Some helpful Vanagon and Volkswagen diesel engine information. EXIT
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Mine is stock 1983 1.6NA, which means Naturally Aspirated (not turbo). Yeah its a gutless wonder.
Use a genuine VW head gasket on every job. I learned the hard way. Cheap imitations are gonna cost you in the long run. |
Preheater
Your engine can already be warm when you crank it with an internal There is also a 600 watt version for colder climates
I don't think it is terribly critical that the plug goes at the pulley end of the block. It works most efficiently at the end with less metal mass, which is the pulley end. But this is the hardest access and also exposed to most heat, deteriorating the wire fastest.
- Get the heater/s at NAPA, it is 1ΒΌ inch diameter and 400 watts.
- Drain coolant, make a mess.
- Remove freeze plug. My experience is a sharp chisel, take the chisel to a grinder and have it SHARP! The installation of the freeze plug is that it is pounded in the center and expands to fit tight. You must break this compression by cutting the disk of the metal, it then comes out easily. Remember the cylinder walls are in there so don't pound with a sledgehammer. Try not to damage the cast iron hole surface or the rubber seal won't.
- Lube the O ring with soap.
- Element points up due to the casting around the hole inside. This means the wire will go towards the engine pulley.
- Don't screw it in too tight. Be aware that if you install it wrong when the coolant gets pressure the plug will pop out, so do the initial warmup in your driveway.
Timing Belt
You can lever the tensioning pulley with a large screwdriver from under the wheel, there is a freeze plug there conveniently located for leverage.
Ensure that the slot on the flywheel end of the cam is parallel with the rim of the head, you can use a vice-grip to lock it in place while you install the belt. If you remove the toothed pulley it is a little more strenuous.
Because the engine is set at TDC during the operation the pump is popping backwards, this is the toughest part of the job. After the belt is on but before you tighten the tensioner you can jump notches to position the pump.