Possible New Engine Needed?

[littlejon]

Hi All,

I have been an avid reader of this forum for over 2 years now and I need a bit of advice. Last week the engine malfunction light came on. I took it into a garage and the computer suggested there was incorrect correlation between the camshaft position sensor and engine speed sensor. The garage (vw specialist not main dealer as my gti is out of warranty by 8 months) suggested going into a main dealer as there may be a software problem. Speaking to the main dealer they didnt seem to bothered and suggested putting it in the week after. I drove the car again 2 days later and when parking up at home the engine didnt sound right in park (DSG) so I decided to book it in for the next monday am for an earlier look and didnt drive the car all weekend to ensure no further damage was done. Come monday morning the car wouldnt start and I had to be towed to the garage.
I had a phone call later that day saying there was a major problem and the only way to see what was wrong was to do a full engine strip costing 800 quid. I had no choice as the car wouldnt start. They said they needed the car for up to 2 weeks to do this and there is a possibility it may need a new engine. They had rung the warranty people who provisionally said if this was the case they would probably pay 100% parts and 30% labour.
It as a 59 Gti with 50 000 on the clock which has been well looked after and no previous problems. I cannot understand how it could need a new engine at this stage? The garage is currently doing the strip down and I am waiting to hear today. Has anyone heard of similar problems? Has anyone any advice as to how to approach this. Its already going to be expensive and thats before they have even told me whats wrong with it.

Sad times! Thanks. Jon

[Obbzi]

Ouch! I hope you get this sorted out mate, keep us informed

[Ess_Three]

I take it you checked the oil regularly and it had plenty in?

[Mr GTD]

Ouch! I hope you get this sorted out mate, keep us informed

+1 I just hope they keep to there word about the costs....

[Metallix]

Jon,

Could you xpand on 'wouldn't start'?

as in would it:
crank over as normal but not fire, 
crank but oddly very smooth & quiet, 
just make a clicking noise & not crank at all,
not do anything when you tried the key/button
??

^ the above may help filter out some experiences by others that are unrelated faults, & aid more knowledgable folk to assist

[Ess_Three]

Also:
Did you have the engine management light up only, or STOP in big letters on the DIS?

[littlejon]

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes to oil topped up.

On the monday when it wouldn't start, it turned over and it would fire up occasionally (but not every time). Pumping the accelerator would keep it on briefly but as soon as I removed my foot from the pedal, it would just cut out.

[littlejon]

The light came on permanently (not flashing). There was no information in the centre display like sometimes happens. Manual said to drive to nearest garage which I did and the rest is as described.

[Ess_Three]

If it's been serviced, was topped up with oil and you booked it in as soon as the light came on, I'd say you'd be in a good position with VW.
They should cover a huge chunk of the cost under 'goodwill'.
I think the 'norm' is 50:50 on the labour bill...so dig your heels in there!

Sadly, the only way to know what's gone wrong, is to strip it down, if the diagnostic tested doesn't show the cause.

[stu79]

Could this be another case of lower chain tensioner failure perhaps? Symptoms sound familiar...