Engine Specifications

Click here for complete engine specifications for all Cabriolet engines.

Notes:

• All engines are in-line 4-cylinder, 8-valve, transverse-mounted, Single-Overhead-Cam (SOHC), non-interference engines.
• From 1984 to 1989, Cabriolets in North America received the same 1.8L, K-Jetronic fuel-injected engine as the Rabbit GTI.
• Solid/mechanical lifters were installed up through 1987; hydraulic lifters installed from 1988 onward. The difference between the two: Solid lifter cylinder heads have 5 camshaft bearing caps, the hydro lifter cylinder heads have 4. NOTE: Hydro lifters & camshaft cannot be used in a solid lifter head and vice versa.  Know what you have before buying parts!

• Solid lifter cylinder head part numbers:
• 049103373B (EN)
• 049103373C (EG)
• 026103373F (JH, non-air shrouded; <<1983)
• 026103373H (JH, air shrouded; 1984-1986)
• 026103373AC (JH, air shrouded; 1987>>)
• Hydraulic lifter cylinder head part numbers
• 026103373AA (JH, air shrouded)

• Click here for camshaft specs.  (The JH, 2H, KT & DX hydro heads all use the same camshaft.)

Engine Code

The engine code is located at the top of the engine block, at cylinder #3, just below the spark plug.  The 6-digit number after the code is the engine's serial number.

Cylinder Head Build Date

Click here for an explanation on deciphering the cylinder head build date stamp.

Transverse and Non-interference

Cabriolets have transversely-mounted engines.  This means that the engine has been rotated 90° from how an engine normally sits in the engine compartment; i.e. what is usually the front of an engine (where the belts are) is on the right side of the engine compartment.  

Furthermore, these engines, in stock form, are known as non-interference engines.  This means that the timing belt can break while the engine is running and not cause serious damage to the valves and pistons, provided that the engine is not running at a very high rpm when the belt breaks.  

The right/left sides of a car are based upon you sitting in the car, facing the engine compartment.  Therefore, the right side of the car = passenger side; the left side of the car = driver's side (those in RHD countries, the "driver's" and "passenger" sides would be reversed).

Firing Order

The firing order on all 4-cylinder, 8-valve Volkswagen engines is 1-3-4-2.  The rotor spins clockwise from the #1 cylinder wire, closest to the engine block, around to the #2 cylinder wire.

(If you happen to have swapped in a 9A engine, the firing order is still 1-3-4-2, but the rotation is counterclockwise from the #1 cylinder wire, closest to the engine block, around to the #2 cylinder wire.)

Motor Mounts

Types:

Rubber vs. poly: Rubber mounts are OEM and cushion, or isolate, the engine vibrations.  Poly mounts are aftermarket and have a tendency to allow the engine vibrations to pass through to the chassis (i.e., you will feel the vibrations inside the car).

Symptoms of Mount Failure:

When motor mounts fail, the engine and transmission will rock causing very noticeable vibrations inside the passenger compartment (especially at idle), shifting issues, exhaust damage, and more.

Oil & Oil Filter

Engine Oil

Note: The following information applies only to the factory-original 4-cylinder engines.

If your car has had an engine swap, please consult a manual or online references for

your particular engine for its oil requirements.

Viscosity: At right is an oil viscosity chart in relation to ambient air temperature. This chart

is an industry standard for modern oils with higher viscosity indices than oils from 40 years

ago; it does, however, closely match the original chart in the Cabriolet owner's manual.

Use the viscosity that matches your climate. If you're seeing slight drops in oil pressure,

try the next viscosity up from the one currently in use, but mind the temperature limits.

Do not drive at high speeds for extended periods with a 5Wxx oil if the ambient

temperature rises above the indicated limits. Engine damage may occur.

The most common viscosities used in the Cabriolet world: 10W40, 15W40, 20W50.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to mix viscosity grades.

20W50: Should you be using it? It all depends on your climate and your engine.

My '86, with 132,000 miles on the original engine, resides in the Arizona desert

that has an average summer temperature of 105°F, with spikes up to 120°F.

