New Diesel owner here. 1985 Jetta TD

[gtiguy1994]

Hello!
  my name is josh, I live in Minot ND. I just recently purchased my 1st vw diesel. 1985 Jetta TD. Short of a long story. Saw this car sitting in a field a year ago. Drove by it again this week. stopped by and asked the owner if he wanted to sell it. He said yes. It runs but will not start under its own power. It needs to be pull started. We pulled started it. I wrote him a check for 350$, that is all he wanted for it!!! I drove it home 70 miles.  The cars has very little power. I believe the glow plugs need replaced. It hasnt be on the road since 1998. and started very few times since then. When it is running it does great. just now power. My friend has a 85 NA diesle golf that has more power than my current TD. The mileage is correct Thoughts?
Thank you for looking. I look forward to learning alot here.

[thedeezel]

First, you can deliver it to me As far as the not starting, the glowplugs and glowplug relay are the best place to start, check and make sure you have 12 volts at the glowplugs.
The no power condition, what maintenance did you perform to the car before you drove it?  
After sitting 10 years it needs new oil and filter, the fuel filter changed, the fuel tank drained and filled with new fuel at the very least, I would also flush and fill the cooling system.
I would pull the intake tube and make sure the turbo spins freely.
Start there and report back with what you find and if there is any improvement.
Or sell it to me

[jtanguay]

If it sat for 10 years, I'd swap the timing belt before even cranking it over...

Andrew

yea would be a shame to ruin this great find!

[gtiguy1994]

The PO said he was tinkering with it lately. He was afraid that there was something horriably wrong with the engine. I checked the oil and put fresh fuel in to. drove it home and shut it down. I will replace the timing belt and all fluids. glow plugs rebuild the fuel pump. and go from there.
 Will keep you updated on the progress. I do think there is something wrong with the turbo though.... but only asses make assumptions.

 Could someone tell me more about this car? I am a total newb when it comes to diesels. I am looking for specs on almost everything the motor has to offer. I am going to save this one and want to know what I am getting into.
Thanks.
Josh
some pic of the other vws I own as well.

[gtiguy1994]

Popped the headpped gasket. Then while removing the head, I snapped the cam shaft. Anyone have one fs?

[jtanguay]

Popped the headpped gasket. Then while removing the head, I snapped the cam shaft. Anyone have one fs?

wtf?  how do you snap the camshaft while removing the head???

[gtiguy1994]

I dropped the ball. I know better than to do this.
I was tearing down everything I could to get the head out as simply as possible. I decided to take the cam out and not the timing sheild. As I was taking off the camshafts bearing caps, I remembered while the last one was in that I need to take off the pully. I left the one in the middle on, grabbed the cam with some pliers, cranked on the bolt that fastens the pully on and *SNAP*  DANG IT! I knew better than to do this. I should have done it the correct way...I do know how to. I tried to take a short cut... :cry:

[jtanguay]

I dropped the ball. I know better than to do this.
I was tearing down everything I could to get the head out as simply as possible. I decided to take the cam out and not the timing sheild. As I was taking off the camshafts bearing caps, I remembered while the last one was in that I need to take off the pully. I left the one in the middle on, grabbed the cam with some pliers, cranked on the bolt that fastens the pully on and *SNAP*  DANG IT! I knew better than to do this. I should have done it the correct way...I do know how to. I tried to take a short cut... :cry:

ah...     why remove the caps though? i'd keep all of that intact and only start removing those parts on a dedicated area of a bench & either mark each part or place them in a separated bin.  because you can't mix and match the bearing caps.  did you at least remove the bolts in the proper sequence?  you might have warped it if you didn't

hard lesson learned...

[Pat Dolan]

Before doing anything else, you need to buy the Bentley manual (reprint of VW factory shop manual) and follow its instructions religiously.  You are going at things kind of backwards, which tells me you are not working with good information.

BTW:  there is no way that a cam cover will be in that condition in 62,000 Western miles unless the hood was left open.

[theman53]

timing on the diesels are VERY important. If you are new to the diesel please get the bentley manual. You will also need some tools to lock stuff in place. I ruined the first head on the first headgasket job I did. Cost me all my time and 350 dollars to replace the head and all the new head bolts and gasket. VERY touchy on timing belt change....stick around here and you will learn what you need to know. Their are lots of guys more smarter than me....when it comes to vw diesels these guys are some of the most smartest.

[gtiguy1994]

Thank you all for you input. I do have a bently. Im a jerk for not following it. But, that doesnt matter right now. I took off the head today to find a heart-stopping discovery. Piston four is chipped. The turbo impeller is messed up and there are crackes between all the valves on each cylinder. Are the cracks normal?

Dang people who dont know how to care for cars.

[gtiguy1994]

[VW_Commuter]

The turbo can be rebuilt or replaced, and the piston can also.  Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I seem to remember that you can get them out by dropping the oil pan and then you have access to the rod bolts.  Once you have the #4 piston removed, you could run a hone down the cylinder to clean it up if it needs it.  I'm sure that some forum member has a head that is available.  Don't give up, there is plenty of help if you only ask for it.