2005 VW Golf engine seized - scrap?

Retrogamer

grrmich wrote: »

Thanks for your replies so far. I have no idea if the engine code is BXE OR BLS.

It will tell you on the V5 document. It's the first part of the engine number IIRC

mark5

arcon5 wrote: »

I suspect the garage know the difference between a non-runner and a seized engine!

Depends on the garage/mechanic that's why I would check first.

There are a few local garages I wouldn't trust with a serious diagnosis.

chrisw

It's difficult to think of a scenario where the engine would be seized following a stall after a short journey without any warning or prior noises and with the oil and coolant levels ok.

Something like a broken crankshaft would tend to cause the wheels to lock up. The only thing I can think of is something like a timing belt failure which usually only makes a slight tinkling sound while the pistons are mashing the valves. But this should be obvious to the mechanic. Or bits of the turbo or something have been sucked in the engine, again locking the valves and pistons together.

I think I'd seek a second opinion and at least take the head off to see what's going on.

londonTiger

whats the value of the car? What is the cost of a reconditioned engine + fitting labour?

If there isn't a whole big difference between the two figures I would suggest you just scrap the car and buy a replacement 2nd hand. With a 2nd hand car you can at least test drive. With a "reconditioned engine" you just don't know, it's impossible to test the engine once it's out. Well it can be done but you'd need to be a mechanic and have lots of time to test it out of the car.

thescouselander

11 years is quite old for a car especially if you can't do you're own maintenance. I agree with the above post; stick it on eBay for spares or repair and pick up a newer one.

londonTiger

unfortunately to part off a car you need spare land and LOTS of time. You cannot do this on street. You'll have to give up space on your drive and could be a long process.

arcon5

mark5 wrote: »

Depends on the garage/mechanic that's why I would check first.

There are a few local garages I wouldn't trust with a serious diagnosis.

So they've said its seized which means they can't crank it or turn it by the pulley bolt. Two things even a kwikfitter would try... And your suggesting op checks the fuel filter?

Even if they are wrong about the engine being seized your desktop diagnostics is heading in the wrong direction.

arcon5

chrisw wrote: »

It's difficult to think of a scenario where the engine would be seized following a stall after a short journey without any warning or prior noises and with the oil and coolant levels ok.

Something like a broken crankshaft would tend to cause the wheels to lock up. The only thing I can think of is something like a timing belt failure which usually only makes a slight tinkling sound while the pistons are mashing the valves. But this should be obvious to the mechanic. Or bits of the turbo or something have been sucked in the engine, again locking the valves and pistons together.

I think I'd seek a second opinion and at least take the head off to see what's going on.

Agreed. They don't tend to seize without any warning whatsoever!! Although I'd suspect more than anything ops not told us something important. A lot of people say a breakdown came out of the blue only then to confirm they have been hearing a rumbling sound for a thousand miles or a red light came on just before or something when interrogated

mark5

arcon5 wrote: »

So they've said its seized which means they can't crank it or turn it by the pulley bolt. Two things even a kwikfitter would try... And your suggesting op checks the fuel filter?

Even if they are wrong about the engine being seized your desktop diagnostics is heading in the wrong direction.

I would eliminate possible simple causes first before accepting the engine is ruined.

If a mechanic said to me the timing belt had snapped or the oil pump failed I would be more accepting of the diagnosis ,but to say the engine is seized without looking for a cause is madness. The op doesn't mention no signs of problems leading to the non runner.

I've known a few mk5 tdi's to appear dead but just need fuel filters changing, that's why I asked.

Seized is seized but sometimes poor descriptions make things sound worse than they are.

sun-n-moon

thescouselander wrote: »

11 years is quite old for a car especially if you can't do you're own maintenance. I agree with the above post; stick it on eBay for spares or repair and pick up a newer one.

IMO that is not old for a car. I run a 2002 Yaris with 122k on the clock and it runs perfectly. If I had to change it I'd be looking for something the same age or earlier. Newish cars fill me with dread at the cost of repairing/finding faults. I do agree though with sticking it on ebay. Less hassle and just buy something else you can test drive with history.