Engine kaput on '08 Golf

Bacchus

Hey all, looking for a bit of advice on an problem I've had with my car last week.

Bit of background: It's a '08 Golf, 1.9TDi engine with about 80,000 miles on it. We bought it second hand in Feb 2012 from a VW dealer. It was last serviced in March.

Last Wednesday, it died abruptly while my wife was driving (lucky not to have been in an accident too). We brought it back (or rather towed it back) to the VW garage where we bought it. From what I understand, one of the conrods came out and wrecked the engine. It is a total wreck. New engine required. No reason given for it, just plain bad luck. Something along the way broke and caused a series of event that led to the conrod coming out.

Now, I'd just like to point out that the garage we bought it from have been nothing but helpful. Gave us a free replacement car and a good deal on refitting a new engine. I won't name names but in case anyone is able to somehow join dots, I just wanted to make that part clear.

So, my question is. Since our insurer is going to do SFA for us (it wasn't an accident) do we have any case against VW? This is a 5 year old car with reasonable mileage, good service history, the engine is dead for no reason and we're left picking up the bill.

Henry Ford III

I doubt it.

miller50841

I would be onto VW Ireland or International.

Nissan had these problems with Navara pick up and replaced most engines at no cost as it was a design fault. Had 3 and 2 were replaced by nissan I understand different company but worth looking into.

Look into it and see if anyone else has these problems.

Was the car driven through water?

Bacchus

Thanks Miller.

I've searched around online and there are a few (3/4) similar incidents with this engine where the conrod has come out. There was no conclusion to the cause or outcome to those cases so it's not really much to go on but there does seem to be a rare issue with this engine.

The car has not been driven through water in the 18 months we've had it. It's been serviced twice in that time. Oil was fine. Timing belt wasn't due. It was a total fluke engine failure that has landed us with an unexpected bill.

The garage it's at now went to VW HQ about this and by the sounds of it, they gave them a PFO. The garage is telling us there is nothing we can get off VW for this (aside from the goodwill gestures the garage itself has offered). I'm just double checking here that there is no case. I find it hard to believe VW can have no liability for their product failing like this.

miller50841

Write to vw yourself and explain the danger also think of getting onto the likes of joe on rte etc.

Zubeneschamali

Bacchus wrote: »

I find it hard to believe VW can have no liability for their product failing like this.

After 5 years and 120,000 km? Of course they have no liability.

cadaliac

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

After 5 years and 120,000 km? Of course they have no liability.

True, but that doesn't mean that they won't help out somewhere along the line.
It will be a PR exercise for VW Ireland and any help would be appreciated by the OP I'm sure.

Keep trying OP and the letter is a good idea.

FrontDoor

Is it a UK car by any chance?

You have a far better chance of getting something covered by UK VW, provided it was originally a UK car.

There are accounts on the net of people getting the same issue sorted by VW in the UK.

Bacchus

FrontDoor wrote: »

Is it a UK car by any chance?

You have a far better chance of getting something covered by UK VW, provided it was originally a UK car.

There are accounts on the net of people getting the same issue sorted by VW in the UK.

Please don't get my hopes up :P Yes, it's a UK import. Any links to what you're referring to?

Idbatterim

is a replacement engine required or is it economically viable to repair the existing one? If definetly new engine required, Id be looking for decent used one in scrap dealers here or on ebay from uk. If importing from uk, use shiply and I can provide you with a mechanic who does this work for very reasonable rates if you need one...

Henry Ford III

Your chances would be improved by having a full VW service history. I still don't think you'll get much if any help from them however.

Henry Ford III

Idbatterim wrote: »

is a replacement engine required or is it economically viable to repair the existing one?

With a conrod out through the engine block?

Idbatterim

is a replacement engine required or is it economically viable to repair the existing one?

yeah questions answered...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK2-AUDI-A3-MK5-VW-GOLF-1-9-TDi-ENGINE-BKC-2004-09-/261267507141?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cd4c1c7c5

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-1-9-TDI-DIESEL-ENGINE-AXR-VW-VOLKSWAGEN-GOLF-BORA-SEAT-AUDI-A3-/190882419214?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AGolf&hash=item2c717a920e

Bacchus

Idbatterim wrote: »

is a replacement engine required or is it economically viable to repair the existing one? If definetly new engine required, Id be looking for decent used one in scrap dealers here or on ebay from uk. If importing from uk, use shiply and I can provide you with a mechanic who does this work for very reasonable rates if you need one...

