MK2 Diesel mods q
- Thread starter Meek
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oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
That is at this point not something you'd want to drive every day.
To increase MPG you need to get a TDI.
I've put more miles on more old non-turbo IDI VAG diesels than most, so I know what I am talking about.
To increase MPG you need to get a TDI.
I've put more miles on more old non-turbo IDI VAG diesels than most, so I know what I am talking about.
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
I can give you 52 reasons.... but unavailable service parts and its "semi-classic" status would also weigh in.
I drove one just like it, my 1991, to almost 440k miles. I still have it. It is a garage queen now. It earned it.
Don't get me wrong, it is a great car. But it is slow... and while it *can* get over 40 MPGs, you have to drive pretty slow to average something like that, far slower than most highway traffic is moving. If you run the A/C, it is slower... and since prechamber diesels tend to build heat in the head quickly when under load, you REALLY have to watch it on hot days. If it is over 90F, and I wanted to cruise over 70 MPH for more than a few minutes, I'd have to turn the A/C off or slow down. The engine is spinning about as fast in 5th gear as a TDI would in third. The V-belts need attention frequently. Putting around town is not so bad, it actually does fairly good on surface streets and stop/go driving. But the ALH cars were (are) more plentiful, literally have twice the power, don't care if the A/C is on, and will gladly cruise at 80+ all day long and use less fuel the entire time.
I drove one just like it, my 1991, to almost 440k miles. I still have it. It is a garage queen now. It earned it.
Don't get me wrong, it is a great car. But it is slow... and while it *can* get over 40 MPGs, you have to drive pretty slow to average something like that, far slower than most highway traffic is moving. If you run the A/C, it is slower... and since prechamber diesels tend to build heat in the head quickly when under load, you REALLY have to watch it on hot days. If it is over 90F, and I wanted to cruise over 70 MPH for more than a few minutes, I'd have to turn the A/C off or slow down. The engine is spinning about as fast in 5th gear as a TDI would in third. The V-belts need attention frequently. Putting around town is not so bad, it actually does fairly good on surface streets and stop/go driving. But the ALH cars were (are) more plentiful, literally have twice the power, don't care if the A/C is on, and will gladly cruise at 80+ all day long and use less fuel the entire time.
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oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
I have a soft spot for these cars, and would hate to see one placed into daily service that may ultimately bring its demise. More of a hobby car at this stage, in my opinion. But, to some people, it is just a cheap car that gets good fuel economy, and nothing more.
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Yeah, and you may be someone to save/preserve it. My thinking is, quite often the task of daily use alone can cause an old car's demise no matter how well meaning you are.
But the lack of parts available for those cars would give me pause to do that. I hoarded a bunch of stuff for mine, I have all kinds of NOS parts in my basement. I bought the last of the big-bumper A2 diesel exhaust systems, all seven of the remaining 14" wheels they had left, two grills, couple sets of control arms, a fuel tank, water separator, cleaned out their stock of OEM Clarion supplied radios, and a bunch of other stuff I cannot even remember right now.
But the lack of parts available for those cars would give me pause to do that. I hoarded a bunch of stuff for mine, I have all kinds of NOS parts in my basement. I bought the last of the big-bumper A2 diesel exhaust systems, all seven of the remaining 14" wheels they had left, two grills, couple sets of control arms, a fuel tank, water separator, cleaned out their stock of OEM Clarion supplied radios, and a bunch of other stuff I cannot even remember right now.