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Old 07-05-2021, 06:52   #1
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VW Pathfinder marine diesel

Looking for anyone who has one of these engines who'd be willing to share information on them. I recently aquired one that I intend to install in my build but have some questions. Please feel free to contact me directly at catketchme@gmail.com Thanks,David
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Old 07-05-2021, 07:00   #2
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

It's my understanding that is the marinized version of the engine in the VW Rabbit and Golf. What year is the engine? I had one in a 1981 Rabbit where the car rusted around the engine.

I got lucky once, ran it out of fuel, refilled and was able to restart it without bleeding it. I'm not saying that is a feature, but it surprised the hell out of me. I've never heard of a self-bleeding diesel (not saying that that is what it was).
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Old 07-05-2021, 07:17   #3
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

That actually is a "feature" of VW diesels of that era. Right up to the TDI engines, the vw uses a lift pump built into the injection pump, which self purges air. It's necessary to bleed the injection lines, if they're empty; but fortunately, when you run out of fuel, the injection lines don't empty. Once the pump lacks fuel, it no longer pumps, therefore leaving everything after the pump "full".

The reason I like VW so much for boats, is because when the tanks are nearing empty, and in rough seas, there can sometimes be an introduction of air in the fuel lines. VW diesels up to about 2003 don't care, as the pump just keeps the housing full, and the high pressure area of the pump is fed from the housing. So air just migrates to the return line.

We had a vw pathfinder in our last boat, and have two VW diesels, using pathfinder marinizing kits in this boat.

I dare say we know quite a lot about them by now.

In order to help future readers of CF, please post your questions here, and I'll be glad to help.

Cheers.
Paul.
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Old 07-05-2021, 07:34   #4
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

Thanks Paul, sounds like you're just the guy i'm looking for! I aquired the engine for free as it was totally seized and left sitting full of water. I pulled all the marinization components off and put them onto a rebuilt 1.6 out of a rabbit. Upon closer examination I discovered there was no impeller in the seawater pump which I have remedied. But my issue now is upon removing the rubber end caps, there appears to be no cooler exchange tubes inside the Bowman marine manifold. Any idea as to where I can get them or at least some specs to possibly fab my own.
Cheers, David
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Old 07-05-2021, 07:58   #5
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

I buy most of my marinizing parts at Lancing Marine. They're in the UK, but their selection is second to none for marinizing parts. Here's a link to some heat exchanger parts you'll probably find useful. https://www.lancingmarine.com/price-...-27/?phrase=VW

Cheers. I hope your rebuild goes well. Don't hesitate to ask me, if I can help at all.

Paul.
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Old 07-05-2021, 08:43   #6
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

It looks like the bowman part number for your exchanger is vw150. https://www.lancingmarine.com/price-list/page-21/

Cheers.
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Old 07-05-2021, 08:56   #7
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

Thanks Paul,
I do have the Bowman 150 manifold that came with the junked Pathfinder but my confusion is whether or not there should be a typical exchanger with several tubes inside of it as I have seen on other marine engines. This is just a big hollow tube.
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Old 07-05-2021, 08:59   #8
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

Yes, there's a tube stack.

The stack is fitted to the outer, smaller radius, part of the rubber with a hose clamp.

My first post shows several stacks, and one of them should fit.
I didn't have time to see which one fits the vw150.

Here's one that says it'll fit. https://www.asap-supplies.com/produc...bow-514-468tn1


Cheers.
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Old 07-05-2021, 09:20   #9
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

Awesome! Thanks! Scary price!! Next query..... Do you think you might find an opportunity to take some pics from various angles that show the routing of the coolant lines. Scoured the web without much results. You could send them to me direct via my email address in my original post.
I think I owe you a frosty one my friend...Cheers, David
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Old 07-05-2021, 09:26   #10
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

Check Sen-Dure heat exchangers if you get stuck. https://sen-dureproducts.com/

The Compact Verticals work fine if they don't have a direct replacement . Size accordingly.
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Old 07-05-2021, 10:25   #11
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

I also have a Pathfinder 1.6L in my boat. It sounds like Paul has lots more experience with them than I do. I did run two diesel Rabbits in the 1980’’s/90’s with the same base engine.
The heat exchanger does have a number (10?) of thin wall tubes in it. This is where the freshwater flows, while the large housing carries the raw water.
You might try to use a micrometer to measure the size of tube to fit and luck out and just buy tubing and cut to fit. The tubing is obviously some sort of corrosion resistant metall
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Old 07-05-2021, 10:48   #12
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

Tanton 37.

We are using VW 1.9l ALH, TDI diesels. These engines have totally different cooling systems than the IDI engine you're using. AndyEss might be a better person to talk to about videos of the cooling system.

Just the same, I'll see if I can find any photos of our old engine.

Cheers.
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Old 07-05-2021, 10:59   #13
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

I found a few photos from when we were installing the engine in our old Corbin 39. I don't seem to have any photos of the Injection pump side.

Those bent copper tubes were really well done. John was a very fastidious fellow, RIP.

Cheers.
Paul.
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Old 07-05-2021, 11:04   #14
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

I do not have a VW diesel so this is just hearsay. An owner of one had told me that scheduled replacement of timing belts is critical. He also said that Pathfinder had a bracket that holds the cog wheels in the proper position while replacing the belt.

This owner also loved his Pathfinder and had lots of trouble with the 4.108 that it replaced.
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Old 07-05-2021, 11:08   #15
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Re: VW Pathfinder marine diesel

I found some more. John sent me these before shipping the engine to me.

I hope these help.

Cheers.
Paul.
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