1st off, I'd like to say 'Thanx' to all that welcomed me to the site. I joined yesterday, and have been inundated with messages already.

So now for my first 'official' posting. As my signature displays, I am a recent new owner of a 1981 Wabbit pickup that I ... sort of ... want to restore before I leave this 'blue marble'. She, and I call her Wanda Wabbit, does not need that much, but just a new skin and other tidbits.

I got her from a former **** fellow ... actually his family since he died a few months ago. When I responded to the ebay ad, found they were local so stopped by to inspect. WHAT A SHOCK!!! Not for Wanda, but what the old fellow had hoarded in the realm of VW parts over the years. In his 2-car garage, from floor to ceiling, from wall to wall, from rear to closed garage door, are engines, engines, engines and more engines; stacked one on top of another; likely all years from possibly the beginning in America, to the last bug/Karman Ghia year. And outside, body, wheels, other misc. stuff too vast to even speculate about.

Anyway, now for my first need.

I am not a mechanic. If it is outside of the 1960's realm, I get lost. I was raised on model A, Mustangs, 56 Chevy ... and other 'easy' units to work on; so with this question, please, if a stupid question, humor me.

Wanda is presently in the shop having a check-up with a 'supposedly' VW knowledgeable fellow; and at this stage, have no reason to think differently. But I would like to be prepared to ask a few questions later on.

Like, can one also determine the compression factor on a diesel engine, like say the Mustangs of the 1960's. I think the engine ... has 160k on it according to odometer ... is sound, no leaks, no smoke, etc., but without tearing it apart ... $$$ factor ... will a compression check be informative as the Mustang, Model A, etc.??

And if so, does anyone know what an acceptable reading would be for the 1.6 Wabbit plant?
Thanx

 

u can do a compression check, just pull the injectors and do it, you'll need a diesel compression gauge. if the thing is running good then chance r the compression is fine. any other questions feel free to ask!

 

Congrats to your "wabbit" Is it a 54hp diesel or 71 hp turbo diesel? Maybe I can answer you alot of questions because I have grown up with that thing.

The 1.6 Diesel is kown as a very relaiable engine. The only thing that can happen is developing cracks between the intake and outlet valve caused by overheating. If so don't be worried they are tolerated up to a specific size. The other thing that could happen is a leaking fuel pump. In the head at the accelerator lever is a copper tubing. After reaching 200kmiles it could leak. New copper tube is very cheap (around12$).

Changing the exhaust can be a pain in the a.. , because of the clamps down there. You need a special clamp puller.
Don't forget to change those tiny return fuel lines, they love to leak if they get old.

This little banger will makes a lot of fun. Change the fuel filter and have a look at the recommended oil it has to have VW50501 specs on it. You have to change it every 7500km together with a new filter.
Don't forget your belt to be changed. It is important. If the belt fails it is over- Definetely!



If you want to check the compression it is best to take out the injectors, you need a 17mm wrench for the fuel lines and a 27mm nut for the injectors.
Be careful, below the injectors are plates they have to replaced with new ones for propper sealing . Tightening is 70Nm for the injectors, 20 Nm for the fuel lines.
Compression should be around 34bar, a tolerance of 5bar maximum is tolerated, the engine is wasted at 28bar. The engine has to be warmed up when checking.

Bad compresion can be caused by leaking valves, they have to be checked every 15000km. There is a special procedure to adjust them with little round plates in different thicknesses. they have to be measured and calculated. Quite simple if you know how. but i have to look for the sheet.


Have fun and enjoy!

 

WOW; all the way from Germany !
Sure 'Wanda' will be glad to hear from you.

She doesn't really know what size her 'heart' is; only that it is a 1.6L ... and she says "I don't know Vater (that's me), it's 'ticking' along OK at the moment." She wants to know how to tell.

Am in the process of having her belt changed, so not to have her go into arrest mode. Was concerned about the process, based on reading up on how much damage could be done to the '06 Jetta if missed the 100k mile replacement, but the mechanic says only the timing belt is the concern for Wanda.

