chris wyatt was asking about his syncro oil leak in VERY cold temps.
here's a tech bulletin that might be of interest to all:

Vanagon      ALL     17-87-05  Engine      Oil cooler seal leaks in
waterboxer                                 extreme cold

from Service Bulletins, Model Year 1987
.......................................................................
Technical Information
Group:    17
Number:   87-05
Date:     October 29, 1987
Subject:  Oil Cooler seal leaks in extreme cold
Model(s): Vanagon waterboxer, all Model Years

Extreme cold weather can harden and split the seal between the engine
block and the oil cooler thus creating an oil leak:
*  An improved cold-restistant seal was installed in production as of
   02/87.
*  The new seal can be identified by its silver-grey appearance and is
   available through your parts department, Part No. N 901 814.02.

so if you've just recently gotten an 83-early 87 vanagon, you might want
to check on this before Ol' Man Winter really gets here. one poor fellow
up in canada, way back when the list was new, lost his engine due to this
... ALL the oil pumps out REALLY quick when this gasket goes. :(

joel