Drove one as a home to work car, for more than 1.000.000 kilometers. Drove it more than 20 years, and now my son drives it . Over 1.2 million km.....and still going strong! 😮😮 Love that lill old car
Bitte die A- Säule links und rechts schweissen , den ganzen Rost am besten mit eiststrahlen ' entfernen, Den unterbogen und alle hohl räume mit fett beziehungsweise wachs konservieren.Bitte einmal neuen lack in original farbe alpin weiss wahrscheinlich😊 tolles Projekt 😊
...and imagine incredibly profitable and successful...I wonder why they are failing today? Hmmm? Now they are everything opposite of what made them successful to begin with!
Those early Volkswagen diesels! Once you got it started, if you provided air to the intake, the bastard would literally RUN COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN WATER! They regularly ran 300,000 miles and at that point still had perfect compression and no wear on the bearings. My brother had one; He kept a brick on the drivers floorboard, that was his cruise control. The car had a top speed of 65 mph wide open, so he never had to worry about police on long drives on the highway. While getting 55 mpg~ Great video!
Everything on this car is a 9/16 and 5/8 wrench fits almost everything on this car one of the easiest cars ever to work on what a beautiful car hope it comes back
A full resto as funds permit(episodes),clean up the rust on the windscreen plenum and a home respray in white.I am glad you got to it in time before rust reclaimed it,go Rabbit.
I have a 78 and you are right about how hard it is to pull the injector, my Dad and I had to pull the engine to rebuild. It is a great first car, It saves me a ton on fuel!
Wow! That thing will run forever, a proper engine! We call them Mk1 Golf over here in the UK. Very rare to find a 5 door and a diesel here. The VW clubs would go mad for that little puppy.... Can't wait to see its journey!
I want it! Would get better fuel mileage than my 2022 Nissan Altima does. I miss the 1981 5 door I had. That one was the gasoline version but it's dash was almost identical and it also had a 4 speed 😊
Proper procedure for belt replacement is to lock the cam, then loosen the cam sprocket bolt, then tap the sprocket loose. The sprocket is on a taper, so that when you tighten the timing belt, the sprocket spins rather than the unlocked crank. Then torque the bolt. Also, your pump sprocket should be locked into the support bracket with a larger diameter tool so the sprocket can't move at all, at the dealer we had a special insert tool for this, but a socket will work. There are more accurate timing marks on the crank sprocket than the flywheel. Then you should set the injection pump timing, it's almost always off of ideal. Guaranteed yours is off now. This requires a special dial indicator, but it's easy to do.
agreed and further to that inn our side of the world its not even neccessay to remove the tappet cover gasket to get your cam timing correct ...all you got to do is look on the inside of the cam sprocket there is a dimple stamped on...that dimple must sit level to the tappet cover but closer to the diesel pump (if that makes sense) and your cam should be spot on TDC... then set your crank to TDC and then your pump ...then you can lock the cam belt into place with the tensioner making sure not to move the timing mark out
@@JustinPaul1st Except the sprocket isn't indexed with the cam on the diesel. You must be thinking of the gasoline engine. Only way to set the timing is to align the machined groove on the end of the cam with the valve cover mating surface. We had a special tool that was a precision ground fixture for this task. Oh, and while the valve cover is off, adjust the valves.
Drew Snyderman knows how to set the timing and belt on a VW Diesel because I do too. Our dealership had 35 mechanics when the Diesel was introduced in 1976. No one wanted to work on them, so I "specialized" in them and ultimately made a ton of money working on the stupid things. The guy in the video talks a lot, but doesn't know much about them..
the VWR is a keeper, that little diesel is good for a million miles. Detail it inside and out, do a bit of paint correction on the cowl and A-pillar wouldn't blend 100% but it will be better than looking at the rust. Mike, to try and stay on fixed budget, I'm pretty sure you can get a rattle spray can of single stage paint mixed up at any auto paint supplier, just given them the body color code that's on the ID tag. You could have that car looking really decent in an afternoon. This car is not far off factory condition, it deserves the makeover. Keep up the great content, tell your dad he's an awesome dude. Can't wait to see more of the RV / camper build
I still have my original Rabbit Diesel that my parents bought in 1981. It hasn't run in a few years, and I decided to get it running again. The injection pump was pretty gunked up, so I had it rebuilt (it has 320K miles on it, so why not?), and now it seems to have a fueling issue. If you prime it, it runs until the pump runs out. When you replaced the return line, you made me think that maybe mine is leaking and not holding a vacuum to pull fuel from the tank properly? Who knows? I'll keep beating on it and eventually get it running right. Nice work on this little guy! I hate to see mk1's just rotting away. They're not great in today's vehicle climate, but they're classics!
I bought an 81 rabbit diesel I bought in 65 with 86,000 showing on the odometer and it was broke I drove it 5 years and ran the wheels off of it GREAT cars!!!😊
I'm in the process of reviving a MK2 Jetta 1.6D that homeless were sleeping in. Just got it running too! Love saving these VWs. Keep on doing what you do guys.
Nice work. I like the way you do things, you don't just throw a battery at it and start cranking. You replace all the important things first, oil, antifreeze, fuel and especially the belt. 👍 I've had an 81 VW diesel, 315k miles, an 85 diesel, 256k miles, and now a 2002 diesel, 448k miles and still going strong.
