buy a diesel tips wanted

[burn_your_money]

I am most likely going to look at a 1991 diesle coupe (just about identical to Mr. Diesel's) this weekend. The thing is I know nothing about diesels so I have no idea as to what to look for regarding the engine. If someone could tell me what I need to pay attention to, and how to tell if it is burning oil etc it would really be appreciated. All I know is that the car originally had a diesel engine, but that was swapped out and another diesel was put in. The new engine is a TD and has 200 k kms on it.
Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

I have no idea what size engine or what year engine is in the car now.

[Mr_Diesel]

Diesel car checklist:

1. Before you start it up pop the hood and make sure the ENGINE IS ICE COLD. Just so he didnt start it before you came to drive it.... This is so you can test the glow plugs to see if it's an easy starter... Easy starting is also a sign of good compression... That engine should be running only after a few cranks... If you crank for more than 5 seconds, I'd be weary.

2. How quickly does the grey smoke go away after startup? Should go away after 5-10 second of engine running... If it continues to be grey, you could have a worn out injector pump, worn injectors, or an oil burning problem.

3. Look at the coolant resivior bottle. It should be white (or faded white for aging coolant bottles, sometimes yellow) Make sure there is NO oil in the coolant bottle. This is common on 1.6 diesel's, and you MUST check for this. This could show that the head is cracked, or the head gasket is blown. The coolant resivior will be BLACK or dark brown if this is true.

4. Drive it. Position your rearview mirrors to look for excessive black smoke coming from the exhaust. Lots of black smoke = needs new injectors and pump rebuild/calibration.

5. If it is equipped with air conditioning, make sure the alternator/compressor bracket is in tact. VERY common problem is that these things crack. They have a weakspot. I have seen this on atleast 5 VW diesel's. If this is cracked, you'll need a new one, they are about 150 bucks IF you can find one. VERY RARE JUNKYARD PART. Start the engine and put your ear right down next to the alternator near the belts, and listen for odd squeaks or rattles in that area... If you hear anything wierd avoid that car at all costs. This will strand you in a heartbeat... Possibly break your jetta because some jetta's waterpumps are driven by a belt that is affected here.

6. Make sure there is no condensation/white residue on the oil cap. This is another sign of failure of head gasket/cracked head.


Other than that, just the basic look-fors of an A2 jetta. Turn the wheel to the hard left (as far as the wheel will go), and make a left hand U-turn... Listen for clicks. If there are clicks, the left CV is about to go... Vice versa for the right side. Roll up all windows turn off all noise making devices, go to a deserted road. Speed up to 45mph in 3rd gear, the briefly let off the accellerator peddal letting speed drop to 15mph. Listen for odd noises that change with your speed.... If it sounds like your grandma's old clothes dryer, your wheel bearins might be going out. You can also jack up the front of the car and wiggle the front wheels side to side... If there is any play in the movement of the wheel, your wheel bearings are going out.

Go really fast and stop hard... feel for vibration/noise... If so calipers/rotors might need replacing soon.

Pull the headlight switch out of the dash (should pop out easilly) and check the largest red and black wires for any signs of melting... As always make sure all signal lights and brakes work... Make sure brake lights work, cause the brake light switch is a PAIN IN THE ASS to replace. 91 and 92 jettas have a different headlight switch than the older ones... A headlight switch that is virtually impossible to find in the junkyard, and is very expensive to get new (cheapest I could find was 90 dollars USD!) Just make sure that switch is switching right.

The 91 diesel I had I turned off my headlights, and the switch malfunctioned and melted all the headlight wires, and nearly burnt down my car.... BEEEEEEEEEWAAAAAAAAARE OF THE 91/92 VW HEADLIGHT SWITCH... VERY VERY VERY VERY DEADLY.

Check for rust below the windshield ( you know what I am talking about )



Can't think of anything else... Any other suggestions peeps?

[burn_your_money]

Check for rust below the windshield ( you know what I am talking about )


LOL, yeah I defintly do.

I hope this guy doesn't get pissed if I try and drive it. I say try becasue I have yet to learn to drive manual properly. (I know how to shift and all that jazz, I just stall alot or spin the tires, not bad but it's embarrasing) Hopefully diesels are easier to drive?

[GoodDayForADrive]

Check for rust below the windshield ( you know what I am talking about )


LOL, yeah I defintly do.

I hope this guy doesn't get pissed if I try and drive it. I say try becasue I have yet to learn to drive manual properly. (I know how to shift and all that jazz, I just stall alot or spin the tires, not bad but it's embarrasing) Hopefully diesels are easier to drive?
You might want to bring someone with you who can drive it well. Don't want to insult the guy and tear up his transmission or anything... I had my dad come with me when I was searching for a car, befor eI knew how to drive a manual. Then after I got it, he taught me how to drive it. Seriously though, you don't want to hurt the guy's car.. heh

[burn_your_money]

The car isn't on the road right now so I can't really drive it anyways. I'll get him to drive it if I have to. It's 4 hours away and my dad doesn't want to go. I have some friends there so maybe one of them car drive. I would hate to wreck his car.