Author Topic: 81 rabbit wont start at all (Read 4053 times)

marc92040 · « **on:** June 09, 2008, 09:03:41 am »

new to the vw diesel... have worked on cummins so I have some knowledge...

just bought the car, been sitting since around 2002, oil is very black, replaced fuel filter and refilled it with fresh diesel, bled the injectors, seeing fuel leak from rubber lines connected to the injectors (not sure what thes lines are, bypass maybe?) I don't know why the car was parked, just that the previous owner died and I don't know how ong ago that was either

checked power at all glow plugs and the solnoid on the IP everything checks out ok.

when it cranks over I get a puft, puft puft as it turns, has some smoke from the oil cap when removed, cold start lever has no impact.

wont start on ether, doesn't even try to fire...

any ideas???

Possum79 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2008, 10:03:40 am »

Ether is bad for a diesel. Also the little lines on the injectors is for fuel return. Id check to make sure the timing is right(Valves and injection pump) You can try and pull start it with another vehicle. Starter may be to slow. As far as the white smoke you probably cant say much until it starts and keeps doing it.

jtanguay · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2008, 01:06:55 pm »

ether isnt that bad... but ether & glow plugs is very bad!

Dakotakid · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2008, 03:27:23 pm »

True. Extend your arm. Cup your hand. Catch the precombustion chamber as it goes flying by!!!! :cry:

BigVWman · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2008, 05:05:42 pm »

IF it has sat long enough previous poster is right pull start it after you have double checked timing. The rings may need to seal again and there could be some minor rust on cylinder walls. Even the toughest beasts seem to start when tow started.