I've loved VW Rabbits since I was a kid back in the 80s. So when you guys got a low mileage one and brought it back to life, I got really excited! I really enjoy watching you and your dad working together. Your videos are so much fun to watch. Can't wait to see this get detailed and on the road.
That little rabbit wants to hop down the road again! It's a worthy candidate for a full resto. I'd love to see you guys bring this one back to it's former glory! Keep up the amazing work - absolutely love your channel. Thank you both for providing such great content!
Had a 1981 Rabbit Diesel L with a 4-speed. After rebuilding the engine and driving on a long trip, I couldn't stand that transaxle so when returning home, I went to my favorite parts place and swapped out the 4-speed for a late model 5-speed. What a difference on the highway! I used to get about 55 MPG on the highway. After 6 months, someone wanted my drivetrain to put into another car so sold that car for profit, and bought a rebuilt 85 Golf diesel w/5-speed. Drove that car every day 120 miles a day for 2 years and then gave to my son.
I had an ‘84 diesel rabbit 2 dr in high school. Had 300K on it when the odometer broke. Everyone knew me by that car. It was slow, loud, and shook when it idled.. but I loved it. And diesel was 99 cents a gallon back then. Now I have a 2023 GTI 40th anniversary edition : )
Amazed at your knowledge of Rabbits. But, beyond that, you give us a "Master Class" on reviving old engines. Unlike other tubers who just throw gas down the carb to see what happens, you take time with the basics of the engine. Well edited, too.
Dude the rabbit is very clean for where you found it. That motor is definitely a low mileage. The rabbit truck is my favorite, and the burnt comet. Best ever
So, I guess what we call a VW Golf in the U.K. in the U.S. it’s called a Rabbit OK now I know 🤔 I just love the enthusiasm you and your dad show, I’m sure the systematic way you approach “first starts” increases the success rate, all credit to you for doing that 👍🙂
Had a 81 5 door VW Fox Wagon petrol with 5 Speed Box and Duel float chamber. Went like the wind. Bought it neglected and restored it to running condition. Had the same headlights and indicators. Had triangle tail lights. Lost it in a car accident when someone drove into the right side firewall pillar and bend the right wheel on top of the engine. Was a fine car and I would probably still drove it if it wasn't for the accident. Good memories with her. Her favorite speed was 160km an hour or 100 miles per hour was her sweet spot. Keep on restoring these old gems.
In April 1979, I paid my deposit on a diesel Rabbit at Jordan VW in Charlotte. Took delivery in Aug. 1979 of a lemon yellow diesel Rabbit with round headlights, the last German diesel Jordan VW imported. It was a 4 speed with dealer installed AC, quite a drag on that little diesel engine. I put about 280,000 miles on it until a wreck in April 1984. What I would give to have it back again, the 50 plus mpg, and that rockin' stereo I had in it! I'm glad you and your father are fixing these up, Michael. Really enjoy each episode!
Dad had an 81 diesel rabbit, 4 spd, no ac, 4 door. It was my daily driver in HS in the 90s, and delivered pizzas with it for several years in college. Dad DIY’d it and kept it running. Remember having to tap the starter solenoid with a hammer for a bit, till he got the starter changed. Once I had some money put a couple Rockford Fosgate punch 10’s in the hatch, and a portable CD player with one of those cassette adaptors to the aftermarket head unit. Put it in the ditch on our gravel road, sliding it around a corner. Dad wasn’t happy, but a kids gotta have some fun.
I normally cannot sit still for longer than 5 minutes without my mind wandering off, this little rabbit had me glued to my screen. My dad also had a diesel Mk1, one of his favourite stories to tell. Can't wait for the next episode!
I still drive a golf 3 today.... year of construction 1995... special series... rolling stone....manufactured the VW factory in Wolfsburg... almost 39 worked there...including 38 years in the pressing....where everything begins for a body
My dad had one of these when I was a kid. That familiar unmistakable sound of a diesel rabbit. When that thing fired, I was hit with an instant wave of nostalgia. How can you not smile when you hear that little indestructible bastard come back to life lol.😂
Man that car brings me back memories! I used to own a 1979 Rabbit in 1981, I used to love that little bugger! It was my first car! I was 18 years old at the time. So just imagine the excitement of having your first car! Mine was two doors with the 4 speed manual transmission, also white like yours. With the black interior. The engine was a 1.5L gasoline. For me being my first car, it was a hell of a lot of fun driving it. Man that runs and sounds great! Great long lasting engine’s! Can’t wait to see what you guy’s do to it in the near future! That’s awesome! Great job guy’s!👌😎👍
Love your channel, viewing from the UK. A top tip for changing those toothed timing belts without having to worry about locking up the cams is to slice the old belt half way along it's length, loosen the tensioner & remove the front half. Slide the new belt onto the pulleys as far as you can then cut off the remaining old belt and finish fitting the new one. Saves all that alignment hassle!
It also saves all that replacing the tensioner "hassle" , which is the thing that generally snaps the belt. So its a bit of a shit redneck way of doing it and not to be recommended!
Just put a new power steering pulley on my '90 1.6 diesel Jetta, all the underhood architecture is extremely familiar. It just got a new timing belt @ 400,000 km's. Northern Ontario, dealing with rust requires considerable ongoing effort.
