Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

I'm guessing the reasoning behind the two springs is that if one spring breaks, the other spring will be enough to get the "throttle" closed again...?

UPDATE - I filled the transmission back up and most of my shifting problems went away. I was able to drive home with no issues, shifting in 1st and 2nd seemed a bit stiffer. At home, I replaced the bushings on the relay shaft (hadn't done that earlier). Shifting is fine, still a little clunky going ...

Hi... I've got a problem. My Jetta (1986, five-speed manual) has been running pretty good for a while, it's been leaking gear oil out of the flange seals. Anyway, I think I let the transmission fluid get too low. All was OK, until I pulled off the highway and stopped at a red light. I could NOT shif...

Before you replace your heater core, do an internet search for recalls.

I think the heater core recall only covers through 1990 though.

I got my leaking heater core (in my 1986) replaced for free about five years ago...

Fatmobile wrote:I've taken apart A1 rear shocks and found the top spring seat to be rotted out.
Don't remember how my A2 spring seats looked.

My A2 spring seats were totally rusted out.

I'm guessing glow plugs. Expecially check the fusible link, since it seemed to dramatically shift from easy starting to very hard starting. I had the exact same symptoms - long cranking, lots of white smoke. The fusible link had blown, so none of the plugs were getting juice. Fusible link should be ...

A 7/8 deep socket thats hollowed out on the side with work. There for removing oxygen senors and widely available for not to much money. I got a tool for removing the slotted nut off Ebay. I used the free tool loan program at the local Autozone... They have an 02 sensor kit with an offset socket, w...

I vote for a toasted 5th gear. Sorry, I am not feeling optimistic today.

Regarding the check valve question, mine was located under the car near the (former location of the) water separator.

fyi - my 1986 Jetta heater core was leaking, and I had it replaced for free under a recall. This was about 5 years ago.

My 1986 has a check valve. Mine was plugged up and causing fuel starvation. I used McMaster Carr # 47245k18 to replace it ($6, vs something like $40 at the dealer!)

Where does the oil drip from? That is your first clue.


My Jetta leaked a lot of oil from the timing belt side of the motor. It was caused by a camshaft oil seal that was totally loose.

My theory is that I did some cranking while the engine was still running, before it died. 14.4V into 1/4 ohm is 58 amps...

It turned out to be the fusible link... the previous (original) owner had a couple spares taped to the front of the owner's manual, so it was a quick fix!

Still scratching my head to find the connection between blowing the fusible link and fuel starvation...

I had a recent ordeal with some fuel starvation issues. Trying to limp home, I ended up killing the car a few times and having to do some extended cranking on a warm engine to restart. Now, I think the glow plugs are always on when cranking. So I wonder if I burned mine out. After this ordeal, my ca...