W O W

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I built a really VERY nice turbodiesel for my classic 1981 VW Rabbit Pickup. I broke it in nice and slow with 15-40 Rotella and all was well, though the oil temperature was a tad high.
I just switched it over to Mobil 1 TDT and I can't believe the difference. The oil temperature stays 20 degrees below the lowest previous operating temperature and the engine is quieter and more responsive.
Synthetic is definitely the way to go.
Oh, here's my truck

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I would still like to see that parked in "my" garage.
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You really did a nice job of restoring that VW. If I remember correctly, the engine pictures are pretty impressive also.
 
Lovely truck! I worked on VWs when those came out!

I have seen drops in temp with syns too but, devil's advocate here, were the "before" temps averaged before the engine was fully broken in? If not, the true test would be a switch back to Rotella at the next OC and check again. I also assume the viscosity was the same for each oil.
 
I believe he broke it in on Rotella T 15W-40 and is now using Mobil 1 TDT 5W-40. Would probably be a closer test to try the Rotella T Synthetic 5W-40.
 
DC, I'd also like to see you switch back to Rotella to check the temperature. Very nice truck, but IIRC they were one of the stinkiest diesels you could ever want to follow
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Johnny, why do you have two red ?? after your sig now?
 
If you really want to know I will send you a PM. I cannot discuss religion on here. It has absolutely nothing to do with motor oil or my retirement statement.
 
In 85 I bought a new Ford Escort diesel. After several OCs with 10-30 dino I put in M1 10-30 and that engine definantly became quiter and smoother. That thing went 300,00 miles when the body fell apart from rust. That was the last time I had a car undercoated.
 
Nice truck! What did you do to the engine? A buddy in my motorsports club has modded his 1.9TDI up to 180whp and 300ftlb... It now smokes from both ends!
 
Beautiful truck! Reminds me of the 81 VW SPORTRUCK I bought new in March 1981. Probably the WORST built (in PA) vehicles I've owned but after 3yrs of tinkering and improvements it became a very decent little truck. I miss it.
 
I always wanted one of those little trucks, just hard to find in decent condition. What kind of mileage (MPG) do you get with it?
 
El Carabbit? Rabbmino? Just what is this thing???

Seriously though, nice work there. I remember these from my youth (I'm HS class of '79, college '83). I have not seen one of those myself in well over ten years.

Interesting that you've got Hydroedges on it. I bet that back in the early 80s, folks would have been utterly amazed at how nice those tires are compared to the hideous rubber they were making back then.
 
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Something is missing.... I just can't put my finger on it.... Oh yeah!

Where's the rust?

Also, does it have the 1.9-liter TD? If so then it should be reasonably fast and reasonably free of excessive exhaust smoke.
 
Real nice truck there DC Stewart.

What I like even more is the clarity of your attached photo.

So I gotta' ask -- What is the make and model of your camera?
 
Originally Posted By: H2GURU
I'm dissappointed... in the Northeast that acronym means
" whip 'em out Wednesday"
Please tell me that it's a gun you're whipping out and nothing else.
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