Please put him in his original state as much as you can. This little rabbit is awesome and makes part of the (European) historicale automobile heritage. Thank you to make it again a driver.
My Uncle had a Rabbit Diesel. He got around 50-60 MPG. They are great little cars. I never noticed the scar on your forehead before. I hope it wasn't from anything traumatic!! Love your content. Yall represent us SC boyz awesome!!!
My college roommate inherited a diesel rabbit that was a few years older than this guy. Couldn't do much on the drag strip, but was mint. Really like the attention to detail! Great work!
I'd keep it stock - clean and sterilize it first, but keep it stock. Like you said, this is a somewhat rare plain-Jane example. Very few of those around. But the rust around the base of the windshield is concerning. Thanks for the Great Video, Michael and Dad!
i have this car's great-great-great-great grandson, the Mk7 Golf TDI. its best car i've ever owned. these little VW diesels will run forever if you take care of them!
When changing Cambelt on these you can do it very simple by using a sharp Knife. Cut the Belt in the middle so it becomes thinner. Then release tension and put on the new Belt halfway. Cut away the old Belt completely and slid the new on fully. Apply the Tensioner again and you are done!
Nice tip, but I always replace the idler pulley, the bearings and water pump which won't work with your method. What I have always done is put at white mark on the cam gear and belt, the camshaft gear and belt and the injection pump gear and belt. I then line up the old with the new belts and transfer the marks to the new belt. Then, just put the new belt on and line up the marks on the gears. I've probably changed a dozen belts this way and never had a failure.
@@BudgetBuildzplease, please do not!! You absolutely have to do it the right way. It is extremely rewarding when it is running like a clock after doing the timing belt right. You absolutely have to remove the camshaft pulley and put the belt on with the injection pump locked and the camshaft pulley loose.
I had an 86 turbo diesel jetta. The old guy I bought it from said a half quart atf in every third tank. Bought it with 176k and sold it at 450k. Never any drive train issues. Just started looking for another for daughters first car.
I'm preaching to the choir but one often overlooked but important maintenance check on these 1.6 liter V-Dub diesels is to check the valve clearances. Keeping the valve clearances correctly adjusted or not on these engines will make or break how they run. For example I took a trip from Portland, OR to Reno, Nevada some years ago in my 1980 VW Dasher diesel. About 100 miles south of Portland heading for Reno I started experiencing a lack of power and some heating issues. I made it to Reno and back but it was an unpleasant trip to say the least. Long story short when I returned to Portland after checking the obvious fuel related potential issues I decided to adjust the valves (these valves are adjusted with shims). After adjusting the valves I had a "new" car.
I used to work on these. You get better timing by knocking the cam sprocket loose when replacing the timing belt. The cam sprocket is not keyed like most. It is a taper fit. You knock it loose and retighten after tensioning the belt. Also, when priming, you can put low air pressure to that tube that is stuck in the frame. That is the fuel tank vent. You can remove the vent screw on the filter and push fuel from the tank to the filter by giving a little air pressure on the vent tube.
I have an 81 VW pick up1.6 diesel I installed a turbo charger It made a world of difference in the little truck . Also installed a 5 speed transmission I really love driving in the truck.
I JUST bought a white four door 84 rabbit 4 speed as a parts car. Your previous 1.6d videos actually helped me get my first one running! Glad to see essentially my exact car being worked on. Mine needs a head gasket.
Great tip on making sure the bit is all the way in on an Allan head fastener.. also a good idea to clean the heads out beforehand.. Such a sweet old girl.. well done for showing her some love.
Car is a trooper. Fine German engineering. My GTI has been running like a champ since day one. Love VW. Can't wait to see that beauty back on the road.
I learned to drive on one of these 1985. My dad bought it new in 1981 and by the mid 90's there was nothing left of it but a small pile of rust. Great car! !
Had a diesel rabbit in the early 80s during some awful northern Illinois winters. Easier to let it run all night than try to start on a below zero morning. Got 45 - 50 mpg. Farted blue smoke like crazy. Loved that little engine. Rest of the car rust rotted to death.
I'm looking forward to seeing this car fully cleaned up and back on the road. A friend had a '79 Diesel L that was very nice, very slow, and indestructible. Great video!
Best engine ever. I have mine with 500 000km on clock and after 12 years it start without problem with 12 years old diesel, just the best, I use it as daily now, without any problem :)
As someone not as familiar with diesels or VWs, that was very very educational. You two are fun to watch at work. My family has also been enjoying the motorhome rebuild!
This was my driver school car here in Germany in 1985! I still remember my teacher shouting at me.....don`t rev the engine so high! haha......best wishes! Michael
wow great. I drive a german VW Golf from 1983, 1,1l Benzin (Gasoline I guess in english), 50 Horse Power, but my very first car was a 1,5l Diesel from 1979. It was a pleasure to see inside this old Golf I Diesel engine area after so many years. My current 1,1l is a 5 door too btw. So 5 door is not as bad as you might think. Last Oldtimer-Meeting in Dresden (Sunday, October 15th 2023), there were 4 Golf I on the area, only one(!) was a 3 door!
My daily is still a 1981 Rabbit Diesel LX Pickup, with 5spd and a/c. Found it in a field in '93 and restored it back to how it left the factory. Was a tech at the dealer at the time, and parts were still very available. Prior to that, my daily was a 1979 2 door Rabbit L diesel, that I added 5spd, a/c, and a rear hatch with wiper to. My truck goes to and from the Grand Canyon 2 or 3 times a year, across the central CA desert, and AZ, in at, near, triple digit weather, 10yrs each way.
