This reminds me of the kid next to my Brother in Law. lots of partying, smoking, drinking and snorting etc...

The kid decides to replace the timing belt on a volks wagon. takes it off, then starts the engine to turn it to the timing marks. it starts, and the rest is history.

He then asks my Bro in Law for advice on what to do next.

Now, one low milage VW for sale.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I started in my early teens messin' with old lawnmower engines. The lessons are much less expensive that way. Many years later, at the first auto repair shop I worked in, one of the other mechanics finished reinstalling the head on an inline Datsun Z engine, then cranked it. Bent every valve! At least it didn't shred the timing chain.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

My friend has a four seater e type that developed a serious engine issue at about 30k. It has the v12. I tried to get him either to drop a small block chevy in or at least store it properly. It must have sat for almost 40 years now.

Have not seen it in many years but the rust probably has gotten it in storage. He did tell me in addition to everything else the gas milage on the v12 was in his opinion terrible. The adapter or conversion kits for the chev small block to jag have been out there for a very long time.

I read a quaint line the other day. Apparently the lucas or heart of darkness company built a vaccum cleaner for england.. True or not I just do not know. Anyways the product description is what got my attention . It was not their only product that sucked .

When I was a kid, I got in a hurry once while repairing my 60 VW Bug engine - 36bhp boxer four. While disassembling, I didn't keep the jugs and pistons together. While reassembling, I got the right jug in the wrong hole and ended up cracking the base of the jug which ejected a large metal shard into the brass timing gears.

Needless to say, I fubared that pooch. You live and learn.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

As a teenager, one of my first times wrenching on cars, was when Dad asked me to change the plugs on Mom's 70 VW Squareback. They were original and way overdue, so the first plug twisted off at the base, leaving the threads in the head. Dad was pissed - having to drive the car, chugging on three cylinders, to a local VW shop so they could pull the engine and extract the rest of the plug.
To this day I hate VWs!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

If at first you don't succeed, don't try skydiving.

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Remember, Safety Third!
'99 E300 Turbodiesel, '82 300TD, 1996 12V Cummins Turbo, '94 Neoplan - Detroit 6V92TA

Wow, so many VW issues! Codifiex, why would swapping jug positions lead to a crack at the bottom? Just curious as an ACVW owner.

Thanks,

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Charlie

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'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

Well, as I understand it, each jug is mated with a piston and should be kept together. Also, the openings in the crankcase for the piston, jug and connecting rod are to be used with the original or a properly fitting set.

I just grabbed a jug and a piston and shoved them in the nearest crankcase hole. I got to the last jug and it didn't want to go in. Sooo, I grabbed my hammer and went to pounding. DOH I did use a soft wooden piece on the top of the jug but the jug was being compressed by the crankcase hole and cracked.

I was 18 at the time. We learn. It was an expensive lesson.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

Responses here are really encouraging to beginners in lots of different ways, but I was wondering, what would you say to someone who is just starting out who is a total n00b?

I have a list of things I want to work on on my car, but the process is painstaking and I worry a lot about doing something wrong without even realizing it. When I do things, it generally takes forever because I'm not sure I'm doing something right.

For example, I did a valve adjustment a month ago and the valve hexes started to turn! I had no idea I needed a third wrench after reading the Diesel Giant post and Haynes manual. I now have a copy of the service manual... but can I really rely on it to walk me through things I don't have experience with? I'm not an idiot and I'm capable of learning, but it seems to me a lot of the work requires experience to know what's right and what's wrong.

Did anyone here start out without someone guiding them? How'd you do it?

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1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
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"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."

I owe my grandfather for that one. He let me destroy untold numbers of old telephones, lawn mower engines, and other mechanical things starting from before I was big enough to remember. If you lack confidence, do some simple projects to build your confidence. If you have good reasons for your lack of confidence. Start by working on things you can afford to lose, or at least be without for an extended time.

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Remember, Safety Third!
'99 E300 Turbodiesel, '82 300TD, 1996 12V Cummins Turbo, '94 Neoplan - Detroit 6V92TA

Thanks for the input! I'll continue to proceed with caution then and start saving up for the inevitable "teachable moment". Hopefully it will be a less expensive mistake! I'll also keep an eye out for random stuff I can tinker with to improve my skills and start out with maintenance jobs as much as I can. Thanks!

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1983 300TD 240k Thistle Green Auto (Euro) [sold]
1984 300D 240k Petrol Green Auto
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"You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you're going to have to learn how to deal with it."
"What? Were you saying something? Look, I don't speak Spanish."