Author Topic: 85 diesel. yay or nay (Read 3845 times)

3doors · « **on:** May 31, 2008, 02:32:22 pm »

i am mechanically inclined - as long as the H badge is in the front (or Acura)

-i got accepted to college (start August 8th) and i cant finish my 88 hatch project by that time.
-i saved up quite a bit for a MASTER BUILDD!!! i have 12.5 comp. B17 motor, gsr suspension, gsr interior, + more in my possesion, but i need TIME! and im currently working full-time. so im in a pickle!
-the college is in Georgia and i need another daily driver, thats good on highway, apart from my aunts Golf TDI

I have done many many many hours of recearch on Bio-Diesel and running on veggie oil that is filtered to at least 2.5 microns. i actually have about 250 gallons of raw used cooking filtered oil. and a 50 gallon batch of B100 that i made!!!!

OK, heres where VWD forums comes in.

i found a 85 golf (diesel). the owner hasnt turned the engine over in 3 years. but he got a 12 volt and crank it up the first time! so i talked him down to 500 and i am supost to see him monday.

i dont know my history or my homework on Volkswagon so im asking you guys : i will be making a 600 mile trip from georgia to FL, at least once a month. i want a veggie burner, and i know i can do it on this car. but can it handle it? what do you recomend, what to replace, how to upgrade, what to swap, links, forums, help, help, help.

edit.- im not a speed freak i just need to go 70 constantly.

thank you[/b]

3doors · « **Reply #1 on:** May 31, 2008, 08:46:41 pm »

i was recomended this site by orlandoforums.com and even vwvortex.xom and i only have 5 view and no replies.....should i post this topic in another category? if so wich one???

jtanguay · « **Reply #2 on:** May 31, 2008, 09:45:40 pm »

yea this should be posted in the troubleshooting or IDI sections... the mods will most likely move it.

first off you should really inspect the timing belt! other things such as fuel lines, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings won't be as diastrous, most likely needing to be changed.

the pump might have a leak or will be leaking soon after you run it on bio. your best bet is to buy a seal kit and if you're good with intricate work, you could probably get it all done yourself.

shegel · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2008, 01:11:51 am »

my 86 was sitting for 5 years before i got it. changed the fuel filter and inspected everyhing i now drive the car 100 miles a day with only minor issues(powersteering pump bracket broke

= rattley ps pump)

upchuck · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:01:56 pm »

basically its an old car so expect lots of maintenance. i bought an 85 1.6na for a transplant donor and the biggest things i had deal with were HG going right after i bought it and IP leaking really bad after running bio and the new low sulfur fuel. i've also dealth with brakes, cv's and axles, cooling system, tranny axle flange leaks, touchy instrument/interior wiring, new fuel lines, wheel bearings, and way too many stripped bolt threads with oil pans and valve covers... :evil:

personally if i did it over, i'd prefer the slightly higher up front cost or making payments on something newer with lower miles and better maintenance then all of the time and money i've spent on repairs. after $5-6k (and that's parts only except the engine rebuild i had done) i have yet to deal with a crappy exhaust and suspension, or perk up the interior as i've always planned. but i guess i'd still stick with something non-tdi for simpler operations with bio - without any personal familiarity with them i guess i'd go for a 90s 1.9td.

but kudos on the bio aspirations. i've put so much energy into my car itself that i also haven't had time to get my bio processing set up or svo going yet. if you're buying fuel, even at 40mpg (what i can get on the hwy) with higher diesel than gas prices it's hardly better at cost per mile than 30mpg in my gasser vw.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:08:36 pm »

Quote from: "3doors"

i was recomended this site by orlandoforums.com and even vwvortex.xom and i only have 5 view and no replies.....should i post this topic in another category? if so wich one???

This isn't the vwvortex it takes time to get responses here unless you catch a time when we are all here at the same time (rare)

This is a good thing though. Have patience with your future posts. We will respond but it may take a bit.

Here most people wont offer up a opinion unless they have knowledge on the subject and it could take up to 24 hrs easy to get the right person to see your post.

Welcome to the best TD site on the net BTW

zukgod1 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:13:03 pm »

I'll agree with the posts above.
Timing belt
Water pump
Then just your basic other items like brakes etc.

Sounds like you have a good base to work off though, congrats on the find.

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2008, 09:34:48 pm »

yeah i would just try and drive the car a lot before u take it on the long trip so if somethings going to break its while ur at home and not 300 miles between home and school

VelocityConservation · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2008, 01:05:55 pm »

3doors,

The one other piece of advice I would give is, beware of gearing.

Many NA cars were built with very low gearing. My '90 came with an AWY transmission (probably the worst for this). Almost 3400rpm at 65mph. Interstate highways were brutally bad. Had a FF built. Still would like taller gearing.

The chart at "http://www.scirocco.org/", says that the '85 has an ACH. That should result in 3k rpm at 70.

But be careful before you buy.

VelocityConservation

riddleyo · « **Reply #9 on:** June 25, 2008, 04:15:29 pm »

Replace the seals on the injection pump with biodiesel seals.
Clear fuel lines.
New fuel filter.
New timing belt.

those are pretty standard if you want to burn your b100