I have had a rumbling noise coming from my engine for a fair old while and it has got pretty loud now.
Got it daignosed and it is a failing big end bearing.
I'd love to keep this on the road and it looks as though I need to source a good replacement engine.
I am a total boos at this sort of thing and was wondering od anyone had advice as to where to start ot any other suggestions.
I did do a search on a couple of sites and got responses but most had dreadful reviews on Trustpilot.

Thanks

Is there no Engine builders in your area to rebuild yours rather than buying an unknown engine.

Not that the two garages I trust know of.
I get the impression this is a bit of a lottery.

1 hour ago, zebthecat said:

Not that the two garages I trust know of.
I get the impression this is a bit of a lottery.

It is and one i have not had to play. Options are two broad options. 1. Recyclers used engine, which is an unknown but may come with a warranty but likely won't cover install and reinstall costs. 2. Rebuilders. I do have a couple of names from post history on here but no personal experience of using them. I do know with the complexity of these engines a rebuild just to oem spec is going to be north of £3k but if it is a good rebuilder is much more a known qty than a used replacement..   

 

Where are you based? 

East Grinstead (West Sussex/Kent/Surrey border)

I think if I was in this unfortunate situation I'd look at buying another car and selling the one with the knackered engine for spares/repair and let someone else do the lottery with a replacement engine. It could even work out cheaper in the long run if the engine replacement went badly.

 

If I was going to get the engine replaced I'd be looking to get one from the most reputable supplier you can find, trying to verify the history of it and paying on a credit card.

@zebthecat - shot in the dark as it's a little way from you, but I highly recommend QS Tuning in Haywards Heath that I use for all my RS needs. Kim (he/him) there is awesome, and will definitely provide good information around what they may be able to do to support you in a rebuild, or - if not - I'm sure he will be able to recommend good companies or people who can help you with it. QST are long-term VAG specialists and part of the larger custom / engineering network, so I'm sure they know of a few people if they can't do it themselves.

 

Best of luck with it too! 🤞

Yeah the rebuilding garages i know are either midlands or southwest coast. I don't know if it's possible, but it may be possible to change the big ends from below. After removing sump and upper sump assembly. But even if it is, you'd have to wonder if it is a good strategy with possible damage to journal and debris in engine. It would be a risk, even if technically it can be done!! 

It would be interesting to know the mileage and service history. seems a rare failure to have these days.

 

If it was me I would be throwing a new set of bearings on it at least, you have little to lose.