I think Henry said it best...

Henry Ford III wrote: »

With a conrod out through the engine block?

The engine gone. No saving it. Thanks for the suggestions though. I have to say that the VW garage we're dealing with now is doing us a great deal on a new engine. Yes, it's costing more than going second hand but I've much more peace of mind with a new engine with a 2 year guarantee.

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Your chances would be improved by having a full VW service history. I still don't think you'll get much if any help from them however.

Yeah full service history at VW garages.

unkel

Full VW history, low ish mileage and you bought the car from a VW main dealer. And the engine replacement was done by that same VW main dealer. I'd say you have a fighting chance of a goodwill payment from VW Ireland. Be nice until it becomes clear they're not paying a cent. Then be not nice

Good luck and let us know!

BTW BMW are paying out large sums of goodwill money in your circumstances for cars with broken timing chains wrecking the previous generation 2l diesel engine...

Frankie Lee

Bacchus wrote: »

I think Henry said it best...



The engine gone. No saving it. Thanks for the suggestions though. I have to say that the VW garage we're dealing with now is doing us a great deal on a new engine. Yes, it's costing more than going second hand but I've much more peace of mind with a new engine with a 2 year guarantee.



Yeah full service history at VW garages.

I've seen VW giving goodwill on one of these with an indie FSH so you should definitely complain.

I would not have peace of mind if I had a VAG with a BXE engine myself.

mickdw

If the dealer is doing a good deal on a brand new engine, is it not a possibility that they are getting goodwill from vw. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that a vw dealer would scam you.
I was told by my audi dealer that no goodwill was available for an issue with my audi which I had bought new from them and serviced at them. I rang another dealer who immediately got me 75 percent off.
I'd be ringing a uk dealer with chassis number to hand and see what the story is re goodwill. It would be quite interesting if they had a goodwill claim registered again your car.

Red Kev

You should also contact VW in Wolfsburg directly. If it's a rare issue they will have heard about it from other countries and might be able to help.

Also check with your insurance company if you are fully comprehensive, it's possible that some of the amount will be covered by them. Worth a call either way.

mickdw

Red Kev wrote: »

Also check with your insurance company if you are fully comprehensive, it's possible that some of the amount will be covered by them. Worth a call either way.

Where has this idea come from?
Its nonsense.

Frankie Lee

Red Kev wrote: »

If it's a rare issue they will have heard about it from other countries and might be able to help.

It is not a rare issue, I've seen two of them go myself. It might be a small % but it is definitely a severe design defect. Google BXE conrod problems.

ba_barabus

Frankie Lee wrote: »

It is not a rare issue, I've seen two of them go myself. It might be a small % but it is definitely a severe design defect. Google BXE conrod problems.

I've seen it on a Pisshat (not my shyte heap)

Bacchus

mickdw wrote: »

If the dealer is doing a good deal on a brand new engine, is it not a possibility that they are getting goodwill from vw. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility that a vw dealer would scam you.
I was told by my audi dealer that no goodwill was available for an issue with my audi which I had bought new from them and serviced at them. I rang another dealer who immediately got me 75 percent off.
I'd be ringing a uk dealer with chassis number to hand and see what the story is re goodwill. It would be quite interesting if they had a goodwill claim registered again your car.

I know this garage and we have a long history with them. They are not scamming us. They are the ones offering the goodwill.

I need to call them today to get the chassis number so I can call VW UK. FrontDoor gave me a contact who had a similar issue to mine that I'm waiting to hear back from too.

Red Kev wrote: »

You should also contact VW in Wolfsburg directly. If it's a rare issue they will have heard about it from other countries and might be able to help.

Also check with your insurance company if you are fully comprehensive, it's possible that some of the amount will be covered by them. Worth a call either way.

I'll do that if I get nowhere with VW UK.

Insurance company can do nothing. It was not an accident and as far as they are concerned it's "wear and tear".

Frankie Lee wrote: »

It is not a rare issue, I've seen two of them go myself. It might be a small % but it is definitely a severe design defect. Google BXE conrod problems.

