Stranded on the way to ALASKA!

[Clara]

Ya, I used to rock Castrol 30 wt cause John Muir is my guru and he said to. But sometimes I used 10/30 in winter.
But then Miles convinced me into believing the Zinc thing. About 32K miles on the motor in the Kombi. My bug has had probably only 30 K miles on that motor since I put it in. I'd have to check the book.
I keep meaning to install gauges...... but I guess it's not the thought that counts.
_________________
The Obsolete Air-Cooled Documentation Project http://oacdp.org/

[HastaAlaska]

[Ian]

Here's some common oil comparisons...last number is % zinc

Brand VI Flash Pour %ash (%zinc)
20w50 Castrol GTX 122 440 -15 .85 ( .12 )
20w50 Kendall GT-1 129 390 -25 1.0 ( .16 )
20w50 Valvoline Race 140 425 -10 1.2 (.20)

15w40 Kendall GT-1 135 410 -25 1.0 (.16 )
15w40 Shell Rotella w/XLA 146 410 -25 1.0 (.13 )

10w30 Castrol GTX 140 415 -33 .85 (.12)
10w30 Shell Truck Guard 155 405 -35 1.0 (.15 )
10w30 Valvoline Race 130 410 -26 1.2 ( .20)
10w30 Kendall GT-1 139 390 -25 1.0 ( .16)
_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

[Bulli Klinik]

Hey Ian. Is this a current list?
_________________
I've never met a Bus I didn't like.
Mike K
Bulli Klinik
Colorado Springs

[Ian]

I'm not sure on the date. It was the only information I could find.
_________________
All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA**

[cdennisg]

[HastaAlaska]

[HastaAlaska]

[Manfred58sc]

Thanks Ian, I have been looking for a list that represents "on the shelf" options. I have been using Rotella T 15-40 for the last 5 years 100% in all my old stuff (wait that's all I own!). All good, but I let it warm up nice and easy in cold weather starts. I am very suspicious of proper emulsification when an additive is introduced with out factory procedures. I don't see how a "shake and go" can possibly work correctly.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[busbound]

X 2 Agreed.

Thanks to Ian for posting this info - this is just what I was looking for.

[cdennisg]

[HastaAlaska]

Hey guys,

I thought I would close this thread and say a final thanks to all the people who helped me within these pages. I know it took a lot of time and patience for you to explain to me the intricate details of building engines through this forum, but believe me I couldn't have done it without you and I do very much appreciate your time, help and most of all your encouragement.

I hope you enjoyed the journey and the important part that you played in making it possible.

I'm still working hard to finish the production of the video series, hoping to get episodes out on Thursdays, they will be available on the Kombi Life YouTube channel if you want to see what happened on the drive to the Arctic.


Here are some pictures I posted in another thread that you probably missed.

Thanks again, really!

Ben

The original emblem is embossed into the steel, I added this one as I thought it looked better. (picture taken to highlight the national bird of Alaska )

the first day I bought the bus in Santiago

before construction

My project was to offer free accommodation to people that I met along the way - I found it hard to say no. I thought because these buses were used as collective taxis in Latin America that they could handle the weight, but I pushed this kombi too hard too many times

In Mexico I spent 5 months living in a mechanic completely restoring the Kombi. I put in the F.I engine, which caused a lot of divided opinion here on the The Samba, but in the end was the strongest of all the engine configurations I had previously - I would still recommend it.

I lived in the bus like this for months, no windows and water leaking in during rainy season in southern Mex. I got sick, it was hard. The time made me a better person, but not before making me a worse person for a little while.

I met A LOT of mechanics along the way, and learnt something from all of them. Each time the next mechanic would tell me the last one was wrong and so it took a long time to figure out what was right and what was wrong. Ultimately the books were my preferred method of learning (The Samba members sent them me - thanks guys) Some Latino shops refused to carry out work to the specs of the book, which made for long and frustrating rebuilds. I still don't claim to be a mechanic at all but I'm proud that I started the trip not known how to remove spark plugs and ended it knowing how to rebuild an entire engine. I also learnt how to make 'bush fixes' when parts aren't available - which is pretty important for a trip like this.

Probably the biggest lesson I learnt (and it was from TS member busdaddy) is that when something seems wrong, the best course of action is to put all plans on hold and investigate the issue ASAP)

I can't even describe how many people played a part in helping me get from Chile to Alaska - it's amazing how many people offered advice and their time to help me out. I'm especially grateful to everyone on this forum for their patience and support - I literally wouldn't have made it without you.

A typical camp site - this one in Baja Cali

I found someone pretty special on the road too. I met Leah in Mexico, she returned to the Kombi a few times, the last time we decided not to be friends any more. You have her to thank for the video at the top.

These two saw us under a bridge in Alaska, head in the engine as per usual, stinking of gasoline, wondering why we kept breaking down every few miles. They drove off 150 miles to Fairbanks to buy a telescopic camera and returned the next day to fish out a piece of tape that was stuck in the gas tank. I'll never forget Steve and Nancy's selfless act of generosity that day in Alaska. This is typical of the love that we've received from our extended VW family, it really is a very special community.

Last challenge for us was the Dalton Highway - a 1000 mile extremely challenging round trip to the Arctic and the end of the longest road in the world.

The end of the road...of this road anyway, I still have a few more I would like to drive...but that is a story for another time.
_________________
Around The World in a VW - Follow the Docuseries
2011 - PRESENT
Hasta Alaska Series - https://kombilife.com/hasta-alaska/
World Overland Series - https://kombilife.com/world-overland-travel-series/
Latest Adventures - https://www.youtube.com/@kombilife

[Manfred58sc]

Most only dream of what you did....
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Fat chick owner/operator