Cupra K1 Unexplained Engine Damage

[grimster]

Hi all

First time posting and not what I wanted as a newbie.

This week, my pride and joy, a 58 plate K1 ( 75k on clock ) bit the dust in dramatic style. whilst driving ( slowly ), the car developed a misfire and a rattle. Got the AA to take me to nearest garage and upon investigation, cylinder 4 is a write off due to foreign object damage!! We have no idea what has caused it yet as I will need to pay for further diagnostics but looks like something has either entered the cylinder somehow and wrecked the sparked plug and the core etc, or the spark plug might have failed and broken up causing the damage or when the plugs were changed last week, something was dropped in before the plug by accident ( highly unlikely due to miles i had driven after it was changed ).

I am gutted as the repair bill is more than the car is worth now.

Has anyone heard of something like this before? I have raised a case with SEAT UK in the hope that its mechanical failure and they may help out else its the spark plug failure.

Any ideas on what the car would be worth to sell as-is?

 

[OldManPooley]

I dont know how much you think it will cost to fix. But i can assure you, its not more than your car is worth

 

[grimster]

The garage has quoted roughly £7,000 to £8,000 parts and labour due to damage to bore, cylinder head and piston means most parts need to be replaced. I'm no mechanic so can't comment on their price.

It is defo not the spark plug and therefore engine is going to be fully stripped to found out what has happened.

 

[OldManPooley]

The garage has quoted roughly £7,000 to £8,000 parts and labour due to damage to bore, cylinder head and piston means most parts need to be replaced. I'm no mechanic so can't comment on their price.

It is defo not the spark plug and therefore engine is going to be fully stripped to found out what has happened.

Garage is taking the piss mate. Get yourself on the TFSI tuning group on Facebook and post your problem. Someone there will point you in the right direction.

Which garage has quoted you that btw?

 

[grimster]

Thanks for that, will do.
The garage in question are being really helpful as they also would like to know what has caused the damage. The cost is for an exchange engine as the damage to too much to repair. These engines are rare apparently.

I not gonna name them as they are helping me to get SEAT UK on board with the diagnosis

 

[OldManPooley]

Thanks for that, will do.
The garage in question are being really helpful as they also would like to know what has caused the damage. The cost is for an exchange engine as the damage to too much to repair. These engines are rare apparently.

I not gonna name them as they are helping me to get SEAT UK on board with the diagnosis

Fair enuff, 1 These engines are not rare at all and 2 I would be help full for 7 grand lol

 

[grimster]

So tell me where I can get the repair doner or an exchange engine cheaper?

I have already told the garage I will not be getting the repair done so they have no vested interest. I have a possible buyer lined up so was looking for help on price not unhelpful comments about being ripped off

 

[slim20vt]

Not sure where your based mate but I have a K1 too and you could do with taking to Rob at TSR performance @ bridge water ,that would be a good start I would think you would be able to sort this for a couple of thousand, as for 7 to 8k some one is out of there depth n my opinion.

Keep us updated

 

[OldManPooley]

So tell me where I can get the repair doner or an exchange engine cheaper?

I have already told the garage I will not be getting the repair done so they have no vested interest. I have a possible buyer lined up so was looking for help on price not unhelpful comments about being ripped off

Ive already told you to join the tuning group on facebook, as thats were all the enthusiasts hang out, and thats where you will sort a replacement engine.

I could give you a few suggestions, TSR Performance and AKS Tuning to name two, but as i dont know where your based didnt bother.

As for being unhelpful. If telling you the price they are quoting is comical and that these engines are not rare at all when they say they are is being unhelpful then sort it yourself then.

One more bit of advise which you probably wont agree with. Dont bother trying to get Seat onboard on a 9 year old car, they would be next to useless as they are only use full with new and nearley new cars under warranty( And thats only because its free)

 

[OldManPooley]

Not sure where your based mate but I have a K1 too and you could do with taking to Rob at TSR performance @ bridge water ,that would be a good start I would think you would be able to sort this for a couple of thousand, as for 7 to 8k some one is out of there depth n my opinion.

Keep us updated

Couldnt argue with them suggestions. P.s Im also in Devon, tho not so sure about the sunny part

 

[kazand]

Get yourself on some of the FB sites, very often see mk 2 Cupra's being broken, should be able to pick an engine up relatively cheaply. Otherwise, do a search on here, there are a few that have rebuilt their engines following failures.

 

[Peller]

Get yourself on some of the FB sites, very often see mk 2 Cupra's being broken, should be able to pick an engine up relatively cheaply. Otherwise, do a search on here, there are a few that have rebuilt their engines following failures.

+1 on this. Plenty of VAG group TSi's kicking about, doesn't need to be from SEAT.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[grimster]

Thanks for the responses - I do appreciate the feedback. I'm still waiting to find out exact cause of the failure before I decide what to do.
I completely understand that SEAT are overpriced and taking the proverbial - problem is that I don't know of any local VAG specialists in my area ( Essex/Herts border ) and money is extremely tight due to other circumstances.

 

[OldManPooley]

Your only an hour or so away from AKS Tuning. They are in Bedford. Thats where id be going

 

[Dan FR]

The damage will be from the spark plug failing, the cause of the failure could be a number of things. Personally I'd be getting the injectors sent off for testing (label each one i.e. cyl 1, 2 etc.) as I wouldn't be at all surprised if thats the cause.

I wouldn't hold out much hope of Seat footing the bill on a 75k mile car

TFSI Tuning and TFSI Parts for sale/wanted are the two FB groups you need. BWJ engines from the Cupra often go for around the £1500 mark

 

[Leeoncupra]

My engine failed due to a bent crank journal, i got a second hand crank with 14k on , rifle drilled rods and wossner pistons for shy 1200. Then its just the gaskets and new bolts plus labour and thats for a forged engine

If interested ive got my old conrods and pistons , nothing wrong with them as the damage was to the crank and big end bearings my bore was score free.

leon cupra rtech stage 2, 3inch turbo back , revo intake , r8 coil packs - 323bhp 333ft lb

 

[fozzybear]

Just a quickie....did the garage that serviced car also quote you for new engine....and has head been removed to examine damage .....or is it a theory it has that amount of damage.....it sounds the garage is using your lack of knowledge to rip you off ...par chance have they offered to buy car too...if so get out of there quick ...deffo ripping you off