76 Westy engine running too cool

Moderators: Sluggo, Amskeptic

Post Reply
Hobug
Getting Hooked!
Location: Bishop GA
Contact:
Status: Offline

76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Hobug » Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:31 am

I have a 76 Westy with a 2.0L.
I think it is running too cool due to evidence of condensation in my oil. It is milky white in the fill tube. After a four drive thru the mountains there is no place on my engine that feels anything more than warm. (except the exhaust)
I have an 009 dist. timing is 28 degrees full advance
Carb is an EMPI Progressive
exhaust is stock - with a leak
she starts and runs well with plenty of power
The only thing I can think to do is advance the timing a couple more degrees.

Thoughts???
76 Westy
69 Squareback (auto)
63 Bug
73 Thing (Type 4 powered)

User avatar
vwlover77
IAC Addict!
Location: North Canton, Ohio
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by vwlover77 » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:46 pm

Good problem to have! Do you do a lot of short trip driving? Once you get that milky stuff in the filler tube, even a long highway drive may not get rid of it. Also, I think some brands of oil may be more prone to this than others. What brand and viscosity are you using?
Don

---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick

"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen

Hobug
Getting Hooked!
Location: Bishop GA
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Hobug » Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:05 pm

Most of my driving has been 1 hour or longer trips. I am running Brad Penn 20W-50 oil.
76 Westy
69 Squareback (auto)
63 Bug
73 Thing (Type 4 powered)

User avatar
Amskeptic
IAC "Help Desk"
IAC "Help Desk"
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Amskeptic » Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:33 pm

Hobug wrote:Most of my driving has been 1 hour or longer trips. I am running Brad Penn 20W-50 oil.
Do you have a functional thermostat? High humidity, cool days, spring, is a common time for too-cool in Type 4 engines. Do NOT go looking for heat via timing !!!! Sure, you can melt exhaust valves before the oil has a clue, but . . . . :geek:
Colin
(if Brad Penn dino oil is Pennsylvania based, lots o paraffin in that oil)
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

User avatar
Westy78
IAC Addict!
Location: Stumptown OR
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Westy78 » Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:49 am

Don't know if this would cause this issue but there are two different types of Brad Penn oil. The good green version and a cheaper version. Are you using the correct one for our air cooled engines?

http://forums.aircooledtechnology.com/s ... php?t=4143
Chorizo, it's what's for breakfast.

User avatar
poptop tom
Old School!
Location: La Porte, IN
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by poptop tom » Wed Apr 25, 2012 6:51 am

Would the thicker grade oil have an effect in the cooler mountain regions he's driving?
Mr. Blotto wrote, "Boy - thanks for the offer, but a month in poptop tom's world means 5 years"

Hobug
Getting Hooked!
Location: Bishop GA
Contact:
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Hobug » Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:22 am

I am using the green Brad Penn. Jake Raby suggested that my oil might be getting thinned from the progressive carb running rich at part throttle.

I will check the function of my thermostat.
76 Westy
69 Squareback (auto)
63 Bug
73 Thing (Type 4 powered)

User avatar
Amskeptic
IAC "Help Desk"
IAC "Help Desk"
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Amskeptic » Fri Apr 27, 2012 8:51 pm

Hobug wrote:I am using the green Brad Penn. Jake Raby suggested that my oil might be getting thinned from the progressive carb running rich at part throttle.

I will check the function of my thermostat.
It is milky white in the fill tube.


I have never seen synthetic do that . . . is the green Brad Penn a hybrid or dino oil?
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

User avatar
Westy78
IAC Addict!
Location: Stumptown OR
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Westy78 » Fri Apr 27, 2012 11:05 pm

Amskeptic wrote:
Hobug wrote:I am using the green Brad Penn. Jake Raby suggested that my oil might be getting thinned from the progressive carb running rich at part throttle.

I will check the function of my thermostat.
It is milky white in the fill tube.


I have never seen synthetic do that . . . is the green Brad Penn a hybrid or dino oil?
Colin

It's a partial synthetic.
Chorizo, it's what's for breakfast.

User avatar
drober23
Addicted!
Location: Metro Detroit
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by drober23 » Mon May 07, 2012 9:50 am

Pretty sure it is straight dino oil. Here is their site if you want to spelunk further:

http://www.penngrade1.com/

my first thought reading this was thermostat too. I've had my cable jump off the little wheel before, as well the usual cable loosening or blown t-stat suspects.
DJ

'75 Westfalia, '79 Deluxe
(plus more busses than sense)

In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey

User avatar
Westy78
IAC Addict!
Location: Stumptown OR
Status: Offline

Re: 76 Westy engine running too cool

Post by Westy78 » Mon May 07, 2012 11:45 am

drober23 wrote:Pretty sure it is straight dino oil. Here is their site if you want to spelunk further:

http://www.penngrade1.com/


Check the label ....

Image
Chorizo, it's what's for breakfast.

Post Reply