First Time Post - Long Time Owner

heppers

Member
First Time Post - Long Time Owner - Seized A2

Hello All,

I've been a long time "listener" on this Forum, but sadly my first post is a question I didn't ever want to ask:

"What can be done with a seized A2 engine?"

I've owned two A2 from new - the first was a 2001 'Y' plate 1.4TDi - a 4 seater that gave wonderful service and I was sorry to sell it - so much so that after having an A4 convertible for 2 years, when I needed 5 seats again, I traded back to have one of the last models off the production line - I didn't want to "miss out" on the last of the brilliant little Aluminium cars.

This Dolphin Grey 2005 TDi 90bhp ConcertII/CD 5-seater with sport seats has been equally brilliant and did 77,000 miles until Tuesday, when between gear changes the engine stalled and upon investigation appears to have seized solid. Given there were no knocks or bangs, and no obvious damage externally to the block or head, I'm presuming the timing chain feeding the balancer shaft has snapped and wedged something. Are there any other possible causes people can think of?

After the car was towed to Audi, I was offered an £8,400 replacement engine, or £300 as a trade-in. A clear thank you from Audi for my 16 years of loyal custom and full service history.

I can see four options (no - not the £8,400 replacement engine):

1. Take the £300 as a trade-in and buy another Audi.
2. Stick two fingers to Audi and keep the car, sending it for an aftermarket engine refurb (I'm guessing £2,500 minimum) - anyone done this before?
3. Keep the car and fix it myself (I'm a reasonable mechanic having restored classic cars a number of times, and have the Audi WSM to hand)
4. Keep the car and sell it for breaking (it is in fantastic condition, with 5-month old 17" wheels and new tyres in Jan thanks to a pothole)

So to the questions:

a) Anyone have some ideas of what could lock the engine solid, and how hard it might be to fix?
b) The workshop manual has a long list of specialist tools to drop an engine (not least a 4-point hoist), but given I have time, is removing the front instead easier / possible?
c) Is the break value of a late 05-plate better than the £300 offered by Audi (especially given £1200 of new wheels and tyres, 9 month old throttle body, perfect body panels etc...)?

Any help and ideas greatly appreciated.
 
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if you decide to sell it can I have first refusal please, I have a replacement engine available so it would certainly NOT be broken.
I am not to far away from you

Cheers,
 
@Catnip64
Thanks for that link. Makes me even more certain that a balancer shaft chain is the problem.
I've been to Audi today and retrieved the A2 from their yard back to home. Bought a Q3 at the same time as , so I've got some time to work on the A2.

Couple of questions follow on from that... (at least until I can spend some time with the workshop manual):
- Is it possible to access the timing chain without removing the engine.
- Is the front of the body (radiators and frame) removable - it looks like it bolts on and would that make access (or engine removal) easier?

I'll post photos as I get through the work.
 
Hi heppers,
To answer your questions, you can accsses the chain, but not anything else. You can remove the front, this is how I did it on my tdi. Hope that helps. Good luck, and I'm glad you're keeping it!

Boris
 
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Its good to hear your trying to save your A2, Id second removing the front is your easiest route , and takes about 3 hours and only specialist tools needed are torx and spline sockets..

something like this set has everything youl need
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40-piece-...270278?hash=item3ab769d806:g:mogAAOSwnipWVXdJ

when i did my engine rebuild i used a wood euro pallet as can be slid under neath the car between the wheels and hears a quick guide

firstly jack the car up on to axle stands undo both driveshafts at gearbox end , 6 bolts each side, and the dog bone mount. then theres 3 bolts on the exhaust downpipe, a bit fiddlesome due to location but easier from under neath.
remove stone guards to get access to front bumper fixings and remove front bumper.
now lower car back on its wheels and slide the pallet underneath
then youl need a few thin peices of timber just to space between the bottom of the alloy sump and gearbox so its resting slightly on the pallet
drain radiator and remove water and intercooler hoses and wiring from the engine
remove the front reinforcment bar and front panel
undo the top engine and gearbox mounts

now the car can be pushed backwards leaving the engine sitting on the pallet for inspection and strip down , only basic tools are needed and a set of torx and spline sockets ,

Good luck and im sure if you get stuck there be plenty of advice and help hear from forum members or feel free to pm

Regards Gary
 
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