Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 07:47:01 -0500
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Opinions on old diesels with AT
In-Reply-To: <421F65DA.12552.8D252DFE@swright.zuiko.sls.bc.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
My sister had an 83 Rabbit diesel with automatic transmission. She
loved it, drove it for many years, and as far as I know it is still
running well. The only problem we had with it was the starter. It is
located on the rear of the engine right under the exhaust. It is
supposed to have a metal shield over it to keep the heat off of the
starter. If it does not then you are going to need to get one or make
one because it will be fine cold, but not start hot, and also the
starter life will be seriously shortened. We put three or four starters
on it in three years time trying to figure this problem out (many years
ago now). Replacing the starter is about is much fun as giving birth to
a watermelon. It is in the most inconvenient spot you can imagine and
juggling installing the starter and also installing the heat shield at
the same time would make Luke Skywalker change to the dark side.
I never really noticed a lower amount of power with the automatic. It
seemed to zip here and there. Also the three speed trans has a fuel
saving feature. It free wheels when you are going down hills or not
stepping on the gas pedal. I think she got low 40s mpg with it (I could
ask her if you wanted).
Now she has an 2002 Jetta TDI automatic and loving every minute of it.
I drove this car a couple of months ago. Awesome vehicle! If you can
afford it.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Shawn Wright wrote:
>A friend's family had one of these that I carpooled in for a few years. The AT diesel
>was only '83-84 I think, and quite rare. The other vehicles in our carpool were my
>family's '81 Rabbit D 5speed, a '79 4 speed gas Rabbit, and a '73 Beetle (that was
>cozy...!) The Rabbit with auto trans was by far the slowest of the pack. I don't recall
>noise being a problem - I think the top gear was fairly tall. Depending on what you're
>used to, it might be ok, but beware that parts might be hard to find - I don't think the
>trans was the same as gas models.
>
>
>On 25 Feb 2005 at 11:09, Edward Duntz <eduntz@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>
>
>>I'd like to get some opinions on having a 1.6L NA diesel coupled with an
>>automatic transmission, specifically, in a Rabbit. I've had two different Rabbit
>>diesels, both with a 4-speed manual transmission. I would imagine that, even
>>though the gear ratios would be different in an automatic than a manual, it
>>would still be louder and higher revs because the AT is only 3-speed. I have the
>>chance to buy one, but I'm unsure about the AT. I'd prefer a 5-speed, but with
>>not too many diesels in my price range ($1,500 or less) within driving distance
>>to me (CT), I can't be too picky. I'd like to get it and convert to veg. oil in
>>the next few years.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Ed
>>
>>
>>
>
>Shawn Wright
>http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
>'85 Jetta TD (retired)
>'85 Jetta D
>'88 Westy 2.1L
>'82 Diesel Westy
>
>
>
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