I had a few Rabbits myself. and a 1980 Dasher.... I absolutely LOVED them!! Got 45+j mpg. I would love it if they made the very same vehicles today!!!! Bet they would sell like hotcakes!
My second car was a 1977 volkswagen rabbit, wolfsburg edition, i believe? two door, 4 speed. it was fuel injected, but when it was cold, you had to start it with ether! the only way to have headlights, was to prop a 7018 welding rod behind the turn signal switch, against the dash! i was 16 years old when i had it and it was a great car to learn about! keep the videos coming. awesome that you and your dad can do this together.
It seems to me that your videos just keep getting better. Not only content, but the quality. It shows you put a lot of thought into them. And I love anything VW, good stuff you two!
Love the sound of an old diesel have fond memories of my dad's 80 240 D Mercedes that little 4 cyl just ran like a clock just to start it up a hear it was pleasure also enjoyed driving it .he bought used in 1997 from a car lot that the salvation arm ran in downtown San Diego he paid 900.00 for it and drove home he did a little work to it himself he was not a mechanic but worked on many cars in his teenage years growing up in the 50"s also rebuild a few motors and little bit of everything else but that 240 was his first diesel but he picked up on to it really quickly. And did all the regular things himself. This little car was a blast to drive. I sure miss it. Love to see an old one come to life and enjoyed the music of hearing it run. Thank you for posting another good video.
Native Charlottean here. My mom had that exact Rabbit. I drove it everywhere. It’s license plate was K’Bang. I had a 78 VW Scirocco that I regret selling. Dr. Dave in Newton-Conover worked on both of them. I miss both vehicles. I haven’t lived in NC for over 30 years now. No Lexington BBQ in Colorado. Thank you for the great video.
"I don't want a bunny-wunny in my little row boat, in my little row boat on the pond. Cause the wabbit might be crazy and he'll bite me in the throat, in my little row boat on the pond". - Arlo Guthrie @ Spirit Square in 1984
That engine sound takes me back to my first car, a 1984 MK1 Golf diesel, 5dr, white, with nice European bumpers, headlights and taillights. These little cars are indestructible. If i remember correctly, that radiator is not the original one. Great find, I'd keep it stock.
Drove one as a home to work car, for more than 1.000.000 kilometers.
Drove it more than 20 years, and now my son drives it .
Over 1.2 million km.....and still going strong! 😮😮
Love that lill old car
That's not a car.
That's a legend.
Wow 😂
Bitte die A- Säule links und rechts schweissen , den ganzen Rost am besten mit eiststrahlen ' entfernen, Den unterbogen und alle hohl räume mit fett beziehungsweise wachs konservieren.Bitte einmal neuen lack in original farbe alpin weiss wahrscheinlich😊 tolles Projekt 😊
Immediately I said 'YES!' upon seeing the thumbnail, God do I love the Mk1 and Mk2 Golfs/Rabbits!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! I really hope you enjoy 😃
@@BudgetBuildzI'm so excited to see her once she is all cleaned up and de-molded, yuck!
With all the crappy stuff going on in the world right now, you guys are a breath of fresh air, no pun intended ! 😅
I had the gasoline version of this. Mine was a 1981 rabbit.
Golf
Back when VWs' engineering was simple, solid, and straight forward.
...and imagine incredibly profitable and successful...I wonder why they are failing today? Hmmm? Now they are everything opposite of what made them successful to begin with!
THANKS FOR BRINGING HER BACK TO LIFE! MY BROTHER HAD AN EARLIER VERSION OF THE DIESEL RABBIT...40 MPG
I love how easy the older cars were to do work on. Diamond in the dirt right there.
Just get it back to stock. These things are classics, no need to do anything crazy. Love that diesel hum !
Those early Volkswagen diesels! Once you got it started, if you provided air to the intake, the bastard would literally RUN COMPLETELY SUBMERGED IN WATER! They regularly ran 300,000 miles and at that point still had perfect compression and no wear on the bearings.
My brother had one; He kept a brick on the drivers floorboard, that was his cruise control. The car had a top speed of 65 mph wide open, so he never had to worry about police on long drives on the highway. While getting 55 mpg~
Great video!
Everything on this car is a 9/16 and 5/8 wrench fits almost everything on this car one of the easiest cars ever to work on what a beautiful car hope it comes back
My dad bought one way back in 1981. Never broke down once until he sold it in 1994. Some fond memories in that car
Love the old Rabbits. Had a new 1980 MKI base Rabbit and a new 1983 MKI GTI. Those were the days!!
A full resto as funds permit(episodes),clean up the rust on the windscreen plenum and a home respray in white.I am glad you got to it in time before rust reclaimed it,go Rabbit.
One could say that this was a hare raising experience!
😂😂
😁😁😁
@@BudgetBuildz got an 86 golf, Tudor 5 speed, diesel, owner got too old (96yo) good interior, body, etc, owner man.still indash...48 miles to gallon!
I have a 78 and you are right about how hard it is to pull the injector, my Dad and I had to pull the engine to rebuild. It is a great first car, It saves me a ton on fuel!
