[Vwdiesel] 1985 Jetta GL TDI in Florida

[W Davis]

It's been a long time since I last sent a post to this great list, but I have
followed it since at least December 2008 in the old "digest" form,
and I just don't remember exactly when I began here, since I am now on my 3rd computer,
and second '85 (MK2) Jetta  manual 5-speed diesel-powered wonder-car.
Bought my first one of these Jettas sometime in late 2004.


For the time being, this is just a feeler, since I am very attached to the ol' girl...
she's an '85 GL TDI..about 260,000 original miles on the odometer, bought by me with
around 180,000, and it has been my daily driver for a 50-mile round-trip to work and home
since I took title to her February 2009.


She remains a nice smooth-driving automobile, although cosmetically not quite as nice as
she was back then, and there are a few electrical things going on, such as a whacky tachometer,
a digital clock that, lately, fails to keep the correct time, and one of the instrument cluster bulbs
has burnt out.

A couple years ago, the thermostat decided to freeze up all of a sudden, and the protective 

blowout valve on the AC compressor did its' job, released the refrigerant in a heartbeat,

and perhaps created a small new hole in the ozone layer as a result. ;-)

I have not repaired that AC issue.


I have very recently retired from the job that required that 50-mile round trip, and I probably
will just cover-and-park her for now, but if there's anyone here in Florida 

who might want to take a look at her, feel free to reply.

I'm not what is known as a "motivated" seller, but she's still a nice, non-rust-bucket car....
she has always lived outside here at my house, though, and has developed some leaks; I'd 

hate to just leave her out there indefinitely.


Truthfully, if I had an indoor storage place,

I'd put 'er up on blocks, and just slowly "tinker" her back in to the nice 

shape she was in back in '09, and someday get her a paint job,
despite the fact that I am not anything close to a bona-fide auto mechanic.


I have consistently gotten at least 45 MPG; when I first bought her,
the injector timing was right on, and I did get 50 MPG (low-sulphur diesel, natch),
for a good amount of time.

She was born in Wolfsburg, BTW.

Anyway, very sincere thanks to Loren for continuing to maintain this list,
and to those of you regulars whose email addresses have become so very 

recognizable to me.

I'll certainly continue to follow this list as long as it's still here.

Sorry to have rambled on too much, and, once again, I'm not in a hurry to make a sale.


William in Clearwater FL
Former owner of a non-turbo '85 1.6L Jetta,
as well as former owner of an MK1 Rabbit truck, both diesels,
and current owner of my good old friend mentioned above.

Cheers to all!!.