This car uses 20W50 to keep oil pressures nominal. Because the winter temps

only ocassionally dip down to the freezing level, and the engine is always warmed up for a couple of minutes before driving, 20W50 is not a problem. If you live in a place like South Dakota, 20W50 in the warm summer months may be fine; however, it will be too thick for the winter months (if you plan to drive the car in severe winter conditions, switch to a lower viscosity -- see chart).

Type: Conventional, synthetic, or blend.

High mileage version: Use (if desired) if your engine has 100,000+ miles and/or is showing signs of age (a small drop in oil pressure, slight leaks, etc.). High mileage oils are formulated to care for aging engines, such as higher zinc content, conditioners to preserve seals, and viscosity modifiers to help retain the oil's thickness at higher temperatures.

API Service: SF and SG are the original API type for these cars. Those two types are now obsolete; use the current types of SJ, SL, SM, SN, or SN+.

Brand: Use your preferred brand, provided it's a top tier (Mobil1, Pennzoil, Castrol, Shell, Valvoline, etc.).

Capacity:  

4.0L with filter change (fill the filter with oil before installing)

3.5L without filter change

Oil Viscosity Numbers Explained

Drain plug copper washer part #N0138492

Oil Pressure

Minimim oil pressure in Cabriolets is 2 bar at 2000 rpm with the oil temperature at 80°C.

Click here to read about the low oil pressure warning system in these cars.

Oil Filters

• Bosch (part #3421)*
• Fram*
• K&N (part #2005; $13)
• Mahle (part #OC 47; $5)
• Mann (part #W719/5; $5)
• Mobil-1 (part # M1-205; $12)
• STP (part #S2870A)
• Volkswagen (part #056115561G; $7)
• Wix/NAPA Gold (part #51342)

Filter notes:

1) Contrary to common belief, all oil filters listed above, including Fram, have anti-drainback valves. Anti-drainback valves are built into the filters to prevent the filters from emptying upon engine shut-off when the filters are installed on engines requiring them to be "upside down".  Volkswagen's 1.5L, 1.6L, 1.7L and 1.8L engines installed in Cabriolets do not require this anti-drainback valve because the filters are spun on "right side up", thereby allowing gravity to retain oil in the filter (some proclaim that oil is siphoned out of the filter upon shut-off; this is true only for diesel engines).  The important valve that Cabriolet engines require is the bypass, or relief valve.  Should there be a restriction in the filter due to cold weather, contaminants, or thick oil, the low oil pressure present in the filter opens the relief valve allowing unfiltered oil to enter the oil passages in order to keep the engine lubricated (unfiltered oil is better than no oil at all).  All filters listed above, now excluding Bosch, have this valve; Fram, however, uses a rubber diaphragm (among other cheap parts), rather than a spring-loaded seal like the others do, hence it not being recommended.

2) Fram and Bosch (yes, Bosch) oil filters are not recommended due to their inferior build quality.

Oil Dipstick

1980-1988: the difference between the min. and max. marks is 1.0 L (1.1 US qt.)

1989-1993: the difference between the min. and max. marks is 0.75 L (0.79 US qt.)

Click here for additional 1.8L dipstick information.

Air Filter

 Fuel injected engines:

• K&N (part #33-2002; $50, but is permanent & requires recharge kit #99-5000)
• Mahle (part #LX 259; $10)
• Mann (part #C-2860; $10)
• Wix (part #42133)
• Volkswagen (part #049133843; $10-15)
• Fram (part #CA 3660)

Oil on the air filter is commonly referred to as "compression blow-by".  Oil is getting into the air passages via the main vent hose connected to the valve cover.  Some oil on the filter is normal; an air filter coated with oil is sometimes an indication of worn rings and cylinder walls. To reduce the amount of blow-by, clean the valve cover (including the vent screen) and air hoses and install a camshaft cover.

Gaskets

Valve Cover

It's wise to upgrade your 3-piece valve cover gasket to a 1-piece rubber gasket: You will need to install shoulderless studs, but no gasket sealant is required.  The rubber gasket is re-usable should the valve cover need to be removed, and rubber gaskets are more leak-proof.  

