How do you survive in your mk1 rabbit/golf in the winter?

[erice1984]

How does anyone survive in their mk1 Rabbit/Golf ?

I thought I could do this but the 1.5D doesn't heat up fast enough and the insulation inside the car sucks!

It is 0 degrees here and I have the defrost on so I can see out the windows, it doesn't heat the window up enough to melt the ice my scraper couldnt get to.

Help please!  I don't want to sell this car just to get another "headache"

[fatmobile]

Cardboard in front of the radiator.
Bubblewrap under the door cards.

Does it have a temp gauge? Is it getting up to temp on the highway?
Under 18F in stop and go traffic, it's common to lose engine temp.

[maxfax]

All of the above, a good thermostat and a block heater..  If I'm somewhere that I can;t plug that in I have one of those 12v window defroster things that plug into the cig lighter..  Not real fast, but it helps..

I was (I suppose) fortunate enough to need a new headliner so while that was down I added some extra insulation to the roof as well..

Unfortunately, I'd still advise having a good winter coat.. 

[AudiVWguy]

What he said.
What degree thermostat do you have installed?
Check for small air leaks in the firewall.
Make sure the heater air controls are actually working.
Cheers,
-JB

[Wessty]

My past experience with my 82 diesel pickup, have been good.   Good clean cooling system, reasonably few miles on a total engine rebuild.  I've used it at -35C and had no issues with adequate heat or windshield frosting. 

[erice1984]

my thermostat is a Wahler 80*C from autohausaz.com 056121113A

I need a new door seal or a larger one on my driver door

Does anyone have problems with door seals fitting correctly ?  I noticed my door has a washer between the hinge and mount on the frame so the door closes and latches easier.  I suspect because of the chassis sagging or hinges bending over time...  In this case would it be worth it to get a new door seal or not bother because they are $50.  Although I can tell I lose a lot of heat because of the door seal.

Yeah I do have a few grommets that could be replaced on the firewall by my feet.

[theman53]

Get it sealed up. The GTI that came from was warm, but the fan and resistor was junk. Also X 10 on the cardboard in front of the rad, it helps a ton.

[erice1984]

Yeah, I should do the cardboard until I find enough stuff to order to get free shipping from autohausaz

how about this?  I never knew this existed but seems the piece I am missing on my door.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vw-Mk1-Rabbit-Jetta-Caddy-Upper-Door-Seals-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3347adc128QQitemZ220245901608QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[theman53]

not bad idea. I think the ones on the GTI were OK, not the best. I would send them to you for $5 plus shipping if you don't want new.

[erice1984]

not bad idea. I think the ones on the GTI were OK, not the best. I would send them to you for $5 plus shipping if you don't want new.

Hrmm.

I think I am more convinced that I need both those seals, the main door one and the upper seal we already spoke of.

[Rabbit79]

I get alot of cold air coming through those fresh air vents on each end of the dash. I never have torn into them to look where the air is coming through cause I'm just a little too lazy sometimes. Most of the time it's not a bother, but when it gets really cold out I notice it. As a temporary expedient I just duct taped them. Not very pretty to be sure, but it did get the job done. Be thankful you're not air cooled, on my old 70 Bug I had when I was a teenager I carried a window scraper to scrape the inside of the windows while I was driving, and had to do that pretty much constantly.  
Oh and before anyone bashes on me, yes, I do have the handles in the closed position.

[theman53]

Also, I forgot one, on the GTI you got the parts from it had vents in the door cards. I think to help it close and not be airtight, maybe to just vent. Either way they would let tons of cold air in all at floor level. I took them out and duct taped them from the inside and reinstalled them.

[erice1984]

Also, I forgot one, on the GTI you got the parts from it had vents in the door cards. I think to help it close and not be airtight, maybe to just vent. Either way they would let tons of cold air in all at floor level. I took them out and duct taped them from the inside and reinstalled them.

Yeah, mine didnt have any plastic sheeting behind the doors.  I got some 4mil or 6mil plastic from homedepot and put it on there.  I used butyl rubber glue stuff on one door and headliner spray adhesive on the other door.  I think the door with spray adhesive turned out better, and cleaner.  If I need to get behind there I don't have to fight the uber sticky mess of butyl rubber.

[rabbitman]

Yup, a hotter t-stat would be better. And X2 on the cardboard keeping air off the engine

I have those upper door seals but having never driven without 'em I can't comment on if it actually helps.

At about -20F or colder I can't keep the side windows clear but the windshield isn't a problem.

I'd try the bubble wrap, I have an aux heater and the stock heater and after it's comfortable inside I can still feel cold air on my arm by the door.

[erice1984]

Yeah, I should have done the math from the get go on the tstat.  80C (176F) is definately on the colder side for ANY engine.  Every other tstat I have seen is 195F and 180 is the colder option, like say you use the vehicle to tow stuff frequently.