Golf Mk5 Engine replacement

[Blano1988]

Hi everyone just after some advice really. My girlfriends 55 plate mk 5 golf (AXX engine code) siezed on her last week. It had been running funny for a while And I thought it sounded a lot like a diesel, it seemed like this was a common problem with this engine code and the problem was usually the cam belt tensioners. Then she got an oil pressure warning flash up one day and clear. Even though it had been serviced regularly it was assumed the oil had built up sludge and so oil and filter was changed and this seemed to clear the fault for a while. It flashed up again a few weeks later and disappeared again so I did some digging and i read that a common fault with these engines was the oil pickup pipe but a garage wanted 500 to change it so I was going to do it myself. Anyway I never got chance and one day without any flashing light or wngine code whilst driving on the motorway she thinks she heard a bit of a squeeling and then lost all power. Needless to say the engine siezed and now I suspect the oil pump was at fault.

Thats the background of it anyway but what I intend to do now is replace the engine. Now i have heard that the engine needs to be removed from the bottom of the car instead of listed and wanted to know if this was true as it will be a nightmare in my garage! Any help or advice would be appreciated.  Constructive comments only please. Thanks in advance

[th3_f15t]

That's tough luck about the engine, hope your girlfriend was alright after it died on her! You're quite right, the oil pick up pipe is a common issue that leads to these kind of problems.

I'm pretty sure the Haynes manual for our cars shows that the engine can be removed horizontally through the front of the car, but it looks like a 2 man job as you have to rotate it and move it at the same time so employ some friends and pay them biscuits.

As for a new engine itself, you'll likely want to source a BWA code engine from later models. They are a better engines generally with some stronger internals. You'll probably need to get a new ECU with it and investigate the immobiliser, I think it'll be fine but you may need someone with VCDS to help code it all in so the car is happy.

While you're new engine is waiting to go in, make sure you inspect/replace the diverter valve (DV), pressure control valve (PCV), high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) cam follower and oil pick up pipe replacement. I can get links to how to guides for all of these if you need them, just worth doing to make sure your new engine runs factory perfect after all the hard work.

[Blano1988]

Thanks for the reply! By horizontally do you mean removing the lock gate? I think if I do this I'll have to pay someone to empty the a/c refrigerant, still this would probably be a cheaper option then having to get it towed somewhere with a four poster to remove the engine from the bottom.

To be honest I hasnt thought of upgrading the engine but ill have a look into it because like you say it would be better to put something a bit more reliable in there even if I do end up selling it once it's done.

Those links would be very handy.

Thanks again for your help

[th3_f15t]

You'll need to drain the air con system regardless, that's what the Haynes manual details anyway. If you haven't got one already, grab one of eBay as it'll be a bible when you start.

Right, some links. PCV and DV diagnostic guide (little useless for the PCV with a dead engine!);

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,44709.0.html

PCV replacement;

http://vagdrivers.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=40537

HPFP cam follower (engine in car method, adapt for an engine outside the car);

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,8339.0.html

As for engine upgrades, as mentioned the BWA coded engine is a like-for-like swap, but the other option is to source a higher spec engine in the form of an Edition 30/Audi S3/Seat Leon Cupra R equivalent. They use a larger turbo (the K04) and there's some differences in engine layout but not enough to worry about. An extra 30bhp over your standard GTI engine with potential to achieve over 300bhp with only little modifications. These more powerful engines also had stronger internals which are seeing 500bhp being pushed through them.

The reason I say about going for a more powerful engine (even though you may sell the car) is that upgrading the engine may add a fair bit of value to the car, especially someone after a project themselves who wants big power. The initial outlay for a K04 engine is only a few hundred more than a BWA engine.

Just giving the extra info for your judgement...