1984 Rebuild

[84Vert]

Yesterday I was able to do a little on the Rabbit. Got the radiator fan motor in, was not a straight forward replacement. The new fan had a 3 connector plug and the old one was a 2 pin connector. Robbed the spare harness of the 3 pin connector and wa la it works. Then the rain came Next is to replace the shifter bushings. Pictures to follow.

My lovely wife got me a spot sand blaster for Christmas, can't wait to try it out

[84Vert]

Worked on the Rabbit some this weekend. Shifter bushings replaced, Raidator fan motor replaced, exhaust back on. All of that was good, then I filled it up with water and started it. The pictures will show how much oil is in the water. The pictures are after radiator flush, this was the 2nd rinse water.

[84Vert]

Shifter pictures

[CalAltaDubber]

Wow! That shift rod looks like new.

[Briano1234]

Worked on the Rabbit some this weekend. Shifter bushings replaced, Raidator fan motor replaced, exhaust back on. All of that was good, then I filled it up with water and started it. The pictures will show how much oil is in the water. The pictures are after radiator flush, this was the 2nd rinse water.

Oil In Radiator.JPG

Oil in Water.JPG

New Fan Motor.JPG

A mech told me that when that happens they fix the leak then run a bottle of shout in clear water, allow it to come to temp and work for about 15 minutes, then cool and drain, they then do a flush/backflush and all is well and devoid of oil.....

Was the cause a bad head gasket or leaking oil cooler?

[84Vert]

Not sure where the leak is. My first thought is the head gasket. I had not even thought of the oil cooler. There is no water in the oil, just oil in the water. I will look into the oil cooler. The shout sounds like a good idea

Wow! That shift rod looks like new.

Thanks, it is amazing what a brass wire brush on a grinder will do.

[Briano1234]

Oil pressure exceeds the a/f coolant pressure, so oil in the water can happen if the oil cooler goes. Since the a/f pressure is always lower It usually don't contaminate the oil.

With the check valve in the flange and the blow back in the filter, pressure is usually there keeping the a/f at bay when stopped.

[84Vert]

Thanks Brian, the more I read about the oil cooler the more I am leading towards that is the problem. It is the original and after sitting for 8+ years I am sure it has corroded away inside.

[Briano1234]

Thanks Brian, the more I read about the oil cooler the more I am leading towards that is the problem. It is the original and after sitting for 8+ years I am sure it has corroded away inside.

Here is the one I took off my 89, small hole... caused by da da da da da hose clamps.



Ron has a pic of one with a internal leak....

[84Vert]

New oil cooler has arrived now just waiting on the rubber gasket to come. Since you need to replace the gasket when replacing the oil cooler how come the oil cooler does not come with one?

[84Vert]

Wahoo, parts are in hopefully this weekend the weatherman will be kind and I can get the new oil cooler installed

[84Vert]

Installed the new oil cooler and wala no more oil in the water! Flushed the radiator a couple of times to get all of the oil out, filled it up with antifreeze. Now ready for the next part to be ordered.

Out with old in with the new

[84Vert]

Started the Rabbit this weekend and put on the new radiator cap. Low and behold another leak pops up. This time is the the heater control plastic thing. Luckly it is just a small leak and not a gusher. Now to fine one of those. Or move to the Keys and not worry about a heater

[Briano1234]

Started the Rabbit this weekend and put on the new radiator cap. Low and behold another leak pops up. This time is the the heater control plastic thing. Luckly it is just a small leak and not a gusher. Now to fine one of those. Or move to the Keys and not worry about a heater

www.napaonline.com replace it now as it will go and spew a/f and your car will over heat.

[84Vert]

Yes, it will get replaced. Lucky for me the Rabbit is still on blocks and not drivable or the wife would be driving it.