Author Topic: Repair our forget? 91 Jetta Diesel (Read 7177 times)

rx7145 · « **on:** May 01, 2007, 05:01:50 pm »

Hello,

I have run across a 91' (build date 11/90) Jetta 1.6L Diesel non-turbo. The car was ran out of oil by the previous owner. The engine seized until I "broke" it loose. It will start and run but not hold any oil pressure. I'm thinking new engine. I found a running engine in a junk yard out of a 86' with 89Kmi they want $625 shipped to me.

My question is: Should I mess with it? I drive 150mi round trip to work every day so I'm hoping to save money on gas.

Also will a 86' 1.6L be the same as a 91' 1.6L?

Give me some of your feed back. Thanks.

rx7145 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2007, 05:12:41 pm »

Here are some pictures.

rallydiesel · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2007, 07:19:16 pm »

You probably would get more responses if you posted in the IDI forum.

I would say go for it but I have a tendency of losing track of my spending. Looks like it has a turbo injection pump. The body looks to be in great shape. I wouldn't mind buying some body stuff if you want to part it out.

rx7145 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2007, 07:38:51 pm »

Thanks for the reply. Why do you think its a turbo pump? Should I keep that pump or use the one on the "new" engine?

Sorry I'm a Newbe.

rallydiesel · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2007, 08:29:33 pm »

It's a turbo pump because it has that mushroom top where the LDA is. The pump won't be any advantage without a turbo but you could sell it. I would say convert the engine to a turbo but I don't know what is involved. You'd probably need different oil pump, different pistons, etc. If you just want an economy car than just putting the complete newer engine in would be the best idea. Keep in mind the non-turbo car has very poor passing power on the highway.

MacGyver · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:50:15 pm »

The 86 motor may or may not be hydraulic lifters, that was the switchover year.
Not that there's anything wrong with that, just an extra maintenance step that will need to be addressed & tended to on interval if you want it to run at peak performance/efficiency.

Also, the inj pump on non-turbo motors can be turned up to some degree, optimizing power and fuel milage.
You can do a little tweaking yourself or if you wanna spend the $$, get Giles to do it.

As for saving money on fuel, that kinda depends what you're driving now. If you're commuting in a worn-out F350 with a 6.8L V-10, well then, yes, you stand to perhaps save a teensie bit on your petrol budget :lol:

rx7145 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2007, 09:56:00 pm »

thanks for the reply.

I'm driving a 95' Nissan Altima. I get about 28-30mpg.

As long as I can go 70mph I'll be fine.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2007, 11:04:27 pm »

Don't expect very good mileage at 70. Once your engine is past 3000 RPM the mileage will cut off shortly. Depending on the transmission I'd expect 35-40 mpg.

Both motors are bolt in, nothing tricky going on. try and find an engine locally though, it'll be alot cheaper

rx7145 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2007, 11:15:32 pm »

Well this engine has only 89K on it I don't want to swap in a worn out engine. But like you said finding one around here would be best......

jtanguay · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2007, 11:19:55 pm »

being that you're in the states, TD's are quite a bit harder to come by than up here in Canada.

I would say go for it! i myself prefer mechanical lifters, but maybe my hydraulic engine is running poorly? felt like my old jetta had more grunt, and more pulling power.

i would say that 89k is just broken in... at that price though i would question the shape that it is in. (if everything is good on the motor, that is nearly a steal)

no word on compression, etc? oil consumption?

rx7145 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2007, 11:27:13 pm »

No idea, I just talked to the guy at the junk yard and that is what he said. I think I'm going to go for it. Wish me luck, I'm sure I'll be back here for help as I work on this project.

jtanguay · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2007, 11:52:36 pm »

will you be able to go there and inspect the motor??? if you can, examine the turbo.

look at the fins, they should not be bent. there shouldn't be any oil on them either. a little oil in the intake is alright, but none is better

. also check the play on the turbine shaft. should be no side to side play (you basically push & pull on the compressor wheel gently...) and try for up & down and side to side play. it should have very little. if it is really sloppy then it will probably burn quite a bit of oil.

i think that is pretty much all you can test without pulling an injector & somehow cranking it... but those visual tests are better than nothing!

good luck! i hope it works out for you! you will absolutely love it!

if you're new to diesels remember that the harder you drive it, the more oil it burns... so if you drive like me, check the oil often! :lol:

rx7145 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 02, 2007, 12:08:04 am »

Thanks for the tips. The Engine is Non-turbo so I'm not going to know what I have untill I install it. I'm going to have the engine shipped to me so I'm not going to see it before I buy. There is a 30 day waranty on it though.

jtanguay · « **Reply #13 on:** May 02, 2007, 01:11:38 am »

oh i thought the motor you were swapping was turbo.. yea the price is reasonable for a non turbo...

you will find it more reliable than a turbo since the turbo gets a lot more abuse :twisted:

fatmobile · « **Reply #14 on:** May 02, 2007, 04:05:12 am »

Quote

You probably would get more responses if you posted in the IDI forum.

That's the perfomance enhancement fora,... this isn't a performance enhancement.
Nice find, that Jetta has some potential.... someone loved it, at one time. I'd fix it if the rust isn't bad.