The End?

Catnip64 said:
That's the balance shaft, the crank is below that (in the photo).
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Thank you. Every day is a learning curve. When I first started doing this I could only do an oil change. It's progress that I knew which way up the engine was ?
 
Well, it's been one month since I collected Tank from Rob & Marcus at WOM and I've not posted anything until now as I wanted to let things bed in and get any teething issues out of the way.

However, I am pleased to say that there have been absolutely no teething issues at all and several hundred miles later, Tank is back to being the car I knew of old - he feels like he did when he had around 50k miles on the clock - smooth, slick and everything working 'just so'.

Not that they need any more recommendations, but I would publicly like to thank the brothers for their work and attention to detail on Tank. I think the highest accolade that I can mention would be to say that they treated him as though he was their own car, or just as I would have worked on him myself. Everything has been bolted back in place with the precision that Swiss watchmakers would appreciate.

So now, although I've spent a small fortune on him, I have a car that is rejuvenated and ready to take on the next decade at least.

Was it worth the cost?

Absolutely.
 
Fantastic news, mine is in with them soon for some proactive TLC based upon your unfortunate experience.

Enjoy the many years service it will offer!
 
Skipton01 said:
Well, it's been one month since I collected Tank from Rob & Marcus at WOM and I've not posted anything until now as I wanted to let things bed in and get any teething issues out of the way.

However, I am pleased to say that there have been absolutely no teething issues at all and several hundred miles later, Tank is back to being the car I knew of old - he feels like he did when he had around 50k miles on the clock - smooth, slick and everything working 'just so'.

Not that they need any more recommendations, but I would publicly like to thank the brothers for their work and attention to detail on Tank. I think the highest accolade that I can mention would be to say that they treated him as though he was their own car, or just as I would have worked on him myself. Everything has been bolted back in place with the precision that Swiss watchmakers would appreciate.

So now, although I've spent a small fortune on him, I have a car that is rejuvenated and ready to take on the next decade at least.

Was it worth the cost?

Absolutely.
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What would be useful for many on here inc myself is the costs £+ to give anyone in the same position something to go on ..should hopefully not ? it would happen to one of us .. engine cost ..wom cost ..turbo cost etc ..
 
greywolfhound said:
What would be useful for many on here inc myself is the costs £+ to give anyone in the same position something to go on ..should hopefully not ? it would happen to one of us .. engine cost ..wom cost ..turbo cost etc ..
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I am perfectly happy to PM the pricing details when requested but am not sure that putting it all out in public would be the best place. Besides, things like engine cost will depend on what's available at the time - I fell lucky and managed to get a decent donor at a good price.

Turbo came from the donor engine and a refurb is pretty much a standard price of £300 or so. Things like replacement intercooler and replacement bolts, pipes and pump drive chain/balancer kits all add up quite dramatically, but WOM provide a detailed invoice listing every part used and they also consult prior to just ordering stuff in and then presenting you with a bill.

I knew at the outset that the cost of this re-build would not make economical sense, but was prepared to meet the costs as I knew that I couldn't get a replacement car of the same quality for that money. I've owned Tank from new and quite apart from the length of ownership, there's too much of me in the car, in terms of upgrade and changes to make relinquishing him to the breakers a possibility.

The final cost came in at around £3500, give or take (I've not got the invoice with me) and the donor engine was £500. Divide that into the next 10 year (hopefully more like 15 or 20) years of ownership and it's cheap motoring really.

What else can I get for £4k? A high mileage Honda Civic? A 5 year old Fiesta? No thanks, I'll stick with my A2.
 
Skipton01 said:
I am perfectly happy to PM the pricing details when requested but am not sure that putting it all out in public would be the best place. Besides, things like engine cost will depend on what's available at the time - I fell lucky and managed to get a decent donor at a good price.

Turbo came from the donor engine and a refurb is pretty much a standard price of £300 or so. Things like replacement intercooler and replacement bolts, pipes and pump drive chain/balancer kits all add up quite dramatically, but WOM provide a detailed invoice listing every part used and they also consult prior to just ordering stuff in and then presenting you with a bill.

I knew at the outset that the cost of this re-build would not make economical sense, but was prepared to meet the costs as I knew that I couldn't get a replacement car of the same quality for that money. I've owned Tank from new and quite apart from the length of ownership, there's too much of me in the car, in terms of upgrade and changes to make relinquishing him to the breakers a possibility.

The final cost came in at around £3500, give or take (I've not got the invoice with me) and the donor engine was £500. Divide that into the next 10 year (hopefully more like 15 or 20) years of ownership and it's cheap motoring really.

