mjb (12/24/82)
Anyone out there care to swap diesel hints/woes? I have a 1980 diesel rabbit
and would like to know why I have to replace glow plugs and flex pipes so
often (about once/year each), and if this is normal.
mike braca {vax135,decvax}!brunix!mjbwg (12/27/82)
Mike Braca,
I too have a 1980 diesel Rabbit, with 45,000 miles on it. I have yet
to replace either a glow plug or flex pipe. I have almost annual exhaust sys-
tem problems, though, due to the above normal vibration characteristic of a
diesel. Glad to swap more info!
Bill Gieske
P.S. To others reading this mail: sorry, this is the only way I could get
this back to the sender!wg (12/29/82)
Apologies to all; damn system will not forward mail.
Mike Braca,
My unreserved opinion of my diesel rabbit is that it is, and has been,
a super car. I would not hesitate to buy another (if I could afford to do
so!). In fact, we are seriously considering buying a diesel Vanagon in about
a year or so. Maintenance on my diesel rabbit has been nothing out of the
ordinary: 7500 mile checkups (oil change, drain water from fuel filter, few
other misc. items...this I usually do myself) and 15000 mile checkups (tuneup,
etc., etc.; cost around $100). As I drive about 15000 miles a year, my annual
maintenance cost is about $110. Due to the above normal vibration a diesel
engine has when first started, it is a bit harder of the exhaust system con-
nections. Twice in its 3+ year life, I have had to have a wibration absorbing
connector between the engine exhaust manifolds and the rest of the exhaust
system replaced (oops, that's vibration); cost minimal (don't recall $). I
have had absolutely no oil leak problems; NONE.
Mileage has been super! We unloaded a 15 month old Ford Fairmont to get
this car (should have gotten it in the first place). Without doing the compu-
tations, I can safely say it gets better than 45 mpg "around town". On the
few trips we have taken, such as Bethlehem, PA to Washington, D.C., we got
52 mpg. I have an actual fuel use/mileage log I have maintained, which has
the specifics, if you are interested. One other thing I've noticed: the qual-
ity of the fuel burned affects the mileage. I have 250 gallon fuel oil tank
in my garage (absolutely safe), and have it filled with the same diesel fuel
(fuel oil) delivered for my home heat. We switched dealers two years ago,
and got a 10% per gallon improvement in mileage (4+ more mpg!).
I have never experienced any cold weather starting problems. The car is
in the garage overnight, so can't say much about that. During the day, it
sits in a totaly exposed lot, with excellent exposure to the wind; I have not
experienced any starting problems here, either. Once, while visiting friends,
it sat out all night (and most of the day before, unstarted) when the temper-
ature dipped to -10F. No problems starting it. Not sure I could say the same
for some gas models I've owned.
Oh yes, you asked about climate. We are 50 miles north of Phila. Winters
here generally average around 20F, with several weeks of 0-10F in January-Feb-
ruary.
Be glad to answer any further questions.
Bill Gieske
BTL ALdwl (12/29/82)
I would be careful who you tell about running your car with home heating fuel. I know it works (in a Diesel) but did you know that it is illegal? You probably didn't pay any road-use tax on that fuel, and those folks who levy the taxes have no sense of humor at all about such matters. Good Luck with your Rabbit! -Dave Levenson -BTL Holmdel