Can you order a 3rd gen truck with a VW diesel rabbit engine???

[roperteacher]

I wish I could! I just changed the oil in my moms 82 VW rabbit diesel. Odo says 411,000 (Actually it turned over 4X)... It has been ABUSED to say the least. Oil change once a year. No special care what so ever!!!! 4 speed manual. Still gets about 44 MPG ( Dropped from 50 MPG right at 300,000). The only repair since new were hoses and belts, and the Alternator just went out. Why do these engines last SOOOOO LONG????? What do the germans know that we don't???? Can you imagine this or a truck sized engine on the market????? Roper

 

[XJSuperman]

YOu do know that the cummins if properly maintained will last this long right? I hope you know that

 

[Forrest Nearing]

like he said, there are plenty of CTD's out there w/ that kind of mileage and thensome...



also, that little VW is probably making what 60hp?



by their design and combustion process, diesels just last a long time...



Forrest

 

[gjacobs]

got 340K on my ol 95, if it cranks it's pulling something---only had to tab the kdp

 

[roperteacher]

Yep, I know that a well maintained cummins can last that long. Hey, Idea... can I put a 12V cummins in the rabbit? LOLOL Wow... ... anyway, the problem with the Cummins lasting that long or longer is the CHRYSLER Accessories that have to go with it like Truck body, Frame, and gadgets. . oops, did I say that???? ROPER

 

[Yo Hoot]

No you can't get one with a VW diesel but it does come stock with a like automatic

 

[av8r]

"... that little VW is probably making what 60hp?. . "



Actually, 42 without the turbo, 58 with the turbo. :-laf

 

[roperteacher]

OK, so a Lawnmower must make 41 HP Right?? LOLOL The Car tops out at about 60 MPH... It didn't used to , but now if you ask for more she shakes, rattles and roles too much. . so we keep it to 60 for smooth sailing. You won't get there fast, but you will get there. Oo.

 

[24V-DSL]

Weren't the Rabbit engines Giesels and not true Diesels?

 

[SnoKing]

No you can't get one with a VW diesel but it does come stock with a like automatic

Was looking at the pictures of the head gasket replacement of the Duramaxi, I am surprised the GM allowed that verses a replacement engine! It is my understanding the the block is headed to one temp and the heads to another for assembly at the factory. Your comments? SNOKING

 

[WStoops]

You've got to be kidding. I was a VW Service Mgr from 1977 to 1985. I NEVER saw one go over 130K without a head gasket. Also, if it did not blow a head gasket, highly unlikely, it would certainly crack the cylinder head between the intake and exhaust valves. Vw tried to say that was not a problem, that is until the valve seat inserts were no longer tight in the head. When it got hot enough and the crack big enough, the valve would open, the seat would come loose and turn sideways while the valve was open, preventing it from closing. Then the piston comes up and get out your checkbook. Not only that, we also were an Audi service center and their 5 cyl diesels were no better, only more expensive to fix. The smaller cars with the 4 cyls used the vw engine. The bottoms were bullet proof but that aluminum cylinder head sucked. Also had constant exhaust manifold leaks. The turbos were short lived also. They would start sucking oil through the bearing and briefly run away. Then there were the injection pumps. Wish I had a dollar for everyone of those we replaced. Oh, I almost forgot about the timing belt, guaranteed to break by 75k or sooner. Goodbye cylinder head. Then there was the water pump, a well designed self-destruct mechanism if there ever was one. 60K max life. We had huge bins to store the destroyed cylinderheads for the scrap metal guy to buy from us at christmas time. No, to those who weren't there, the VW diesel being such a great engine is just one of those urban legends, ain't true, no way, Jose'. Also, without a turbo, that diesel would have a hard time driving our alternators. 0-60 in awhile. Not to flame you but if that thing is original it should be in enshrined. There cannot be another like it in this world. Nuff said. Please don't jinx us by wishing for a VW powered ram. The cummins is the best part of the Ram. The stinking drivetrain vibration is the worst.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I thought I'd read on the VW forums Rabbit diesels often were pretty tired by 200k and had so much blowby they'd sometimes run away on their own crankcase fumes.



Vaughn

 

[B.G. Smith]

Can you order a 3rd gen truck with a VW diesel rabbit engine???



Let's hope not! bg

 

[WStoops]

I thought I'd read on the VW forums Rabbit diesels often were pretty tired by 200k and had so much blowby they'd sometimes run away on their own crankcase fumes.



