jhawins Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 I've recently become the new owner of a fairly great condition '89 tsi. That's the good news... On to the bad. Engine is seized!! Background: My brother bought this car with 82K miles on it about 2 years ago. It ran great, but he's a bit of a stereotypical ricer driver, meaning he stomps the gas and waits to see what happens. First he destroyed 2 rims on the driver side running into a median in the middle of town. These were much much worse than the rims I just saw in the gallery. Then he proceeded to put 2 spare tires on the thing, placing the drivers side front tire on BACKWARDS! So there was a little rub because he decided to drive it before I showed up to pick him up, no harm done, just some stupidity. Anyway, this was in the first 4-5 months of owning the car. As we all probably know by now these cars are one of the most frustrating vehicles around to try and buy new rims for, nothing farging fits at all. $1,600 later and she's sitting on 17s meant for a mustang, 17x7 in the front and 17x9 in the back I believe? Not for sure on it because I can't even drive the thing right now, the tires are 4 inches deep into the yard because it's been sitting there a year. Then 6 months later he stops at a stop light, car dies instantly (I was not there so can't diagnose what really went wrong). We put the car in gear when I show up to try and bump start it, engine is seized. I don't normally do too much charity when my brother makes a stupid decision, so I refereed him to my ex-favorite local shop and towed his car there for him. The mechanic I used to trust (while I still trusted him) told me he found metal shavings in the oil, or something along those lines, it was just small talk while we were figuring out a problem with the enduro that day. So, I'll bet the engine was deprived of oil (I know it wasn't changed over the entire length of ownership and it sat for 6 months before he bought it) and given the high-strung nature of this engine I doubt it will be salvageable. But as you all have probably heard from Indiana-ans complaining, we're getting some great snow right now. As soon as it's warm again I'll dig the car out of the yard and pull it into the garage and get to work. This is just an introduction, but watch for my rebuild/swap thread later this year. Any tips are greatly appreciated.Only 1 pic so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott87star Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Looks nice! There are a few very knowledgeable members close to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-R-Quest Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Swap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R-R-Quest Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Welcome, jhawins. I like that color! Looks like a good starting point. Put up some more pics when you can. Keep us posted on the engine status... rebuild or swap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrngwae Posted February 10, 2014 Report Share Posted February 10, 2014 Columbia City huh.... that's not too far lol welcome..... hey Scott..... us yanks don't know squat but your phone number lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhawins Posted February 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 (edited) Wow the last 3 weeks have been crazy. Haven't touched the car (it's been under 2-3feet of snow a lot). Nice to see some replies. And yes, I love this color, the blue doesn't do this car justice! I'll go get some more pics this afternoon when I'm home. The interior has a few flaws, the original seats have been replaced with racing buckets. Radio is borked. It's going to be a project, but as of this morning she is officially mine . I will make a new thread for the rebuild/swap most likely. Currently me and the second hands are evaluating space and deciding what engine to use. You all might enjoy a new perspective, I'm not building this car to be a racer, I'm building it to be bullet proof, have adequate (tune able) power and amazing gas mileage. How does one accomplish this? Well, with a diesel of course. Locals chime in, are you using a boat today due to the floods? Ideas, thoughts and new perspectives welcome, I've changed my mind on the mud truck ranger build and am moving forward with this car. Target gas mileage is 28mpg combined. Edited February 22, 2014 by jhawins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrngwae Posted February 22, 2014 Report Share Posted February 22, 2014 the stock motor can be reliable and tunable,,,,,,just saying... swing by.... Im close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhawins Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 the stock motor can be reliable and tunable,,,,,,just saying... swing by.... Im close But can I get the gas mileage I want out of it, the lifetime I want out of it and keep the power? That's my hangup. I'm thinking about a 4d56t, I'll have to go up North to get it but I love Canada so could just make a trip out of it, or have one shipped (eh...). I don't know what my transmission options are though. I'd almost be willing to swap axles too, but don't want know what options I have there yet either. I'm just waiting for this damn snow to melt. I'm a low-revs guy, I like the meaty torque on my single cylinder enduro. So I like the diesel option a bit better and it seems to basically be a drop-in swap. It even bolts up to the current 5spd but that thing's overdrive puts you at almost 3K rpm at 70mph haha, not happening for long on that diesel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
importwarrior Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 great color! Welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikoFab Posted March 7, 2014 Report Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome and good luck on the resto...lots of good people here who can help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMNDSTAR87 Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 welcome ----good luck with projectgig out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speedy2222 Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 welcome! fellow indiana member here, currently in indy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinra ceo bman Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Nice car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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