The Diesel Garage banner

Older VW diesel owners

19K views 6 replies 4 participants last post by  BombDocDiesel 
#1 ·
I was wondering if any members here had the older 1.6 to 1.9 diesels.I have a 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit pickup.Awesome truck!Had over 300,000 mile and still got 45 to 50 mpg on the 1.6 N/A.I'm restoring it,I've bought everything new for it from brakes to injectors.I put the biggest piston they made 1.0mm over in it and rebuilt my injector pump and put a 1.9 cam in it to add more fuel.All the engine work was done to gain more hp as we all know 52hp from the factory. God forbid you turn on a/c LOL or haul a loaf of bread!!I was going to put in a 1.6 turbo version or 1.9 TDI but just wanted to keep it stock looking.I believe I have gained 18hp give or take 10 LOL.Me and a friend is inventing our own VW diesel using a certain gas block and diesel internals shhhhhh. We're keeping that on the down low until it runs so we won't look like fools.Who knows though if this works it will produce more hp than the 1.9TDI and still get 45 to 50MPG!
Jake
 
#2 · (Edited)
Between 1987 and 1992 I was the proud owner of a 1980 VW Rabbit "C" diesel.
This was the last year for the original 1.5L engine (which I understand was derived from the 1.6L gas block of the mid 70's. The only VW diesel so built).
That was a fun little car. Best gas milage I ever got with it was 58+ mpg. I had just rebuilt the engine and was breaking it in.
People used to ask me why it was yellow, and I would tell them becuase it doubled as a taxi in the winter time :D
This comment stemming from all my "hot rod" buddies being stranded the first time the temp went below 60 degrees or a the first touch of frost hit the ground, and I was the one they always called to haul them around.

One problem with that engine waas the cylinder head, in particular, the valves.
The engine was a SOHC unit that had the cam working directly against the valves (i.e., no rocker arms).
There were little "spacer" discs that would be installed on top of a cup that that's how you set the valve clearance.
Because the valve springs have to be a bit stronger on diesel engines, this means the valve pushes harder against the cam.
With the rotation always pushing against the valve, eventually the guides wear away and this would cause the valve not to seat properly, thus the cylinder doesn't seal and the engine wouldn't start.
For a while I used to run around with a can of ether in the back, just so I could get started.
According to most owners, this generally happened around the 140K mark, as it did with mine.
A simple head job fixes the problem, but I thought that was a lot of milage back then (hey I was young, what did I know?!), so I ended up doing an in-frame...thus the 58 + mpg tank I got while I was breaking the engine in.

Is this still a problem with VW diesel engines?
Also, are the head gaskets still "notched"? My engine used a 5 notch head gasket.

BTW, my brother is the current owner of my late father's old 1981 VW Rabbit p/u diesel.
I just did an oil change on it the other day.
That was the first year for the longer stroke 1.6L engine. Man, did that bring back some memories. :D



Elvis
 
#3 ·
...btw, if anyone out there has a friend who shows excessive "road rage" and this concerns you, take away their current vehicles and give them an older VW diesel and tell them they have to drive it ONLY, for at least 5 years.
...cured me. :D :thumbsup

As I used to say, "48 rompin' stompin' horsepower and 56.5 gut wrenching foot-lbs. of torque. Oh yeah, she really goes.".


Elvis
 
#4 ·
I ran a succession of Rabbit Diesels with great success until I ran into two fatal flaws in a row: 1) the heater hose that runs from the back of the cyl head to the firewall in prone to rupture after a few years, and when it does it's suddenly ring-n-shells time. Solution: change the damn hose every couple of years. And 2) the original head bolts are fine thread and VERY sensitive to torque at installation. Solution: when you have the head off for any reason install heli-coils and the newer head bolts. Don't ask me how I learned those tid-bits !! ... :gaah
 
#5 ·
What is the torque-spec if you can run heli-coils?

I see these little guys for sale all the time. I don't know anything about them but the price is always really low.
 
#6 ·
BombDocDiesel,

The torque value does not change because the hole is heli-coiled.
I wish I could remember what that value was, but I've since forgotten.
I do, however, remember that I had to re-torque the head after so many miles.
I don't recall there being any problems, otherwise (note: It helps to grab the aerosol version of Copper Coat when getting your parts together and spray the entire head gasket before installation. Works like a charm!).

As for Denman's hose problem, I never had any problems with hoses on my car.
Maybe the 1.5 wasn't susceptable to that one, but the only hoses I remember changing were the radiator hoses.
I think the one Denman referred to was the supply line for the heater core.
That's what it sounds like, anyway.

Oh yeah, and word to the wise...ONLY use Bosch glow plugs.
I tried every make available and Bosch were the only ones that ever worked for a decent amount of time....and before you dismiss my advice, remember where the glow plug is for the #1 cylinder and realize that I had to change out that one about 5-6 times before I settled on Bosch brand glow plugs.
Talk about :bang ... :rolleyes:



Elvis
 
#7 ·
Thanks. I assumed the value wouldn't change. I've pulled heli-coils before on apps with low torque-spec numbers. I was just curious as to how low the number is.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top