This is my new car, a 1986 turbo diesel Jetta. I bought it from my friend in Nashville, who picked it up off Craigslist some time ago. It had a little flood damage from the 2010 Nashville floods, but it's in remarkable shape. He's put in a new starter, battery, timing belt, accessory belts, cam seal, clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, main seal, and coolant sensors. The turbo makes enough boost and it accelerates surprisingly well over a regular diesel car. And I should know, I had one of those too. The interior is in great shape with the only flood evidence on the bottom of the door panels. The injector pump is leaking a little on the low pressure side, so it drips diesel fuel when it sits. The suspension is a bit tired, but he's also thrown in a set of Bilstein shocks and struts with Neuspeed sport springs for it as well. The body is straight with no rust except for a little bit in the trunk.
Now for the bad news, on the way home from Nashville it busted the heater core hose and dumped all my coolant out and overheated. This was near South Pittsburg. I couldn't get a tow that night so it stayed at the gas station until the next morning. It's at home now, and awaiting my buddy Sal to come get it and fix it up. It starts up and idles okay, but with all the white smoke coming from the tailpipe I am afraid the head gasket may be blown or at least leaking.
I have a replacement hose on order and it should be here Friday, after which I'll put it on, fill it up with coolant and see how it does. My fingers are crossed that it isn't too bad, I can't wait to get it fixed up and on the road.
Other than that I don't have many plans for it, the whole idea was to get a cheap, reliable car to drive back and forth to work and around town. I've missed having my '89 diesel Jetta, and I think this one will be a nice replacement.
