[Vwdiesel] Oil flow problem??

[Val Christian]

Don't know about HG, but how is the intermediate shaft...that is turned with the
back of the timing belt.  And it drives the oil pump.

> 
> About two weeks ago, I started my 81 pickup in 18F temperatures.  It started
> but ran rough which is usual behavior in such temperatures.  After warming
> it up for about five minutes, I proceeded to set out onto the road.  Almost
> immediately the engine started to squeal.  Initially, I thought it was a
> loose belt and ignored the noise.  After a 1/2 mile or so, the oil light
> came on and the engine lost some power.  I realized that the squeal was
> likely not a belt.  I happened to be next to an auto parts store, so I
> pulled into the lot and all of the sudden the power picked up and the oil
> light went out.  I pulled into a parking space and checked the oil level.
> It was about 1/2 quart low.  I added a 1/2 quart of oil and restarted the
> truck.  It ran fine.  It did not seem to be damaged from the incident as I
> was able to drive it the rest of the way home (54 miles in a mountainous
> region).
> I drove the truck regularly over the next two weeks without incident in
> temperatures ranging from 25F to 40F.  The engine ran smoothly with normal
> power, almost no smoke (fuel or oil).
> Today, I started the truck in 10F temperatures and let it warm up for over
> 20 minutes while I cleared snow from my driveway.  The truck idled smoothly
> the entire time and came up to full normal operating temperature in the 20
> minute period.   I decided to take the truck out and fill the tank in
> preparation for my Monday commute.  I  made it about three city blocks away
> from my home when the oil light came on and the engine started to squeal.  I
> lost braking power as if the vacuum assist system stopped working ,and the
> engine started to run rough.  This time I shut it down quickly and parked it
> on the side of the road.  I waited 30 seconds and tried to restart it.  It
> cranked very slow like it was overheated and close to being seized and would
> not start.  I walked home, ate dinner and walked back to the car about 45
> minutes later.  It started normally and ran fine the whole way home.  The
> oil level is at the full mark.
> Is it possible that the oil is congealing at cold temperatures and not
> allowing the oil to circulate?  It has been about 9000 miles since the last
> oil change.  
> Additional info--
> - I use a blend 10w40 diesel oil in the truck-
> - The truck is driven about 500 miles every week and uses around 1/2 quart
> of oil each week.    
> - The side of the engine block is wet with oil from the head gasket down.
> It has been this way for the past two years.  I regularly check and fill the
> oil.
> -- The antifreeze does get discolored after around 30,000 miles.  (Head
> gasket??)
> - There is sometimes, but not always a small amount of pressure in the
> coolant reservoir (Head Gasket??).
> - I do not see any coolant in the oil. 
> - There is no unusual water vapor in the exhaust at startup (other then
> normal vapor when it is cold outside). 
> \
>  
> Can anyone help diagnose the problem?  I am afraid to drive it to work.
>  
> Craig 
>  
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