ENGINE GONE, DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO. (PICS)

[Isaa]

Hi I own a 2007 Audi a4 Cabriolet (B7) 1.8T, had it for about a year. For a few weeks now the oil pressure light has been showing up so I topped it up with oil. After I had topped up the oil the light went out but after a few days it reappeared. I topped it with oil on two occasions and the same thing happened on both (light would reappear after going out). So it had been a week after I last topped it up with oil but as I've been so busy with work, I couldnt take it to audi to get a diagnostic.

Friday night I had to go over to Essex from London to meet a mate of mine. So on the way back to London, after half an hour on the motorway the car just cutout on me. When I tried to start it up again the engine management light showed up on the dash, the engine just kept turning over but wouldn't start. So I ended up having to tow the car back to my mechanic in London.

So after my mechanic had a look at the car he delivered the bad news. He said that I would need a whole new engine, he managed to get it started but the engine sounded awful. Im absolutely gutted, I don't have the money to fork out over a grand for a replacement engine. I don't know if I should just sell the car as a non runner or pay to get it fixed.

If anyone knows where I can pickup a decent engine for cheap it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Danny-boy]

Really sorry to hear this mate.

Looks like a lovely car, I'd say you would be best to repair if you have the means.

 

[Molnboman]

So what is the diagnosis? The engine started and sounded awful....what's wrong with it them...other than the obvious. It sounds expensive unfortunately. :-(

Cheers
A

 

[jdp1962]

If it was the oil pressure light (the red one), as distinct from the oil level light (the yellow one) that came on, you should have stopped using the car immediately and got it checked out. The 1.8T has a tendency to suffer from a blocked oil pick-up, which prevents the oil from circulating properly and protecting the engine. Topping it up won't have achieved anything. By continuing to use the car when it was telling you it had low oil pressure, I hate to say it but you have in all probability destroyed the engine.

It might be possible to rebuild the existing engine, but a replacement might be your only option.

 

[Isaa]

So what is the diagnosis? The engine started and sounded awful....what's wrong with it them...other than the obvious. It sounds expensive unfortunately. :-(

Cheers
A

My mechanic said that the oil pump must have failed. He also said that there was way too much oil.

 

[Isaa]

If it was the oil pressure light (the red one), as distinct from the oil level light (the yellow one) that came on, you should have stopped using the car immediately and got it checked out. The 1.8T has a tendency to suffer from a blocked oil pick-up, which prevents the oil from circulating properly and protecting the engine. Topping it up won't have achieved anything. By continuing to use the car when it was telling you it had low oil pressure, I hate to say it but you have in all probability destroyed the engine.

It might be possible to rebuild the existing engine, but a replacement might be your only option.

Think your right mate. After doing a bit of research it looks like its a common fault with the 1.8T.

 

[Isaa]

Really sorry to hear this mate.

Looks like a lovely car, I'd say you would be best to repair if you have the means.

Really gutted mate, don't even know were i can get a engine thats in decent nick from.

 

[Big Al]

Hi mate, sorry to hear about your bad luck.

After suffering an engine failure on my S3 8L (1.8T AMK), I bit the bullet and changed the whole engine (to a BAM). But it cost me well over £3500 in rebuild/parts/clutch/flywheel/turbo labour costs. Unless your clutch, flywheel and turbo are in mint condition, it's best to change these too at the same time as afterwards it's just going to cost you more. Plus the donor engine will probably need belts/chain tensioners, oil pump/ pickup, gaskets, engine mounts, other ancilleries too so it all adds up.

Personally, I'd break the car, recover some of your costs and buy another car. Sounds harsh but otherwise you'll end up spending in total more than the car is worth and never get your money back.

That's why my car hasn't sold and now I'm forced to break it AFTER spending all the money on repairing it - for a greater loss. Many people won't buy a car which has had the engine changed. Plus you need to know for sure the engine is genuine, not stolen as the DVLA and insurance company need to know too....

 

[Isaa]

Hi mate, sorry to hear about your bad luck.