Volkswagen part numbers:

026198025A (cork gasket; original; requires shouldered studs; alternate part #056198025A)

051103483A (rubber gasket; upgrade; requires shoulderless studs)

026198025C (rubber gasket & shoulderless stud retrofit kit; upgrade)

026103400A (shouldered stud; M6x25)

N10186301 (shoulderless stud; M6x20)

Victor-Reinz part numbers:

71-31692-00 (rubber gasket)

15-31692-01 (rubber gasket + stud kit)

Oil Pan

It's wise to upgrade your cork valve cover gasket to a rubber one.  No gasket sealant is required and rubber gaskets are more leak-proof.

Volkswagen part numbers:

028103609A (cork gasket; original)

044103609D (rubber gasket; upgrade)

N90008401 (M6x14 hex head bolt with shoulder; original used with cork gasket; 20-count)

N90592702 (M6x17 hex head bolt with shoulder; 20 required with rubber gasket upgrade)

Victor-Reinz part numbers:

10-33138-01 (rubber gasket + bolt kit)

Belts

Click here for belt diagrams and part numbers.

Engine Vacuum

Finding Vacuum Leaks

Use a nonflammable carb cleaner and slowly spray the vacuum hoses/tubes one at a time while the engine is running at idle.  When the engine stumbles, you've found the leak.  If a leak is found, do yourself and the car a favor and replace all of the rubber vacuum lines... preventative maintenance!  In addition to the vacuum lines, vacuum leaks can also occur at the following locations:

• the idle adjustment screw (rubber O-ring disintegrates over time)
• the fuel injectors (rubber O-rings crack and/or disintegrate over time)
• the oil dipstick tube (the dipstick is not seated properly and/or the dipstick funnel is broken or missing)
• valve cover and oil fill cap (filler cap has a rubber gasket that can go bad)
• intake manifold/throttle body connection
• auxiliary air regulator (K-Jetronic only)
• idle boost valve(s) (K-Jetronic only)

Vacuum Readings

20" Hg at idle, manifold

0" Hg at idle, distributor

10" Hg above idle, manifold & distributor

How to use a vacuum gauge and what the gauge tells you

Vacuum Lines

Pastic Tubes: Outside diameter is 4mm (VW part #N 020 139 1)

Rubber Hose: Inside diameter is 3mm (VW part #N 020 291 1)

Your local auto parts stores carry vacuum the above lines, albeit aftermarket versions.

Vacuum Line Diagrams

1980 ~ K-Jetronic with EGR

1980-1983 ~ K-Jetronic lambda

1984-1987 ~ K-Jetronic lambda

1987-1989 ~ K-Jetronic lambda

1990-1993 ~ Digifant

Carburetor ~ 2E2

All diagrams

NOTES:

• 1980 Rabbit Convertibles with EGR systems, follow the 1980 diagram; 1980 Rabbit Convertibles with OXS systems, follow the 1980-1983 diagram.
• 1987 Cabriolets with VINs 21197 and higher, use the 1987-1989 diagram.

Engine Noises

Knocking (high-pitched)

Description: Rapid, multiple knocks in rapid succession that have a high pitch; occurs only when the car is being driven at road speed and a sudden load is applied to the engine (extra fuel is sent to the pistons).

Most-likely Problem: Pre-ignition.  Fuel is igniting before the spark plug sparks due to carbon build-up in the cylinder head. The valves are being forced to move in the wrong direction at the wrong time, which is damaging the pistons.

Common Remedy: Switch to premium fuel for 6 months; after 6 months, switch back.  If the knock continues, see your mechanic; head work will need to be performed.

Knocking (low-pitched)

Description: Deeper, slower, more rhythmic sound than pre-ignition knock.  This sound is heard immediately upon beginning to drive and varies with engine RPM.

Most-likely Problem: Rod and/or bearing wear (naturally with age of the engine, or prematurely). The internal space between the bearings has widen to the point that oil no longer completely fills that space.

Common Remedy: Do not drive the car if this sound is heard! Have the car towed to your favorite repair shop.

Clicking

Description: Lighter sound than a knock, but also varies with engine RPM; can be heard at idle.

Most-likely Problem: Faulty lifters and/or debris.

