1989 VW Jetta Questions

« **on:** July 13, 2006, 02:39:30 PM »

Hi, I'm new to the VW field but about a month ago picked up a Diesel 1989 Jetta from a lot in Hixson. I love this car and it runs wonderful, although it has slow pickup.
Apparently at one time it was a turbo diesel but I wanted to make sure and ask around before picking up parts...
Would it be possible to retrofit a turbo to the current engine?
I've also been playing with biodiesel for it, if anyone else is I'd like to hear their stories about how its working out for them

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2006, 08:32:50 AM »

I may be very wrong here , but I don't think VW offered a Turbo option in 1989 for Jettas in the U.S. did they ?
I would contact Rick Swafford ( certdubtech) at the VW dealer. He could check and see.
The only older model Turbo diesel I have seen was a Rabbit in the early '80. I don't know where it came from, but it was factory .
What clue do you have that your Jetta was a Turbo at one time ? :?

« **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2006, 09:07:38 AM »

There is a steel plate bolted over the carb that shouldn't be there, also a tech at the VW dealership and my other automechanic said they suspected it used to be a turbo (according to the engine block, the engine is not the original that came in the car, I suspect it was a swap-out). Also, the engine is three years older than the car, so there is a strong possibility it came from a rabbit and not a jetta

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:02:11 AM »

A steel plate over the carb ? What carb ? Are you talking about the intake manifold ? Still could be a Jetta engine as the Jetta and the Rabbit diesel engines were ID other than a few small details.
The non-turbo diesel engines had 23 to 1 compression ratio and the turbo engines had less,I'm not sure what it was anymore.
The non-turbo cars were slow and noisey but when they got out of their own way they were just fine. If your car seems to perform OK and gives you good fuel mileage( high 30s to mid 40s mpg) I question installing a turbo as you or I don't know what lurks under the clylinder head. Turbo's are OK if you take care of them, but can be a rolling disaster if they are not used in the right application. Big bucks when things go wrong.
I would get serveral opinions from people who really,really know the "ins and outs" of retro fitting a turbo. You don't know if your engine would even stand up under the stress of a turbo due to not knowing what kind of condition the engine is in mech, bearings,rings.valves etc.

« **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2006, 11:31:11 AM »

Good point, I'll definetly have to ask around...
I had a turbo on my 1991 Miata that I installed and it ran great for 5 years, with maintenence of course....
When I recieved the Jetta, I noticed several things that set me off:
1. Many parts were missing or replaced with sub-standard or incorrect parts
(Tightener for the Power Steering, Bolts holding the Alternator belt tensioner were gone)
2. Engine was very dirty (well it is a diesel....) but looked to have no major maintenece perfomed, I've had the cylinders re-bored and replaced the seals and the compression is still rather low, another thing that makes me wonder, as none of the mechanics I visit can seem to find a reason for low compression (No vacuum leaks).

Thanks for your help! I really enjoy the car however, I'm definetly a VW convert (My fiance has wanted a classic beetle for ages, I might just grant her wish)

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2006, 04:01:51 PM »

What is the compression ? Our monthly meeting is tonight at the China Moon in the Eastgate center on Brainerd Rd about 7:00 pm. Come join us and we will try to figure your "Beast"out

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