That old girl wasn't dead, she was just napping, good job getting her awake again!
Nice Video.The Rabbit runs surely over one Million.Thanks from Germany
Anyone else get all emotional when they start? Just me? I love seeing her alive ❤
Of course it will start, these old VW diesel engines are unstoppable.
Wow! That thing will run forever, a proper engine! We call them Mk1 Golf over here in the UK. Very rare to find a 5 door and a diesel here. The VW clubs would go mad for that little puppy.... Can't wait to see its journey!
I want it! Would get better fuel mileage than my 2022 Nissan Altima does. I miss the 1981 5 door I had. That one was the gasoline version but it's dash was almost identical and it also had a 4 speed 😊
I wasn't even aware they came with diesel engines until today, not the hugest Golf enthusiast but the MK1 is a cool "vintage" car!
Proper procedure for belt replacement is to lock the cam, then loosen the cam sprocket bolt, then tap the sprocket loose. The sprocket is on a taper, so that when you tighten the timing belt, the sprocket spins rather than the unlocked crank. Then torque the bolt. Also, your pump sprocket should be locked into the support bracket with a larger diameter tool so the sprocket can't move at all, at the dealer we had a special insert tool for this, but a socket will work. There are more accurate timing marks on the crank sprocket than the flywheel. Then you should set the injection pump timing, it's almost always off of ideal. Guaranteed yours is off now. This requires a special dial indicator, but it's easy to do.
100% true!
Yup.
agreed and further to that inn our side of the world its not even neccessay to remove the tappet cover gasket to get your cam timing correct ...all you got to do is look on the inside of the cam sprocket there is a dimple stamped on...that dimple must sit level to the tappet cover but closer to the diesel pump (if that makes sense) and your cam should be spot on TDC... then set your crank to TDC and then your pump ...then you can lock the cam belt into place with the tensioner making sure not to move the timing mark out
@@JustinPaul1st Except the sprocket isn't indexed with the cam on the diesel. You must be thinking of the gasoline engine. Only way to set the timing is to align the machined groove on the end of the cam with the valve cover mating surface. We had a special tool that was a precision ground fixture for this task. Oh, and while the valve cover is off, adjust the valves.
Drew Snyderman knows how to set the timing and belt on a VW Diesel because I do too. Our dealership had 35 mechanics when the Diesel was introduced in 1976. No one wanted to work on them, so I "specialized" in them and ultimately made a ton of money working on the stupid things. The guy in the video talks a lot, but doesn't know much about them..
the VWR is a keeper, that little diesel is good for a million miles. Detail it inside and out, do a bit of paint correction on the cowl and A-pillar wouldn't blend 100% but it will be better than looking at the rust.
Mike, to try and stay on fixed budget, I'm pretty sure you can get a rattle spray can of single stage paint mixed up at any auto paint supplier, just given them the body color code that's on the ID tag. You could have that car looking really decent in an afternoon. This car is not far off factory condition, it deserves the makeover. Keep up the great content, tell your dad he's an awesome dude. Can't wait to see more of the RV / camper build
Currently restoring a 82 Rabbit. Watching you work on this one is exciting.
I still have my original Rabbit Diesel that my parents bought in 1981. It hasn't run in a few years, and I decided to get it running again. The injection pump was pretty gunked up, so I had it rebuilt (it has 320K miles on it, so why not?), and now it seems to have a fueling issue. If you prime it, it runs until the pump runs out. When you replaced the return line, you made me think that maybe mine is leaking and not holding a vacuum to pull fuel from the tank properly? Who knows? I'll keep beating on it and eventually get it running right. Nice work on this little guy! I hate to see mk1's just rotting away. They're not great in today's vehicle climate, but they're classics!
I bought an 81 rabbit diesel I bought in 65 with 86,000 showing on the odometer and it was broke I drove it 5 years and ran the wheels off of it GREAT cars!!!😊
I'm in the process of reviving a MK2 Jetta 1.6D that homeless were sleeping in. Just got it running too! Love saving these VWs. Keep on doing what you do guys.
Ready to take it on a cross country road trip.
Nice work. I like the way you do things, you don't just throw a battery at it and start cranking. You replace all the important things first, oil, antifreeze, fuel and especially the belt. 👍 I've had an 81 VW diesel, 315k miles, an 85 diesel, 256k miles, and now a 2002 diesel, 448k miles and still going strong.
I have a soft spot for those old VW rabbits absolutely worth saving this one
A Scirroco would be a great find. My first two cars were Scirrocos. An ‘83 and a’88 16v. I’d love to see someone bring one of them back to life.
I've loved VW Rabbits since I was a kid back in the 80s. So when you guys got a low mileage one and brought it back to life, I got really excited! I really enjoy watching you and your dad working together. Your videos are so much fun to watch. Can't wait to see this get detailed and on the road.
In Australia, we call them a diesel Golf. Never heard of a Rabbit here.
@@darrenashley126they where only called Rabbit in the states! Everywhere else was the golf or the mk1.
@@anibalbabilonia1867in Austria they were also called Rabbit!
@@albinklein7680Austria…put another shrimp on the barbie.
Absolutely love the Volkswagen Rabbit wish they would come back and make the new one what a great little car
They still make them in south Africa i believe. They are called city golf
That little rabbit wants to hop down the road again! It's a worthy candidate for a full resto. I'd love to see you guys bring this one back to it's former glory! Keep up the amazing work - absolutely love your channel. Thank you both for providing such great content!
