Hello all, just bought an 81 Rabbit, have a few questions

[tkisling]

I just bought a 1981 Rabbit diesel L today for $450. It is baby blue in color and has 281k on the clock. Since I have never owned a VW diesel I have a few questions.

1.What type of motor oil is best to use in this car? (my dad uses heavy duty 5w-30 in his 98 Jetta TDI)

2.What is the oil capacity?

3. What type of brake fluid does this car use?

4. Does this car have a hydraulic clutch? (One of The back lines is leaking and the brake pedal flops to the floor and the clutch requires some effort to depress)

I hope to post some pics soon and I am excited to become part of the vw Diesel family.

[mystery3]

I would highly recommend purchasing a bently manual for your new vehicle as it will answer many many questions you might have. I run Rotella 5w40 full synthetic but my climate is much different from yours, some of the Canadian guys will ring in with more useful info I'm sure.

[rabbitman]

I use 15w-40 delo 400.

I think the oil capacity is 4.8qts.

Dot 3.

Cable operated clutch.

To fix the clutch cable you can undo it from the lever on the tranny and turn it so it's sticking up, and fill the little "dish" with the lube of your choice, I've used WD-40, silicone spay and marvel mystery oil.

Brakes are weird things, it could be a bad master cylinder or it just needs fluid.

Welcome to the forum

[tkisling]

Thanks for all the info guys. I was planning on getting a Bentley manual as my dad has one for his jetta tdi and it is far better than Haynes. I think I'll use 5w 30 or 10w 40 heavy duty diesel oil from my local Fleet Farm store. I bought this Rabbit for $450 with 281k and am wondering if I got a good deal. It does have rust on the rock panels and around some mating surfaces but it didn't have any on the strut towers. It was an MN car. I figure for $450 if it lasts 3 or 4 years to commute to school I'd be happy

Here are some pics


http://img413.imageshack.us/i/img0794y.jpg/

http://img101.imageshack.us/i/img0793k.jpg/

http://img594.imageshack.us/i/img0792s.jpg/

http://img177.imageshack.us/i/img0791r.jpg/

[8v-of-fury]

Do you have any idea when the Timing belt was last done?

That's #1 on the list after buying a used diesel. Timing belt and tensioner for sure needs to be replaced if its age or mileage is any question. If it snaps even at idle, you will have yourself a $450 lawn ornament. or a more expensive car if you so choose to replace the head, and possibly bottom end.

[truckinwagen]

I am a big fan of the delo400 motor oil...(15/40)

[8v-of-fury]

15W40 seems to be working quite well for me as well. Might drop it down to 10W30/40 for winter.

[tkisling]

It actually has 251,290 on it. I'm having a hellava time removing this brake line fitting from the rear hose, so I haven't been able to drive it much yet. Can't wait to cruise around in it though!

[8v-of-fury]

listen to me on the T-belt man, before you drive it. if it snaps.. im serious. the head is a guaranteed write-off.. and the pistons and rods may be as well.. 

[tkisling]

I don't know when the t belt was last changed as the guy selling it didn't even know the color of the car at first. I hoping to get some cash to get a bentley manual, t belt, and the t belt tools. A little short on capital now and trying to removed a seized brake fitting. After cleaning out all the trash I noticed the floor is separating from the body behind the drivers seat due to rust. Has anyone ever seen this happen? I think I''ll use sheet metal to reinforce the rusted out section.

[600K]

Good luck with your VW.  I had a 80 rabbit diesel 4 spd. Great little car.  I have always run 15-40 diesel oil in my Vw diesels and have lots of troublefree miles on all of them. Ten years ago I put 10-30 in my 86 cause I was out of 15-40 when I went to refill it.  Two days later the oil  light and buzzer came on at idle when I got home.  I drained it and went back to 15-40 and that engine has never done that again.

[Dakotakid]

"theman53" has worked on floors in his car:
http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=16572.0

He discusses the work on the floors in his Mk. II Jetta on page 5 or so.

[Rabbit79]

Motor oil is largely a matter of personal preference. The ones already mentioned would all be fine I'm sure but if your new to diesels just make sure you use one that's formulated for a diesel engine.

According to the Bentley 4.7 US quarts with filter change.

Brake fluid according to the Bentley Dot 3 or 4.

If the aforementioned fixes for your clutch cable don't get the job done, I have seen them rust up inside the cable sheathing. Usually a couple shots of WD-40 or some similar type lubricant into each end of the cable will free them up. Once they dry out I use dry graphite lubricant on those types of cables. It probably doesn't work any better than oil but it also doesn't attract so much dirt and grime.