It's so cute, I love it!

Engine looks great; you put me to shame; I really need to clean mine up in there :oops:
From one BioDiesel Rabbit driver to another

, Share the BunnyLuv
Did you rebuild the engine without pulling it? Your picture makes me think so. If so, would you pull the engine if you had to do it again?
At some point I need new rings on my 1.6 Diesel pickup and wonder if it can be easily done without pulling the engine.
my dad has done rings and bearings on a rabbit without pulling the motor. it makes it easier if you dont have a good way to lift the motor out of the car.
Did you replace just the rings? My 1.6TD has the same problem (smoking, oil consumption, as well as coolant consumption) and has 350 000kms/219 000miles. Im wondering if this would help me out too?
Yep, re-ringed it with the block in the car. Thanks for the compliments--I too really like the car. Body is the straightest old VW chassis I've ever seen, no accidents ever, no rust. Totally original. I ain't lettin' it go!
George
And yeah, if low compression, oil consumption, and coolant use are your woes, a set of rings and a headgasket might be just the tip. However, with mileage like yours, just replacing the rings might not do it; your bores might be worn enough to need a rebore and set of oversize pistons too. At that point, it has to come out of the car, and I would do bearings and all gaskets as well.