Any IDI/TDI auto owners?

[aidan]

Possibly been given the task of sorting out a late mk2 Golf with diesel engine (probably 1.6 or 1.9 NA) and auto box.
I'm expecting to use a standard 1.6/1.8 petrol gearbox. Any later boxes with ECUs are completely out of the question.

As these were never sold here (if anywhere?), i'm wondering if anyone on here has owned or driven one and what their experiences are?
Just wondering how strong the boxes are, what electrical items are involved with them and what sort of power they can hold?

Would my 1Z minus the turbo and with a mechanical 11mm NA pump be a good choice?

[burn_your_money]

I tried hooking up a 010 to my AAZ engine. Not a chance unless you get a custom starter. The diesel auto starter is massive and you would have to literally put a hole in the block in order to make it work.

[aidan]

I expected issues with the starter, is that the only major problem with these? Everything physically bolts in and clears ok like it would with a manual box?

[burn_your_money]

yeah I had the auto all bolted up and ready to drop in and then I went to put the tranny on

I tried buying a reman gas starter because they are smaller and it bolted on no problem however it wouldn't turn the motor over. I was only using booster cables and not actual wires but then I tried hooking everything up to a 1.6 I had kicking around and the gas starter still couldn't spin it but the diesel one would.

[aidan]

Were you bolting that combo into a car that already had auto? Just wondering what else is needed for the swap? I know next to nothing about VW autos!

[burn_your_money]

Yeah I bought a 84 TD auto jetta to fix up for my mom and the motor was junk. I never actually put the 1.9 auto into the car though because of the starter issue.

The auto requires a unique throttle cable, throttle cable bracket and another cable. Plus the shifter linkage and the torque converter. It bolts up the exact same as a 020

[Dakotakid]

I spent 400,000 miles in an '82 Jetta diesel with auto. Contrary to popular belief....some of these were sold.
I really perfected my cussing skills getting places in the car. It was a very "Rip Van Winkle" approach to traveling.
I tended to drop the ATF and clean the screen every 5,000 or so miles to help keep it alive. At about 435,000 miles....the engine would no longer cold start and I could hear the pistons shift in their bores every time I leaned on the car.......well, not quite!!!

At the end, the transmission was just beginning to get very slightly weak in reverse. However, no other problems were evident.
The car's dash was a little cracked from me beating my fists on it though......

[aidan]

Well I was thinking SDI engine, maybe 70bhp/100ftlb won't be too bad? The car will be used on very short journeys, probably 1000miles per year.
Thing is i'd be taking chip and nozzles off the engine to fit it, thinking the auto box won't handle 130bhp/200ftlb?
What about if it was down to stock power 90bhp/149ftlb?

[burn_your_money]

I loved the auto in my mom's car. It's just a 1.6 NA with a Giles pump in it.

There's been talk of guys modifying them to hold more power and I can personally say that they are not very hard or expensive to overhaul.

[Rabbit on Roids]

Well I was thinking SDI engine, maybe 70bhp/100ftlb won't be too bad? The car will be used on very short journeys, probably 1000miles per year.
Thing is i'd be taking chip and nozzles off the engine to fit it, thinking the auto box won't handle 130bhp/200ftlb?
What about if it was down to stock power 90bhp/149ftlb?

short trips are the devil for any engine. if you want that thing to last, make sure you get it warmed up every time you drive it. my 2.0 appearently wasnt well cared for, and went on lots of short trips, now at a little over 100k miles it is addicted to ether and you have to get it drunk to start it cold, no matter what.

[aidan]

Got the car now - has the 1.8 90bhp carb engine in, not bad at all actually. I was expecting the dodgy high idle I had on my old syncro but it seems ok.
One thing though, starts instantly one minute, then the next time can take several cranks. Its not related to hot or cold starting either it seems.

Anyway, for those who may well consider diesel+auto in future - the starter is available here: http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Golf/EngineElectrical/197/2
Reasonable price I think, though haven't yet ordered.

I should be upgrading my tdi soon, whats the thoughts of my GT15 on the 1.8 petrol motor?