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5K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  briano1234 
#1 ·
I just bought a 1981 rabbit (l custom I believe) with the 1.6l diesel engine. It's not perfect, but it's definitely a good start! Before I begin to DD it there are several issues that I need to take care of.

To my knowledge the waterpump is good, but I'm going to be preemptive and replace the timing belt and tensioner, and I figure I might as well replace the thermostat and waterpump while I'm at it.

My problem is that I've read that 1981 is a changing point between the 30mm and 40mm waterpump, so it could potentially be either way. I was wanting to get the pump ordered this weekend, and the car is 35 minutes away at my work, so measuring the old pulley isn't my favorite option right now..

Is there a definitive change by the production date? And if I were to order the wrong one, would I still be able to use the other?
 
#2 · (Edited)
The only way to accurately know for sure, is to take the pulley off and measure it.
Or
From what I know the 40mm was old school, where as the later ones were 30mm.
Since I ordered 2 new water pumps for my 92, and 93 Cabriolet and haven't installed the one in my 93, I measured the Pulley Hub....
30mm.

So the old school is correct that 40mm mid 81 and less.... 30mm 81.5 and above.

I would get a 30mm Pulley and Pump, then you have it. Although I have read that there are 4 styles of Pumps. 30mm Long and short shaft, and 40mm Long and Short shaft. Don't get any more confusing than that I suspect.

From VW Heritage parts catalog.

40mm
Description
Pump, Water, complete, Pulley fits onto a 40mm centre bore
Fits mk1 models, Petrol models up to 7/1981 and diesel models up to 4/1982

Fits the following applications:

Mk1 Golf 79-82
Mk1 Jetta 79-82
Mk1 Golf Cabriolet 79-81
Mk1 Scirocco 75-81
T25 CS up to engine number CS215895

So it seams as though you should have the 40mm on a diesel that is 81. But that isn't to say it wasn't changed for the 30mm some time prior to your ownership.

Then on the 30mm pump we see:
Water pump without housing
Pulley fits onto a 30mm centre bore. Comes with 026 121 041 P main gasket, 2x 038 121 119 B round seals.
Fits Mk1 Models Petrol 8/81-83 and diesel 4/82-83
Mk2 Golf 1600-1800 petrol models including 16V
Corrado 1800-2000 KR, PG, 9A, 2E, ADY engines
Mk3 Golf - All engines including TDI and GTI but excluding VR6 AAA code

T4 engine fitment codes and year range
PD 1.8 Petrol 09/90-07/92
AAC 2.0 Petrol 09/90-06/03
1X 1.9 Diesel 01/90-12-95
ABL 1.9 T/Diesel 10/92-06/03

So measure it is the best advice I can give you.

Unless you just order the 30mm pulley and pump.
 
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