ABANDONED! Will it start? 1981 VW Rabbit! Will it run after being left to rot for over 20 years???

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Today we have a 1981 VW Rabbit that's been sitting in the woods abandoned and forgotten for over 20 years. Just unearthing this thing and getting it home was a chore. It's rusted out junk that was heading for the crusher if I didn't buy it. I'm not sure what possessed me to purchase this thing, but never the less I own it and need to do something with it. So here we are. It's been parked and allowed to be reclaimed by nature for 20 years. The question remains... Will it start? She's a fighter, enjoy the video!
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Пікірлер: 56

  • @landonsheetz5085
    @landonsheetz5085Ай бұрын

    I'm 26 and I love my 1981 vw rabbit diesel 4 speed manual, easy and cheap to fix for the most part

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    Ай бұрын

    I'd be happy to figure out what's wrong with this one. Sooner or later I'll get around to it. Thanks for watching!

  • @papilloncycles3463
    @papilloncycles34632 жыл бұрын

    Hey Man, Did have a powder blue VW Rabbit Diesel... It had 300k when I sold it.. Have seen it running ten years later... Wow

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm looking forward to the diesel one. That's really why I bought them. They have a cult like following too. Thanks for watching!

  • @billdyke9745
    @billdyke97452 жыл бұрын

    Run, Rabbit, run... There's an engine that can be made to work, should anybody be motivated enough... A brave attempt, sir, and some sensible plug pulling.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    She was so close! Hopefully the diesel goes better. 🤣 Have you watched nonsenseknowhow? He had a filter rust through recently too.

  • @JoshuaGitmoforbillgates-rz6zd
    @JoshuaGitmoforbillgates-rz6zd6 ай бұрын

    Meter valve Venturi plate needs to work Doesn't take much to work but helps having the air and fuel working together

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the info! Maybe I'll give it another shot if I get bored.

  • @idroguidotti1761
    @idroguidotti1761 Жыл бұрын

    Here in Italy i have One diesel 843.000 km on the clock and still running with original engine

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    That's awesome! Hopefully I can get around to trying to get mine going soon. Thanks for watching!

  • @TylersNeighborhoodGarage
    @TylersNeighborhoodGarage2 жыл бұрын

    That's Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. The device behind the battery with the metal lines is the fuel distributor. It's sort of like diesel injection but not quite. it's also sort of like direct injection...but not quite. Make sure and check the timing belt on the diesel before you start it. They are interference and will smack the valves into the pistons. They are slow as molasses(52hp) but they have a lot of character and get outstanding fuel mileage. Unusual to see an automatic. In 1981 diesel cars were all the rage and I think that very car was the best selling one by far. There were diesel versions of the Chevette, Nissan Maxima, Ford Escort, you name it. Looking forward to it.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm dreading messing with the fuel injection on the diesel. I did discover that the diesel was originally manual trans and was converted to auto for some reason. As far as I can tell auto wasn't even an option for the diesels. I think that's why it has that starter wire up front. Pretty sure auto starters are in the back. We'll see when I get it in the shop! 🤣 Thanks for watching and all the info!

  • @TheWidgetz
    @TheWidgetz2 жыл бұрын

    I enjoy your content brother you have a calm presence about you and good level of humor!

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Great to hear that. Appreciate the support! Thanks for watching!

  • @amnril
    @amnril2 жыл бұрын

    As someone from the UK, I look at those horrible looks destroying US bumpers manufacturers had to fit for the US market and groan 😩 . Those Rabbits (Golf everywhere else I think) are awesome though. Did the US have the mk1 VW ‘Jetta’? , I always loved the look of them

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    The bumpers are terrible aren't they? 🤣 Luckily they got better at hiding them. No idea on the Jettas. This is my first adventure with a VW and round one didn't go that great. Hopefully round two with the diesel goes better. Thanks for watching!

  • @watershed44

    @watershed44

    Жыл бұрын

    @Neil Riley Yes the US DOT mandated 5 mph bumpers added weight and even affected handling balance and economy too! A LOT of owners who were enthusiasts like myself actually sourced out the European spec OEM bumpers and replaced those US versions. Same goes for the horrible square headlamps in the later US model years. I actually owned a 1984 Rabbit GTI and even with the US specs it was a very fun to drive and reliable car.... Yes, the Jetta was here in 1975-1984 in MKI guise and has been in the US/Canadian line up to today! ALL MKI Jettas were imported from Germany, so if you wanted the German spec cars in the USA you chose the more expensive Jetta or the Scirocco, over the Rabbit. We also had the Passat back then, but we NEVER have had the Polo here in the USA only the Brazilian Fox (Derby/Parati) during the late 1980s-1991. Which was approximately the same size as the MK II Polo.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    @@watershed44 I'm hoping I can get the diesel one running. One of these days I'll get to. It narrowly escaped death by falling tree last week so I should say least move it. 🤣 Thanks for watching!

  • @watershed44

    @watershed44

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MyLegacyGarage I'm really looking forward to that. These little things are very hard to kill, much tougher than they look, especially the diesels of that time. My 1984 Rabbit GTI was a blast to drive, durable, and reliable, and cheap and easy to maintain and work on, but some MOFO stole it back in 1995. I still miss that car today! Thanks for your videos. I'll keep an eye out for the Rabbit Diesel video when you get around to it.

  • @donnie2533
    @donnie25332 жыл бұрын

    Great video glad you posted keep them coming thanks

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching as always and your continued support!

  • @andrerodriguez7603
    @andrerodriguez76034 ай бұрын

    That wire is to the starter. 😂 Those cars are worth good money as is.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    4 ай бұрын

    I dunno about this one being worth good money. Maybe the diesel? Thanks for watching!

