Date: Tue, 29 Oct 1996 06:50:51 +0000
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: VWnut@smus.bc.ca
Subject: Re: Turbo Diesel Purchase
> I have been looking for a diesel engine as a spare for my VW truck( or one
> to put into a blown Jetta or Golf for my son to drive to college). I
> purchased my last VW Diesel engine from a Japanese engine import place here
> in the L.A. area. I could them recently and yes, they finally had a VW
> Diesel engine available. The price is about $400.00 complete. When I made
> arrangements to pick it up, the fellow informed me that it was a VW Turbo
> Diesel engine. (complete with pump and turbo). Well, I'm not sure about this.
> Could I use this in a non-turbo VW sedan or Rabbit pickup? Or is there
> someone out there who would be interested in this engine for a Vanagon
> prodject? The import place usually gives 30 day Warr. on Diesels, but he
> said since this engine is rare, no warranty would be given.
>
> Your thoughts on this?
Yes! It will work in a Rabbit or pickup, but you will need the
downpipe from a turbo diesel Rabbit or Jetta, since the exhaust exits
the turbo at a different angle than the regular diesel. The turbo was
offered in the rabbits for a year or two around '83, but a downpipe
from a '80-'84 Jetta Turbo will also work.
$400 is a very good price for a turbo in working order. Any idea of
mileage? I paid $1300 CDN 2 years ago for mine, which had 88k km on
it, and included the downpipe and full exhaust. Can you see it
running first? Or at least a compression check?
The difference in power is enormous - I can now regularly pass many
cars going up hills around here, often in 5th gear. Mileage has also
improved - I now average >55mpg CDN, or about 1040 km on 50 litres
of fuel. Be aware that factory recommends changing oil *twice* as
often for the turbo compared to all other engines.
If I were closer, and ready for a Vanagon project, I might be
interested, but I've got my hands full right now.
btw: I've now put 180K on my TD since getting it, with only problem
being a head gasket oil leak. It was not major, just making a mess of
my garage with oil.
Shawn & Janis Wright
'88 Westy (336k)
'85 Jetta TD (359k)
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