Nightmare tonight, I'm a driving instructor and was on a driving lesson with a learner when without any warning at all the oil pressure light started flashing and beeping. I got the learner to pull in, consulted the manual which recommended checking the oil and topping up if necessary, the level was just above minimum so I gave it a top up anyway. We drove another 100 yards or so and the beeping started again, pulled in again and this time the engine stopped as we were pulling over...never to be restarted!

Got a tow to a garage and the mechanic (a good guy, I've used him before) who couldn't even turn the crankshaft manually. Engine totally seized.

I'm absolutely flabbergasted, this car has given me NO trouble whatsoever, there was no warning of impending doom.

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before?

The only other slightly odd thing was that the battery got completely drained on the tow to the garage which seemed a bit quick to me albeit there was lights/hazards/wipers on.

I'm looking for a reconditioned engine at the moment...still shaking at the thought of the cost :(

Nightmare tonight, I'm a driving instructor and was on a driving lesson with a learner when without any warning at all the oil pressure light started flashing and beeping. I got the learner to pull in, consulted the manual which recommended checking the oil and topping up if necessary, the level was just above minimum so I gave it a top up anyway. We drove another 100 yards or so and the beeping started again, pulled in again and this time the engine stopped as we were pulling over...never to be restarted!

Got a tow to a garage and the mechanic (a good guy, I've used him before) who couldn't even turn the crankshaft manually. Engine totally seized.

I'm absolutely flabbergasted, this car has given me NO trouble whatsoever, there was no warning of impending doom.

Has anyone ever experienced anything like this before?

The only other slightly odd thing was that the battery got completely drained on the tow to the garage which seemed a bit quick to me albeit there was lights/hazards/wipers on.

I'm looking for a reconditioned engine at the moment...still shaking at the thought of the cost :(

As a fellow ADI, I sympathise... But, (You know this was coming, didn't you) How often are you teaching students how to check fluid levels, along with all the other show/tell checks? It can be very easy to tell others what to do, without actually doing it yourself! (Think I'll check mine tomorrow)!

As for the battery, I had one pack up on the old school Yaris I used to rent... Lights, wipers in full use, practicing reversing round a corner. Stopped the engine for a few moments, near the end of the lesson, to discuss progress, would the car start? Would it flip!!!

The AA got me going but tested the battery and it had just given up the ghost, at around 7 years old. The guy said, sometimes that just happens, gets weeker slowly, then, after a big drain, dies without warning.

Not sure the age of your car but at 85,000 miles, the battery has had a resonable innings, for a driving school car, with all that stop/start etc. :S

But, (You know this was coming, didn't you) How often are you teaching students how to check fluid levels, along with all the other show/tell checks? It can be very easy to tell others what to do, without actually doing it yourself!

That's sort of the really annoying bit, I look after this car better than my wife.

Oil checked once a month or so, changed ever 5000 miles.

Fuel/air/pollen filters changed once a year.

Brakes cleaned and hub/suspension cleaned every few months.

Coolent after 2 years.

Brake fluid changed every 2 years.

Sadly it's way out of warranty although I'm going to write to Skoda pleading for a bit of goodwill, the mechanic is certain the oil pump gave up the ghost so oil simply not circulating and 85000 seems a bit young for an oil pump to be giving in. At the end of the day I was going to be buying a Skoda for my next car as well but if I just get the brush off I may well go elsewhere.

I presume it was lack of a oil level check

Not really mate, the level was a little low but still between the marks, above minimum.

I hope you are back on the road soon.

You and me both

That's sort of the really annoying bit, I look after this car better than my wife.

Oil checked once a month or so, changed ever 5000 miles.

Fuel/air/pollen filters changed once a year.

Brakes cleaned and hub/suspension cleaned every few months.

Coolent after 2 years.

Brake fluid changed every 2 years.

Sadly it's way out of warranty although I'm going to write to Skoda pleading for a bit of goodwill, the mechanic is certain the oil pump gave up the ghost so oil simply not circulating and 85000 seems a bit young for an oil pump to be giving in. At the end of the day I was going to be buying a Skoda for my next car as well but if I just get the brush off I may well go elsewhere.

