VW Rabbit Diesel

VW Rabbit Diesel questions and answers

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Q: any 82 vw rabbit diesel mods?
what are some cheap mods to increase horsepower and maybe speed on an 82 vw rabbit diesel 4dr and how come some have the round headlights and some are rectangular can i switch em over some how

A: IF memory serves me correctly, there is very little you can do simply to increase the performance of the 1982 Rabbit Diesel, I owned a 1979 Rabbit diesel (bought new in Oakland, CA) and really there is only a couple of items you can do it. Because the injection system and valve timing are completely mechanical in design; you are limited in doing much to either to improve performance. At one time someone sold a adjustable cam gear, which you allow you to advance the timing a few degrees, which would help performance and you can also accomplish in conjuction with this a reset of the injection pump timing. However, if you chose to do this, expect that the vehicle may be harder to start when the temperature drops down.... The simpliest thing to do is to go to a more free flowing type exhaust system, thus reducing back pressure. I cannot remember how much performance advantage I got, but it was something that I felt in the "seat of the pants." As to the reason some VW Rabbits had round headlights, its because the round headlight models were made in Germany (europe), while the square headlight models were built either in Penn. or in Mexico. Don't hold me to this, but I think if you replaced the grill, headlight buckets you can covert the headlight system to the round type if you wanted to. I cannot recall how hard it would be to mount the round headlight buckets that hold the lamp/lens in place. Hope this helps, a car nut.

Q: vw turbo for a 81/82 vw rabbit diesel 4dr?
i want to put a turbo in my vw rabbit its a 4door diesel and either an 81 or 82 model what would be the best way// what would be the best type any suggestions?

A: I had same model(82). Also had an 84 turbo model 4 dr. Best way - buy an 84 with a stock turbo already in it. To many parts to change over.(head, oilpan, oil pump, extra oil lines, different exhaust manifold different intake manifold(buy another car at this point). Besides I got 75mpg on the 82 and only could get 40 odd out of the 84 turbo at best. Considering the fuel costs are expected to rise again...

Q: Where can I buy a diesel VW Golf/Rabbit TDI? I've looked on their website and they're not there.?
Are they only being sold/produced overseas. FYI: I live in the Midwest, US

A: wait for the VW Jetta TDI it's due out for 2009. usually around Fall of 2008.

Q: Does anyone know if VW will be releasing their Diesel Hybrid Rabbit in the United States?


A: VW will not be releasing the hybrid due to cost of manufacturing, but it would have been worth it at 69 miles to the gallon

Q: without the vw diesel engine which is the best the strongest the vw 2.5 rabbit, toyota corolla, honda civic?


A: I drive an '07 Rabbit and it has plenty of power out of the box. My wife had an '04 civic ex and couldn't get out f its own way. I like the Rabbit.

Q: does anyone know if vw is going to make a diesel rabbit and when it'll come out?


A: Yes, it's the next generation of diesel, to be out for the 2008 model year. www.tdiclub.com

Q: Missing Rabbit?
I HAVE A 1981 VW RABBIT DIESEL IT MISSES ON THE # 1 CYL WHEN YOU START IT BUT AFTER IT WARMS UP IT WILL QUIT. YOU CAN SEE AIR BUBBLES IN THE RETURN LINE AND SOMETIMES AFTER YOU DRIVE IT WILL MISS FOR A FEW MINUTES BUT USUALLY SMOOTHES OUT. ALL INJECTORS HAVE EITHER BEEN RETIPPED OR REPLACED. IS IT THE PUMP, OR THE VALVE TRAIN, OR WHAT. PLEASE HELP THIS IS GOING TO BE MY FUEL SAVER CAR.

A: there may be a lot of carbon build up on the pistons which will cause a "HOT" spot and possible miss fire remember diesels don't spark to combust the compression is very high, so a little build up can cause big problems. good luck

Q: Is anyone out there running their semi-truck on vegetable oil?
I've seen a guy run his VW rabbit(diesel) off of straight veggie for years, but can you do the same thing to a huge semi?

A: yes, but the cost would not really justifiy it unlike a car or light truck

Q: how to change a diesel spin on type fuel filter?
vw diesel rabbit 1984

A: I have an 82 Rabbit Truck with a 4 cyl diesel. If it close to mine, all you have to do is spin the filter off. However, once you get it off on mine, there is a rubber washer that sits on the threads the filter spins on. If you have a small rubber washer in your filter box that you buy, make sure you take off the old one and put on the new one. Also, to make it start easier, fill the filter with fuel before screwing it back on.

Q: who owns a vw diesel and do you like it????
with soaring gas prices i am considering buying a diesel. the new low sulfur fuel will be widely available by 07. i like the new rabbit, but heard that a diesel wont be available until 08?? too bad. what kind of mileage are you all getting and how do the diesels hold up compared to gas engines???? tell me your story and convince me that diesels are the wave of the future not fuel cells!!!!!!!!!!

