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Mon Dec 26, 2005 11:13 am

hi folks,

i have a line on a relatively inexpensive ($2K?) 1982 Diesel Westfalia that's all done up as a camper with stove, fridge, beds, etc.

i know the engine was a bit underpowered for the vehicle, but besides that - anything i should be watching for?

this vechicle looks to be in great shape, although hasn't been started in over a year. i'll need to jump it to get it going, and prob needs some tires - but from appearances that's about it.

if this was a gas bug or ghia i'd know what to check, re similar exhaust pressures, etc - but i've never owned a diesel vw. any obvious "gotchas" or ways to assess the condition quickly?

cheers!

Mon Dec 26, 2005 4:15 pm

I dont own a vw diesel but I run a natural gas pipeline co. and all we run are diesels. In my experience if all you have to do is jump it off to get it going then you should have many more problems. In a diesel, just getting it started is half the battle. If it has been sitting for a while there might be water in the fuel. I dont know how serious you are about this but if it were me I'd take along a new fuel filter and a couple gallons of fuel. drain the tank and replace the filter. about the worst thing that can go wrong with a diesel( besides throwing a rod) is the injection pump go bad. If thats the case it will NEVER start on its own.
When you do jump it off dont be afraid to use a LITTLE! starting fluid. Just a small shot is about all youll need to get it running. Oh yeah, check the anti freeze to see if there is oil in it. Vice vesra anti freeze in the oil. That will be a blown head gasket. Other than that fire it up!

Mon Dec 26, 2005 5:48 pm

What you've got there is a Vanagon, so you'll get more help if you post in that forum.

Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:13 pm

I wouldn' use any starting fluid....It can mess up a diesel fast...A good buddy of mine broke all 4 pistons in his Toyota diesel using starting fluid.

Mon Dec 26, 2005 6:47 pm

My LINCOLN SA250 has a PERKINS 3cly diesel in it and it actually has a an optional ether starting aid on it. Up in the colder climates starting is very hard on a deisel. Cummins and LEYLAND do for sure that I know of.
When used sparingly it will not harm an engine. Use it like a RAID and youll end up with 4 broke pistons.

Tue Dec 27, 2005 6:44 am

Our Case Backoe also has the option to use Ether to get it going when its cold.

As for the 82, put a new timing belt on it and roll it! If the belt breaks you will need a new head :evil: Being that it needs a jump, a new battery sounds in order as well!

Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:41 pm

A long time ago an old Diesel wrench from Eastesn Europe taught me a cool trick for starting a sat long time/ice cold block. Get ready this is weird.
You need 2 people, 1 cranker,1 by the engine. Cranker job is obvious. Engine guy:remove the air intake boot, Have a wad of newspaper and a lighter. Have the cranker crank for 10 seconds. Then light the newspaper ON FIRE, the cranker crankes again but now with the throttle wide open: engine guy then throwes the burning wad INTO THE INTAKE. Engine lightes, My buddy and I looked at each other,jaws on the floor. I've done it twice since then(90) and it worked both times.
That way you won't blow the head and/or rod. :D

Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:01 pm

thansk for all the advice guys, and the hint to put this into the correct forum :) sorry for the mis-post :)

cheers!

Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:07 pm

oh - just realized someone already moved this to the correct forum :)

so - beyond the hints to get it started, is a 1982 Diesel camper worth $2k? what else can i do to assess if this is a good deal on a reliable vehicle, or an expensive project i would be taking on?

cheers,
andrew

Sat Dec 31, 2005 3:31 pm

I sold a Diesel 5 speed on ebay for $7100 so yea, it's worth it.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:38 pm

See if you can find out exactly how many miles are on the motor. Contrary to what people say these motors don't last forever, especially in a Vanagon. I bought my 83 D Van for $2900cdn, with 217,000 miles on it. The motor wasn't the original, and it broke a ring after only 3000 miles. So I guess you can only expect around 100,000 miles from one of these motors in a van. When you start it from cold listen for an engine miss. Also pull off the crankcase breather hose and check for blowby. These are both signs that the motor is tired. If the rest of the van is nice though, for $2000 I would go for it and replace the engine. If you do you should upgrade to a 1.6 or better a 1.9 TD. I put a 1.6 TD in mine and I love it.

Wed Jan 04, 2006 9:40 pm

cool thanks.

i think an engine replacment might be above my techical ability - how much might i pay for something like that? :)