Author Topic: got another mk1 yay (Read 3102 times)

RabbitJockey · « **on:** September 14, 2006, 10:41:19 am »

so i got this 1983 rabbit, it seems to run good when it starts, i was very surprised at how well it ran for a diesel automatic. it has the 3 speed tranny with the economy setting. anyways the previous owner said when you go above 50 the only way to shut it off is to pinch off the full line, which almost makes me think it likes to run, but i haven't had it on the road, and revving it, it seems to have no problesm de-revving. anyways, it's very hard to start, last night i had alot of trouble starting it until i saw a bunch of bubbles in the fuel, so i figured the fuel gauge was off, so i added some heating oil, and then it started and sputtered and missed for a bit, but then it ran fine, i guess the pump had some air in it. but then this morning i tried to start it again and she didn't wanna go, but it was spitting out white smoke. anyone have any suggestions, tonight after work i'm gonna be playing with it in the rain, i guess it could be glow plugs, but i kind of doubt it, i dunno, im just hoping it doesn't need rings, cause if so i got hosed. :roll: anyways...

my rabbit and my jetta checking out the stars

the bunnay

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2006, 09:24:23 pm »

no help :^(, i had it running again today, it's getting air in the line some where from before the filter back, anyone know good places to check?

SMOKEYDUB · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2006, 10:33:33 pm »

water seperator underneith the car is famous for leakin... try that bud.

coke · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2006, 01:51:25 am »

The rabbits never had the water seperator under the car, at least I've never heard of it. Check the tightness of all the fuel line connections, metal and rubber. Don't overtorque the metal lines, you can ruin the flare. Then your up sh*t creek with no paddle. Air in the fuel line usually indicates a leak somewhere. It could be the shaft seal on the pump. Pop the t-belt cover off (upper) and see if you notice and leaks or anything. The seal I guess can leak air in and nothing out, which may be your problem. Hard to say. But, I would definitley replace the filter. Who knows whats in it or how long its been since it was replaced

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2006, 09:08:59 am »

Quote from: coke

The rabbits never had the water seperator under the car, at least I've never heard of it. Check the tightness of all the fuel line connections, metal and rubber. Don't overtorque the metal lines, you can ruin the flare. Then your up sh*t creek with no paddle. Air in the fuel line usually indicates a leak somewhere. It could be the shaft seal on the pump. Pop the t-belt cover off (upper) and see if you notice and leaks or anything. The seal I guess can leak air in and nothing out, which may be your problem. Hard to say. But, I would definitley replace the filter. Who knows whats in it or how long its been since it was replaced

yeah no water sperator, but am pretty sure the pump is not leaking because air bubbles are coming out of the filter, and then down to the pump, the veins are definetly in good order, i have a filter i can stick on and see if that makes a difference... other wise i think i will just be searching for some where that it's leaking either at the filter or before the filter...

thanks any help, and any more suggestions as to where the leak may be is greatly appreciated

jtanguay · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:00:48 am »

well if the PO was pinching the fuel line to shut it off, there would most likely be bubbles in the fuel. better way would probably be to starve it of oxygen. maybe all that fuel starvation did somethin to the pump.

RabbitGTDguy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:18:56 am »

the fuel filter vent (flat head screw) on the top of the filter housing isn't open is it? I was thinking maybe it wasn't tightened from whenever someone last check the filter for water. Thats the bubbles idea from me... from there...as already mentioned check all the fuel lines, etc. to make sure they are secure.

As far as the runaway condition...thats weird. It is possible that something happened to the pump. Maybe the injection pump solenoid is sticking. I don't think the pump would run out of fuel "that" quickly just via pinching the line in order to turn it off...however, it if did and the pump was pumped dry, or fairly try and started several times like this. Scoring, etc. could have occured.

Joe

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2006, 11:52:50 am »

the line isn't cracked cause the bubbles are coming in before the marks from him pinching, and i put electrical tape over the bends as a temp fix, but then i saw that was not where it was coming from... definetly dumb to shut it off by pinching the line, i'll have to check the vent scre when iget home. i think the run away may have something to do with it being an automatic with an economy setting, because the throttle cable goes from the pedal to the transmission then another cable goes to the injector pump, but like i said once it is started it seems to run quite well, especially for a diesel so hopefully there is no injector pump damage, as it seems there isn't. argh can't wait to have this car running good, it's a nice little put around car

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2006, 11:53:44 am »

thanks for the help

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2006, 08:12:16 pm »

turned out to be the seals on the banjo fittings on top of the fuel filter bracket, someone put both of the copper seals on the top... i spent three hours messing around to find it was something as simple as that haha. oh well. it's running good now

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #10 on:** September 16, 2006, 06:32:19 pm »

another reason it had trouble starting...

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2006, 12:51:37 pm »

yeah, it's in the works, the engine seems to be in good shape, has very little blowby, and runs very good, it's just disappointing cause i just wait for the turbo to spool like on my jetta, but it never happens :^(. i think i will just bite the bullet and get the injectors and then put all new filters on it as well... probably end up with a grand in it, but it will all be well worth it...