I have an 82 300 TD which sags to the drivers side when parked but comes up level when started. The car is parked across a slight incline which is lower on the drivers side. Is this anything to worry about?

Thanks for your help!

Your car uses a hydraulic self-leveling system as part of the rear suspension. I assume it uses engine power (vacuum or hydraulic pump) to operate this self-leveling system. So, when it's parked it sinks down to its "relaxed" state; when you crank it up it levels itself.

From what I've read, the TD's self-leveling system is easy and inexpensive to maintain, but will die a horrible, expensive death if NOT maintained. Change the filter and fluid every year or two, perhaps about as often as you change brake fluid.

Others with TDs can probably give you more insight (or correct me).

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

When I bought my 82 wagon a year ago, I repaced the accumulators ( they work like shocks & look like a kids magic 8 ball) for the rear hyd lift system. I think I read something about a check valve somewhere in the system, thats what your problem sounds like. I don't remember if it was a part on its own (a good thing) or a part in a part ( a $ thing). Use the search button, there is a lot of good info on the self leveling system here. I saved me a lot of $$$ larning about it here & doing it myself.

Good luck & let us know.

~George~

BTW, the hydraulic pump is driven off the timing chain, kind of neat, huh?