Most basic I4 VW engine have one vee belt that runs from the crank to the
alternator to the waterpump.  Two belts were used on the AC and PS equipped
ones.  My 78 Rabbit, 80 PU and 85 Cabriolet are all this way as well as all
my former Diesel Rabbits.

I use 20w50 in my engines, both gasoline and Diesel unless it is really
cold out there.  Castrol GTX is what I use.  I see this both in 15W40 and
20W50 weights.

I switched to 5W50 Castrol Syntec this winter on my Syncro (I4 2.0L) and no
problems what so ever.  ZERO oil consumption and the bottles says that it
is compatible with dino oil as well.

I like to use Castrol as they sponsor lots of private VW and Audi race cars.

At 10:36 PM 07/03/2000 -0600, Gregory Bendle wrote:
>I'm recent new member of the list. After researching the mail list
>archive and checking out Vanagon.com Links, I made the plunge and
>purchased a 82 Diesel Westy.  The P.O. had made the conversion to 1.9L
>TD.  Until recently, I thought he did a pretty decent job.  As a member
>of the mailing list, I now know he cut one corner.  Thanks to Martin, I
>now realize that the single alternator/water pump belt is far from
>ideal.
>
>The question I have is, how do I rectify this problem. Besides a Vanagon
>diesel water pump, do I need any other parts?  Is there any Vanagon
>diesel specific brackets or Alternator? Which accessory belt is closer
>to the engine?
>
>Also, I getting ready to change the oil and have been trying find 15W40
>oil.  When I owned my 89 Jetta Diesel, I had no problem finding it.
>Now, the only thing I can find is synthetic 15W40.  After 18,000 miles
>of mineral-based oil, is there any problem switching to synthetic?
>Anyone partial to a specific brand?
>
>Finally, I would be interested in hearing from any list members from the
>Chicago area.  I would be interested in hearing about any success with
>any VW shops & VW parts counters.
>
>Regards,
>
>Greg
>
>82 Westy 1.9TD
>95 Subaru Legacy
>
>

--   David Marshall -                    - Quesnel, BC, Canada   --
--    78 VW Rabbit, 80 VW Caddy, 84 VW Westie, 85 VW Cabriolet   --
--       87 Audi 5000 Quattro, 88 2.0L VW Syncro Double Cab      --
-- David's Volkswagen Home Page        http://www.volkswagen.org --
-- Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning  http://www.fastforward.ca --
-- david@volkswagen.org (pmail) or vanagon@volkswagen.org (list) --