85 Golf Diesel -yay or nay-

[3doors]

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. and can you guys fill me in chassis codes (i think im MK2) engine codes, VW slang, i am such a newb to VW its not worth laughing!

i will post a picture to keep you guys motivated. and i paint too, so i will show you guys a trader from Honda to VW as far as outside.

thank you[/b]

[theman53]

I would sell the honda stuff to give proper treatment to a Master VW Build  :lol:
In all seriousness, I drive 100-200 hard miles every workday in a completely rusted 84 rabbit with a leaky fuel pump. I don't do biodiesel...yet, but if you get that perfected I wouldn't be afraid. These older VW's are IMHO much stronger, durable, and get better mileage than what you are used to and will definately handle what you throw at it. If you hold it to the floor you should reach 70. Check out the FAQ section for most of your concerns, but the best thing I have done was build a cold ram air style intake out of PVC pipe.
       Fuel return lines, Glow plugs, oil *use a diesel oil too*, fuel filters, air filters, and timing belt are just some of the main things to keep under control. Then the normal things on a 20+ year old car should be looked at mainly everything that drives or steers the front end and if replaced then an alignment.
         More about how to go 70 constantly is 1. avoid hills 2. give diesels as much clean fuel and air as possible 3. wheel bearings and brakes should be checked as not to be sticking. 4. Unless you bypass the governor remember that this diesel will rev to the moon and pretty much like it- don't be scared if it "seems" like it is reving to high is what I am saying. Enjoy.
  Hope this helps. Lucas

[Possum79]

I picked up my rabbit for 600$ and I dont see myself turning back to anything but vw. Where I'm at I would kill for another 500$ diesel. A TD(Turbo Diesel) would be nicer though. The N/A i have is pretty slow  :oops:, but i love making people mad when they want to speed.

I say snag it up. Its been and awesome learning experience for me and all I can say is this forum is the best.

kinda a thread jack my bad. :wink:

[3doors]

well heres the good news.... i bidded ($1,670)on a 2003 ford diesel 7.2. big ass mofo, with on ebay and won. so i have to ship it from TX to FL.  im still getting the 85 golf. hence its only 500 bucks? that just sets me back 1670 back from putting that money on the golf. but still i can convert it to run on WVO. i just cant paint it, yakima rack, susp., wheels, ect ect ect ect.....

but hey... 1670 bucks for

[Patrick]

Heck of a buy, looks waaaay too good to be true............. I'd be very careful..........

[shegel]

especially if it is a 7.2 lol  i think you meant 7.3 (though it was the last year of the 7.3 and the first for the 6.0)

[fastvicar]

Heck of a buy, looks waaaay too good to be true............. I'd be very careful..........

+1,000

[RabbitJockey]

bio will loosen a lot of crap in the tank, so carry extra fuel filters.  and if your vw diesel can't go 70mph theres something wrong with it, all the diesels i have ever had could do atleast 75mph, the one that did 75mpg was limited by gearing because it was an automatic.  the motor has to be in good time and have good compression, thats really all that matters for drivability, my car keeps up with traffic just fine, i can pass and speed around just like any other car on the road, hills don't scare me either, and all i have is a 1.6na with a 4 speed.