had an old cust call me begging for me to look at his daughters car, 1979 volkswagen rabbitt, runs like a champ other than its got some blue smoke, thats the problem, do they have any common issues? valve seals/guides? or is it normal for the rings to spit out all of a sudden? if the engine is shot is there an aternative to swap in? fiqure theres more collective knowledge here on pretty much anything automotive thanks in advance folks jeff
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June 7, 2009 4:59 p.m. warpedredneck New Reader
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June 7, 2009 6:04 p.m. petegossett Dork
Valve guides usually go before the rings. Anything from a 1.6L to a 2.0L will bolt in, you'll just have to decide which fuel system you want to use. On a 79, I'm thinking that would be carbed? In which case, unless you're looking to build a hotrod, I'd leave it be.
Of course, if the body happens to be rust-free....
BTW - www.vwvortex.com has all the answers you'll ever want, just make sure you search first.
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June 7, 2009 9:21 p.m. JohnW New Reader
How much blue smoke? I'd probably try changing the oil out for some Valvoline 20w-50 -- or something even thicker -- before doing something expensive.
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June 8, 2009 7:39 a.m. warpedredneck New Reader
it is quite a bit of smoke, the car is rust free, real sweet little ride, i think i'll do a leak down, maybe a crancase flush, and see how it does thanks
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June 8, 2009 8:34 p.m. Flogger00 None
Crankcase flush'll do nothing. Check the intake tract for oil. On FI A1s, overfilled oil, or even near the full mark on a long right sweeper will cause oil to pool up on top of the head on the driver's side and get sucked through a breather into the intake tract. Generally the mosquito fog will clear after a few minutes, but it's worth checking.
HTH
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June 11, 2009 10:31 a.m. TR3only Reader
A rust-free "vintage" Rabbit? I didn't think there was such a thing.
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June 11, 2009 10:41 a.m. Paul_VR6 Reader
All the time or only on a start/decel? Do a compression AND a leakdown test. If it's the original motor/head who knows what could be going on.. 79 is getting a bit long in the tooth.
A good condition used 1.8L will cost you less then a set of rings for those motors. Many times you can get them free or have people pay you to take them.