^ This is what I have found too. There are a small number of similar stories out there. Fingers crossed I've a bit of luck with VW UK.

Thanks for all the replies lads.

gctest50

Bacchus wrote: »

Please don't get my hopes up :P Yes, it's a UK import. Any links to what you're referring to?

Plenty of flooding in the UK a few years ago - maybe it was a victim ?

It shouldn't have put a leg out of the bed at 120000km unles its made of chocolate

mickdw

Bacchus wrote: »

I know this garage and we have a long history with them. They are not scamming us. They are the ones offering the goodwill.

I need to call them today to get the chassis number so I can call VW UK. FrontDoor gave me a contact who had a similar issue to mine that I'm waiting to hear back from too.



I'll do that if I get nowhere with VW UK.

Insurance company can do nothing. It was not an accident and as far as they are concerned it's "wear and tear".



^ This is what I have found too. There are a small number of similar stories out there. Fingers crossed I've a bit of luck with VW UK.

Thanks for all the replies lads.

So they are giving you goodwill out of their own pocket on something as costly as a new engine. I find that hard to believe given that it's a known issue and the car is an import and also given that vw uk are known to have given goodwill for this problem.

Bacchus

mickdw wrote: »

So they are giving you goodwill out of their own pocket on something as costly as a new engine. I find that hard to believe given that it's a known issue and the car is an import and also given that vw uk are known to have given goodwill for this problem.

Yes, they are. I hate to repeat myself but we have a long history with this garage and they are doing what they can for us. I've not spoken to them since learning all this new info so it will be interesting to hear what they say. I imagine they spoke to VW Ireland, not VW UK. The issue is not really "known" and is certainly not acknowledged by VW Ireland. I'll be in touch with our garage about this though when I have all the info I need to put my case to them (I don't want to go to them with a half baked idea of what I'm talking about).

L-M

Out of curiosity what is the replacement costing? Have you any idea of the history of the replacement? Does it include a new timing belt and service etc?

Bacchus

Limerick man wrote: »

Out of curiosity what is the replacement costing? Have you any idea of the history of the replacement? Does it include a new timing belt and service etc?

Out of respect for the garage offering us the goodwill, I'd prefer not to give out specifics like that, sorry. It's a new engine though, not second hand, so there's no issue there.

L-M

Brand new :eek:

lomb

Id get one out of a scrapyard from the UK, fit it, and sell it.
Vw Ireland are one of the worst customer friendly business in Ireland. My mother bought a brand new golf here for 25k in April 2006, the cars power steering system failed within warranty but it was a bank holiday weekend , it failed on a friday evening. The warranty was valid till Sunday. It was reported tuesday and VW Ireland denied any liability for the 1500 steering rack. After solicitors letters were sent the dealer ended up eating part of the cost but VW Ireland said the matter should have been reported to their breakdown service on the Friday evening which it wasnt.
I personally would not buy a new VW from VW Ireland rather buying through VW UK.

Bigus

Bacchus wrote: »

Out of respect for the garage offering us the goodwill, I'd prefer not to give out specifics like that, sorry. It's a new engine though, not second hand, so there's no issue there.

So tell us the full retail price of a new engine supplied and fitted ?

L-M

Whats a new engine? 5-6 grand?

Bacchus

Minor update on this. I've been in touch with VW Ireland, very friendly chap on the phone but ultimately not doing much for me. Claims that the goodwill the garage are doing me already is all they can offer. Since it is out of warranty and this is not a known issue it doesn't matter what the circumstance (mileage, how old, service history etc.). I did mention that this seems to be a recurring, but rare, issue with the 1.9TDi's and if it was recognised as a known issue would that change things.... I got the impression that if there was a known issue that it might change my case. He even went as far to suggest that maybe that's why the garage gave the goodwill in the first place. How the garage would know it's a known issue but VW Ireland not is a puzzle.

Next step, get in touch with the garage to ask why they are giving the goodwill gesture. Surely if this was a known issue, VW Ireland should be stumping up the full cost and thanking God noone was hurt in the incident involving their engine failing at 100km/hr.

I'm gonna push VW Ireland as much as I can but from that phone call I think I'll have to go to VW UK for the costs to be covered.

L-M

I really cant understand how youre actually getting a brand new engine for it.