Hi,

I was driving my 87 Vanagon out of town, and the oil pressure light and
buzzer came on after driving up a long grade.  I immediately pulled over
and shut off the van.  I waited about 10 seconds and started it up again.
This time no light for the next few minutes as I was almost at my
destination.  As I drove home about the same distance, the oil pressure
light and buzzer came on again as I got very close to home.  I shut it off
for a few seconds, started it up, and drove a little bit.  It came on
again, though.  Then I walked the rest of the way to my girlfriend's house
to eat dinner.

I actually read my idiot's book by John Muir, and I think the oil pressure
relief valve may be sticking.  In other words, as the engine gets hotter
the oil never passes through the oil cooler.  The oil temperature
constantly goes up and eventually the oil breaks down.  The oil level was
fine; as a matter of fact I just put in Mobil 1 oil a few days ago.
There's no oil leaking onto my driveway either.  So, my diagnosis is that
the oil pressure relief valve is probably at fault.

Question 1:  do people on the list agree with my diagnosis?
Question 2:  how in the world can I get that oil pressure relief valve off?
 I've tried John Muir's screwdriver with pressure and a vice-grip to no
avail.  Any other suggestions?

TIA,

Mike Feng

P.S.  To those of you who answered my oil drain plug question, I finally
found one in the tenth parts store I called for $2.05.