Worth it or not? 84 TD Jetta not running... - page 1 - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• Worth it or not? 84 TD Jetta not running... by tdorval on 02 Aug, 2006 17:34
• Hey guys, i've been browsing the forums a bit lately and have really been looking for a Jetta Diesel. They are quite hard to come by where i am, and even harder to find the turbo diesel, which would be nice because we have lots of mountains and grades to climb and what not. Well i just found one, a 1984 Jetta TD, 5 spd, with the original paint. The car seems pretty nice with minimal rust, 194,000 miles. It has been sitting for 3 years, and isn't running.  The guy i spoke with said it turns over with a batterypack, but its not firing. He said he doesn't think there is fuel getting to the fuel pump, because it has been sitting for 3 years. He mentioned a little bit about the process for getting the fuel to the pump, but i'd rather hear it from you guys. How long should it take to do this process, are there any other things i should look for in a diesel mthats been sitting?
• #1 by burn_your_money on 02 Aug, 2006 17:56
• Read all this, it applies directly to you
  http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3999
  
  What I'd do is remove the fuel filter,replace it and fill it with clean diesel then remove the line that goes from the filter to the tank at the filter. Put another chunk of diesel line on there and put it into a pail of diesel (so the car has good fuel to run off of) Then try cranking it, after doing everything else mentioned in the previous thread.
  
  Make sure the stop solenoid is getting 12v with the car cranking and in the run position. If it's not getting 12v run a wire directly from the + terminal on the battery to the stop solenoid. If it won't start still crack open 2 fuel unions on the injectors and crank. If diesel is coming out then you either have bad timing, bad compression etc. If there is no fuel coming out replace the stop solenoid, or take it apart and remove the seal off the bottom of it for troubleshooting purposes. If it comes to that ask for more details.
• #2 by tdorval on 02 Aug, 2006 18:22
• thanks for the info... WHats a resonable compression for one of these motors, i can check it when i get to go look at the car.
  TJ
• #3 by burn_your_money on 02 Aug, 2006 18:53
• 500 is new I think, don't quote me
  you'll need new heatshields
• #4 by tdorval on 03 Aug, 2006 03:03
• thanks for the numbers guys, I may be able to check it out thi sweek, but probably next week sometime. The guy wants 1850, does that seem resonable? I'm gona try to aim for 1500 i think. He says if he gets it running its 3000 so i got to talk to him a bit more and make sure he leaves it as is...
  TJ
• #5 by veeman on 03 Aug, 2006 13:54
• $1850?   Might be worth it depending on the car.  Does he have any records of any maintenance?  Has anything been done to the engine?  Was it indeed running when he parked it?    How's the body / interior / other mechanicals?
  
  A good, running TD vehicle seems to be a commodity these days in the land of rising gas costs, so you'll have to factor in all the other aspects of the car.  
  
  From my experience, the TD's can be somewhat expensive to rebuild / get major parts for, so if the engine has truly 190k+ miles on it and you've never heard it run, you might be in for some expense if it's worn out.
• #6 by tdorval on 03 Aug, 2006 14:09
• ya, the car is in good shape, but i just found a 91 turbo diesel thats running for 1800 so i think i'm gona go that route... I believe its a euro turbo diesel, if that makes any difference or not i haven't a clue, need to research the puppy a bit...
  Thanks guys
  TJ
• #7 by veeman on 03 Aug, 2006 14:16
• Do you mean eco-diesel perhaps?  That's probably what it is... essentially the same as the TD motors, but no boost enrichment.  Still has a turbo, but you're not getting the extra fuel under boost with those engines.   Not a huge deal and I think you can update the pump to include the LDA.  
  
  Around here, the Mk1 Jetta TD is a pretty rare / neat car (I love Mk1's though), but the 91 is a much newer car with more creature comforts...might make a difference for you.
• #8 by burn_your_money on 03 Aug, 2006 14:33
• Eco diesels also have a cat converter.
  
  Personally (since I'm a mk1 junkie) I'd buy both and get the 84 running. If the engine is no good I'd part it out, put the engine from the 91 into the 84 and then find a replacement engine for the 91. But that's just me  
  
  The 91 defintly seems like a much better deal though, although more info will certainly be needed
• #9 by RabbitJockey on 03 Aug, 2006 14:56
• 1800 for a non running 25 year old car is pretty bad.  i'ts like my friend with a non running 92 eclipse gsx with a stripped interior and missing engine parts, and unknown condition of the engine, and he paid 500 for it.  :roll:
• #10 by hillfolk'r on 03 Aug, 2006 17:27
• wow,my td jetta was 1000 and it had 168k,i think i got it in 02
  hell rabbittree got it for me in maine ,and he brought it to ny,i drove it out here
  1800 bux???nuts
• #11 by tdorval on 04 Aug, 2006 16:16
• Well guys, i'm goign to look at the 91 TD Jetta tomorow. Yes it is indeed a Eco diesel, the add had a typo. It has 214,000 miles, a/c, he said it had an aftermarket cruise control, a tow hitch with the light connection, new glow plugs, new injector lines, and a almost new exhuast. Down sides are, no stereo, but i already have one, needs tires soon, antenae broken( cheap, needs a wheel bearing and a cv boot. How much would the wheel bearing and cv boot run me? The car is said to have little to no rust, a good headliner, and the color is a teal, which will probably change next year if its what i'm thinking of. There is a small dent in the passenger door, and a few chips in the paint on the hood from rocks or whatever on the highway. HE said he is open to offers so i'm hoping to get it for less... I would like to try and do a carfax check on it to make sure it hasn't been through any major accidents or anything. Are these cars prone to any major problems, the cars themselves, are they well built or is it goign to fall apart on me?
  Thanks For all the info,
  TJ
• #12 by RabbitJockey on 04 Aug, 2006 16:46
• wheel bearing and cv boot is about 50 bucks in parts
• #13 by tdorval on 04 Aug, 2006 17:03
• good to hear it, i forgot to mention that this car runs well, it was the 84 that wasn't running...
• #14 by burn_your_money on 05 Aug, 2006 17:51
• It was either 91 or 92 were the headlight switches were prone to failure and possible fire hazards.
  other then that not much. I think CVs and a bearing wil cost you more then $50.. probably $150-200, depending on how long the bearing has been bad for and driven on