New rabbit owner

[celticthor]

I just got a rust free 1981 Rabbit LS diesel that I have a few questions about. This is my 1st diesel car (I did have a 88 Ford IDI)

I am wondering what MPG will I expect from this car?
Are there an mechanical issues that are common in these cars?
There is a glowplug handle next to the dash cluster that I can't figure out what it does and it also has a electronic starter fluid sparyer (button is located under the steering wheel)

Overall it's in good condition, the motor/tranny is completey clean with no leaks at all.

Any help would be appreciated

[79rabbit4dr]

Welcome!  

where are you located?

I'm in SE Idaho and I have a 81 Rabbit Diesel L NA.

From what I can tell, 40-50 MPG shouldn't be unattainable, sounds like you have a good clean drivetrain.

Electronic Starter Fluid Sprayer??  :shock: Everyone on here says "DON'T USE STARTER FLUID ON THESE!!!!!" Not sure why though? Someone will chime in who knows.

Glowplug handle, like a pull-out knob? I've only got a Cold Start and Headlight knob so i'm not sure, again lots of people on here and I'm sure someone will chip in.

You should post up some pictures, tends to help catch peoples attention and get responses.

Again, welcome!

[theman53]

where are you located? How rust free? I want it :lol:
I wouldn't use the starting fluid without an emergency of serious proportion.
The cable you are talking about is probably the cold start cable. It should have a C with an S on the inside of the C. Obviously the letters mean cold start and what it does is advance the fuel timing when RPM's are less than 2,000. You are supposed to use it to start it when it is under 32 fareinheight.
I would change all fluids, filters, and any rubber hose on it unless it has been done recently. If you don't have a bentley you should own one soon.
Timing belt should be done, if it hasn't been done either...if you do it please get the proper tools and have the guys here teach you the only way to do it.

hOpe it helps Lucas ><>

[celticthor]

I am located in colorado. This rabbit has some interesting additions such as that automatic starter fluid sprayer, a Mazda 626 radiator/fan and a radiator heater (has another plug in like the block heater)

I am guessing its the Cold Start knob that I am wondering about since my diesel truck had nothing like that

I also found out that starter fluid sprayer is out of a John Deere Tractor lol, I will post some pics as soon as I can

[celticthor]

Here are some pics:


 
Notice the hood pins! lol


Engine was rebuilt approx 10k ago, you can see the starter fluid sprayer on the left side of the engine

[Luckypabst]

I love it! The starter fluid sprayer is the coolest mass-produced engine band-aid I've ever seen! Uh but not cool on a diesel. Does the little pipe pass through the air filter or does it just saturate the filter with starting fluid?

I want a Rabbit sedan...

Chris

[celticthor]

It just shoots it into the air intake there just like you "would" if you did it yourself. I doubt I would ever use this since I fouled my GPs on my ford doing that and since it doesn't get that cold during the winter here (nothing the block heater can't take care of) I don't think I will ever use the radiator heater either. Apparently the previous owner lived somewhere where it gets down to -20 degrees

[theman53]

I had a friend that did that with the tractor starter fluid injection. I would say that all the glow plugs went bad and instead of checking and changing them they went with either. That is what my friend did with his.
Cold start lever is supposed to help you start in colder weather. glow plugs are a complete pain and u should only use Bosch. Don't get the autolites or anything else just Bosch. They are more expensive but you change them less and they don't break off into the engine compartment if overheated.
Make sure to check maintenence on Timing belt and all other stuff I told you before.

    This could be one of the best installations of hood pins I have ever seen. A future 6 foot whipper CB antennae would be a wonderful upgrade :lol:

[celticthor]

The previous owner gave me 12 Bosch spark plugs, new fuel/oil/air filters (the ones in the car are brand new) plus bunch of other stuff and he showed that the timing belt was replaced last month (car only has 87k miles on it)

[trent77]

If you are not going touse the spark plugs, maybe I could have them? Hee Hee Hee! Sorry had to.

[Dirtrag2]

nice little bunny welcome to our home on the net  :roll:

[CoolAirVw]

...... 12 Bosch spark plugs........

Spark plugs? :shock:  :lol:  :roll:  :wink:  :lol:

[arb]

I too have only used ether on one of my 1.6L diesels in an emergency... it was when 2 of my glow plus were bad and I HAD to get to work... It worked but the diesel makes unfriendly sounds when used. I had to pull the air filter for it to work. The glow plugs were replace that day, and again a couple weeks later because the root cause was the glow plug relay was staying on after start and it burned them out. You might want to at least install a light on your dash to show when the plugs are on. The should stay on a few seconds after the normal dash light goes out, but not minutes or hours.

Some Mercedes-Benz trucks ( 18,000 GVW) have factory ether assist bottles, so it is not strictly BAD for a diesel. It does work. Maybe a propane injection would be more helpful. It certainly is a way to improve your diesel burn.

Except for that very cool after market ether system, I had 2 Rabbits like yours and they got 50 - 52 mpg.

[celticthor]

Yea I just noticed I put spark plugs, its been about a year since I owned a diesel, hopefully this diesel doesn't eat up $9k dollars in repairs like my last diesel (88 ford IDI) lol

[Dakotakid]

It will if you are planning on doing the ether thing in this 23.5 to 1 compression ratio engine. In realistic terms: think of it as an instant hand grenade.