My OH owns a 2009 Fabia Greenline (95k miles) and it started making an awful noise as she left the shopping centre. As she was en-route to the Skoda dealership to drop her old man off to collect his Rapide after its service, she decided that she would attempt to limp the car to the garage... as it turned out, the limp needed the support of a crutch to complete the journey, which came in the form of a very, very nice man sent by the AA.

 

The main dealer informed her that the car was beyond economical repair, as a new engine is worth more than the car and main dealers don't do used parts. I arranged to have the car relocated to the VW specialist who service my ageing Octavia and whose advice I trust, and they reckon they can get it back on  the road for less than a £1k including the cost a used engine (which they have told my OH she should be able to find for £300-£400), but have said that we will need to source an engine. I haven't spoken with them directly since they received the car, so I need to ask a couple of questions come Monday, but thus far I would like some advice on the following.

 

Is a short engine a synonym for a bare engine? And, is that what I need, or do I need a complete engine?

 

The engine code is BMS. Is this interchangeable with any other VAG 1.4 TDI engines (AMF, BNV... etc) ?

 

I've had a look on eBay and there isn't a great many to choose from. The couple breakers my OH has spoken with so far seem to like the number 1000 quite a lot, which is quite a lot different to the estimate that my VW specialist have touted. Are the breakers trying it on? Can anyone suggest some good sources for used engines?

 

Ta muchly,

 

Mr Cholmondley-Warner

Are the engines from the breakers at £1k inclusive of all the injectors, turbo and ancillaries? If so you can always take the injectors and bits and pieces off your current engine and sell them to make some money back

 

Maybe they are trying to take advantage of the fact that there arn't many engines about.

 

I would get the same engine code if you can unless you have done some research as you never know what differences they may have. Some may work and some may not without faffing about

Edited 16 July, 20169 yr by SuperbTWM

A short engine, is just the main block, pistons and crankshaft. All the rest gets donated from your old engine.

It very much depends on what happened to your OH's engine, wether a short engine is of any use. If the top end has gone the a short engine is of no use.

I would have said £300_£400 gets you a complete second hand engine.

As a personal preference, I wouldn't be mucking around with a short block.  Complete lump out, complete lump in (swapping the ancillaries of course).

 

I haven't changed an engine in about 20 years, but back then a service exchange reconditioned unit wasn't that much more than a second hand lump, had a longer warranty and hopefully a little less risk.

 

Agree with SuperbTWM about getting the same engine code.

 

Gaz

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. Same engine code it is... that simplifies things a little, albeit limiting availability. I will continue to shop for a complete engine and see what I can find.

 

@V6TDI, where do you go to purchase a service exchange engine. Direct to Skoda?

1k for an engine? Surely cheaper way would be a donor car? Swap engines then sell other car as non runner

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122038625074

Edited 16 July, 20169 yr by Mikek3111

The 1.4 tdi engine is in high demand so you'll be lucky to find one for £300/400 IMO

I was on the lookout for one not too long ago myself.

What has actually happened to the engine? Has the oil pump chain snapped? Or has the cam worn flat and punctured the followers?

Hadn't considered a donor car Mike, will see what I can find if I come up with nothing in my search for a used engine. I flat out refuse to pay £1k for an old engine that will have an uncertain amount of life left in it.

 

Not entiirely sure what is mechanically wrong James, as I haven't spoken to the garage yet and OH dealt with Skoda dealer. Sudden loss of power and a terrible clunking noise coming from the engine is all I got from my OH. She continued to drive it for about 2 miles before she said she had to stop.

Just thought I would update you to let you know that I decided to let the car go for scrap. Couldn't find a solution that would guarantee that it would cost less to repair the car than it was worth, and I don't like to gamble. Sold the car for a monkey to a trader that was going to try and repair the engine.

 

Thanks again for the advice.