1985 Diesel, here I go again!

[Isaac Zachary]

So it's been decided, we're going to go get our 1985 VW Diesel N/A Golf and start driving it again. Right now it needs a timing belt, fluid changes, a windshield, and a driver's mirror.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Why are you get the Golf driving again? Did the Avalon get too expensive to overhaul? On a sidenote, I didn't know you still had the Golf, yet I'd be intersted to know about the cold start ability in such an extreme weather.

[freebeard]

I looked up whether it has a balance shaft, and I see that a balance shaft delete is a thing.

My 1979 Dasher diesel had an intolerable idle, the hood would shake. Still wish I still had it. The way I explained it today (to the mechanic I bought it from) was that the buyer convinced me I wanted to sell it.

Truthfully, I didn't have a parking space for a fourth vehicle.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Why are you get the Golf driving again? Did the Avalon get too expensive to overhaul? On a sidenote, I didn't know you still had the Golf, yet I'd be intersted to know about the cold start ability in such an extreme weather.

The person I gave it to never changed the plates over. They gave it to someone else. Both lost interest. I just found out about it and it's still in my name. However, the long time sitting (6 years) may have caused more rust issues, externally and in the engine.

I had a 1,500W block heater on it. I would start the engine and have it at full operating temperature. The glow plugs wouldn't even turn on, except when I went to the store and came out and the engine had cooled a while. I plugged it in at work so no problem there either. The best thing is that it had instant heat as a result. I'd like to do the same thing to the Avalon but it seems a bit harder to figure out how to install a circulating block heater on.

[Piotrsko]

Freeze plug replacement heaters do well for supplemental heat, no circ pump requirements

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Freeze plug replacement heaters do well for supplemental heat, no circ pump requirements

I don't think the Avalon has freeze plugs. The cartridge type keeps it only some 30 °F warmer than ambient.

I haven't had great success with cartridge and freeze-plug types. They need to be plugged in all night to have any sort of measureable effect, as they are usually around 300W or less. A 1,500W circulating heater makes a difference in as little as 15 minutes. I'm contemplating going to a 2,000W heater as I have a 20A outlet at my home and at my place of work. Or use the 500W for a small space heater pointed at the windshield.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Isaac Zachary

The person I gave it to never changed the plates over. They gave it to someone else. Both lost interest. I just found out about it and it's still in my name. However, the long time sitting (6 years) may have caused more rust issues, externally and in the engine.

Well, most likely it still makes sense to fix the rust and getting it back on the road. Either this, or making a cabrito with the bodyshell of a Mk.3 and a rebuilt title.

[Isaac Zachary]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Well, most likely it still makes sense to fix the rust and getting it back on the road. Either this, or making a cabrito with the bodyshell of a Mk.3 and a rebuilt title.

I agree. As long as I have the time and money for it and it's useful to someone without costing more than a similar or better option.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I guess you have seen cars in a worse shape getting repaired in order to be operational again. Sometimes not in the most orthodox (and maybe expensive) way, with lots of makeshifts. As long as it's still not a safety hazard, why not?