PROBLEMS WITH OLDER SOLID LIFTER DIESELS

[MNahas]

I had a 1.5 diesel in a dasher it died with like 230,000 miles. I remember speaking to some guy who new his vw diesels pretty well and said that the older vw diesel solid lifter engines don't last as long as the hydraulic lifter engines. WHy IS THAT?

Also I think he said something about the size of the inlet on the oil being small or something.

Can anyone help me now because I am replacing the engine with a used 1.6 solid lifter engine and while I have the engine out I would like to improve what I can on it to make it last aq little longer.

[jtanguay]

solid lifter engines are more reliable when they are within spec.  within spec means using shims between lifters and cam.  over time there can be enough wear that the valves don't open enough, and then engine will not start.  adjust the valve shims and voila she starts again!

solid lifter engines provide a little bit more power (butt dyno noticeable) probably mostly because there is less oil pressure lost at the head, and solid lifters don't stick like hydraulic ones can.

buy yourself a cheap feeler gauge and check the clearance (put it between cam & valve lifter)  that might be the only problem.

[MNahas]

The engine got loud(changed sound) one day driving home. Then a month later just quit and a bunch of smoke shot out the back and it turns over very slowly now.

[jtanguay]

i think your problem is unrelated to mech lifters.  probably more to do with the fuel system/timing and the slow turning over can be the starter/battery/wiring, or worse there is something broken inside the engine.

[MNahas]

I wasn't saying that it was a lifter issue. I definately know that it is not something as simple as a battery issue. I was going about 75 miles an hour on the highway when it gave out and smoke billowed out the exhaust and then after that it wouldn't turn over but very slowly. The kind of turning over I am talking about is when the engine has a serious problem where the cylinders cannot slide freely or the bearing are gone or something along those lines.

So when I buy this new engine all I should do is make sure that everything is adjusted in the engine before I put it in?

[jtanguay]

I wasn't saying that it was a lifter issue. I definately know that it is not something as simple as a battery issue. I was going about 75 miles an hour on the highway when it gave out and smoke billowed out the exhaust and then after that it wouldn't turn over but very slowly. The kind of turning over I am talking about is when the engine has a serious problem where the cylinders cannot slide freely or the bearing are gone or something along those lines.

So when I buy this new engine all I should do is make sure that everything is adjusted in the engine before I put it in?

change the oil, inspect timing belt for cracks etc.. give it a good once over. is the 1.6 a turbo?

[MNahas]

Timing belt is fine oil was just changed I really think it is a serious catastrophic type of engine failure I gues I will find out when I swap it over.

[MNahas]

It is a 1.5 NA

[MNahas]

Sorry I missunderstood what you were asking me. The 1.6 is a 1.6 na from a rabbit.

[MNahas]

here is the Link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1982-Volkswagen-Diesel-Engine-1-6-Liter_W0QQitemZ220231709060QQihZ012QQcategoryZ33615QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jtanguay]

thats perfect!  no p/s or a/c  :wink:

[fatmobile]

12mm headbolt, JK block.
 Has the normal key in the crank sprocket.
Nice engine.