Author Topic: WTB: Affordable VW Diesel under $2000 (Read 7446 times)

Greasel · « **on:** April 04, 2007, 12:28:08 pm »

Hey Everyone,

I'm currently a student but will be starting a new job in May thats going to require a pretty heavy commute. I'm hoping to find an affordable diesel somewhere in the area.

Obviously I don't have a lot of cash to spend but would consider paying slightly more for a good deal.

Ultimately I'm planning on converting the car to run on VO; its just something I've always had the desire to do!

Josh

addautomotive · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2007, 02:03:22 pm »

You might be able to find a jetta or golf in that range, just make sure you check it out thoroughly.

FWIW, I wouldn't recommend a Greasel kit, if that's your intention.

Greasel · « **Reply #2 on:** April 04, 2007, 02:45:27 pm »

Hey Jake,

Thanks for the input about possible vehicle selections. A Golf or a Jetta is just what I'm looking for but I don't want to limit my options since I'm on a restricted budget.

As far as what conversion system I'll be using that is to be determined. I'm actually toying with the idea of creating my own, however I'll must likely have to utilize some existing components.

I'll start a new post somewhere specifically about conversion kits as tat time gets closer.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #3 on:** April 04, 2007, 02:50:05 pm »

what kind of shape are you looking for? I have a couple of beaters that I could sell, they might not have an engine though

Greasel · « **Reply #4 on:** April 04, 2007, 02:58:10 pm »

Quote

what kind of shape are you looking for? I have a couple of beaters that I could sell, they might not have an engine though

I'm looking for something that's running and roadworthy, needing little or nothing to certify. I'll be driving approx 150 kms a day so reliability is also a plus. :lol:

addautomotive · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2007, 03:36:53 pm »

Quote from: "Greasel"

As far as what conversion system I'll be using that is to be determined. I'm actually toying with the idea of creating my own, however I'll must likely have to utilize some existing components.

I'll start a new post somewhere specifically about conversion kits as tat time gets closer.

Let me know when the time comes. I've done 4 VWs and one Mercedes. I've never used a kit.

VWs are REALLY easy to convert. You'll put more effort into your filtration system

jtanguay · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2007, 05:11:30 pm »

the key with running grease is a very efficient heating system, gauges, and a very good purging system. the purging system is more crucial because any grease left in the system will gel up and make starting near impossible, and probably wreck the pump (unless its a merc...)

addautomotive · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2007, 07:39:28 pm »

Funny, I know a lot of people swear by purges, but I've been running 4 years without one in my daily driver. This is a car that sits outside in -20... never had a problem starting as long as I switched back to diesel 5 km before shutting down.

I use a pollack 6 port & vegtherm in my jetta, and a Pollack & homemade heat exchanger in my sammy.

bignivanut · « **Reply #8 on:** April 05, 2007, 01:43:09 am »

I have just what you are looking for. :wink: 1992 VW golf 4dr 1.6 no turbo, no ps. low km , cheap to maintain, according to some guys here they are easy to convert to vege. Lots of mechanical work done in last 6months. I'm asking 2000 for it and was etested in Jan 07 , needs minor work or possibly no work for safety. I'm about an hour from Hamilton.
IM me and cheers for a long weekend.

addautomotive · « **Reply #9 on:** April 05, 2007, 05:00:05 am »

Ask and ye shall recieve!!

jtanguay · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2007, 04:44:54 pm »

Quote from: "addautomotive"

Funny, I know a lot of people swear by purges, but I've been running 4 years without one in my daily driver. This is a car that sits outside in -20... never had a problem starting as long as I switched back to diesel 5 km before shutting down.

I use a pollack 6 port & vegtherm in my jetta, and a Pollack & homemade heat exchanger in my sammy.

well you are basically purging the system by doing this

addautomotive · « **Reply #11 on:** April 05, 2007, 07:23:29 pm »

Quote from: "jtanguay"

Quote from: "addautomotive"
Funny, I know a lot of people swear by purges, but I've been running 4 years without one in my daily driver. This is a car that sits outside in -20... never had a problem starting as long as I switched back to diesel 5 km before shutting down.

I use a pollack 6 port & vegtherm in my jetta, and a Pollack & homemade heat exchanger in my sammy.

well you are basically purging the system by doing this

Sorry for the confusion... by "purge", I thought you meant a filter backflush. Many people have those set up and refer to them as a "purge". I prefer to filter my oil carefully and not have to deal with that kinda stuff at all.

jtanguay · « **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2007, 10:07:58 pm »

Quote from: "addautomotive"

Quote from: "jtanguay"
Quote from: "addautomotive"
Funny, I know a lot of people swear by purges, but I've been running 4 years without one in my daily driver. This is a car that sits outside in -20... never had a problem starting as long as I switched back to diesel 5 km before shutting down.

I use a pollack 6 port & vegtherm in my jetta, and a Pollack & homemade heat exchanger in my sammy.

well you are basically purging the system by doing this

Sorry for the confusion... by "purge", I thought you meant a filter backflush. Many people have those set up and refer to them as a "purge". I prefer to filter my oil carefully and not have to deal with that kinda stuff at all.

hmmm backflushing is an interesting concept... but you'd need to run some pretty dirty fuel to make it worthwhile. i was just getting at the fact that cold veggie in the pump is not good at all.. especially on a cold morning :shock:

fatmobile · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2007, 01:27:34 am »

Completly wrong fora for this but I had to address this statement:

Quote

hmmm backflushing is an interesting concept... but you'd need to run some pretty dirty fuel to make it worthwhile.

It is more tolerant of dirty oil because any of the dirt caught by the filter is pushed away from the element during the backflush, this settles to the bottom of the filter, where it can be removed by the water drain. They (friends at the restraunt) cold filter the oil down to about 30 microns, I've just been pouring it in my tank. I change the vegy filter (stock rabbit filter)about once a year.
There are a few reasons to backflush the vegy filter with diesel on shutdown:
:?: What else are you going to do with the flushings :?:.
Filling the filter with a vegy/diesel mix allows me an earlier switch to vegy. The fuel in the filter is so thin on startup it doesn't even need heated (in warm weather). Thinner than if it was straight vegy. All summer long, I switch to vegy mode before I turn the key, on the first start of the day.
The fuel being pulled from the filter, while the car is warming up, is a vegy/diesel mix. Looped systems are normaly a mix in the loop because the injection pump is full of diesel on startup and it gets mixed with vegy entering the loop,... but the more diesel the better so all the diesel used to flush the pump during purge should be available on startup.
I used to think that because it took 7 miles worth of diesel (1 mile, or 1 1/2 mile below 30F) it wasn't worth switching to vegy if I was only going 7 miles... now I know that after 7 miles of driving it's still mostly diesel in the loop.
The diesel I used to flush the pump on shutdown is right there, it wasn't just used to prep the pump for a smooth start, it got the filter ready too.

SMOKEYDUB · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2007, 08:02:22 am »

Dr.Diesel has an old reliable 78 mercedes 300 diesel. Its pretty cool starts great in the cold and has power windows. It is for sale you should pm him. ENGINE SIZE 3.0L 5 CYL)