Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw

In rec.autos.vw, pk16@frc.ri.cmu.edu (Paul Keller) writes:

>My '83 Rabbit, 95K, (4 speed) is having a few problems:
>
>1) The clutch is starting to chatter

Yeh, it probably only has another 50,000 miles of life left on it.  Just
let it out a bit more slowly, and rev the engine a bit more.  Also, you might
want to check the motor mounts.

>2) The 2nd gear syncrhos are starting to go

Here, you probably only have another 100,000 miles of life left on  the
transmission.  If you shift a bit more slowly, especially when the transmission
is cold, you will be OK.

>3) Heater core may be leaking (when it warms up, I'll check the hoses)

Very likely you won't see anything at the hoses.  But check out the problem.
First, calibrate your nose to the smell of coolant by CAREFULLY removing the
coolant cap under the hood after the engine is warmed up (and shut off).
Smell this.  Then compare the smell to what you notice in the passenger
compartment when the heater is running.  If you smell it there, you have have
a problem with the heater core.  If you want to save some $$, let me know,
and I will tell you how to get the heater core in and out (assuming you
DON'T have air conditioning).  It will cost about $40 to rebuilt it at a
radiator shop.

>4) Breaks are just starting to chatter a little in hard deceleration
>   (warped rotors?)

Don't know about this one.  Sounds like something you can life with for a
while yet.  Just make sure the pads and shoes have enough thickness.

>5) Intermittent hard hot starting (I've been living with this for 2 years)

There have been discussions of this before on the net.  I didn't pay much
attention, since I have a diesel that starts the best when hot.

>6) In the last couple days, intermittent run-on when I turn off the key

I'll bet you have a fuel system problem.  When properly operating, fuel
should be shut off immediately when the ignition is shut off.  With no fuel,
there is no possibility of run-on.  But you have run on, so it seems fuel
is continuing to dribble out the injectors.  This could also cause flooding,
and be the source of your hot start problem.

>For 1 and 2, my local garage (VW specialists) recommended replacing
>the clutch and installing a used 4 speed transmission.  They said that
>their experience is that most 4 speed transmissions last nearly
>forever, and that they could do both jobs (new clutch, used
>transmission + labor) for $500 - $600 if done together.

And how do you know that the synchros are good in the replacement
transmission?  The second gear synchro is the first to go usually, since
you use it so much when downshifting to go around corners.  And since then,
VW has put in a double synchro for second gear (surprise!) to stand up to
the added wear.

>My question is: is it worth it, or is this car reaching the end of its
>lifetime?  I figure a few hundred more for the heater core (I doubt
>VWoA covers an '83, though I will try), perhaps $100 for the breaks,

So what else are you going to do?  Spend $10,000 + trade-in on a new car,
or buy another used car for $4000 which will need work soon?  Fixing up
what you have is almost always more economical then buying new, and usually
a better deal than buying something used, unless you get a good deal on a
cherry car.  Fix what you have, and learn to do some of the work yourself
if you can trade time for money (unless you have a high paying job).


Donald Borowski    WA6OMI    Hewlett-Packard, Spokane Division
"Angels are able to fly because they take themselves so lightly."
                                       -G.K. Chesterton