NOOB Introduction

[79bunny]

Hi all. I just got a 79 4 door Diesel Rabbit as a project. It has been sitting for several years and is not running. I am trying to get it back on the road. I am a diesel mechanic by trade but used to working on semi trucks and tractors. I am totally new to VWs but the more I tinker with this car the more I like it. Can anyone tell me how to identify my engine. From searching the internet I see some reference to the 79 having a 1.5, but some site also say a 1.6. How do I tell what I have? It has a 4 speed trans if that makes a difference. Also where is the glow plug light supposed to be, I no there should be one but don't have one come on. Also if anyone has any new to Rabbit tips for me I would appreciate it.

[rabbid79]

Welcome to the forum.  You very likely have engine code CK which is a 1.5.  As I understand it, '80 was a cross-over year with some 1.5s and some 1.6s.  Since yours is a '79, it was made in Germany, and should be a 1.5.  Don't let that get you down though.  My personal opinion is that the 1.5 will outrun the 1.6.  Most people don't believe it, but my '79 would go over 80MPH.  Because of their shorter strokes, they're just better revers than 1.6s.  There's a stamped engine code and serial number "plate" on the side of the engine just below the head gasket.  You may have to use a wire brush or a razor blade to clean it off because it can get a little rusty.

If you have the single round gauge model (speedometer), as I recall, the GP light is in the upper right-hand window of the cluster.

[79bunny]

Thanks. Can you tell me where to look for the info plate you mention? Like standing in front of the car, where should I be looking? On the cluster I have two guages, one a speedo and the other a multi guage with clock, fuel level, temp etc.

[Rabbit on Roids]

standing in front of the car, look at the middle of the front of the head, should be a half circle passage raised up on the front, its the front oil drain for the head. at the bottom of that to the right of the injection pump, there is the start of the block. right where the head meets the block there is a pad stamped with what it is. its kinda burried tho. its under the glow plugs.

hope that its a 1.5, if it is, then turbo it. i have a turbo 1.5 and i love it. way better than a turbo 1.6. ive had 2 1.6 turbos and 2 1.5 turbos. the 1.5's blew my 1.6's out of the water. BAD.

[79bunny]

Okay numbers on the block are CK 260 063. What does that mean I have? Where are the numbers on the trans to know what that is? I got it running today, rough but running. Still need to change fluids and clean out the lines and tank. So far I am just using a plastic bottle filled with diesel and Power Service Diesel Kleen from the gray bottle with a line strait to the IP.

[79bunny]

I also meant to ask what is the average cost of rebuilding one of these engines. Looking mainly for a parts cost I guess. I think I will probably wind up going through the engine just to get to know it and make sure everything is in good shape.

[Rabbit on Roids]

its a 1.5
rebuilding it?
hope it doesnt need pistons or a head or anything like that.
1.5 parts are made from unobtanium.
i have a set of over sized pistons and rings, but im never getting rid of them.
good luck finding parts. i know about these 1.5's they are my favorite.

the one in my car is amazing

[arb]

Rebuild it ? Why ??  Are you having problems not discussed ?  I had a 1.6L NA with 200,000 plus miles in 1990 or so. It ran great for me, but I though with those miles it needed rebuilding, so I knocked it down for the rebuild. It did not need it. It was within OEM specs for bore an etc.... so I did the job anyway because  had it apart... compete waste of time and money....

[Rabbit on Roids]

if it starts and runs, it dont need to be rebuilt, now if it burns a quart in 100 miles like my audi, rebuild it.

[79bunny]

I honestly just looked at it as not knowing any history on it, it might be a good idea for a rebuild. It actually seems to start and run okay and that is without the glow plugs working, and the injection pump/rubber lines leaking. I am getting some new rubber lines this week to put on along with a new filter and reseal kit for the pump.

[79bunny]

Stupid question maybe, but does anyone have the numbers off the stock injectors. I am wanting to price rebuild parts at my local diesel pump/injector rebuilder but dont want to have to pull an injector just yet to get the numbers. Any 1.5 injector numbers should work just to get a general idea of parts.

[Rabbit on Roids]

why do you need parts? if you can fire it up with no glow plugs, that engine is in great shape. wow, you got a really good engine there. none of my engines will fire up sans glow plugs...

[79bunny]

Part of the reason it is firing up so easy is that it is 100+ on the days I have tried it. I really just want to go through the pump and injectors to make sure they are in good shape. I can do the work myself so it is a minimum cost to verify that everything is in good condition. Especially after sitting for a while. The guy I got it from said it has sat for 4-6 years but the tags indicate it has sat since sometime in 1989/1990. So it has been sitting for about 20 years  . The funny thing is that it only took about 30 minutes to get it fired up. Fresh fuel, good battery, crack the lines and she fired right up.

[Rabbit on Roids]

ok, but back to the major problem. 1.5 parts are OBSOLETE.
they are made from unobtanium. i was lucky when i scored a free 1.5 engine. and i also have a 1.5 with a cracked block, but it has oversized pistons, so i figured it was worth hangin on to.