Hello to all, and thanks for such a great site
I am new as it gets to VW diesel, My wife and I just bought an 81 Rabbit (orig 11mm motor) 260 000kms
I have been reading like mad for a couple of weeks, and trying to get some idea of what to do next
The headgasket is blown, only a small leak at this point, the cause is unkown exactly, but the PO had some difficulty with over heating, and I think a hard time with putting in a new thermostat, from what I could gather, he tried it a couple of times, and it still seemed to over heat.
( I am not sure if it makes a whole lot of sense, but I read that it is best to fill the rad and engine from the top rad hose, not the coolant tank..the PO def used the coolant tank to fill it. It was never driven after that at all, so I thought air in the system might be a factor)
I will do a proper intro post tonight with pics, as I am on my way to work just now, but last night I bought a well used (it appears anyway) 84 engine and trans cheap...With the thought that if I was going to build a motor it would be better to start with a 12mm if I had that option
My problem comes from short term and long term planning
Short term I would like to get the car up and running, Long term I would like to rebuild the engine (never done it) and perhaps put a new Giles injector pump on
We have other electrical issues to sort as well, although so far it looks to be turn signal related
Ok too much to say all at once
IP, tripple square tools, and bently on the way
So can I use the 11mm short block in the car (it runs ok)..comp test comming too as a daily driver starter motor, but use the 1984 12mm head to get things up and running
Thinking that I would get the head rebuilt, and build the "new" 84 short block up over time as cash comes around
I have a leaky IP on the orig 81 motor that has to be factored into the cash flow
I hope this is not too confusing, I am such a newb with so many questions
Morgan