😆😆
Had a 1981 Rabbit Diesel L with a 4-speed. After rebuilding the engine and driving on a long trip, I couldn't stand that transaxle so when returning home, I went to my favorite parts place and swapped out the 4-speed for a late model 5-speed. What a difference on the highway! I used to get about 55 MPG on the highway. After 6 months, someone wanted my drivetrain to put into another car so sold that car for profit, and bought a rebuilt 85 Golf diesel w/5-speed. Drove that car every day 120 miles a day for 2 years and then gave to my son.
Thanks for taking a break from the old American iron and having some Mk1 diesel fun again.
I had an ‘84 diesel rabbit 2 dr in high school. Had 300K on it when the odometer broke. Everyone knew me by that car. It was slow, loud, and shook when it idled.. but I loved it. And diesel was 99 cents a gallon back then. Now I have a 2023 GTI 40th anniversary edition : )
I was so happy to see you pull that fram filter off and put a wix on it
Amazed at your knowledge of Rabbits. But, beyond that, you give us a "Master Class" on reviving old engines. Unlike other tubers who just throw gas down the carb to see what happens, you take time with the basics of the engine. Well edited, too.
Just got a 74 beetle running, sitting since 2004.. great work guys!
Dude the rabbit is very clean for where you found it. That motor is definitely a low mileage. The rabbit truck is my favorite, and the burnt comet. Best ever
So, I guess what we call a VW Golf in the U.K. in the U.S. it’s called a Rabbit OK now I know 🤔 I just love the enthusiasm you and your dad show, I’m sure the systematic way you approach “first starts” increases the success rate, all credit to you for doing that 👍🙂
yes, the first and fifth gen Golfs were called Rabbits here in the US
Had a 81 5 door VW Fox Wagon petrol with 5 Speed Box and Duel float chamber. Went like the wind. Bought it neglected and restored it to running condition. Had the same headlights and indicators. Had triangle tail lights. Lost it in a car accident when someone drove into the right side firewall pillar and bend the right wheel on top of the engine. Was a fine car and I would probably still drove it if it wasn't for the accident. Good memories with her. Her favorite speed was 160km an hour or 100 miles per hour was her sweet spot. Keep on restoring these old gems.
My parents had an 80 Rabbit Diesel with a 4 speed. Great little car. Nice to see it rescued.
These Mk1 diesel are simple amazing machines. Congrats on bringing another VW to life ✌️
They're s l o w but they last and last.
In April 1979, I paid my deposit on a diesel Rabbit at Jordan VW in Charlotte. Took delivery in Aug. 1979 of a lemon yellow diesel Rabbit with round headlights, the last German diesel Jordan VW imported. It was a 4 speed with dealer installed AC, quite a drag on that little diesel engine. I put about 280,000 miles on it until a wreck in April 1984. What I would give to have it back again, the 50 plus mpg, and that rockin' stereo I had in it!
I'm glad you and your father are fixing these up, Michael. Really enjoy each episode!
Dad had an 81 diesel rabbit, 4 spd, no ac, 4 door.
It was my daily driver in HS in the 90s, and delivered pizzas with it for several years in college.
Dad DIY’d it and kept it running.
Remember having to tap the starter solenoid with a hammer for a bit, till he got the starter changed.
Once I had some money put a couple Rockford Fosgate punch 10’s in the hatch, and a portable CD player with one of those cassette adaptors to the aftermarket head unit.
Put it in the ditch on our gravel road, sliding it around a corner.
Dad wasn’t happy, but a kids gotta have some fun.
I normally cannot sit still for longer than 5 minutes without my mind wandering off, this little rabbit had me glued to my screen. My dad also had a diesel Mk1, one of his favourite stories to tell. Can't wait for the next episode!
The Rabbit Diesel videos are the ones I love the most. Awesome little car.
oh, for me the first guy on youtube whos changing belt and oil even before cranking it with the starter, i'm so satisfied. cool channel
I still drive a golf 3 today.... year of construction 1995... special series... rolling stone....manufactured the VW factory in Wolfsburg... almost 39 worked there...including 38 years in the pressing....where everything begins for a body
My dad had one of these when I was a kid. That familiar unmistakable sound of a diesel rabbit. When that thing fired, I was hit with an instant wave of nostalgia. How can you not smile when you hear that little indestructible bastard come back to life lol.😂
You found a diamond in the rough, these were and are still very reliable transportation, nothing fancy but it'll get you there and back
Cool, a VW Golf! One of my schoolmates had one, 42 years ago. An awesome car, used to fit (just) 4 then-full-sized European teenagers.
Man that car brings me back memories! I used to own a 1979 Rabbit in 1981, I used to love that little bugger! It was my first car! I was 18 years old at the time. So just imagine the excitement of having your first car! Mine was two doors with the 4 speed manual transmission, also white like yours. With the black interior. The engine was a 1.5L gasoline. For me being my first car, it was a hell of a lot of fun driving it. Man that runs and sounds great! Great long lasting engine’s! Can’t wait to see what you guy’s do to it in the near future! That’s awesome! Great job guy’s!👌😎👍
Love your channel, viewing from the UK. A top tip for changing those toothed timing belts without having to worry about locking up the cams is to slice the old belt half way along it's length, loosen the tensioner & remove the front half. Slide the new belt onto the pulleys as far as you can then cut off the remaining old belt and finish fitting the new one. Saves all that alignment hassle!
