Hey all - 1979 Rabbit Diesel - I'm prolly in over my head.

[aphexjesus]

Hey all. This is my first post here, although im pretty active in other forums, namely audiworld.com and s4forum.com (both as afxjzs).

I recently acquired a 1979 rabbit diesel from a friend that was moving and couldn't keep it. It's in pretty rough shape (rust is a factor), and needs some work, but seemed like it would be a fun 2nd car to work on. It is very yellow.

I live in Dorchester (part of Boston), MA and work for a large chain of autodealerships doing web design and other nerd stuff.

My main ride is a 2001.5 Audi S4 and the Rabbit is going to be a project car of   sorts. I plan on eventually converting it into a greaser, but for now, i just want to get it drivable.

Current (known) Issues:
-----------------------
 - The fuel line was cracked when the car got jacked up, so i replaced it with a new line, which seems to work, but now i need to bleed the fuel system (i think) to get it to run.
 - The coolant reservoir was completely empty with about a 1/2 inch of sludge in the bottom.
 - The brakes have a leak....somewhere. the reservoir was bone dry. I top it off and i could hear a distinct sucking and squirt sound near the front right when i pumped the brake.

Those are the main engine engine related ones. It has the rear suspension of a Fox (according to the guy i got it from) so it sits at top lock even with stuff in the trunk.

Here are some photos:
http://afx.cc/gallery/main.php?cmd=image&var1=My+Other+Car%2Frabbit+009.JPG&var2=700_85_copyright.png_RD

http://afx.cc/gallery/main.php?cmd=image&var1=My+Other+Car%2FIMG_0287.JPG&var2=700_85_copyright.png_RD

http://afx.cc/gallery/main.php?cmd=image&var1=My+Other+Car%2FIMG_0286.JPG&var2=700_85_copyright.png_RD

And 2 vids:
YouTube - 1979 Rabbit Diesel Engine Bay

YouTube - Rabbit Revs
(that's me in the car)

One more thing...

What the hell is this?

http://afx.cc/gallery/main.php?cmd=image&var1=My+Other+Car%2Frabbit+013.JPG&var2=700_85_copyright.png_RD

It wasn't connected to anything... It comes from the pass. side firewall.

Anyways... that's my situation. thanks in advance for all the help.

[Dakotakid]

Nuclear material transport tube..........

No, an old air conditioner line.

[aphexjesus]

Nice. Thanks. I can't believe this thing had A/C. Oh well...maybe it will again someday.

[jtanguay]

Nice. Thanks. I can't believe this thing had A/C. Oh well...maybe it will again someday.

with the hose being open like that, you can expect a lot of replacement parts to get it going again   a new receiver drier, and possibly a new compressor, and any lines that have been eaten through by the corrosive a/c oils.

[aphexjesus]

yeah...that's way way way down the road. i am just trying to get the thing "drivable" and then maybe even someday "pass inspection"


for today, i'd like to see if i can figure out where the brakes are leaking from. I can hear a squirting sound when i push down the brake pedal, which can't be good.

[Turbinepowered]

for today, i'd like to see if i can figure out where the brakes are leaking from. I can hear a squirting sound when i push down the brake pedal, which can't be good.

If you can't see any puddles under the car's corners, it might be a blown seal inside your master cylinder. All the leaking and squirting would be internal, so you wouldn't see a leak.

[aphexjesus]

It's a broken brake line. I think there's a leak in the door and that submerged the brake line that runs inside the car along the floorpan. the one on the passenger side is leaking where it makes the 90deg turn to go towards the rear brake.

What's the procedure to replace a section of hard brake line? i imagine i'd need to get some sort of kit and maybe a tool or two.

the fuel line replacement worked. the car is running now, albeit a bit rough. the coolant reservoir was empty, so i filled that and ran the engine til it was warm, then changed the oil. starts up and idles just fine. it will be "drivable" once i get the brakes working.

anyone know how to get the carpet out?

I added some more pics to the gallery http://afx.cc/gallery/main.php?cmd=album&var1=My+Other+Car/

how come none of the pics i post are showing up? i have bbcode and html enabled and neither work. thanks.

[Vincent Waldon]

how come none of the pics i post are showing up? i have bbcode and html enabled and neither work. thanks.

http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13132

as found in the FAQ. :wink:

[8v-of-fury]

how come none of the pics i post are showing up? i have bbcode and html enabled and neither work. thanks.

I use www.photobucket.com they have a link under each picture you upload for each of the several possibilities, like forum, email, webpage all that good stuff

Plus they automatically re-size each picture

[aphexjesus]

Thanks for the tips. I actually tried both of those... no luck.

I started using Tumblr to post all the content for this project. Check it out at http://afxrabbit.tumblr.com

[8v-of-fury]

Get to work! I want to see you finish this little guy up real good!

Keep us posted!

[zukgod1]

That's too cool man..

Welcome to the board, we are all connected it seems. My "Other" car is an 02 Passat 1.8t (not stock). zukgod1 on the tex as well.

That engine sounds really good! You got your self a builder for sure.

There is tons of info here and you will soon see this place is NOTHING like the tex. Bashing is all but non exsistant, help is abundant. Usualy if there is a smart a$$ comment it comes from me  :? .

[zukgod1]

Got any pics of your S4?

[drrtybyl]

I just looked at your photo gallery -- my '79 came with bullets too..  not sure what it is about old rabbits that they end up with ammo inside.

[jettabrendan]

I took the trunk mat out last night and I found I bet 300 or more 22 bullets and more assorted ammunition in mein jetta