Common Remedy: Sometimes debris frees itself and is flushed into the oil filter; replace the oil and filter.  If this doesn't solve the problem, one or more lifters will need replacing.

Squeak, squeal, chirp

Description: High-pitched squeal; your car sounds like a pissed-off pig.

Most-likely Problem: Belts are worn/loose/slipped/wet. A belt tensioner is faulty/worn.  A belt pulley is misaligned.  In some instances a faulty water pump will chirp.

Common Remedy: Replace worn belts; tighten loose belts; realign slipped belts.  Replace belt tensioners.  Replace/realign belt pullies.

Groan

Description: A deep, rhythmic groan or growl.

Most-likely Problem: Water pump may be dying.

Common Remedy: Replace the water pump (and thermostat and coolant while you're at it).

Symptoms of Head Gasket Failure

Early Warning Signs

• Oil in the coolant (brownish coolant and/or oil sludge in the coolant reservoir)
• Coolant in the oil (produces a milky-like substance seen on the underside of the oil cap and in the oil in general)

• Note: Milky oil on the oil cap is normal if seen before the engine has had a chance to get to operating temperature.

• Abnormal/unexplained loss of coolant
• Overheating (sometimes intermittent)
• Oil leak(s) around where the engine block mates with the cylinder head

Terminal Symptoms

• Extremely high temperature readings (coolant temp gauge jumps to the right, then drops to normal*)
• A long trail of steam out of the exhaust pipe (coolant is entering the cylinders); sweet (not in a good way) smelling exhaust
• Oil will be converted to a substance resembling milky coffee
• Over-pressurized cooling system causing hoses to burst and/or radiator/tank caps to blow off/leak

*The temperature will jump to "hot" when a pocket of super-hot steam envelops the gauge sending unit; when the gauge drops to normal that pocket of steam has been chased away by the coolant.  This can also indicate a cracked cylinder head as well as a failed head gasket.  One good reason to have this gauge: With just an "idiot light" for the coolant temperature like modern cars have, you'd never see this warning sign and by the time that red "idiot light" blinks, it'd be too late.

If early warning signs are leading you to suspect impending head gasket failure, have a repair shop conduct tests (or do the DIY test below) on the cooling system to verify possible head gasket failure (they'll check, in part, to see if combustion gasses are leaking into the cooling system which cause the system to over-pressurize).  Try not to allow the head gasket to blow completely or the cylinder head could become warped, among other internal damage.

DIY test: With the engine cold, attach a latex glove to the coolant expansion tank fill hole (early Cabriolets will use the radiator fill hole).  Leave the cap off and run the engine for a minute.  If the glove inflates, you've most likely got a leaking/blown head gasket (have a professional verify your findings).

Symptoms of Piston Ring & Valve Stem Wear

If the spark plugs are continuously getting fouled, chances are that oil is leaking into the cylinders, which indicates possible piston ring and/or valve stem wear.

Onboard Diagnostics Systems (Check Engine Light)

Only Cabriolets equipped with Digifant I engines have the OBD I diagnostic port and check engine light.  Furthermore, an OBD II diagnostic tool cannot be used to pull fault codes from an OBD I system unless it has an adapter and the capability to connect to and pull codes from an OBD I system!

The check engine light usually means that there is a fault in the emissions system. Click here for how to pull fault codes, a list of fault codes, and ECU resetting.

Cruise Control

Cruise Control Does Not Work

Check for vacuum leaks.  If the system still does not operate, use this procedure.

Cruise Control Vacuum Diagram

Click here

Pre-heat Hose

The pre-heat hose runs from the air box over to a flange on the exhaust manifold.  If your car is missing this hose, it's not a problem unless you live in a cold climate. If your car has the pre-heat hose Y-valve at the air box and you wish to be rid of it, click here for a DIY guide.

