Is '81 Diesel Rabbit interference engine?

I'm looking into buying a diesel Rabbit with 80,000 miles on it. The original owner passed away and the guy selling it doesn't know whether the timing belt was ever changed. If I gamble that is has been changed, or I don't get it done right away and the belt breaks do I run the risk of damaging the engine?

If the belt is too difficult for me to do myself and I have to pay to have it done, what kind of cost am I looking at?

Thank much!!

Wow. I just got a quote from a local VW dealer for doing the Timing Belt, Water Pump, etc. at $850.00. If I decide to get this car it is either do the work myself or don't get it at all.

It looks like the specialized tools + parts (belts, waterpump, etc.) would run me about $350.00. Does that seem about right? Well, it looks like this probably isn't the right car at the right time -- I can't afford to do the initial work on it and pay for the car too!

Thanks, folks.

I do believe any small engine like this is interferance... You should at least be able to drive it home. Id it idles right and timing is on... just be gentle with her. NEVER GO TO DEALERS, they will rip you a new one. Go wholesale or discount, or used. Check out www.thepartsbin.com wholesale site and all orders over $50 are free ground shipping. Here are the items you are looking for below.

Belt Kit + Pump and gaskets should run you about...
$120.00 +


Timing Belt: $11.76
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Timing+Belt

Timing Belt Tensioner: $17.31 to $24.17
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Timing+Belt+Tensioner

or

Tming Belt Kit (with Tensioner): $34.87
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Timing+Belt+Kit

Tensioner Stud: $1.48
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Tensioner+Stud

Timing Cover Grommet: $1.48
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Timing+Cover+Grommet

Valve Cover Gasket Set: $4.64
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Valve+Cover+Gasket

Water Pump: Price depends on application...
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Water+Pump

Water Pump gasket: $7.79
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Water+Pump+Gasket

Water Pump houseing (just in case): $31.25
http://oem.thepartsbin.com/parts/thepartsbin/wizard.jsp?year=1981&make=VW&model=RAB--001&category=All&part=Water+Pump+Housing

Thanks much. I never would go to the dealer if I have a choice, but I was curious as to how much they would charge. However, I have not been able to find a diesel mechanic nearby to get a quote from.

Boschman said that there some special tools and gauges that I would need to do the diesel timing belt. Any idea what they are and how much they cost?

Thanks,

yea I don't know... i can ask later this week. there is a shop near by here where they specialize in Porche / Audi / VW. One of the "Technicians" there has a diesel caddy and they all know their sh!t.

I see you are from Philly... If you want to make a trip to Chantilly, VA they are right down the street from here.
Curry Auto, Chantilly, VA

Funny, I bought our Minivan in Manassas, VA and drove it back home. Is Chantilly anywhere near there?

Actually, I'd much rather learn to do it myself 'cause I really can't afford to pay for someone else to do it. It's the cost of the darn specialty tools (that I'll only use about once every 3 or 4 years) that bothers me. Thanks alot.

You should have asked the dealer is it was....

I know a VW mechanic here, Ill ask him this week for you....

The specialty tools that you would need include a lock plate for the camshaft, a centering pin for the fuel injection pump and a dial indicator w/adapter for setting the fuel pump timing. The dial indicator is the most expensive (some people do the job without resetting the injection timing, but it is not recommended). You can find all of these on eBay (not the tdi tools as they are different). With a good manual like Bentley it is probably a job you can do yourself. Most independent mechanics have long since paid for these older tools & usually the entire job runs less than $300, but that's down here in the Southeast.

Funny, I bought our Minivan in Manassas, VA and drove it back home. Is Chantilly anywhere near there?

Actually, I'd much rather learn to do it myself 'cause I really can't afford to pay for someone else to do it. It's the cost of the darn specialty tools (that I'll only use about once every 3 or 4 years) that bothers me. Thanks alot.

You can always offer to help friends with their's at a small charge.. when you learn.

Chantilly is about 20-40 min from Man-Ass-as or Manasshole as we call it haha

It's a good idea but, unfortunately, I don't know a single other person with a diesel. I wish I did.

Hey Boschmann, is the injection timing something that has to be done when the belt is off? I guess it's not possible to replace the belt/waterpump and then take it to somebody for the injection timing, huh.

Thanks,

the vw diesel engine is an interferience engine (the piston protrudes half way through the head gasket and the bottom of the head is flat all of the way across). if the timing belt breaks then you are in for a ride. fear not, doing a timing belt replacement is not difficult (but don't ride on a questionable belt!) just get a manual and follow the directions closely. the only tool that you realy need to buy is the dial indicator and its adapter, everything else can be made or borrowed from other stuff if nessecary (a flat file to lock the cam shaft and a deep 10mm or 11mm socket to imobilise the pump pully come to mind quickly). on second thought you may also want to get the pin spanner for the belt tensioner also. two 1" pieces of car antenna and a screw driver will work, but man will it test your dexterity. anyway, if you go to e-bay you can usually bid on the whole set of tools in one auction. belts usually cost around $35 and a new tensioner is about $40 (repalce the tensioner if it wobbles from side to side or makes any noise when you spin it). you will also end up replacing the valve cover gasket which is about $15 counting the gasket, sealant, and brake cleaner to prepare the surfaces (oil will keep the sealant from forming a suitable bond). not counting the tools that is only $90 +/- a few depending on the brand that you get. the special tools hold their value if they are taken care of so they can always be resold if nessecary. so do some reading and get dirty. it is fun, i promise.

don't forget to check the valve lash while you have the valve cover off. it is not critical but it will make for a better running engine if everything is in peak condition. check the link in my previous post for a good vw diesel parts and special tool source. they stock oem vw stuff. you can even e-mail them with questions you may have.