Replace engine or not? Newbe needs options.

[rx7145]

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.

I posted some pictures here: http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=58910#58910

[tylernt]

The Mk2 Jetta ran from 1985 to 1991, so an '86 engine should be mostly the same as the '91. I say mostly, because VW did change little things year to year, particularly the alternator, A/C, and P/S brackets and belts. But since you will have both engines, you can swap stuff as required and it should work without too many headaches.

I got a junkyard TD engine for $300 since I had them pull the engine from the car, if I pulled it myself it would have been $150. Shipping is pretty darn expensive though and that's probably where most of that $625 cost comes from.

I would say fix it, but then I'm a diesel nut. If you're not into diesels so much, then the noise, smoke and vibration may annoy you after a while. But with 150mi/day you could probably learn to live with the 45MPG or better.

[rx7145]

Thanks for the reply.  Without shipping the engine is $550. It's only being shipped 200mi.

I have always liked the idea of a Diesel. Sounds so cool to have a small Diesel in a car. I remember right after 911 I was in a long line of cars at the gas station and a TDI pulled right up to the Diesel pumps, filled his car and a couple of jugs and drove off. I thought that's cool!!

[jtanguay]

hehehe yea... i love having a diesel too!  so many people were at this one gas station.. i needed to fill my car... nobody using the diesel pump so i backed the jetta as close as i could get to the diesel pump, and then filled it up! i pretty much made my own spot...  hehe very funny seeing the look on peoples faces.  

i remember too someone stole someones spot, and this lady rammed this car with her car... man that woman was psycho! she drove away like a bat out of hell!!!  :lol:

[houseofdiesel]

You are better off with a replacement motor, diesels that ran low on oil are very expensive to fix right-oil pump, all bearings (crank, rod, intermediate shaft), hopefully nothing is scored like crank or cam, ring set, all gaskets etc easily add up to over $500 plus machining work of a few hundred. Hard to find a machinist how actually knows how to put a vw diesel together right also...
If you get a used motor reseal and install a new timing belt and tensioner (change the head gasket, head bolts, all oil seals-well under $200) and then you know what you have. If the head or pistons have damage ship the engine right back...

[vwmike]

In all likelihood it's going to be well worth it to replace the engine in that Jetta. If the rest of the car is in decent shape and inexpensive you should count yourself lucky. You're also lucky to have found an engine with low miles. The only better thing I could think of would be to install a TD or a TDI but TD's are hard to find and TDI's can be a much more costly and a lot more work.

[rx7145]

Well the junk yard called and said that when they were running the engine (testing it) it overheated and there is oil in the coolent. Sooooo I'm still looking for a engine. CRAP!!

[jtanguay]

well hey at least they tested it for you... nothing worse than paying for a motor, installing it, and having oil in the coolant!!

[burn_your_money]

it is possible that it was just the oil cooler failling, or residue oil from a previous problem... but definitly not worth the risk

[rx7145]

it is possible that it was just the oil cooler failling, or residue oil from a previous problem... but definitly not worth the risk

True, I'm going to call around tomorrow and see if I can find another engine. I also saw this place: http://www.vwdieselparts.com/ They would rebuild it for me. I don't have the $1600 right now but it is tempting...

Anyone know of a good engine near Columbus Ohio?

[jtanguay]

honestly, for all the headaches that you may encounter with an older diesel... a good rebuild would give you best economy, and super reliability! (provided the place rebuilding it knows what they are doing)

[rallydiesel]

You may want to call this place:

http://www.partsplaceinc.com/

They are in Michigan and sell rebuilt VW diesel engines and parts.

[rx7145]

You may want to call this place:

http://www.partsplaceinc.com/

They are in Michigan and sell rebuilt VW diesel engines and parts.

Wow! That parts place has everything. I found a junkyard (online) that says they have a "great running diesel" from a 86' for $525. Don't know milage. I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Thanks for thst web site.

[935racer]

I would personally spend the money and do a good rebuild, you will not regret that, you may regret that used engine if it calves in you in a few months...

[rx7145]

Well the car has over 200Kmi on the body. I just hate to put 2k into the the car just to have it fall apart around the engine.

So how much would my car be worth if the engine is running? Ballpark.