[Vwdiesel] ECODiesel questions

[James Hansen]

Scott:
It sounds like a pretty good thing- almost exactly like my 89td (not eco) when
I bought it.  Both rear doors were stuck- courier had it, he never used the
rear doors, hence, they were never lubed or anything.  The lock plate sits at
such a steep- Catch all the crud- angle, it's no wonder they seize up with
disuse.  Not a walk in the park to get open, but doable.  Usually wind up
breaking off the door handles so you can get at the actuator directly,
eliminating the slop in the handle.  This machine should have a glued in
windsheild, no?  the loose stuff might be just from improperly reinstalled
interior trim strips, and the missing A pillar covers because of the windsheild
not correctly installed???  Just a guess.
Grab front tires and simulate torque fore and aft, as if you had a slushbox and
went from D to R and back.  Should point out the probable bushing problem- the
rearmost one tends to go south, raises all kinds of hell with the toe in on
acceleration.  It just gets soft, and flexes too much- had to replace the
driver's one a few years ago, and the passenger one is coming up now too.
Oh isn't that engine compartment ever full....Need hands like my 4 year old's,
but strong like a gorilla.  You get pretty good at the bolts holding the a/c
pump after the first few times.  The belt from crank to A/C pump goes about
once a year- it runs too much load- like the pump, and the alternator.
I really like mine, 528000 kms and still going strong, talk about a car for a
car for the thrifty, and I drive it like it was stolen.  Engine's never been
open, except for timing, original turbo, second exhaust system.  I am very
happy with it.
-James


On Monday, April 29, 2002 8:03 PM, Scott Kair [SMTP:scott3491 at insightbb.com]
wrote:
>         This evening I stumbled over a '92 Jetta ECODiesel that's for sale
> at what seems to be a very reasonable price.  I didn't save posts specific
> to the breed on the theory that I'd probably never even see one, let alone
> have an opportunity to buy one.
>     I took it out for a spin and am considering it to replace my 84 A1
> Jetta.  Some questions arose, though.
>     The car is same family since new, and dealer serviced since new, with
> 162k on the clock.  There are a few minor issues- a good sized ding in the
> driver's rear door, rear door handles don't work, radio antenna snapped off-
> but those seem balanced by fairly meticulous maintenance- new alt., a/c,
> water pump, p/s belts, and timing belt about a year old.  A concern is that
> the inside windshield gasket is loose and dangling, but there seemed to be
> no inside water damage.
>     The front end seemed to wallow a bit in twisty roads at speed, and there
> was a noticeable wobble above 70, which I think might be a right front tire
> out of balance.  There was no indication of CV joint problems, although I
> didn't crawl under and inspect the boots.
>     The interior was pretty clean, but missing the front vinyl corner post
> covers on both front doors.  Seat belts were those ridiculous contraptions
> with separate lap and shoulder restraints, the latter wired into a relay
> that kills the starter if not connected and strangles the driver entering
> and exiting if connected.
>     Engine looked stock and fairly clean, no obvious current oil leaks.  The
> pump didn't have an aneroid, but a device I've never seen before that the
> lines connect to.  Didn't look to see if the cat conv was still on the
> exhaust. Engine compartment does seem fairly full, what with a/c and p/s, so
> maintenance could be a pain.
>     Are there any other A2 or Eco specific issues I should look for?  Owner,
> btw, is selling it because he bought a new TDI.
>     TIA,
>     Scott Kair
>
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