A: I sell V W in the US.The diesel is a great choice.True no Rabbit till 2008,but Beetle,and Jetta are available now(2006).We will have no diesel in 2007.If you drive many miles,and need a fun,safe,alternate to gas,then go diesel.vwjcook@yahoo.com

Q: How much is a 1985 VW Golf / Rabbit Worth?
How much is a 5-speed 1985 1.6 liter diesel golf worth, with no rust and in sound mechanical condition?

A: It's not an especially collectible car, yet. Maybe in another twenty years, if it's kept in the same condition it's in now, but will it be worth the investment? No one can answer that today with certainty. But until such time that it becomes a collector car, it's just a (maybe) reliable means of transportation that is almost 24 years old, and I wouldn't pay more than six or seven hundred, because finding and buying the parts to repair it will be less easy and more expensive than many newer used cars that you can spend the same money on.

Q: 1983 VW Rabbit Convertible- leaking through side of roof/window!?
I have a 1983 VW Rabbit convertible that has been converted into a diesel vehicle (bio, anyone?) This car is in immaculate shape...the roof is in excellent condition, everything is clean and the car is virtually rust-free- The only complaint I have is when I have to drive it in the rain, the water comes in over the place where the window meets the gasket along the soft-top, usually immediately to the left of the driver's side seat and to the right of the passenger's side seat. The water doesn't pour in, it just drips. I could deal with the inconvenience if the seats didn't get wet and the interior didn't end up smelling like a pond after a few days...and because the car is so amazing on fuel, I want to keep driving it as much as possible (I do park it in the garage for the winter- it has not seen snow) Does anyone know if VW (or any other convertible company) makes an after-market rubber gasket that can be fitted to the window to help seal the area I am referring to? Thank you!!!!

A: Try these people. They are well known for having almost everything for the Rabbit Convertibles. http://www.jbugs.com/VW-Rabbit-Parts.htm

Q: How do I convert my VW Rabbit to Turbo...?
I have a 1983, yes an old one, VW Rabbit with 155,000 miles on it. It is a 4 cylinder 1.6L Diesel Injection, and I would like to convert the motor to be a turbo diesel. So far, I have been unsuccessful in finding the results I am looking for, since VW released the new Rabbot, that is all the results is coming up for. My intentions are to keep this car, but it is going to need to be rebuilt. Unfortunately it sat in a field for about 5 years, then it has sat in my back yard for another 4. It was reliable enough to start by pull-starting it (manual transmission!) and once it scared the bugs away, it would start right up. I have heard that other owners have them and they love them, even being as old as they are since they are so reliable. It is sad to think that I can't easily njoy that, because the body on it is rusting out, and I am not sure on what the entegrity of the car is at this point, so I am thinking of making it into a concept car I have planned, but would like turbo! Thx

A: I personally wouldn't mess with a turbo set up,this is a low hp engine and the turbo won't help that much.I have owned about 13 diesel rabbits and they can be finicky,and it sounds like yours is a victim of low compression.compression on this vehicle should be from 375 to 450,any lower than 250 ,if your compression checks ok than look at the injectors,they can leak down when it is off flooding the cylinders,also the injector hoses can leak,also check your fuel tank,as diesel fuel tends to gel when sitting for long periods of time,and the tank can collect moisture ,like I said I have owned many of these ,plus Volvos and Mercedes diesels.I was a VW tech at a dealer for 5 years and an import tech for 15 ,though my memory is a little foggy on thses vehicles anymore hope I hepled ya out a little,once you get it going you will be quite pleased with the fuel economy,I got close to 47 with mine on the highway,slightly less in town,if you would like to e mail me more direct questions feel free.I will try to answer them the best I can remember(or even dust off a few old manuals)

Q: Question about expansion valve location on 83 VW Rabbit.?
Hey I'm just trying to figure out where my expansion valve on my car is but my car manuel doesn't have anything to do with AC anybody familiar with this or has a rabbit thats simialar...oh by the way its a diesel if that changes anything. Thanks for the help, gbrench

A: If you follow the liquid line from your condenser to the firewall you will find your expansion valve. from the condenser you will have two lines, one from the compressor, usually the bigger line becouse it will contain high pressure gas and out of the condenser it becomes high pressure liquid, that the valve sprays into the evaparator. this is where you will find the valve, thete might even be a temperature bulb that runs to the valve to control it.

Q: How do I start a diesel that has been sitting for 5 months? Are there any tricks?
I need help, the engine cranks but doesn't turn over. It is an '84 VW Rabbit if that helps. Anything will help, thanks.

A: First you want to charge the battery or replace it with a new one and then you can use silicone spray and spray into the air intake while someone tries to turn the engine over (after the glow plugs are ready, of course)