[Vwdiesel] Several Items on 1982 Rabbit

[James Hansen]

Doug Presny wrote:
> 1982 Diesel Rabbit Car
> 
>  
> 
> 1.)     I had a fuel injection pump leak at the "head" seal.  Since
> changing this O ring was a slippery slope that would result in me buying
> a rebuilt injection pump, I tried the fix of running transmission seal
> fluid into the injection pump and leaving overnight.  Maybe only
> temporary, but the leak has stopped for the last two weeks.
> 
>  
Interesting.  It's a seal swelling agent, so...
be prepared to repeat when the the seal sweller leaves the seal.
> 
> 2.)     Since I purchased the car, it has been missing the plug that
> covers the visual access to the flywheel.  I was told by one person that
> these are purposefully left off to facilitate cooling.  Is this true, or
> should I replace.
> 
>  
False.
keep the dirt out with the plug, if the clutch needed cooling, that 
means it is slipping, and in need of service... and no amount of cooling 
fixes that, or helps it in any way. It's sealed to keep the dirt/fluids out.

> 
> 3.)     The front seats have a lot of play when locked in.  I assume
> there are some wear parts that can be replaced.  Any guidance on what to
> replace and where to buy replacement parts.
> 
>  
There are plastic shoes on the ends of the seat feet that run in the 
track.  Careless removal/replacement of the seat can break them, and the 
busted parts bugger off, letting the seat rock.  It shouldn't (rock).

> 
> 4.)     The glow plug light does not always come on when starting
> although the dome light does dim in the position where the light would
> normally come on.  The car has also been starting well, so I assume it
> is just the indicator light.  Whenever the glow plug light doesn't come
> on, the oil indicator light stays on all the time.  I will be removing
> the dash soon, so any guidance on how to remedy this is appreciated.
> Also, how do you identify which relay is the glow plug relay.
> 

Run a wire from the glow plug bus bar to a light you install yourself 
somewhere to indicate if the plugs are lit, and forget the dash light. 
It's a timer no more, fixing could be as easy as a relay replacement, 
BUT you know if it's cold.  If it's cold, count fifteen billygoats, then 
hit the starter.  A light to the bus bar ensures that the plugs have 
power, that's the important part.  The dashlight just tells you when to 
start the car based on engine temperature, nothing more, and is in no 
way connected to the plug circuit.
-james