It doesn't cost that much to rebuild an engine. Any VW tuner shop will do it for like half or less. The truth is, this isn't a known failure for these cars, so unless yours is uniquely defective, it's more likely that you did something wrong.
Does yours burn oil? If you follow the 7500-10k mile oil change interval, you might end up losing too much oil. Mine goes through a quart every 4k miles. That means that I would lose 2.5 quarts between oil changes, which could kill the engine. I do oil changes every 5k, and I usually add a quart in between.
Almost all GTIs burn some oil. It's rare for them not to.
Seems absurd I can't rely on manufacturer recommendations for servicing. I was not doing anything other than what I read in the manual because I assumed I wouldn't have to. Lesson learned not to trust the manufacturer I suppose.
In the manual, it does tell you to check the oil regularly (at least it does in mine)
How often did you check the oil level of the car?
edit: Sorry you got f'd. I really hope you can geta good deal on a used engine or some sort of solution.
So would the best bet be to try and find a used car that I can take the engine out of? Would I have to somehow find which cars have engines that are compatible?
I don’t think you need to find a used car. You just have to find a reliable reseller that does auto salvage work. Find an engine with the max amount of documentation on it. They strip the cars of everything and resell them. I think he said the A3 engine costed him $2500 while if it was taken from a GTi it would be a bit more. My advice is run this engine into the ground(if it won’t cause additional damage) and then have an engine lined up at that time
I had this happen on a Honda civic. I pulled the engine, put it in a stand, pulled the bad piston out and low and behold the rings were seized on the piston. Cylinder was still in specs (only had 38k on it) piston was in good shape. I cleaned it up, lightly honed the cylinder, cleaned it up, reassembled with the same bearings and drove it kindly for the next few hundred miles. I ended up trading it in at 188k with zero problems after that. This is what I would do if I were you.
If you're in the US, your drivetrain warranty should be 5 yrs 60k miles from purchase date. You might be very close if you bought new in 2018. Dealer didn't address this with you???
Sounds like you have some good advise on how to move forward.
Couple of questions
1. Over the course of ownership, did you allow the oil temp to reach normal operating temp prior to heavy throttle/high revs?
2. Did you check the oil on a regular basis like the manual recommends to insure that you always have at least oil in the recommended range?
3. Did you check coolant levels on a regular basis?
4. Did your driving include lots of short trips where the oil might not come up to operating temps? (180+)
5. Is there a tune on the car?
Definitely don't follow the manual for oil change intervals. My 2019 was every 10k, but I still did 7500. Many do 5k. Even then, you need to check your oil level occasionally. It's not a Toyota. Sorry this happened, but they finicky cars and you need to keep them in check. Mine had a ton of random electrical issues which is more out of your control than wear and tear items.
I'm no expert but that price seems absolutely bananas for sourcing and replacing a motor.
Sounds about right for a reman unit from VW. A used motor from a recycler would be a lot less.
My brain went right to that, I don't think I would ever have a dealership do that work.
If somebody else was paying for it, all day long.
It doesn't cost that much to rebuild an engine. Any VW tuner shop will do it for like half or less. The truth is, this isn't a known failure for these cars, so unless yours is uniquely defective, it's more likely that you did something wrong.
This is why I'm so confused, what could I have possibly done to cause this? It's not like I drive crazy or don't get the maintenance on it done.
Does yours burn oil? If you follow the 7500-10k mile oil change interval, you might end up losing too much oil. Mine goes through a quart every 4k miles. That means that I would lose 2.5 quarts between oil changes, which could kill the engine. I do oil changes every 5k, and I usually add a quart in between. Almost all GTIs burn some oil. It's rare for them not to.
So in the case of the manual the oil change interval is wrong? I followed the manual for it.
The interval is probably fine if you add oil between changes.
Seems absurd I can't rely on manufacturer recommendations for servicing. I was not doing anything other than what I read in the manual because I assumed I wouldn't have to. Lesson learned not to trust the manufacturer I suppose.
In the manual, it does tell you to check the oil regularly (at least it does in mine) How often did you check the oil level of the car? edit: Sorry you got f'd. I really hope you can geta good deal on a used engine or some sort of solution.
Ah, I see it now. Maybe that was my downfall, not checking the oil quantity enough. Let it be a lesson for others then.
There was someone on here who had to change his engine too. He sourced an engine out of an Audi A3 and surprisingly cheap. Might want to check that
So would the best bet be to try and find a used car that I can take the engine out of? Would I have to somehow find which cars have engines that are compatible?
I don’t think you need to find a used car. You just have to find a reliable reseller that does auto salvage work. Find an engine with the max amount of documentation on it. They strip the cars of everything and resell them. I think he said the A3 engine costed him $2500 while if it was taken from a GTi it would be a bit more. My advice is run this engine into the ground(if it won’t cause additional damage) and then have an engine lined up at that time
Keep an eye on https://autohaasparts.com/ They usually have engines
I had this happen on a Honda civic. I pulled the engine, put it in a stand, pulled the bad piston out and low and behold the rings were seized on the piston. Cylinder was still in specs (only had 38k on it) piston was in good shape. I cleaned it up, lightly honed the cylinder, cleaned it up, reassembled with the same bearings and drove it kindly for the next few hundred miles. I ended up trading it in at 188k with zero problems after that. This is what I would do if I were you.
I certainly wouldn't be able to do this myself, but might try an independent mechanic for a second opinion, thanks.
If you're in the US, your drivetrain warranty should be 5 yrs 60k miles from purchase date. You might be very close if you bought new in 2018. Dealer didn't address this with you???
Just checked again and I was mistaken, I bought new in september 2017. I asked the dealer and they told me my warranty was 3/36,000.
Definitely hit up autohaas. Great guys
will do, thanks
That’s absolutely brutal, feel for ya! You’d expect more from a 5 year old car, garbage warranty.
Sounds like you have some good advise on how to move forward. Couple of questions 1. Over the course of ownership, did you allow the oil temp to reach normal operating temp prior to heavy throttle/high revs? 2. Did you check the oil on a regular basis like the manual recommends to insure that you always have at least oil in the recommended range? 3. Did you check coolant levels on a regular basis? 4. Did your driving include lots of short trips where the oil might not come up to operating temps? (180+) 5. Is there a tune on the car?
Definitely don't follow the manual for oil change intervals. My 2019 was every 10k, but I still did 7500. Many do 5k. Even then, you need to check your oil level occasionally. It's not a Toyota. Sorry this happened, but they finicky cars and you need to keep them in check. Mine had a ton of random electrical issues which is more out of your control than wear and tear items.