For what its worth. My old fabia petrol had the head go at 66000 miles. Out of warranty by about a year. They were going to refuse warranty so I bypassed the garage and went straight to Skoda UK. In the end they agreed to pay half. I could have gone for more but I needed the car so 50% off wasnt too much of a hit in the end.

Ultimately your rights dont end at the warranty. The basic sale of goods act states a product must be fit for purpose. Are Skoda making cars that only last 85000 miles ? I dont think so. Provided you have full service history then I would go directly to Skoda UK. Be nice at first. If the arent forthcoming then I recommend citizens advice bureau. They can better describe your rights.

probably oil pump seizure?

As your car is used by learner drivers, I would have been checking the oil weekly. The TDi engine is known to use a fair bit of oil, and because the fabia does not have a low warning indicator any sudden drop will be missed by only checking monthly. I suspect oil starvation by low oil level, the oil pressure light may not always come on even though the pressure is lower than the engine requires.

As your car is used by learner drivers, I would have been checking the oil weekly. The TDi engine is known to use a fair bit of oil, and because the fabia does not have a low warning indicator any sudden drop will be missed by only checking monthly. I suspect oil starvation by low oil level, the oil pressure light may not always come on even though the pressure is lower than the engine requires.

Fair enough, lessons learned I guess.

It still seems slightly odd to me though that the engine was running fine (and I mean absolutely sweetly for 85000) then 100 yards later is completely dead...with virtually no warning. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to blame anyone bar myself but what is the point of a low oil pressure warning light if it sometimes doesn't come on when it needs to?

The sensor triggers at a set level regardless of RPM, so its possible to be doing 3K RPM and have the oil pressure high enough to not trigger the sensor, but the pressure/oil flow be insufficient for that particluar engine speed.. Result would be excessive wear on components and friction build up leading to the total failure of the engine.

How many minutes does it take to fluid levels ? . My daughter has a '54 Polo with the 1.4 TDI engine . Done over 110,00 miles without any problems and only uses about 0.8 Litre oil in 10,000 miles but is serviced by me. Was the correct oil used ? Must be spec VW505.01 .

How many minutes does it take to fluid levels ? . My daughter has a '54 Polo with the 1.4 TDI engine . Done over 110,00 miles without any problems and only uses about 0.8 Litre oil in 10,000 miles but is serviced by me. Was the correct oil used ? Must be spec VW505.01 .

I wonder how many people will read this posting for the first time tonight, then go out and check their oil first thing tomorrow

I check my level dip stick every Friday afternoon. So when the oil leak appeared from oil fumes pot, i knew exactly how much oil escaped. So i did 57kms to the dealer without problem since the oil level was in the middle of oil dip stick's section B. Since i bought this Tsi automobile i feel the need to oil check. Fear of the...oil ?

Sadly it's way out of warranty although I'm going to write to Skoda pleading for a bit of goodwill, the mechanic is certain the oil pump gave up the ghost so oil simply not circulating and 85000 seems a bit young for an oil pump to be giving in. At the end of the day I was going to be buying a Skoda for my next car as well but if I just get the brush off I may well go elsewhere.

Many years ago we had a Mk3 golf. One day the oil pressure light and buzzer came on shortly after a cold start. Stopped engine immediately. On restart, still no oil pressure, so switched off immediately.

On strip down at VW dealer they found a sealing plug in the oil pump housing had popped out, hence no pressure. Although the car was about 4 years old, dealer negotiated free parts from VW under goodwill because of manufacturing defect. They checked crank bearings etc for damage but fortunately it was ok and car did another 100,000 miles and never used a drop of oil.

Sounds as if something similar has happened but you made a wrong decision to run the engine despite the warning.

Was the correct oil used ? Must be spec VW505.01 .

Even if an incorrect grade of oil was used it's lubrication properties wouldn't lead to an engine seizure. The fact that the engine seized very quickly points towards a complete pressure loss i.e. the pump. An engine without oil pressure will last a few minutes at best.

Is that the only thing (a seized) engine could be if you cannot turn it over by hand ??

What are the symtoms of a hydrolocked engine ???

thx

Is that the only thing (a seized) engine could be if you cannot turn it over by hand ??What are the symtoms of a hydrolocked engine ???thx

Hydraulic locking is where the cylinder/cylinders are full of liquid and the piston on the compression stroke can't compress the liquid. This is normally the result of drawing water in through the air intake.

