Total Engine Failure (what would you do/advise guys/gals)

Richardu said:
Hi All, update for you.

Cylinder 1 = no compression, could be valve could be piston could be both. Cylinders 2 & 3 at 15bar which I believe is ok. Turbo is history.
Rebuild using factory parts including labour = £6+K
Strip to re-bore and replace damaged bits (although we don't know the full extent) = £3+K
Replacement 2nd hand engine £? if I can find an ATL coded version.
Scrap it £500 ?

Ebay=???

If anyone can provide info as to where I might search for an engine, please advise.

Prob end up 'cubing' it TBH - so gutted, loved driving the little devil.
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Hi,

To me the secondhand engine option seems a favourite, but as whatever happens you will be taking the current one out, why not have it stripped anyway to see the extent of the damage, after al it MIGHT be a bent valve or similar (doubt it, but worth a look first)

A quick scan on ebay shows nothing at the moment, but perhaps there MAY be a possibility of a different code engine fitting without any significant hassle (but Ideally go for the same code of course)

But wait until you know for sure what the problem is before spending hundreds unnecessarily

Steve B
 
I think you have simply been extremely unlucky, as others have stated these engines very often run-up very high milages without major problems so don't condemn the whole 'breed'. It is true use of quality fuels and oils certainly helps minimise such failures as does an Italian tune-up every few weeks. I know how it feels financially having been hit myself with several significant unexpected costs over the past few successive months!
 
MikeMarsUK said:
Probably about 1500 I would guess. This is the route that I would pick.
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Hi,

That may be a bit higher than you may find one for, but then again that specific coded engine seems rarely available and so that is probably the right value to consider, you MAY get a pleasant surprise if you are lucky, but better to expect the worst!

The turbo is the most expensive bit and so anything from a couple of hundred (if you are REALLY lucky) to over a thousand for a turbo I believe.
But please do try to save it.

If you really can't then I have been known as "the Battersea dogs home" for A2s (i.e. a healthy "dog" never gets put down")

LOL

Steve B
 
If you only have an issue on No.1 cylinder I'm surprised the workshop tasked to investigate hasn't offered a borescope diagnostic.

This should be "relativley" inexpensive, and provide a good understanding of the internal damage without the cost of a strip down.

If the piston crown is holed then a replacement used "short" engine may be the way to go.

The problem with buying a complete second hand, just pulled, engine is you'll not have any idea what its internals are like until it goes in and is fired up, so I'd always recommend at least having the head and sump off.

If "top-end" only issues are noticed then a replacement head is the way to go.

Good luck

Jeff
 
TBF they did offer to look down into it with a bore scope but said they couldn't get the thing in far enough, I don't know if that's fact.
I agree that a top end replacement is the way to go but I'm looking at £2k just for the block, then another £650 for the turbo (we got a great deal on that, TBF)
then labour, gaskets and then why not replace the clutch as it's done 82k now.

Like I say, it's hard to find a positive out of this episode.

I think I'm going to ebay the chassis as it is and call it a day.

Very sad ending to an exceptionally pretty (I've not seen another with factory body kit), economical and fun-to-drive car. All down to the previous owner cutting corners and lying.

An utter waste.
 
Richardu said:
TBF they did offer to look down into it with a bore scope but said they couldn't get the thing in far enough, I don't know if that's fact.
I agree that a top end replacement is the way to go but I'm looking at £2k just for the block, then another £650 for the turbo (we got a great deal on that, TBF)
then labour, gaskets and then why not replace the clutch as it's done 82k now.

Like I say, it's hard to find a positive out of this episode.

I think I'm going to ebay the chassis as it is and call it a day.

Very sad ending to an exceptionally pretty (I've not seen another with factory body kit), economical and fun-to-drive car. All down to the previous owner cutting corners and lying.

An utter waste.
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Hi

Why not offer it on here first. An owners club member might take it on. I have just taken on a 1.4 petrol with an engine problem. I would have been interested in yours too but I was hoping that you would be able to sort something out.
People on here don't want to feel like vultures but if you have made your mind up let us know please

Steve B
 
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Birchall said:
Hi

Why not offer it on here first. An owners club member might take it on. I have just taken on a 1.4 petrol with an engine problem. I would have been interested in yours too but I was hoping that you would be able to sort something out.
People on here don't want to feel like vultures but if you have made your mind up let us know please

Steve B
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I will offer it up, and of course make a donation to the site...only fair.