Performance Upgrades

Mechanical upgrades

• Techtonics Tuning* header or dual-downpipe (also: swap to a dual-outlet exhaust manifold)

• Headers tend to be louder

• Techtonics Tuning* hi-flow cat and cat-back system (for those not in emissions testing areas, you can eliminate the cat altogether)
• Larger throttle body (from an Audi 5000 or A2-era K-Jetronic Golfs/Jettas)
• Bored intake manifold (this can be a DIY job on your existing manifold with a Dremel-like tool)
• Techtonics Tuning* 288 or 270 camshaft and adjustable cam gear (stock upgrade: cam from a A2-era Digifant II GTI)

• You will need to upgrade the valve springs and such, advance the timing a bit, and use premium gasoline
• For hydraulic heads, use a cam intended for an A3-era 8V ABA engine

• Enlarge the air intake & install K&N air filter

• Option (K-Jetronic): Swap to a Scirocco 16V air box; it is virtually plug and play

• Install a larger air pipe between air box and throttle body

• Optional, JH engine: remove Y-valve and pre-heat hose, if installed

• Larger valves, 10:1 pistons from a newer 1.8L
• Larger fuel distributor (A2-era K-Jetronic Golf/Jetta)
• Lightened flywheel and short-shift kit

*Autotech products are another option.  Click here for further discussion.

Scientific Rabbit is another source for ported intake manifolds and larger intake air boxes.

Electronic upgrades (Digifant)

Install an Advanced Motorsport performance chip.  K-Jetronic: cannot be chipped!

Cold-air intakes

You can add a cold-air intake, but it depends on the type of intake you intend to install.  The cone-shaped filter-style intakes, for example, that sit inside the engine bay just off of the fuel distributor are not cold-air intakes. Instead, they suck in the heat produced by your car's engine. The same can be said for "Swiss-cheesing" the stock air box.  A proper cold-air intake for these cars is routed in such a way that outside air can be drawn in, much like the stock configuration.  In fact, you can modify the stock set-up to allow for the intake of more ambient air than the stock set-up provides; click here for Digifant instructions (K-Jetronic will be similar; additional info coming soon).

Intake air temperature (IAT) sensors

• K-Jetronic: Does not have one!
• Digifant: The sensor is located inside the mass-airflow sensor (MAF) on top of the air box.

This question is often asked by those who have bought, or are looking to buy, a so-called performance chip. K-Jetronic engines are fuel injected mechanically and, therefore, do not have the electronic controls that Digifant engines have.  Buying a performance chip for your K-Jetronic-equipped Cabriolet is a waste of money, and if it somehow gets installed on a K-Jetronic engine, will do much more harm than good. You simply cannot chip a K-Jetronic engine!  Digifant ECU's, however, can be chipped to gain several hp's (Advanced Motorsport makes the best one for the Digifant engines).  K-Jetronic owners who want to increase hp's need to go about it mechanically, not electronically, as listed above.  If you have a Digifant engine, please read this informative thread about these so-called performance chips (they aren't chips at all and are mostly hokum).

Cleaning the Engine Bay

A clean engine is a happy engine!  Why?  A dirty engine generally runs hotter than a clean one.  Therefore, keeping your engine bay and the engine itself clean should be part of your regular maintenance.  Additionally, keeping the underside of the hood tidy allows for quicker, easier leak detection (and your mechanics appreciate working on a clean engine!).  With a little work, your engine can look this clean.

If you don't want it professionally cleaned up, you can do it yourself.  Using a combination of a steamer, a degreaser such as Simple Green® or Totally Awesome (latter available at 99¢ Stores) and a high-pressure washer along with a sponge, brush, scraper, toothbrush and/or towel should do the job with lots of muscle power.  Be sure to cover the electric and electronic components/connections with plastic bags before beginning.  Professional detailers recommend running the engine up to operating temperature before beginning; this softens up years-old hardened grease, oil, etc.  When working on a hot engine; a hot engine bay is no different than an oven... if you're not careful, you'll get burned!

Speaking of ovens: It's advised by professional detailers to not use oven cleaner to rid the engine of caked-on fluids.  Most oven cleaners are lye-based products made to break down organic material in your oven; these products will strip paint off of anything, damage plastics and rubber, as well as cause pitting to aluminum over time and, therefore, should not be used for engine cleaning.  Foaming engine cleaners, such as Gunk, are made specifically for cleaning engine bays and are a far better/safer choice. Leave the oven cleaner in the kitchen, where it belongs.

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