It also saves all that replacing the tensioner "hassle" , which is the thing that generally snaps the belt. So its a bit of a shit redneck way of doing it and not to be recommended!
Just put a new power steering pulley on my '90 1.6 diesel Jetta, all the underhood architecture is extremely familiar. It just got a new timing belt @ 400,000 km's. Northern Ontario, dealing with rust requires considerable ongoing effort.
Please put him in his original state as much as you can. This little rabbit is awesome and makes part of the (European) historicale automobile heritage. Thank you to make it again a driver.
My Uncle had a Rabbit Diesel. He got around 50-60 MPG. They are great little cars. I never noticed the scar on your forehead before. I hope it wasn't from anything traumatic!! Love your content. Yall represent us SC boyz awesome!!!
My college roommate inherited a diesel rabbit that was a few years older than this guy. Couldn't do much on the drag strip, but was mint. Really like the attention to detail! Great work!
They weren’t fast but 50 mpg is good enough for me. I need to find a Caddy, the pickup style.
My pops just gave me his 81 diesel rabbit truck that I'm gonna pick up in 2 days! I'm stoked
I'd keep it stock - clean and sterilize it first, but keep it stock. Like you said, this is a somewhat rare plain-Jane example. Very few of those around. But the rust around the base of the windshield is concerning.
Thanks for the Great Video, Michael and Dad!
i have this car's great-great-great-great grandson, the Mk7 Golf TDI. its best car i've ever owned. these little VW diesels will run forever if you take care of them!
When changing Cambelt on these you can do it very simple by using a sharp Knife. Cut the Belt in the middle so it becomes thinner. Then release tension and put on the new Belt halfway. Cut away the old Belt completely and slid the new on fully. Apply the Tensioner again and you are done!
Great tip!! We will definitely have to try that on one soon! 😃
Nice tip, but I always replace the idler pulley, the bearings and water pump which won't work with your method. What I have always done is put at white mark on the cam gear and belt, the camshaft gear and belt and the injection pump gear and belt. I then line up the old with the new belts and transfer the marks to the new belt. Then, just put the new belt on and line up the marks on the gears. I've probably changed a dozen belts this way and never had a failure.
@@BudgetBuildzplease, please do not!! You absolutely have to do it the right way. It is extremely rewarding when it is running like a clock after doing the timing belt right.
You absolutely have to remove the camshaft pulley and put the belt on with the injection pump locked and the camshaft pulley loose.
I had an 86 turbo diesel jetta. The old guy I bought it from said a half quart atf in every third tank. Bought it with 176k and sold it at 450k. Never any drive train issues. Just started looking for another for daughters first car.
Keep it stock and enjoy it. Why mess with perfection. Cant wait to see it cleaned up! Thank you! From VW enthusiast in KZN South Africa.
You guys are awesome! I love watching you transform these cars, so much so that it’s 12:04am in the UK and I’m watching your video! 😂
I knew someone when I was younger that had a base model late 70's Rabbit. Such a fun little car.
I'm preaching to the choir but one often overlooked but important maintenance check on these 1.6 liter V-Dub diesels is to check the valve clearances. Keeping the valve clearances correctly adjusted or not on these engines will make or break how they run. For example I took a trip from Portland, OR to Reno, Nevada some years ago in my 1980 VW Dasher diesel. About 100 miles south of Portland heading for Reno I started experiencing a lack of power and some heating issues. I made it to Reno and back but it was an unpleasant trip to say the least. Long story short when I returned to Portland after checking the obvious fuel related potential issues I decided to adjust the valves (these valves are adjusted with shims). After adjusting the valves I had a "new" car.
I used to work on these. You get better timing by knocking the cam sprocket loose when replacing the timing belt. The cam sprocket is not keyed like most. It is a taper fit. You knock it loose and retighten after tensioning the belt. Also, when priming, you can put low air pressure to that tube that is stuck in the frame. That is the fuel tank vent. You can remove the vent screw on the filter and push fuel from the tank to the filter by giving a little air pressure on the vent tube.
I have an 81 VW pick up1.6 diesel I installed a turbo charger It made a world of difference in the little truck . Also installed a 5 speed transmission I really love driving in the truck.
I JUST bought a white four door 84 rabbit 4 speed as a parts car. Your previous 1.6d videos actually helped me get my first one running! Glad to see essentially my exact car being worked on. Mine needs a head gasket.
They all do or will soon .
Great tip on making sure the bit is all the way in on an Allan head fastener.. also a good idea to clean the heads out beforehand..
Such a sweet old girl.. well done for showing her some love.
Car is a trooper. Fine German engineering.
My GTI has been running like a champ since day one. Love VW.
Can't wait to see that beauty back on the road.
I learned to drive on one of these 1985. My dad bought it new in 1981 and by the mid 90's there was nothing left of it but a small pile of rust. Great car!
!
Had a diesel rabbit in the early 80s during some awful northern Illinois winters. Easier to let it run all night than try to start on a below zero morning. Got 45 - 50 mpg. Farted blue smoke like crazy. Loved that little engine. Rest of the car rust rotted to death.
