Additional Oil Sump...will it void the warranty?

I've been tempted to buy either the EMPI, SCAT or Bugpack oil sump to install it in my new VS car and add the additional 1.5 qts. of oil. It can only improve cooling and the quality of oil, right? The price is right at my favorite VW shop. I was wondering if doing so will void the VS warranty on the new engine. Any feedback on this?

Call Kirk and ask. Seems like the easiest way to find out.

It also depends on who installs the sump. If installed incorrectly it could cause engine failure. For example, if the extended oil pick-up tube is installed incorrectly, or comes loose, then engine failure is very likely, and in that case the engine builder is not at fault.
Ron

Hi Ricardo,

Consider this - One of the reasons the previous owner of my Speedster sold it was that it would overheat on hot days (95 and up) and at idle the oil pressure would drop and the oil light would come on at idle. Goosing the engine would get the light off and at speed the pressure was about 10 or 15 lbs. Not good at all. He brought the machine to my house on a trailer so I wouldn't notice.

The engine was missing the dog house cooler, it had an extra cooler over the transmission, and an oil filter had been installed along with the extra capacity oil sump that you are considering.

I installed the dog house cooler, changed the cooler over the tranny to one that has a fan (comes on at 180), removed the oil filter and the extra capacity sump. The result is that on a 100 degree day I can drive all day long. My oil pressure is 60 lbs on start up, 30 elbos when driving and 15 at idle.

Here is the part you should think about - for me 3 qts is perfect, more oil means longer warm up time, I want my engine to warm up fast and maintain consistant operating temperature, the sump can also reduce your ground clearance. I don't want an oil filter because I change the oil every 1500 miles.

I've owned many VWs and have used external oil coolers on a bus, bug, and squareback, I did lots of freeway driving. Previous bugs and a K-Ghia were stock. All the cars were on a 3k oil change cycle.

I don't think more oil is the answer to over heating problems.

Michael

Thanks for your insight Michael. I would never do away with the original dog house oil cooler. Basically I was thinking about eventually (when the warranty expires) installing a full-flow system with filter and a sump to add oil capacity and filtering. Also, the fact that you've got a relatively large engine (2110 cc) and still don't need additional oil capacity gives me peace of mind.

One really important advantage of adding a sump comes into play if you every plan to do any hard cornering. When I had my 1776 I didn't bother installing a sump, because I didn't think that a mild 1776 needed the extra oil to keep the temperature down. It didn't, but I found that when I cornered the car at a rapid pace the oil light would occasionally come on . All the oil was being forced to one side of the motor and this is not a good thing. When I added the 1 1/2 quart sump the oil light never came on, no matter how fast I took a corner. When I had my 2110 built I went overboard and installed a Gene Berg 3 quart sump. I probably didn't need it, but the peace of mind was worth it. If you end up buy a sump don't buy the cheapest one you can find. Pay a bit more and look for quality. Gene Berg may be expensive, you really get what you pay for.
Ron

I was told the same thing about Gene Berg's product and I know it's top notch but somehow I heard the rumor that they're liquidating the inventory and plan to close down.

If that's true it will be a shame. The air cooled after-market seems to be flooded with cheaply made products. We need more 'quality' manufacturers, not fewer.
Ron

Geez.....haven't heard that one. In fact, I was just on the phone with them (Kathy, the phone sales lady) the day before yesterday getting a new oil pump and a few other goodies. Never had any indication of them going away (everything I wanted was in stock) but this will be a good one to watch closely. As Ron(?) said - it would be a shame if these guys went away after all they've done for the sport/hobby.

Yes, Quality costs, but inferior parts cost you even more in the long run......think about it.

My dos centavos........gn

I agree with you all guys. As of late, most of the parts that are readily available are Chinese and of questionable quality.

Bought the Gene Berg sump as well as the breather box and they're beautifully made. And no, Gene Berg Enterprises is not closing down; they're still kickin' alive and well...thank God.

Hey Ricardo,
What are the dimensions of the Berg sump?
I bought the Empi 1-1/2 qt sump and it decreased my clearance by 3"!
I have taken out the drain plug once and have scraped bottom numerous times. They're great for hard cornering but you have to really watch the road. Look for all those big oil patches. Where there's a patch there's a dip.
Ordered a CB thin line sump, they add less than 2" to your exsisting sump.
By the way, a sump does not aid in the cooling of your oil.

It measures 2.5" deep by 10.5" wide by 9" long. By the way, I started installing it today and encountered a situation with the pickup tube. Is the pickup extension supposed to just slip over the existing tube without mods or am I supposed to "tweak" it? I'm saying this because the pickup tube in the engine measures 11/16" in diam. which is kind of weird since Berg says that for newer cars it should be either 5/8" or 3/4". I ordered the 5/8" extension with my kit and I'm having a hard time putting it on. As with all their products the extension they send is a hefty piece of tube (respectable gauge) with 4 slots in the top part that I'm guessing will enable it to expand a little to slip over the pickup tube in the case. In my case (pardon the pun) it's a 1/16" difference. Am I supposed to pound those sections to expand the tube or am I stuck with the wrong size? Thanks!

Spoke to the Berg people and the extension is supposed to just slip over the pickup tube in the case. The tech guy told me that he's seen weird sized pickup tubes before; this one's right smack in the middle of 5/8" and 3/4" (it's 11/16!). They're shipping me a 3/4" and I'll be returning the 5/8"; meanwhile the car is still stranded...two weeks and counting. Did I say I presented the sump to the engine and it fits like a glove? That's precision work!

Ricardo:

As it says on the Berg instructions, make sure that you push the new extension onto the old pickup such that the slots in the new extension are COMPLETELY filled by the old tube. Otherwise the pickup will be sucking air instead of oil and that's not good.

I always braze the new extension onto the old tube, but in lieu of that, just make sure you fill the slots and then tap it on another 1/16" to 1/8" and THEN put the clamp on.

gn

Thanks for the pointers Gord! I know the best way to do it is to braze it but since I'll probably do away with the strainer eventually when I install the full flow and that depends on: 1) Either when you fly down to install it with the motor in the car..:) or 2) When I need to overhaul the motor and both seem a long ways away...

So I want to be able to adjust the height of the extension closer to the bottom of the sump when I do away with the strainer and then braze it permanently. I'll be using the clamp for now and I'll make sure I follow your advice!