1992 Diesel Jetta first steps?

[War_Wagon]

I finally managed to grind the guy with the Jetta down to a reasonable price - well reasonable for a cheapskate like me anyway. 1992 Jetta turbo diesel, 5 speed, 13 inch alloys, body and interior are decent. I'll post pics when I pick it up. But what do I do first? There is an issue with the alternator, it charges but the tach needle doesn't move much, I am 99% sure the alternator belt is loose though so hopefully that fixes it. I have no idea of the maintenance history of this thing, it has 330k KMs on it. It seems to run and drive fine, but given that I don't know what has or has not been done on it, is there anything I should check/change before I start driving it? Besides the obvious like engine oil etc.

[cleanspeed1]

So we are very clear, and this is to save your butt: DO THE TIMING BELT SERVICE!!!!! It's a no clearance motor and since you don't know the history, do the belt and get it off your mind.

I'd check the valve clearances too while I was at it.

Change the fuel filter and air filter.

Grab a bushing kit for the shifter.

Fill the tank with some fresh diesel and a bottle of Diesel Kleen in the silver bottle.

Check the injectors with the engine running, make sure there are no leaks.

Grab a return line kit for the injectors ( the little rubber lines on the injectors ).

We still have to talk Ford, buuuddy!

[War_Wagon]

It's true, we do! Timing belt eh? I figured it would have a chain or something sturdier. Is there a recommended oil for these things? Is synthetic worth it? Never had a VW diesel before so I am in the dark as to what the hot setup is.

[kir_kenix]

Originally Posted by cleanspeed1

So we are very clear, and this is to save your butt: DO THE TIMING BELT SERVICE!!!!! It's a no clearance motor and since you don't know the history, do the belt and get it off your mind.

Number one priority if I took this thing home. Everything else that cleanspeed meantioned is gold as well.

Our old jetta had gas cap problems (as in the pressurized cap would crap out and stay open) a good half dozen times. Venting diesel to the atmosphere as well as letting in contaminants from the outside is never good for gas mileage. I've heard several other VW owners complain of faulty caps as well, so it may be something to look into. Tach stopped working on our Jetta around 200k. It would go up when you revved and sloooooowly come back down.

Other then those 2 peculiar things that was a really good car. As far as I know the guy who bought it from my dad is still driving it, and he commutes 100 miles a day. If he is I suppose that car is nearing the 500k mark by now.

Edit: Ours was a 92 or 93 too. 14" wheels if I remember tho.

[War_Wagon]

The tach in this one goes to 1000 rpm when you start it and just stays there. Rev it up and it's still at 1000, but you can hear the alternator belt squeal sometimes so hopefully thats it. The wheels on this one are 13s, they are a spoked alloy with a VW center cap so I am guessing they are original. It sounds like a new gas cap is on the to do list then, as I don't know how you could test the one that is on it, so better to replace it.

[cleanspeed1]

In the case of the NA diesel, unless you want to start lobbing money at it, the hot set up is to leave it stock and enjoy the mpg. I believe that a good CG4 rated diesel oil will set you right ( I ran Amsoil 15W40 synthetic, but my engines didn't have a lot of miles on them when I had them ). Just run what VW recommends and you'll be OK.

I tried this product out on my high mileage Honda and it's good for getting the compression back on diesels.

Customer Comments about Auto-Rx Internal Engine Cleaner

The other product I used on my trucks with great success is Hot Shot Secret.

Hot Shot's Secret Diesel Oil Additive

You don't have to use as much, just follow the directions and you'll have a better running engine.

If you are going to use dino oil, Mobil Delvac is a good and cheap oil.

And make sure that you have a real good block heater for where you are at and use it.

Oh, and change the glow plugs and put the biggest, most powerful battery that will fit.

[War_Wagon]

Thanks Cleanspeed, I hear you on the big battery. I am pretty sure the one I bought has a turbo diesel in it though, not a NA diesel. Is that considered a plus or a minus on these engines?

[cleanspeed1]

You have the Eco Diesel? Must be slipping. The Eco was not a power house, it was hp wise about the same as the NA 1.6. It was built to add a low pressure turbo to clean up the emissions.

They are not bad engines, just keep it turned down until you can rebuild the engine proper like.

motTheDiesel has one in his Porsche: bigger turbo, pump, intercooled. Lot of power and it gets 74 mpg.

Run one of the cleaners through the motor for sure then; gets all the gook out of the turbo center section and will help with the boost response.

[War_Wagon]

No it was my bad, I just edited in the turbo part, I thought the old VW engines were like TDIs in that they all had turbos. Didn't realize it was like Mercedes where you could have either. Obviously I have a lot of research to do!

And while I was in the neighborhood of the Jetta, I found a 1 owner '85 GMC 1/2 ton, 2wd 6.2L diesel truck, factory rally wheels & 2 tone paint even, sitting in a driveway covered in moss. Hasn't moved in probably 10 years. I better get more in touch with my inner diesel mechanic before I knock on that door to ask if it's for sale!

[cleanspeed1]

You better grab that one dude! A 6.2 with tall gears will get in the mid 20s.

The 85s and up were pretty decent engines. Cheap to fix too.

Just hope the original owner didn't pop the head gaskets.

Got pics of the truck?