**Sudden stop - please help!**

A2-Dork said:
Now ive heard of this happening before on a mates tdi golf
Exact same symptoms as you describe
IT WAS A SEIZED ALTERNATOR
easy fix i hope
Click to expand...

You may have a point here, I actually had a similar thing with a Passat way back when when the Aircon pulley seized and the car worked fine without Aircon, but as soon as you put the aircon on it stopped.

So many things to check ... hope it works out for you.
 
Hi everyone

Apologies I haven't been in touch over the past couple of days. I did reply on Sunday afternoon but for some reason, the message hasn't successfully been posted. Yesterday passed in a haze with work commitments.

I have bad news.

The mechanic didn't take the car onto the ramp until today. I badgered him again this morning and it went up soon afterwards. I've just returned from the garage and he tells me the engine has seized. He has tried the starter motor and the alternator, to no joy. Tomorrow morning, the sump will be removed so he can investigate further.

I am now further hoping and praying that Sarge is correct and it's the chain that has caused the problem. If not, I'm not sure what to do. I just want the problem to be fixed so that Liv is back on the road. I've spent so much time and effort on her and it would be a shame for her to go to the big scrapyard in the sky.

Let's hope I can post back with good news tomorrow evening.

Jag
 
I don't believe it is, Phil. I'm looking at getting a trailer and getting Liv to a garage where knowledge of the A2 will get the problem solved. The mechanic talked about scrap yards rather than solving the problem, even when I showed him the A2OC messages about the chain.
 
philward said:
The engine has not seized, not from the way it failed anyway.

My money is still on the chain. Are you sure Liv is at the right garage?
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree with Phil.

Very easy to determine catastrophic engine failure just by smelling the engine oil and look at what's on the dipstick.

I'd be dropping Vince a call at Stealth and ask him if he'd take the work on.

Cheers
Jeff
 
To add weight to my write up about the oil pump chain, I just discovered my recent acquisition (TDI 90 named Bullet) has had the chain changed at 99K together with a new turbo! I just happened to see some invoices in amongst the papers previously overlooked!

Your engine is not seized as others have said as well, so chin up!
 
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You guys don't know how much you are raising my spirits! I came back from the garage so dispirited; but I'm feeling heartened by your responses.
 
1. did you see the alternator belt off ?
2. have they taken the sump off yet ?
The garage told my friend with the tdi golf his engine was seized and the car was scrap
so he took it home to find the alternator had seized
He removed the belt and the car started
Now im not saying its this for deffo But?
i could probably sort this where are you based ?
 
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A2-Dork said:
1. did you see the alternator belt off ?
2. have they taken the sump off yet ?
The garage told my friend with the tdi golf his engine was seized and the car was scrap
so he took it home to find the alternator had seized
He removed the belt and the car started
Now im not saying its this for deffo But?
i could probably sort this where are you based ?
Click to expand...

It's a good question, such an easy check that the garage should have done but may not have done. Easy fix too.

The sump can't come off unless the engine can be turned, then the gearbox would have had to be moved back to get the sump off.
 
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A2-Dork said:
1. did you see the alternator belt off ?
2. have they taken the sump off yet ?
The garage told my friend with the tdi golf his engine was seized and the car was scrap
so he took it home to find the alternator had seized
He removed the belt and the car started
Now im not saying its this for deffo But?
i could probably sort this where are you based ?
Click to expand...

They haven't taken the sump off, at the time of writing. The A2 isn't understood very well by this garage; it's just another car to them, which I can understand. They also see it's a 54 plate and think it's better to scrap than attempt a costly repair.

I'm based in Birmingham.
 
If they do attempt to remove the sump please refer them to Sarge’s post before they break anything.
Ask them about the alternator first as it’s an easy check and fix as others have indicated
Good luck.
 
i would deffo get that car home before they do anything else
i think a rally round of A2 owners to cast a few eyes on it is needed
AND they wont understand the A2 like you say
i dont like this at all sounds ominous to me
 
Jag,

Considering the time now I'd expect this message come a little late.

I think you ought to be making decisions right now.

1 . You'll have the garage the car is at now fix the issue, no matter what.
2. You'll transport the car without any further dismantling to a known A2 savy workshop for diagnosis
3. You'll cut your losses and offer the car for sale as a project.

I make the above based on what you've said about the garage the car is currently at.

If it's the chain and tensioner, which seems likely, the workshop haven't realised yet that to remove the sump they will need to remove the gearbox (beacuse there are hidden bolts that cannot be access if the engine will not turn).
This means there is a lot of effort, and I'm sure a fair bit of expense for you, in the dismantling of the car.
If the choice is that it's not going to be repaired by the garage it's at, not many workshops will take on the work, as they won't know the condition of what's been removed and may not want to warranty any repair.

If you decide not to repair the car and offer it as a project, then it also becomes a nightmare for whomever buys it - and certainly it will be worth much less in pieces.

You shouldn't feel disheartened though - but you should have some clear thoughts in your mind about the immediate next steps.

Cheers
Jeff
 
Thanks for the advice, Jeff

At the moment, I'm strongly considering option 2. In almost every other regard, Liv is perfect and I wouldn't feel comfortable dismantling for parts or having people offer a crazy-low price so that they can carry out a project. I have had a couple of people get in touch to ask if they can buy Liv and that option remains on the table, although I haven't replied back until I know more about restoring Liv back onto the road.

Any ideas how much we're looking at for the repair if it is indeed the chain and tensioner?
 
LionJag said:
.....

Any ideas how much we're looking at for the repair if it is indeed the chain and tensioner?
Click to expand...

It's very difficult to cost the work.
It really depends if you instruct the workshop to overhaul some other parts that are removed or accessable during the stripdown.

Things to consider having done at this time would be clutch and DMF, water pump and timing belt.
If you had any desires for a 6 speed gearbox, again now would be a good time to invest in that opportunity.

Realistically I would expect a cost in the region of £800-£1000 is likely for the chain repair.

Cheers
Jeff
 
Mustang-owner said:
Jag,

If it's the chain and tensioner, which seems likely, the workshop haven't realised yet that to remove the sump they will need to remove the gearbox (beacuse there are hidden bolts that cannot be access if the engine will not turn).
Click to expand...
Apparently set T10058 can reach those with the 'box in place?!

- Bret
 
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