'82 Rabbit Diesel, no heat, sweet smell

1982 VOLKSWAGEN
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ALEX_1978
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I was driving one day, the [b]heater was not working[/b], and the [b]engine shut down [/b]about 3 miles from home. It turned right back over and I drove another 10 miles to work with no shut downs. I popped the hood and there was a [b]sweet smell [/b]present.

[i]How do I determine whether this was just an airlocked system, a head gasket or otherwise??[/i]
Feb 2, 2006 at 1:48 AM
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2CARPRO JACK
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,533 POSTS
chemical test
Feb 10, 2006 at 8:39 AM
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FRIEDEMANN
  • MEMBER
  • 47 POSTS
82 diesel. Bad for blowing the headgasket. Get that checked as oil and antifreeze don't mix. Engine will seize. Reason for no heat, you probably got air in behind the thermostat, no it won't open and engine will overheat. Not drivable right now.
Dec 13, 2006 at 11:45 AM
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Suggested Repair

Perform a chemical test of the cooling system to check for a head gasket problem before further driving.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1982 Rabbit diesel reported no heater output, a brief engine shutdown, and a sweet smell under the hood, and asked how to distinguish an air-locked cooling system from a head gasket failure. The expert recommended a chemical test. Another participant said these diesels are prone to blown head gaskets, warned that mixing oil and coolant can seize the engine, suggested trapped air behind the thermostat could prevent heat and cause overheating, and advised that the vehicle should not be driven until checked.

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