After suffering an engine failure on my S3 8L (1.8T AMK), I bit the bullet and changed the whole engine (to a BAM). But it cost me well over £3500 in rebuild/parts/clutch/flywheel/turbo labour costs. Unless your clutch, flywheel and turbo are in mint condition, it's best to change these too at the same time as afterwards it's just going to cost you more. Plus the donor engine will probably need belts/chain tensioners, oil pump/ pickup, gaskets, engine mounts, other ancilleries too so it all adds up.

Personally, I'd break the car, recover some of your costs and buy another car. Sounds harsh but otherwise you'll end up spending in total more than the car is worth and never get your money back.

That's why my car hasn't sold and now I'm forced to break it AFTER spending all the money on repairing it - for a greater loss. Many people won't buy a car which has had the engine changed. Plus you need to know for sure the engine is genuine, not stolen as the DVLA and insurance company need to know too....

Thats the problem, finding a BFB engine that will fit and if I do find one how do I know it doesn't have any issues. I might just have to sell the car on as a non runner to save me all the hassle.

 

[duffy78]

I think the things that usually go are the turbo, cams and head.

Why don't you get it fully checked out first and then go from there.

 

[Isaa]

I think the things that usually go are the turbo, cams and head.

Why don't you get it fully checked out first and then go from there.

Yeh, think I'm gona get my mechanic to have a proper good look at it before I decide but I know that if it is fixable its going to cost me a lot.

 

[beachbuggy]

Yeh, think I'm gona get my mechanic to have a proper good look at it before I decide but I know that if it is fixable its going to cost me a lot.

Most 1.8t engines are the same. You may not find a bfb but BEX or similar will work. Tbh main cost is going to be labour to fix. I reckon you might be better off upgrading the engine whilst rebuilding to at least cover back some of the costs. Forged rods, large port head, hybrid turbo would cost that much more than rebuilding or replacing the existing knackered engine. The only way you'll know the damage is it strip the engine down.

 

[Isaa]

Most 1.8t engines are the same. You may not find a bfb but BEX or similar will work. Tbh main cost is going to be labour to fix. I reckon you might be better off upgrading the engine whilst rebuilding to at least cover back some of the costs. Forged rods, large port head, hybrid turbo would cost that much more than rebuilding or replacing the existing knackered engine. The only way you'll know the damage is it strip the engine down.

So would you say its worth fixing? It's gona be a real headache sourcing all the parts needed.

 

[B5NUT]

There are a few bfb engines on ebay supply/fit for around £1600, with engine only at £1100.

Looking on ebay 07 1.8T cabs are going for around £8-£10K depending on spec & mileage, with that in mind I don't think your going to get that breaking it & spares or repair sale would only make £4-5K I would think. I would say an engine swap for £1600 is your best option.

 

[beachbuggy]

So would you say its worth fixing? It's gona be a real headache sourcing all the parts needed.

Paying someone to do it for you? No. Do it yourself ? Yes
its money your never get back

 

[Isaa]

Paying someone to do it for you? No. Do it yourself ? Yes
its money your never get back

If I was to get it fix I would have to pay someone to do it. I personally have no knowledge about changing major parts of an engine so I wouldn't know were to start.

 

[Isaa]

There are a few bfb engines on ebay supply/fit for around £1600, with engine only at £1100.

Looking on ebay 07 1.8T cabs are going for around £8-£10K depending on spec & mileage, with that in mind I don't think your going to get that breaking it & spares or repair sale would only make £4-5K I would think. I would say an engine swap for £1600 is your best option.

The thing about sourcing a engine of ebay is that theirs no way of checking how many miles its done or know if it has any faults.

 

[B5NUT]

Depends on what you go for, the supply/fit services offer guarantee on the engines/fitment. Also just because it's on ebay does not mean your going to get a bag of hammers, there are genuine business offering there services, as it's just another way of advertising.

 

[Isaa]

Depends on what you go for, the supply/fit services offer guarantee on the engines/fitment. Also just because it's on ebay does not mean your going to get a bag of hammers, there are genuine business offering there services, as it's just another way of advertising.

Just had a look on ebay and theres a few decent ones there. Thanks for your input.