need a water/fuel separator for a 1989 Jetta 1.6 Diesel - Parts for Sale/Wanted - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• need a water/fuel separator for a 1989 Jetta 1.6 Diesel by fdnyguy on 11 Apr, 2007 20:08
• I need a fuel/ water separator for a 1989 1.6 Jetta Diesel. Dealer wants over 200 bucks. I'll pass. It is a plastic type box mounted to the body i/f/o fuel tank. I busted my drain valve.
  
  If valve can be replaced, thats ok too. Thank you.
• #1 by burn_your_money on 11 Apr, 2007 22:29
• Bypass it, you'll be much further ahead. It's useless anyways
• #2 by MacGyver on 11 Apr, 2007 23:10
• If you don't find one, I agree with bym, a viable alternative is elimination.
  The newer cars don't have them, and you still have a water drain on your filter anyway.
  Between my previous 87 TD and my 97 TDI, I've bought fuel all manner of scary places.
  Maybe I was just lucky but I've never drained more than a raindrop out of filter or separator.
• #3 by fdnyguy on 13 Apr, 2007 23:34
• Quote from: MacGyver

  If you don't find one, I agree with bym, a viable alternative is elimination.
  The newer cars don't have them, and you still have a water drain on your filter anyway.
  Between my previous 87 TD and my 97 TDI, I've bought fuel all manner of scary places.
  Maybe I was just lucky but I've never drained more than a raindrop out of filter or separator.

  
  
  I havent either. But the ONE time I try to do the right thing, I bust it. I liked the older filters with the drain on the bottom of it. Anyway to rig a 1980 or so fuel filter to the 89?
  
  Thanks for the replies
• #4 by burn_your_money on 14 Apr, 2007 00:41
• I thought they all had drains on the bottom...
  
  http://image.autopartsonlinecanada.com/live/E100029303BOS.JPG  
• #5 by jtanguay on 14 Apr, 2007 01:06
• yea smart idea bypassing the drain.. also do a search on what the tank pickup screen looks like... burn was the author... good maintenance!
• #6 by burn_your_money on 14 Apr, 2007 01:15
• Quote from: "jtanguay"

  yea smart idea bypassing the drain.. also do a search on what the tank pickup screen looks like... burn was the author... good maintenance!

  
  
  Nope, that one wasn't mine. I posted what the insides of a water seperator looked like... well all the dirt that comes out of them anyways
• #7 by subsonic on 14 Apr, 2007 14:20
• This here is just what you need.  You can add a water sensor probe, a heater element, and/or a vacume restriction guage.  2-micron filter is where it's at!  
  I will be installing a setup like this for my home fuel tanks. 30-10-2 micron in series. water seperators on all.
  
  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Racor-215R2-Fuel-Filter-Water-Separator_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33660QQihZ019QQitemZ290104564412QQrdZ1
• #8 by aljohnso on 14 Apr, 2007 15:16
• I have had a racor 2000 on my 84 diesel since new - no problems, visual monitoring of fuel and water condition... can get 2 micron filters.  It is after the stock filter.
  
  Allen
• #9 by fdnyguy on 14 Apr, 2007 15:47
• While many of you may be "backyard mechanics", I consider myself a "graveyard mechanic", meaning anything I try to fix, I usually kill or break. (aka Mr. Badwrench). While my Brother in law was wiring up my defective tail light, I casually look under the filter and see the %%^$^*&%^ drain.
  
  So please accept my apologies for my
  
  a) stupidity
  
  b) inexperience
  
  c) common sense.
  
  4) lack of mechanical ability.
  
  
  I have been criticized for pouring almost $1,700 in parts and labor {labor: please see above } with new brakes, struts F & R, tires, 4 wheel alignment { Tires & align. from Pep Boys no less, I was actually impressed!} , new radio, wiring work, oil pan and valve cover gaskets, and most important, a timing gear wheel seal up in the valve cover area.
  
  
  After all this, I drive 100 miles and oil light flashes. Having owned a few VW's and with wiring problems, I play it safe and slowly head to my mechanics 2.5 miles away. Well, he has no diesel oil, so I remembered I kept a quart in an emergency. Well, that oil pi$$es right to the ground.
  
  Turns out that Timing seal was improperly installed.  Told him I WILL get a new engine, NOT a junkyard. Had an 80 rabbit p/u and had a similar experience, only oil leak was caused by crappy seal in SEARS oil filter.
  
  Better filter, added oil, idled for 45 minutes. Drove under a mile, and motor sounded like marbles poured in crankcase. Junkyard motor lasted less than 300 miles.  Anyway, he said I should be alright.
  
  Well, 100 + miles, and lots of idling, so far so good.  Even for a Mr. Badwrench, I do try to keep simple things going on a regular basis, like oil changes, belts, usual PM, etc.  It has 208k on it, and so far runs great. Though I wonder if my small drop in MPG is from the ULSD, and I should buy the Power Service stuff.  
  
  But I tried to drain the water and broke the damn thing.  No ones fault but my own.  Plan on buyng a Bentley book, from what i read, it is the best. Then maybe I can improve my skills.. lol (Of course, looking at the directions first might help me improve. )
  
  For an 18 year old car, "diesel dyke" isn't in bad shape with minimal rust and paint that will still shine with a good waxing. But working in a crappy area of Brooklyn,  you don't want a car with the "Hey, steal me" look. So the lowering, kit, recaros, custom headlights and spinning wheels are out. Living 45 miles away, the guys at work laugh at the car, but I get 45 mpg (got 55.9 doing the speed limit) and they can laugh all they want.
  
  I will look into the Racor. Seems like it is the best for the buck.. And thanks for the replies and advice. Mr Badwrench can't thank ya enough.
  
  Stumbled upon this site on  a websearch, and it is a great site.
  
  Stay safe, stay well.