[Vwdiesel] Oil flow problem??

[Craig Osborn]

Back before I knew better, a few years ago, I performed my first timing belt
change and did not replace the tensioner pulley.  Given the fact that I have
had two episodes of slipping and I may be flirting with disaster ---- I
think I will go ahead and not only check the tension but replace the belt
and pulley as soon as I can fit it in to my schedule.

Craig 


> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Ross [mailto:ross at hypertools.com] 
> Sent: Sunday, January 03, 2010 8:04 PM
> To: Craig Osborn
> Cc: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] Oil flow problem??
> 
> 
> Could the squealing be coming from the timing belt slipping on the 
> intermediate shaft pulley?
> 
> That might explain the squealing, the loss of oil pressure (oil light 
> on), and the loss of braking power.
> 
> Maybe the low temps cause the oil to thicken up just enough 
> to cause the 
> belt to slip, but the belt has enough tension to work 
> properly when the 
> oil is slightly thinner at higher ambient temps?
> 
> I'd check the timing belt tension right away, if I saw those symptoms.
> 
> Dave Ross    N7EPI
> 
> 
> 
> Craig Osborn wrote:
> > 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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