always shower with a friend!

silver Dangerous when poked

2,169 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 3 Jun 2008, 6:11 pm

#649857

Are you sure it is not the Generator light
While it is running pull the oil switch wire off and see if the other warning light comes on. they could be around the wrong way
bump up the idle
Silver

Keeping it real !

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 3 Jun 2008, 6:51 pm

#649874

10/30 is fine to use in a fresh engine
i run it in mine tilll there over 50,000kms then switch to 15/40
but anything over 20/50 is way to thick it will bypass the oil relefe valve which makes the engine run hotter

the idle oil light when hot is common on worn tired engines but like silver said make sure it is the oil light
pre 69 beetles didnt have the warning lights labled
vw assumed that ppl would realise green light means oil....

synthetic is also the worst kinda oil u can put in a vw
stick to good ol dino qaulity oils like pennzoil and ur dub will love it

stubug Commited Dubber

64 posts · joined Sep 2007 · 4 Jun 2008, 10:08 am

#650044

Cheers guys

Grey 57 Old Grey Cruiser

2,937 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Jun 2008, 1:04 pm

#650083

Big 10/4 on the GTX2 comment from Lee. Dont use Synthetics your motor will leak like a sieve

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Jun 2008, 1:33 pm

#650085

Grey 57 wrote:Big 10/4 on the GTX2 comment from Lee. Dont use Synthetics your motor will leak like a sieve

yes, synthetic oil will leak thru bolt/stud threads etc...

GTX2 is recommended for VW air cooled engines

I was going to use Castrol Magnatec 15w/40
but Castrol recommended GTX2
which is 15w/50

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

greedy53 Bishop of Volkswagenism

3,062 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 4 Jun 2008, 4:29 pm

#650109

the humble bug or any type 1 motors not only use the oil to lubracate but to cool the engine it was designed to use 30 oil by mr. porsche i have used it in all engines even supercharged motors i only use more of it external coolers and larger sumps as soon as you go yo 20 w 50 or such the cooling drops badly
but good luck
and i'll stick with the worn oil pump too🤪

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