  • @losbanos999
    @losbanos9992 жыл бұрын

    Check oil before attempting first crank, to avoid further engine damage. Perhaps ya did, and wasn't recorded. ;-)

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    It's always checked. Trans fluid on autos too so ya don't burn up a trans. Sometimes it's on camera, sometimes it's not. Try not to do the same old thing every time. Thanks for watching!

  • @simonstacey3640
    @simonstacey36402 жыл бұрын

    Hi mate in the UK the vw rabbit is called a vw golf mark 2

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nice! I have a couple UK cars too. Midgets! 🤣 Thanks for watching!

  • @macdaniel6029
    @macdaniel602911 ай бұрын

    These KE-Jet fuel injections need a lot of understanding, they can't be threated like a carb.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    11 ай бұрын

    I bet it would've run if it was carbed. 🤣 Thanks for watching!

  • @Lilgti
    @Lilgti2 жыл бұрын

    Enjoyed the video! Like I said on Instagram let me know if you need any parts! Those CIS fuel injection cars require lots and lots of fuel pressure. Talking 100 psi+ before the fuel distributor where you had the line in the glass bottle. You need zero vacuum leaks between that fuel distributor and your throttle body for the engine to provide adequate fuel pressure to each of the injectors, which basically spray fuel constantly. Regardless of the intake valves position. They will typically run pretty easily with good fuel pressure and no vacuum leaks.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Oh I'll definitely be hitting you up for info on the diesel. I'd really like bring that one back to life. Fuel injection is for sure not my thing. I replaced injectors in an old S10 once and that sums up my experience. 🤣 Thanks for watching man appreciate the support!

  • @markamcampbell6340
    @markamcampbell63402 жыл бұрын

    i had a 1980 vw dasher not sure of the year. paid 25 dollars for it because the kid couldn't get it started. found out they had wired the fuel pump to the taillights and the whole fuel system was hot including the fuel lines laying on top of the motor when i turned the key on and lifted the lines sparks flew. on a roll of electrical tape and i got it running. drove it 50 miles home noticed the fuse box was loose so on to pull and save for a new used one rewired the pump got it running properly then the bushing went bad in the block that supported the starter.. sold the car to a vw lover for 100 bucks so it is a win for me.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Nice! Always fun when you can sort out issues like that and make some cash along the way. Thanks for watching!

  • @joelowen475
    @joelowen4752 жыл бұрын

    Hey, that is pretty cool several years back I was into the rabbits, and I actually converted a gas rabbit to diesel and it came out very nice and the diesel got extremely good gas mileage I was very happy with my diesel rabbit

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    I think the diesel I have had an auto trans put in it. As far as I know that wasn't a factory option. Thanks for watching!

  • @alonsosanchez2107

    @alonsosanchez2107

    8 ай бұрын

    I have 1983 rabbit fuel injertor

  • @AndrewHCann
    @AndrewHCann2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video Chris :) least tried get running some what gas one hopefully get Desiel fuel one next time on video footage too and starters should be interchangeable to but have check that too!

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching Andrew! Hopefully the diesel goes better. 🤣

  • @joelowen475
    @joelowen4752 жыл бұрын

    They also have a carbureted intake manifold for that fuel injected engine, it uses the regular weber 32, 36. They also have a points distributor for that one so you could actually keep that gas motor up and running and toss the fuel injection in the trash.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    If I were to keep it that's what I'd do! 🤣 Thanks for watching and for the advice!

  • @RobertsGarage
    @RobertsGarage2 жыл бұрын

    i had one of them Rabbits in the 90s

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    My dad had one he pulled out of some shed up in PA (I get the buying junk honestly) back in the 90's that was bright orange. Most of the crap I buy has some connection like that. I'ma find a Suzuki samurai one of these days! 🤣

  • @Scrapy-ih7ob
    @Scrapy-ih7ob2 жыл бұрын

    Pickins must be slim, when drag Vw Rabbit out of woods. hey, everything deserves 2nd chance. Bread butter in early 90's resale. ran for ever, clean carbs, points wires, pressure wash wax. put on front line. easy

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    I don't think this old girl will ever be front of the line again unless it's the death row line. 🤣 I didn't wanna see them go to the crusher though because they are cool. Thanks for watching!

  • @pochosousa4653
    @pochosousa46532 жыл бұрын

    No se como pero debes hacerlo funcionar ¡¡¡...espero ver más videos del pobre conejo. Saludos de un argentino desde España

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Sorry I don't speak Spanish but thanks for watching!

  • @conarc-d1037
    @conarc-d10378 ай бұрын

    Thought this was a diesel one.

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    8 ай бұрын

    Sure isn't but the next one is. In the shop now with a video in a month or two. Thanks for watching!

  • @jaylozada3407
    @jaylozada34072 жыл бұрын

    👍

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! Appreciate the support. 👍

  • @user-bm9ts2pv9p
    @user-bm9ts2pv9p5 ай бұрын

    Unlock the driver's door

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    5 ай бұрын

    If only it were so simple. I suppose a torch could be considered a key of sorts. Thanks for watching!

  • @alexandruduta8102
    @alexandruduta8102 Жыл бұрын

    esti john rambo.........

  • @MyLegacyGarage

    @MyLegacyGarage

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching! 👊

  • @alexandruduta8102

    @alexandruduta8102

    Жыл бұрын

    @@MyLegacyGarage ce mie imi place cu golful ,vedeti si cea mai scumpelu....pui de lupule...okyui

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