Help - Engine blown up!

[Arvi]

i bought a new engine from vw last year

but even vw engines are reconditioned units not brand new

[Horza]

And relax.

"new" engines aren't really likely unless you find someone with some NOS (New Old Stock not NO2) ones all wraped up in wax paper in their shed.

There are a few suppliers of recon units of greater or lesser reputations and I suggest you have an investigate round using the links on the main site, possibly the Wiki and internet search engines in general before canvasing for experiences with particular suppliers.

There is also a pile of folk in the Alternative Engine forum here who will point you in the direction of all sorts of nice non origional power units you can use and how you might fit them.

Lastly if you can't afford the above you can just keep your eyes peeled for a bus with rotten bodywork and good mechanicals to transplant to your own.

[Diamond Hell]

I think VEGE supplied recon engines to VW for some time. Thing is, as demand has fallen off (as the vehicles have got older) there have been a few rumours about the quality of VEGE units falling - it's likely that their people are now building more recent units for VWs, rather than sitting there going 'well a few years back people couldn't get enough of these waterboxer engines, I don't know what's happened' (but in dutch, obviously).

Be careful if you're using a separate garage to install the engine you're buying from another company or you might get into a 'it's the installer/it's the engine' situation where if something goes wrong the installer blames the engine supplier and the engine supplier blames the installer ad nauseum.

If it's only done 70K then you've obviously not been nasty enough to it - these things like to be driven, not pussfooted around!

Either that or the waterjacket seals have perished, which is more likely.

[Hacksawbob]

Decreasing by cost very rough figures. Depends on what needs replacing on your old engine, carbs, exhaust etc. Also istallers fees will vary.

* Import a go Westy lump and add all the bits to get a 2.1+ monster of an engine £3.5-5K

* buy VW recon engine and get installed by T25 specialist, engine1.5K, + install costs estimate £500 total 2-2.5K

* Get your existing engine re-conned, Laurie petitt did this but last I heard had gone into (semi?) retirement. £700 upwards (peice of string really) may be difficult getting someone to do it, as labour charges mount other options become more attractive.

* buy Vege/remtec etc and install as above, approx 1.5K+

* Get an Elite VW engine installed £680 fitted.
http://www.elitevw.com/products.htm

* Buy a second hand lump and install/get it installed £0-700

[Louey]

for some people it easier (not cheaper however) to just dump the old engine and an replace with new/refurb

but I would ask what has happended to the current engine first. As mention, who diagnosed the problem - engines can be fixed. Also, has something else failed to cause this problem - no good spending a lod of £££ and having the same thing happen shortly afterwards cuz your gauarantee won't cover non engine faults

[Diamond Hell]

Post in General Discussion to see if anyone knows a garage with WBX experience near where you are - there are people like Devon.Dave and Futbus in (duh) Devon, who might not be too far from you and might be able to help out.

[ghost123uk]

Hey BoJo - if it wasn't making any horrid loud knocking sounds and there is no sign of it dumping loads of oil everywhere, the chances are it will be summat real silly as has been mentioned.

Take care with garages as they will mostly try to rip you off, sad but true.

Try and find a small VW specialist and go in with "I think it's just a water hose or seal that's gone" attitude.

[orcecaveman]

If I can be of any help let me know! Not a genius but might be able to give you a bit of advice.

[DiscoDave]

laurie has semmi retired!! and is no longer doing watercooled!! just air cooled! so i believe!