If the engine cannot be turned over by hand it could also be that the pistons and valves are in contact, I have also seen a screw come loose and wedge itself between the starter ring and the bell housing.

In the case of the OP it still looks like oil starvation / oil pressure being the problem.

I wonder how many people will read this posting for the first time tonight, then go out and check their oil first thing tomorrow

No bad thing I suppose.

Anyway, getting the motor back tomorrow with a reconditioned engine that's less than half the age of the rest of the car in addition to some ancilliaries, turbo, starter motor, alternator and one or two other things as well.

The rest of the car is mint because it's been well looked after so all in all, just over a grand should give the motor a few extra miles on the clock.

...at the end of the day...it could be worse.

Howdy FabADI, have you had a definitive answer as to why she siezed in the first place? I can't believe it's because your oil level wasn't always topped up to the full mark. I know just how much of a ragging some learners can give a motor but that shouldn't affect it either to any measurable degree. Especially not a VW/Audi lump. Does sound like something had broken or an oil gallery or line had become blocked with debris.

The mechanic that changed the engine over was sure it was a failed oil pump rather than a low oil level, his words were "it's very rare but it does happen"...I also have to take a hit of responsibility for not stopping the engine IMMEDIATELY, I did (or at least the learner did) drive off after an initial top up. Was ok for a bit then the pressure light came on again but it was a couple of hundred yards before we could stop safely again, I have a feeling that was where the real damage was done.

The new(ish) engine however is running well, I've found myself checking the oil every couple of days too

I'm a fairly pragamatic person, I've gone from a head-in-hands moment to an engine (and turbo) that's done half the miles of the rest of the car, and the rest of the car is mint so it's not the end of the world.

)

I'm a fairly pragamatic person, I've gone from a head-in-hands moment to an engine (and turbo) that's done half the miles of the rest of the car, and the rest of the car is mint so it's not the end of the world.

I know how you feel. Had a similar experience with a failed head on my old 1.2 HTP. Even though i looked after my car it still failed. It does shake your faith in the brand. People say they are isolated incidents but they arent the ones with a busted engine and big bill. We have had 3 Fabias now. I was tempted to change after my incident but opted to stick with the Fabias as I do like them. I have the Greenline 1.4TDI now which is slowly restoring my faith in Skoda

No second chances after this one.If it goes wrong badly like yours or my 1.2 HTP I will change brand.

We need a new car to replace our ageing 1.4MPI. I may get a new Fabia, but I am also now open to other options like the Suzuki Alto and Toyota Aygo. Its more a case of best deal now than brand loyalty.

It makes sense that it's the oil pump. It happened to my brother in laws Vectra at three years old. He was on the A12 doing 70mph when the oil pressure warning light came on. Seconds later it went bang. Total engine failure caused by the oil pump drive gear failing. It happens and it's scary. Fortunately it really isn't that common although any brand of vehicle it seems can be affected, even super tough and reliable 1422cc TDI's.

i had a 6n2 polo from new a few years back, that had a 1.4tdi engine, the balancer shaft seized up which was not unheard of according to the vw dealer, fortunately for me they replaced the engine under warranty.

Warpped the Block ?

The new(ish) engine however is running well, I've found myself checking the oil every couple of days too

I'm a fairly pragamatic person, I've gone from a head-in-hands moment to an engine (and turbo) that's done half the miles of the rest of the car, and the rest of the car is mint so it's not the end of the world.

Out of interest, who did you use for the reconditioned engine? I'm looking into this option myself, seen one good place only and their T&C's seemed a little on the harsh side... suspect it may end up not being worthwhile after all.

My engine in my 57 fabia has seized, exactly the same as yours. The first time happened under warranty but the skoda garage I took it to blmaed me entirely and would not investigate unless I paid, which I wouldnt. Ihad had the car just over a year. They told me to put a litreof oil in a month which I did even though everyone told me that was excessive. My car engine totally seized 5k miles late and they want £3500 to repair my car which cost £5500. I bought my car in Watford but took it to my local skoda dealer. Watford blame Sidcup and Skoda customer services are looking in ot it. Must be more common than we thought!!!!!!!!