TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:43 am

Got a bead on a local 1981 diesel dasher for $1,500. Finding precious little information about these vehicles. I'm interested because of the gas mileage and that I have a soft spot for old VWs & my tired old 1997 Subaru Legacy is about to &$@% the bed. Any "gotchas" I should be aware of? I realize sourcing parts will be an issue, but I'm used to that with my '72 bay bus. :lol: I've seen photos and it looks pretty solid.. here's an example:

Current owner says it's not running currently: "It has just lost the prime to the injection pump which is normal for these if they sit awhile. It is easy to get running again but I haven't had time. You need to either pull start it, to get the motor turning fast enough to prime the pump. Or, you can use a compressor to blow the fuel up to the injection pump."

No rust really: "There is one small spot of rust on one of the front fenders and that it. Floors, shock towers/subframe, etc. are fine. 1.5 parts are easy to find but I'm not sure about body parts."

Any tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Sat Jan 07, 2012 2:28 am

Injection parts and all rubber lines need to be replaced to deal with losing prime.

I Don't believe the statement about availability of parts is quite correct, but from the looks of the car it seems to have been well maintained and maybe the same holds true for the mechanicals.

Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:00 am

JASGTi wrote: Injection parts and all rubber lines need to be replaced to deal with losing prime.

Thank you for the reply! I figured something like that. There is a turbo with the correct injection pump available also. Worth an extra $500?? I'm thinking about biodiesel also and see there are line replacement kits geared for that eventual conversion. Wonder how a turbo would like bio. Hmm. So much to learn. 8)