Driving along last Thursday night, doing about 30-40 mph and the car started toi sound a bit rough and rattly. Then it sounded like it was rubbing. Hmm, what's that I thought, must have got something caught under the car. So I drive along, looking for somewhere to stop. Whilst doing this, there was a muted sorted of "pop" noise and the car started running nicely. The car behind started flashing at me (it was dark) so I looked in the mirror, wow it ain't half foggy out there, just a big wall of smoke.

After about 1 mile I find somewhere I can safely pull over, just as I pull in, the dash does its impression of a christmas tree. I quickly turn the engine off.

Looking under the bonnet there is no sign of anything untoward so I try starting the car, nope, it doesn't want to play :( So, I plug the laptop in to see if there are any code in the ECU which might indicate what is wrong. Ah, I see. Misfire on cylinders 1 and 2, both knock sensors have gone off, no compression on cylinder 2, you get the idea.

Called the AA and asked to be recovered. They offer to send a patrol to fix it, I inform them that it'll take a f-ing miracle to do that, it needs recovering. So, a relay truck turns up, within 20 minutes (thank you AA ) The driver tells me that through Skoda I have Relay Plus and very kindly arranges me an hire car. He then takes me to pick it up and then talkes my car from Ascot down to Bristol whilst I toddle off home in my Megane (not a bad motor really).

Next morning I go off down to Bristol to my dealer. Oh dear, it really is completely ******ed!

So far, they have found that:

Piston number 2 currently resides in the sump

1/2 of the conrod is still there

The other 1/2 has exited via the block, leaving a 3" hole

Now, the weird thing is, the conrod has snapped from top to bottom along the oil channel. The mechanics said they have never seen one go like that before, they usually either buckle or split width ways. I have spoken to 2 motor engineers who said that the probable cause of this is either metal fatigue or a manufacturing fault. All have agreed that the little standard turbo is not capable of producing enough boost to do this sort of damage, the turbo would blow before it got to a sufficient level to do this sort of damage.

The other possible cause, although its unlikely, is that the cambelt failed. Trouble is, it was replaced about 500 miles before this happened. I suppose I'll only foind out when I take the head off.

So what is happening? Well, I have to buy a new engine. Skoda want nothing to do with it, even though I have unlimited mileage warranty with a year left to go. Why aren't I surprised by this?

Anyway, just thought I'd let you all know.

Jon

Eeeeeek!

I won't make reference to the fact that you carry a laptop to plug into your car, or the technical terms your post was littered with ("******ed" for example)... not good!

How many miles had you done? And what was Skoda's reason for not replacing it?

Are you thinking of a bigger engine, or another vRS? (How much do they cost, anyway?)

Anyway - sorry to hear about your misadventure :(

sheesh... sounds costly mate, though I suspect you may end up with a 400hp+ 1.4 16v

Why did I have a laptop with me? Well, I was on my way back from work.

I picked up lots of technical terms from this board

It has done 121,000 miles. Its evidently modified (hmm, but not enough to do this sort of damage)

Did look at a S4 2.7 V6 twin turbo, but it wouldn't fit :( Now fitting a S3 225 engine (it was relatively cheap and it fits ) as warranty doesn't matter any more (thanks Skoda! ). Exchange engine is

Sorry to hear that Jon.

I suppose 120k+ miles with 10k+ track day miles on a modded engine isn't that bad going.

On the warranty issue I know of well known manufacturer that sells fast road cars that rip up your warranty the minute you modify or go near a track so I think Skoda are better than most.

Hope you get it sorted quickly

Lee

Sorry to hear of this Jon.

If your garage has said that it's probably a manufacturing fault why then has Skoda not agrreed a warranty job on this? Could not Nikki help you out with this?

Sounds like you've bitten the bullet and got it sorted yourself. Hmmmm......S3 engine....that'd be 280bhp with a remap then?

:eek: :eek:

sorry to hear this jon.

hmmmm, 225 s3 engine. chipped to 270-280bhp.

i think you had this planned

bad luck Jon, at least you werent punting it round the ring at high speed when it let go, could have been alot worse

but the silver lining is you will be starting for a better platform for future mods, can i ask how old/what condition the S3 engine is in? is that price for a full motor? ancillaries etc? was it easy to source? sorry for all the Q's

also what sort of bhp/torque was your motor putting out?

Cheers

Fergal

The

280 with a remap alone? Really? You don't say!

Sorry to hear this Mr Bang! Shame you can't get anything at all off Skoda - may be interesting to look at the half a conrod when it comes out - if there was the beginning of a crack, a metallurgist will be able to spot it. Silver linings have been mentioned already

:( - Oh dear, sounded like it was a fairly spectacular blow-out? :(

This is the kind of terminal damage that my mates are saying my car will suffer once I get it remapped. Methinks they're speaking out they're a55's

Good luck with the new install. It sounds like there is even more modding potential with that S3 engine, than with the 1.8T.

S3 is a 1.8T Jason. It does however have a lower compression ration, stronger rods and oh, a bigger turbo Wonder what sort of power I'll get if I get my old head ported and fit it to this engine ? Hmmmm

Of course... [ Jason speaks before engaging brain again.]

Still sounds rather nice though. I've read about the A3 coming with a 3.2L V6 soon... I'm still not sure whether this would be nicer than a tuned up 1.8T? - More powerful, but less refined I should think?

Anyway, good luck with it still - Will this be the first engine change in a Briskoda vRS? I imagine that extra gear will be a bonus too, depending on the old fifth's ratio to the new sixth's ratio... Will you be keeping the original dash details, so the new engine starts at 121,000 miles? - Just wondering if you can legit turn back the clock to match the new engine?

For those who may wish to show their respect we will be holding a small memorial service for Jon's long serving block.... It will be in the pub in Stockport on Sunday evening... Led by Rev Cooke and assisted by Vicar of Rochdale R Mawer.

Jon has asked that in lieu of flowers all donations be sent to your local Cat Protection League to rehouse unwated cats....

Will not be able to make this week's communion, will say three "hell yeahs" to make up for it.

That's too bad, Jon, sorry to hear that. :(

So why did it have to happen? I was about to rebuff some Dutch VAG critics who claim that (modded) 1.8Ts are known to go bang at some time, careful owner notwithstanding. Your slightly modified AUQ happened to be one of the prime arguments for proving the block's solidity!

BTW, there are no known AUQ/ARX (K03sport) casualties in Holland. My opponents' main argument comes from a couple of blown S3 engines...

I think the appropriate phrase is...

Oh...Bugger !

My sincerest condolences on your sad loss Jon, but hey, at least you can start all over again and do all the stuff you wish you'd done with the old engine

Why do i sense the approach of a mental Black vRS ?

Whatever you do with it this time, i'd love to see the results

Edit..

Having re-read your post, i see you had a recent cambelt change.

I know where i'd be looking, VERY closely.

Shouldn't this thread be in my (lack of) Performance?

Why do i sense the approach of a mental[/b'] Black vRS ?

Only if Jon gets a respray while the engine is being fitted

Sorry to hear your news Jon, I think Skoda should be doing something though. Why doesn't it surprise me though

'Tavia'

We have fitted a few TT engines into MK4 Golfs so if you need any help give us a bell . We have also got a few intercoolers about left over from Forge font mount conversions is you dont have two to use.

Also we do a big Garret turbo conversion now, should be looking about 340 ish bhp

Jon

What fuel were you using prior to the AA moment? Interested as my Impreza engine ended up in a similar state

Rob

Sorry to hear your news Jon. :(

It does look like you got the plans for one hell of a replacement though! :p