[Vwdiesel] New member

[Marcel]

gary wrote:

> Welcome!
> 
> A TD engine in a Golf does make a fun ride.

It does. Not a fast car, but enough to keep up with modern traffic. 
Which is more than you can say about most other passenger diesels from 
that era. I s'ppose my car is called a Rabbit on your end of the ocean BTW?

> There are some things you may want to check before seriously putting
> mileage on the car. Namely:
> 
> A fresh timing belt. That is, if the previous history is unknown. A
> broken belt = broken valves and/or holed pistons.

Check! Belt is 20k miles old.

> Check the cam timing and injection timing.

I have no means of doing that. The timing belt was put on correctly, but 
other than that...

> Check valve lash.

I'll schedule that for the next oil change.

> Check all glow plugs are functioning. I suppose in the Netherlands it
> can get pretty cold.

All 4 are working. Early morning temperatures are in the 40-50F range 
currently, expecting 30's for the next couple of months. Winter extremes 
can get close to 0 but that's rare.

> And yes, that lever is a cold start device. It
> advances the pump timing a few degrees to aid cold starting.

Ah, that I did not know. Thank you. Once the engine is running OK I 
don't notice any difference at all from the lever. Is it recommended I 
push it back in right after starting or wait till it reaches operating temp?

> Door handles are an easy swap.

I probably won't even bother ;) It doesn't even have a radio to steal. I 
use the one in my cellphone.

Thanks for the welcome and the links. I've registered on the GTD forum 
as well now.

Marcel