Author Topic: Worth it or not? 84 TD Jetta not running... (Read 8294 times)

tdorval · « **Reply #15 on:** August 06, 2006, 09:51:42 am »

well guys i bought the car yesterday. I got it for 1350, and he threw in a used spindle with a good bearing. I got 46 mpgs on the 160 mile trip home with it, and i beat on it a bit once i got used to it( little rally) the car cruzes at 75 on the highway no problem, with lots more to go. It has the eco tranny and i believe its geared higher. Well the car is a blast to drive. I'm pulling the front end apart right now to try and get the wheel bearing changed, i need to do a couple of searches about the process. I need to pick up some tires for this thing, they are mismatched. The other thing is whoever took the radio out simply snipped the wires behind the plugs, so i need to figure out somethign to wire in my radio...it was a long trip home just listening to the car. I was also wondering what your temp gauges average, in varryuing loads just to make sure mine wasn't running hot.
Thanks
TJ

jtanguay · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2006, 02:27:06 pm »

I have checked my temp gauge with a digital thermometer to find out what temp is what, and 90C is approximately between the 2nd and 3rd line from the right of the temp gauge. (its closer to the 2nd line though)
If I were to beat on it, or go up a hill it would easily reach the 2nd line and hover a little bit on it, then fans kick in and it would be steady.

Diesels take quite a while to heat up. I can drive about 3-5 or so km (even with a 30 sec warmup) and the car won't be at 90C. Very thermally efficient motors

Of course on a hot day it would probably take half the time to heat up. If your car overheats in traffic then you just need to check your wiring. I have had quite a few of the wires for my fan corrode (different speed settings, etc). All 3 speeds for my fan work, including a/c, lo+hi. One way quick way of checking if your fan works, turn the car on and jump the temp sensor (remove the harness going to the temp sensor at bottom of rad on driver side)

tdorval · « **Reply #17 on:** August 08, 2006, 06:03:51 pm »

Thanks... my temp usually runs about vertical, not sure how many lines off the top of my head. If i beat on it it'll climb up almost a line past the vertical mark,to the right (in town driving) I'll check into the temp sensor too test mine

What are some wheel options, i would like to pick up some cheap rims that look decent (probably used) and i need tires so i was hoping to do it prior to the tire change. I know they need to stay stock size but not sure if there are some i think audi rims that bolt up or something... they looked decent if i can remember correctly

Thanks for all the help
TJ

burn_your_money · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2006, 06:10:44 pm »

Your temp gauge sounds to stay right where mine is. If it ever shoots up on you check the coolant level.

I don't think Audi wheels fit, I think they are 4X108 and you need 4X100. You also need hubcentric wheels so its best to get vw rims or centering caps.

You don't necessarily have to stay with the same sized tire, a larger rim with a smaller profile will keep your speedo accurate.

I'd recommend some nice light wheels

tdorval · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2006, 06:55:52 pm »

anyone know any good combos that look well, or any vw rims that are easily found but still look better than having hub caps? And lighter would be good too, less rotating mass right...
Thanks
TJ

veeman · « **Reply #20 on:** August 09, 2006, 10:20:55 am »

There are indeed some Audi rims that will work on your car. The FWD Audi 4000 and coupe until 1983/4 had rims that were 4 x 100. After that they switched to 4 x 108 like burn_your_money said.

I've run the Audi "Ronal" rims on my rabbit before. They're pretty light and I like the way they look. The offset is 5 or 7mm off, but they still work fine. As far as other combo's, the 14" "snowflake" rim found on rabbit GTI's, Golfs, cabriolets and Quantums is a nice, strong, relatively light rim... plus there are plenty of them.

There are a bunch of other stock VW alloy rims that would be options for you... bottlecaps are pretty light and so are the stock scirocco 13" alloys (a bit funky looking though). Teardrops (later A2's) are pretty heavy in comparison and so are stock 14" steel wheels. I'd check your local yards and see what's around. More info can probably be found on the _vortex about this...

There's also the possibility of going aftermarket. There are a TON of rims made in 4 x 100 that are light choices... I've got AR-24's (possibly from a Toyota Corolla) on my caddy right now and they're REALLY light. Suprisingly light, really...