What else can I get for £4k? A high mileage Honda Civic? A 5 year old Fiesta? No thanks, I'll stick with my A2.
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I admire your loyalty to tank as you say in pure economic sense it was a no go ...£4K is serious money to spend on a 16 +year old car when that sum is worth more than the car in running order but I understand the fact having it from new and what else could you replace it with ..i have myself had experience of new eng as my 2002 Porsche turbo s had cam chain snap on it at 40k whilst with previous owner fortunately it was under Porsche centre Bristol warranty cost in excess of £32,000 ? Porsche covered full cost yes complete engine arrived on pallet from germany ..I got to hear of it for sale .. engine had done 18k when I bought car at 58 k ...it’s why I’m reluctant to let it go I’ve had it 5 years a long time for me on a toy ..yet I’ve only done 3 to 500 miles a year sad but true ...having new genuine Porsche standard springs and shocks fitted on the 18th £2k ...losing my father has made me realise how a long life is a short life will now drive it all summer and enjoy it .. so the little a2s only get driven by sally ..
 
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timmus said:
Did you opt for a ProAlloy unit?
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I think so - it's the all alloy one that WOM carries in stock. I must confess that since collecting the little beast, I've not actually had the inclination to have a look under the bonnet - just been enjoying the drive.
 
On Sunday, at around 10.30pm I had a suprisingly similar fateful experience as Mike @Skipton01.

My turbo died after 236,229 miles, after it went bang and my exhaust smoked after moving when the traffic lights turned green. I then limped about 100 yards to a safe spot to park up, The AA recovery had me back home by midnight.

It just so happens that I purchased a spare engine for this potential eventuality, from @A2Steve in 2021. It had done 165K miles, and it came complete with turbo, gearbox and starter motor. Now, I'm looking to have an engine swap carried out but it's looking far more expensive than I initially thought and I'm weighing up on whether it's going to make financial sense to have the work done or not.

So, it's sad that this could be the end of my a2 ownership of 20 years. I've fastidiously looked after the two a2's I've had. My 2005 1.4TDi 90 since owning it in 2011, and before this one, a new 2002 1.4TDi 75.
 
As you already have a replacement engine and had "planned" for this eventuality, have owned the car and know the cars history, then replace the engine. The expense will be less than sorting out another car...

End of the day though it is your choice and I respect that.
 
fhl said:
On Sunday, at around 10.30pm I had a suprisingly similar fateful experience as Mike @Skipton01.

My turbo died after 236,229 miles, after it went bang and my exhaust smoked after moving when the traffic lights turned green. I then limped about 100 yards to a safe spot to park up, The AA recovery had me back home by midnight.

It just so happens that I purchased a spare engine for this potential eventuality, from @A2Steve in 2021. It had done 165K miles, and it came complete with turbo, gearbox and starter motor. Now, I'm looking to have an engine swap carried out but it's looking far more expensive than I initially thought and I'm weighing up on whether it's going to make financial sense to have the work done or not.

So, it's sad that this could be the end of my a2 ownership of 20 years. I've fastidiously looked after the two a2's I've had. My 2005 1.4TDi 90 since owning it in 2011, and before this one, a new 2002 1.4TDi 75.
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That’s horrible news. As Graham rightly says though, I’m a big believer in ‘better the devil you know’ with cars. If you look after them (as I know you have) they’ll look after you. Really hope it works out for you sir as I know you love your A2’s.
 
My a2 is back on the road! Car is noticeably pulling more throughout the rev range too than before - probably because of those new and freer moving vanes of the replacement Borg Warner VNT turbo. Thankfully, my engine was fine after carrying out extensive checks so it was a matter of replacing the failed turbo, cleaning the intake manifold, intercooler, hoses and pipe. Draining old oil and flushing with new oil then refilling with 507 spec. 5W30 oil and replacing with a new MANN oil filter.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
 
Skipton01 said:
Well, given that he travelled around 3 miles back home, at a steady 25-30mph, I don't particularly think that there's any great engine damage. If there is, I may well investigate having a TDi75 engine (and associated ECU) replaced - never been a fan of the DMF setup and there really are few benefits to the 90 engine over the 75. Or, I may look into the 2 litre TDi lump - plenty of these around now and they shouldn't be hard to fit.

I'll mail WOM tomorrow and take it from there. I am only around the corner from Awesome, but they don't strike me as being as enthusiast biased as WOM - plus they're far more into VW too.

I may well look into the Leeds CS - but it would only be a temp replacement until Tank is back.
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Sorry to hear about Tank and hopefully it’s something simple and inexpensive. I was cautioned by two experts against a 1.9 conversion. I went ahead anyway and after many many hours got the engine and box in (FabiaVRS ). It’s not for the faint hearted! I expect the 2.0 TDI lump is similar. The other side of things is ECU compatibility. If it’s not compatible with the engine that is a whole world of pain.
Fingers crossed that Tank doesn’t need s replacement but if it does like for like is simplest with maybe a different turbo……
 
George Hogg said:
Sorry to hear about Tank and hopefully it’s something simple and inexpensive. I was cautioned by two experts against a 1.9 conversion. I went ahead anyway and after many many hours got the engine and box in (FabiaVRS ). It’s not for the faint hearted! I expect the 2.0 TDI lump is similar. The other side of things is ECU compatibility. If it’s not compatible with the engine that is a whole world of pain.
Fingers crossed that Tank doesn’t need s replacement but if it does like for like is simplest with maybe a different turbo……
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Ermmm, check the date of that initial post, Tank's been back on the road very nearly 4 years now since the engine rebuild George :)
 
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