[Vwdiesel] Bought '81 VW bunny and question about gas burner...

[Bryant Baecht]

Hi all,
     I'm getting pretty excited.  Picking up my first diesel rabbit this
weekend and can't wait.  Supposedly it was running and then the guy went to
take it to work next morning and it wouldn't start.  Month was November and
temp was about 20F.  He said the engine turns over freely and pretty quickly
so hoping something simple like lack of glow plugs, IP cutoff wire is
broken, etc.  Anyway, can't wait!!!!  I'll be sure to be posting more as I
find out more.
     Also, got a question for the list:  I have an '89 VW Cabriolet and
while replacing the thermostat, I managed to break one of the ears on the
engine that hold the power steering pump.  I'm told there's no good fix for
this, so figured I'd ask the people that know all the ways to keep these
VW's going.  Currently, I've got one bolt holding it with no problems that
I've found, but would like to fix the problem.  I've heard welding isn't
good on the cast metal block.  My normal VW mechanic suggested braising it.
I've been thinking about good old JB Welding it back in place, then cleaning
out the threads.  Maybe even changing it to a JB Welded stud and just
putting a nut on the end to hold the power steering pump.  Fire away with
ideas.  Probably be working on it in the next couple of months.

Bryant