I'm looking forward to seeing this car fully cleaned up and back on the road. A friend had a '79 Diesel L that was very nice, very slow, and indestructible. Great video!
Wow, I love that old diesel sound. In Europe this VW is called a Golf. At the end of each Mk model a special series is made which is called Rabbit.
Just woke up! Having tea and toast. Will watch it now. You do love your VW's....I had 2 rabbits and one Polo. Rob, Cairns, Down Under
Best engine ever. I have mine with 500 000km on clock and after 12 years it start without problem with 12 years old diesel, just the best, I use it as daily now, without any problem :)
Talk about easy peasy u didn't have to busted ur knuckle to much on that 🐰 awesome keep up the good work ❤👍
As someone not as familiar with diesels or VWs, that was very very educational. You two are fun to watch at work. My family has also been enjoying the motorhome rebuild!
I worked for an auto parts store in the early '80s that had Volkswagen diesel pickups. The fuel mileage was insane
Yeah, I averaged 55 mpg the first year I owned my ‘81.
This was my driver school car here in Germany in 1985! I still remember my teacher shouting at me.....don`t rev the engine so high! haha......best wishes! Michael
Love every thing you do together with your father. Thanks a lot for shearing.god bless you all
My mom have a two red rabbit with black interior and stick shift I remember riding in it as a kid in the 90s brings back memories
wow great. I drive a german VW Golf from 1983, 1,1l Benzin (Gasoline I guess in english), 50 Horse Power, but my very first car was a 1,5l Diesel from 1979. It was a pleasure to see inside this old Golf I Diesel engine area after so many years. My current 1,1l is a 5 door too btw. So 5 door is not as bad as you might think. Last Oldtimer-Meeting in Dresden (Sunday, October 15th 2023), there were 4 Golf I on the area, only one(!) was a 3 door!
My daily is still a 1981 Rabbit Diesel LX Pickup, with 5spd and a/c. Found it in a field in '93 and restored it back to how it left the factory. Was a tech at the dealer at the time, and parts were still very available. Prior to that, my daily was a 1979 2 door Rabbit L diesel, that I added 5spd, a/c, and a rear hatch with wiper to. My truck goes to and from the Grand Canyon 2 or 3 times a year, across the central CA desert, and AZ, in at, near, triple digit weather, 10yrs each way.
My first car in life!!! Still mis her!!!!! Loved this build and in South Africa we call it a VW Golfie
I had a '79 Rabbit diesel 5 speed. Bought it for $25. Put in a timing belt and drove it for 2 years with no problems!!
I had a few Rabbits myself. and a 1980 Dasher.... I absolutely LOVED them!! Got 45+j mpg. I would love it if they made the very same vehicles today!!!! Bet they would sell like hotcakes!
My second car was a 1977 volkswagen rabbit, wolfsburg edition, i believe? two door, 4 speed. it was fuel injected, but when it was cold, you had to start it with ether! the only way to have headlights, was to prop a 7018 welding rod behind the turn signal switch, against the dash! i was 16 years old when i had it and it was a great car to learn about! keep the videos coming.
awesome that you and your dad can do this together.
awesome! im a vw guy, have 09,07 84,81 gti's a 90 golf 96 vr6 jetta gli. never owned a diesel. this had a ton of info thank you.
It seems to me that your videos just keep getting better. Not only content, but the quality. It shows you put a lot of thought into them. And I love anything VW, good stuff you two!
The patina on that replacement starter is a perfect match for the rest of the Rabbit.
Love the sound of an old diesel have fond memories of my dad's 80 240 D Mercedes that little 4 cyl just ran like a clock just to start it up a hear it was pleasure also enjoyed driving it .he bought used in 1997 from a car lot that the salvation arm ran in downtown San Diego he paid 900.00 for it and drove home he did a little work to it himself he was not a mechanic but worked on many cars in his teenage years growing up in the 50"s also rebuild a few motors and little bit of everything else but that 240 was his first diesel but he picked up on to it really quickly. And did all the regular things himself. This little car was a blast to drive. I sure miss it. Love to see an old one come to life and enjoyed the music of hearing it run. Thank you for posting another good video.
Fantastic!! The first car I ever bought was an 82 Rabbit! Great memories!
You two look more like brothers as your dad looks too young to be your dad,good for him👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
I’ve had several VW’s, two Beetles, a Mk4 Golf, and a 1.8 TDI Vento all good, reliable cars 👍🙂
Native Charlottean here. My mom had that exact Rabbit. I drove it everywhere. It’s license plate was K’Bang. I had a 78 VW Scirocco that I regret selling. Dr. Dave in Newton-Conover worked on both of them. I miss both vehicles. I haven’t lived in NC for over 30 years now. No Lexington BBQ in Colorado. Thank you for the great video.
"I don't want a bunny-wunny in my little row boat, in my little row boat on the pond. Cause the wabbit might be crazy and he'll bite me in the throat, in my little row boat on the pond". - Arlo Guthrie @ Spirit Square in 1984
My cousin had a diesel rabbit like that and I was so jealous. Wonderful grocery getter. Zippy as hell too. Great find.
That engine sound takes me back to my first car, a 1984 MK1 Golf diesel, 5dr, white, with nice European bumpers, headlights and taillights. These little cars are indestructible. If i remember correctly, that radiator is not the original one. Great find, I'd keep it stock.