Vaughn

Pretty tired!!!! They were exhausted. I did see some high mileage numbers, almost always owned by one of our techs. I think the highest I ever remember was around 250K, original bottom as I remember. In that time, if it was typical, it would have had 3 cylinder heads, 5 water pumps, 2 injection pumps, 4 or 5 timing belts, a couple of starters and exhaust manifolds, 3 or 4 alternators, at least 3 sets of injectors, 4 or 5 sets of glow plugs, at least, if it was anything like the others of its breed. The tips of the injectors would erode terrible in 75k miles. When it would blow the head gasket it would pressurize the cooling system to astronomical levels. Plastic radiator. Guess what it did to that. The plastic overflow bottle would get soft from the diesel exhaust in the cooling system and swell up like Fat Albert at Thanksgiving. We used to jokingly call the VW diesel german engineering at it worst. Next we'll be hearing how the beetle was the best car ever built. Please!! I rebuilt over 400 of those engines personally. All that said, the newer VW TDI is by all accounts a pretty good engine. My son is a vw tech in Boulder Co and he says they are pretty good. Interesting how the new ones have individual pumps on the valve train for each cylinder. I have forgotten what he said is a common problem to them around 75k. Hey that Yugo was a heck of a car wasn't it. I'd rather take my chances with that on a coast to coast summertime drive over a VW diesel of 80's vintage.

 

[roperteacher]

Well HOLY COW!!! I thought this car wasn't worth a dime!!! I had a hard time justifying putting new tires on it 40,000 miles ago! I keep telling mom to donate it and buy another car, but her reply is " If it's running... why???". Good point!! Hey, if any of you want the car to put into a museum, then, I'll make you a great deal on it!!! Yes, all origional. The car sits (And runs 80 miles a day) in Paso Robles, CA. If you want to come for a visit and verify this supposed piece of fine craftsmanship feel free!! I'll charge 2. 00 a head to come see it on display here at the ranch!!! My EXACT diesel rabbit went 280,000 before she died for good. Moms about to turn 412,000 on the beauty. The headliner is done, cosmetically it is junky, bus she runs like a dream! I just keep pouring the power service additive in her and she's good to go. Not due for another oil change until Dec 05!!! (That has been her schedule since about 10 yrs ago, so it's a family tradition we stick with). . Yippi!!! I own an antique!! Come to think of it, My mom also boight an 82 chevy 5. 7 litre diesel same year brand new (Truck)... . they were all CRAP too, but hers went over 300,000 pulling a massive horse trailer from one place to the next and it was going good when she sold it!!! Maybe it's her luck!!! Come to Paso, taste some fine wine and see the longest surviving Rabbit diesel!!!

 

[WStoops]

Well HOLY COW!!! I thought this car wasn't worth a dime!!! I had a hard time justifying putting new tires on it 40,000 miles ago! I keep telling mom to donate it and buy another car, but her reply is " If it's running... why???". Good point!! Hey, if any of you want the car to put into a museum, then, I'll make you a great deal on it!!! Yes, all origional. The car sits (And runs 80 miles a day) in Paso Robles, CA. If you want to come for a visit and verify this supposed piece of fine craftsmanship feel free!! I'll charge 2. 00 a head to come see it on display here at the ranch!!! My EXACT diesel rabbit went 280,000 before she died for good. Moms about to turn 412,000 on the beauty. The headliner is done, cosmetically it is junky, bus she runs like a dream! I just keep pouring the power service additive in her and she's good to go. Not due for another oil change until Dec 05!!! (That has been her schedule since about 10 yrs ago, so it's a family tradition we stick with). . Yippi!!! I own an antique!! Come to think of it, My mom also boight an 82 chevy 5. 7 litre diesel same year brand new (Truck)... . they were all CRAP too, but hers went over 300,000 pulling a massive horse trailer from one place to the next and it was going good when she sold it!!! Maybe it's her luck!!! Come to Paso, taste some fine wine and see the longest surviving Rabbit diesel!!!

No offense, but you must be smoking some really good stuff. You obviously have some great soil on that ranch for growing things.

 

[AKAMAC]

Owned ONE! WStoops is right on. Ropers mom must drive that thing so easy. Mine was like my Vega, gaskets and heads for lunch, timing belts for dinner. Sold it for 50 bucks. Mike

 

[Matt400]

Lots of those high mileage auto's running around. My Dad has a Nissan P/U with over 300K. Engine has never been apart and its a gasser!

 

[Will24]

One of my teachers at school has a late 80s turbo diesel jetta, had a pump put on at 188k miles, currently has 212k, no other work than the pump...





There must be some odd ones out there





-Will

 

[roperteacher]

Nope, not smoking anything, but thats OK... I've been in the horse business long enough to know you can't convice everyone of everyhting!! I am a HS teacher , so I am a good role model. . no smoking! Now that I think about it, I have seen lots of diesel rabbits and Rabbit PU's from that era still on the road. Of course, I have no clue how much work they have had done. No offense taken, I just hope my 04. 5 CTD lasts as long as this car has... the difference is, I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES... . to the inth degree! You can wipe a piece of bread across my engine at anytime and it will come out CLEAN!! LOLOL roper