It 'may' have been replaced in the last year or so, but want to make sure since the former owner ... the former **** fellow ... is no longer with us now for several months. {ODD: During our lives, we've actually (now) been connected to two fellows of this background; one my kids grew up with his; and not this 'toy' I've come across. Ironic ... IMO.}

Have ordered a 'supposedly' factory repair manual from an online book outlet for Wanda, and hope it gets here soon. Have the standard Bentley version, but wanted more concise version.

Had to take the Radioshack aftermarket radio out due to it's clock being on 24/7; and don't want the battery to go kaput. Sure would like to come across a stock original Rabbit radio to put back in.

She's got new seat covers; shampooed carpet, new glowplugs, standby starter and alternator ... and looking forward to a good pressure cleaning when mechanic completes what he's doing for her. Hope to then be able to drive to 'big city' for WallyWorld type visits ... "worry wart" free.
Tiddy

 

Just make a simple picture of your engine bay, and I can give you any informations you need.( Still have the tools and the instructions for your Baby)

 

I'll be 'visiting' her in the ER (aka-shop) center later on today to let the 'Doctor' know I have vacuum pump rebuild kit ... and spares ... on the way, and will try to get a couple of shots.
But would need email to send. PM maybe ? ?
And remember, she has not had a bath yet.
Tiddy

 

Congrats to your "wabbit" Is it a 54hp diesel or 71 hp turbo diesel? Maybe I can answer you alot of questions because I have grown up with that thing.

It will be the 52hp engine, the turbo diesel wasn't offered until end of 83, beginning of 1984.


This little banger will makes a lot of fun. Change the fuel filter and have a look at the recommended oil it has to have VW50501 specs on it.

505.01 spec oil is synthetic oil which was designated for the 04+ Pumpe Duce engines. Synthetic oil was not recommended for the older NA engines. Use a quality 15w40, 5w30 Diesel oil, make sure it is a diesel oil. I've always ran Chevron Delo. Diesel oils have special additives to prevent cylinder wash down and anti-smoke inhibitors in them.

 

507.00 is what I use in the '06 PD Jetta. Added the auxiliary filtering system on it from TDI guru up in Boise last year, and so far have 15k on the last change, and another 10-15k to go before next change.

Read up on the rabbit oil in the repair manual, Bentley, and see that, yes, it takes normal non-synthetic oul ... 10-40 etc. Just happen to have some quarts left over from before, and planning on using them to change when Wanda comes home.

Have to get a supply of oil filters though. What's a good source that is reasonable and reliable ... IYO ? As soon as the 5 vacuum pump rebuild kits arrive, and have 'Doctor' put one in, hope to get her out on the road to see what she offers. Was real ... no.... REALLY ... sluggish when followed her home ... to tune of max. of 40-45 mph. 'Doctor' sez that with a few adjustments, and the tune-up (also need air filters), she should do better. Hope so. The 'old boy' that previously owned her was a VW guru of sorts, so don't think he'd neglect her in his later years.
Tiddy

PS: Thanks for the turbo comment; totally missed seeing that reference. Should have been more cognicent. Guess it's time for new spectacles.

 

Oil specs are taken from the original Handbook:
VW50500 or VW50501!! 10W40 is recommended
VW 50501 has just a better heat capability
oilchange: every 7500 kilometers
oilfilter change: every second oil change

It is available as dino, blended and full synthetic...
Turbo was offered, as you mentioned in '84-and up

A very good oilfilter is the German Mahle OC 51 maybe there is an equivalent number available

 

505.01 is what the original oil spec for the pumpe duce. When vw rolled out the new diesels with all the emissions crap on it, 09+ they changed they oil standards to the new 507.00 standard which covers everything from 97 to current diesel engines.

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Your correct if we were talking about is 2006 jetta, but were not. Were talking about his 81.