(Skip to the line break to skip the back story if you are not interested)
Well, considering my last car was a 2003 1.9 TDI Cupra, which gave me over 3 years of reliable, enjoyable motoring, my upgrade has been a strange experiance.
Back in Feburary I purchased a Leon 2.0 TDI FR DPF in Emotion Red, 52K miles on the clock, got them to service it and change the cam belt within the price at the time.
Immediately I thought it was a much nicer car, more comfortable, easier to drive, easier to park, a better use of interior space. I handeled just as well and provided as much more comfortable ride.
I just found myself dissapointed with the Engine and Gearbox. Yes it has more power, but it feels like you have to work much harder and find the right revs to get the most out of it, the 1.9 unit was much better at using the power available I felt. The gearbox, the gearing has certainly changed, you couldn't get to 70 in 3rd before, but it didn't feel as mechanically solid, it wasn't as pleasant to shift.
The main irritation I have had with it, is the constant DPF light coming on after any recent town driving or as I noticed seemingly using cheaper supermarket diesel.
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Having serviced the car after 12K miles and 5 months I was driving home down the M1 after my last job before going on holiday the next day. I was in 6th gear cruising at 70-75.
I suddenly received a coil light and engine workshop warning. The car kept going, after a few minutes I noticed a power lost and struggled to stay at 60 without dropping to 4th. I got off the motor way, pulled up in a service station. Switched the engine off, gave it a few minutes, fired it up, no errors, no warnings, nothing abnormal.
I rejoined the motorway slip road, overtaking a lorry on the slip lane I dropped into 4th and there was an all mighty clunk. Not from the gearbox, the car was still going but there was a strange noise and the car was shaking. I pulled up the hard shoulder quite quickly. Again killed the engine, started it up again, the whole car was shaking in idle with a the engine shaking the bay.
Clearly it wasn't going anywhere and it wasn't a good idea to run it any longer. In the process of getting onto a recovery vehicle it struggled to find any power to get over the bar into the lifting arm over the recovery truck. When I reversed it off, that's when it went from a rumbling to a jackhammer type noise.
I had it recovered by my local garage, they looked at, they did an oil pressure check which it had, they thought that or the injectors, they didn't seem too keen to work on it as they weren't able to deal with the injectors. They took it to my nearest main dealer.
They took a few days to diagnose it, but it turned out to be a failed inlet manifold. The find have broken off and caused extensive damage to the engine. I'm still at a loss to how this was caused.
Unfortunately, I'm not under warranty for such a major problem. Thus my previous faith in the reliability of VAG engine units tarnished. Especially these new 2.0 units.
I have several options available to me. Seat seemed to pull a figure out of their back side, the two being a new engine, fitting and warranty at £6K or a rebuild at £7-8K: confused:
I've been doing some research and have come across 2 main companies.
http://www.nationalenginecentre.co.uk/
Based in Cardiff, £1500 for collection, rebuild or replacement with a refurbished unit. With 12 months warranty. This does not include anything else that may be damaged such as Injectors, Turbo etc.
http://www.365engines.co.uk/
Originally came across this just looking for a quote for second hand engines. They quoted me £1200 for a 33K engine with Injectors & Pump - Delivery only.
I discussed the possibility of a rebuild and mentioned he wasn't just a scrap yard and dealt
Has anyone heard of or has had any dealings with either company. What is anyone's thoughts on the matter. Seat don't believe the injectors have been damaged, but I'm also concerned about the DPF and the Turbo.
Also, I'm, on 68K, It's been suggested I change the clutch/flywheel while I am at it and even consider going for an upgraded turbo??
I'm slightly overwhelmed with numbers and options. Can anyone else recommend a VW engine specialist perhaps more local to me in Warwickshire.
At least I have a ball park figure now. Still I am so confused what the hell has gone wrong with it.
Help?
Well, considering my last car was a 2003 1.9 TDI Cupra, which gave me over 3 years of reliable, enjoyable motoring, my upgrade has been a strange experiance.
Back in Feburary I purchased a Leon 2.0 TDI FR DPF in Emotion Red, 52K miles on the clock, got them to service it and change the cam belt within the price at the time.
Immediately I thought it was a much nicer car, more comfortable, easier to drive, easier to park, a better use of interior space. I handeled just as well and provided as much more comfortable ride.
I just found myself dissapointed with the Engine and Gearbox. Yes it has more power, but it feels like you have to work much harder and find the right revs to get the most out of it, the 1.9 unit was much better at using the power available I felt. The gearbox, the gearing has certainly changed, you couldn't get to 70 in 3rd before, but it didn't feel as mechanically solid, it wasn't as pleasant to shift.
The main irritation I have had with it, is the constant DPF light coming on after any recent town driving or as I noticed seemingly using cheaper supermarket diesel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having serviced the car after 12K miles and 5 months I was driving home down the M1 after my last job before going on holiday the next day. I was in 6th gear cruising at 70-75.
I suddenly received a coil light and engine workshop warning. The car kept going, after a few minutes I noticed a power lost and struggled to stay at 60 without dropping to 4th. I got off the motor way, pulled up in a service station. Switched the engine off, gave it a few minutes, fired it up, no errors, no warnings, nothing abnormal.
I rejoined the motorway slip road, overtaking a lorry on the slip lane I dropped into 4th and there was an all mighty clunk. Not from the gearbox, the car was still going but there was a strange noise and the car was shaking. I pulled up the hard shoulder quite quickly. Again killed the engine, started it up again, the whole car was shaking in idle with a the engine shaking the bay.
Clearly it wasn't going anywhere and it wasn't a good idea to run it any longer. In the process of getting onto a recovery vehicle it struggled to find any power to get over the bar into the lifting arm over the recovery truck. When I reversed it off, that's when it went from a rumbling to a jackhammer type noise.
I had it recovered by my local garage, they looked at, they did an oil pressure check which it had, they thought that or the injectors, they didn't seem too keen to work on it as they weren't able to deal with the injectors. They took it to my nearest main dealer.
They took a few days to diagnose it, but it turned out to be a failed inlet manifold. The find have broken off and caused extensive damage to the engine. I'm still at a loss to how this was caused.
Unfortunately, I'm not under warranty for such a major problem. Thus my previous faith in the reliability of VAG engine units tarnished. Especially these new 2.0 units.
I have several options available to me. Seat seemed to pull a figure out of their back side, the two being a new engine, fitting and warranty at £6K or a rebuild at £7-8K: confused:
I've been doing some research and have come across 2 main companies.
http://www.nationalenginecentre.co.uk/
Based in Cardiff, £1500 for collection, rebuild or replacement with a refurbished unit. With 12 months warranty. This does not include anything else that may be damaged such as Injectors, Turbo etc.
http://www.365engines.co.uk/
Originally came across this just looking for a quote for second hand engines. They quoted me £1200 for a 33K engine with Injectors & Pump - Delivery only.
I discussed the possibility of a rebuild and mentioned he wasn't just a scrap yard and dealt
Has anyone heard of or has had any dealings with either company. What is anyone's thoughts on the matter. Seat don't believe the injectors have been damaged, but I'm also concerned about the DPF and the Turbo.
Also, I'm, on 68K, It's been suggested I change the clutch/flywheel while I am at it and even consider going for an upgraded turbo??
I'm slightly overwhelmed with numbers and options. Can anyone else recommend a VW engine specialist perhaps more local to me in Warwickshire.
At least I have a ball park figure now. Still I am so confused what the hell has gone wrong with it.
Help?
