Thoughts on 1.6TD rebuild or sell: Offers?

[Quantum TD]

So, I bought a 1991 Jetta Ecodiesel from some guy on craigslist. It's pretty fugly. I'm sure it would clean up, but the clearcoat is spotting on the roof, hood, and hatch. That, and the suspension is wasted, the brakes are toast, and the interior is pigged out.

The car has 208,000 miles on it, and runs great when running. But, it won't start for crap, unless you pop start it. I ran a compression test on it, and these are the numbers I got:

#1   400
#2   270
#3   350
#4   300

All below limit, and likely due to a head gasket (the car has clearly overheated at least once). I can fix the head, but I'm not sure how much time I want to spend on this engine. I'm happy to fix the HG, but really don't want to spend the $500 to do it right. I could always rebuild down the road, but I need to recoup some cash quick. Beyond the head, I'm looking at another $500 in parts alone. I figure the best I could get for the thing totally fixed is like $3500-4300 on ebay on a good day. So, it's not looking like a cherry deal for me anymore. I intended to make money on it, and my profit margin is already shot. But, for someone willing/able to fix it themselves, then it might be what the doctor ordered.

Basically, I bought the car to make some money. I don't need another car in the yard, and if I rebuild the head, it will sit for a long time while the head it out for repair. I'm tempted to just yank the motor and trans and all the diesel specific stuff, and junk the car to get a quick $150 for the scrap metal, and then save the block for another project. But if I got a decent offer, I'd sell the whole thing as is.

So, thoughts? I know people out there are looking for something they can work on, and will get them some MPG. The guy I bought it from said he got 37-39 MPG. Obvioulsy, that's with a blown HG, leaking fuel filter, AVX trans, and injectors that are surely toasted. So, fixing all those, you should easily get about 43-50.

It's not a total basket case, but it does need alot of mechanical work that I"m not really sure I want to get involved with at the momoent.

So, thoughts? Offers? TNT the thing?

[burn_your_money]

With those compression number it should start up just fine with a good starter/system and good glow plugs. Especially this time of year. My engine is 350 across the board and you wouldn't even know it.

[Quantum TD]

Yeah. I'm seeing that now. I just put the injectors back in with fresh crush washers. No start. So, I cracked the lines, and cranked for like 3 minutes. No fuel at the open lines. So, looks like the the IP is toasty. It a J-yard special (paint on the side) that was on the car when I got it. I'm gonna try an ealier IP that I know is good, and see if she wants to start on her own. It may just be bad timing, but I think the pump is toasty.

[burn_your_money]

Make sure the stop solenoid is working before you go and pull the pump. I'd run it out of a bucket of fuel to eliminate the possibility of clogged filters/lines

[zukgod1]

Make sure the stop solenoid is working before you go and pull the pump. I'd run it out of a bucket of fuel to eliminate the possibility of clogged filters/lines

VERY good advice!