So, do I have a starting bid of .......£?

I'll post some pic, but essentially it's the blue metallic of that year, full factory fitted body kit (not seen another like this..ever TBH, plenty with arches but not the skirt along the doors etc). 17inch factory fitted alloys, not a retro fit. Apart from the engine, the rest of it is fine.
 
Richardu said:
I will offer it up, and of course make a donation to the site...only fair.

So, do I have a starting bid of .......£?

I'll post some pic, but essentially it's the blue metallic of that year, full factory fitted body kit (not seen another like this..ever TBH, plenty with arches but not the skirt along the doors etc). 17inch factory fitted alloys, not a retro fit. Apart from the engine, the rest of it is fine.
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Pictures will help, including the interior and a list of any "toys".

Lets try to get you the best possible price, but I still feel like a vulture!!!!!

I wont suggest a possible value for fear of being accused of taking advantage!

The best solution is for someone local to buy it, shipping to where I live would be £200, so the chances are if someone local wants it, or someone with a tow hitch wants it you may get more.

To give you an idea, I just paid £800 for a 2001 with a duff engine, but that has wheels I can sell, leather interior and OSS.

So that is why it is important to list the "toys" in your car, but I REALLY hope nobody buys it to strip!!!

Steve B
 
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Richardu said:
I will offer it up, and of course make a donation to the site...only fair.

So, do I have a starting bid of .......£?

I'll post some pic, but essentially it's the blue metallic of that year, full factory fitted body kit (not seen another like this..ever TBH, plenty with arches but not the skirt along the doors etc). 17inch factory fitted alloys, not a retro fit. Apart from the engine, the rest of it is fine.
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Just to help get the ball rolling I will START the bidding at £500 and I don't even know the details of the car, but you will get more than this in bids. I am just trying to get the ball rolling for you.

Steve B
 
All,

I’m not wishing to rain on anyone’s parade, as I think marketing the car here is a good idea, however……

There are forum rules that need to be adhered to, to market something via the forum.
A minimum £10 donation to advertise something within the marketplace.

Now I fully understand that the predicament that Richardu is in, and I’m certain that most of us would like to help in some way or other, but it may not be seen as fair-play to other members who already donate to advertise.

Showing a sense of fair-play I think this thread should remain active and hopefully the OP will understand and make the necessary contribution.

I wish the OP all the best in either the sale or the repair of his car.

Jeff
 
Hi

Fully understood

Seeing as the OP has enough of a problem I am more than happy to make the donation for him.
Let me know and I would be happy to do that.

Steve B

Now paid !!!!!!!

I like to keep everything fair
 
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Hi Mustang and Steve,

I completely agree, before this moves on/or begins to snowball (if it does at all) then I'll pause all sales related activity until I have contributed. It was very kind of Steve to contribute on my behalf, shame he's not in No10, but I would prefer to 'balance the forum' and also contribute (will do this from home PC)

R
 
Nice gesture Birchall and Richardu, it's what makes this forum - a great community.

All the best with the A2 Richard :)
 
Hi All,

Since my last post we've had a +ve turn of events. Someone who we know and trust (Volvo specialist) has agreed to take the head off to finally determine what exactly has broken (photos will be taken and posted), repair and replace if indeed this can be done, fit the turbo of our choice - in fact he stated that he's a) very interested to see what's happened, and b) turn it around for us within a couple of days and for considerably less than £6.5k.

So, please will everyone on the forum cross all their digits and pray for me that the head isn't a write-off and only a valve or two are damaged. Ok, I can stretch to a holed piston and a bend valve but no more.

God, I pray this is going to work, I'll report back.
 
Richardu said:
Hi All,

Since my last post we've had a +ve turn of events. Someone who we know and trust (Volvo specialist) has agreed to take the head off to finally determine what exactly has broken (photos will be taken and posted), repair and replace if indeed this can be done, fit the turbo of our choice - in fact he stated that he's a) very interested to see what's happened, and b) turn it around for us within a couple of days and for considerably less than £6.5k.

So, please will everyone on the forum cross all their digits and pray for me that the head isn't a write-off and only a valve or two are damaged. Ok, I can stretch to a holed piston and a bend valve but no more.

God, I pray this is going to work, I'll report back.
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Fingers toes and everything else??? Crossed here.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Steve B
 
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