Looking very much like my engine is giving up the ghost and at 253k odd on the clock, it's done well. It's a 1.9 ASV

It's been using engine oil for a while (probably a litre every 1k) and now got engine oil in the coolant. I've changed the oil cooler but there still seems to be oil in there. Also losing coolant out of the expansion tank on a regular basis.

The car still drives amazingly well even for a 20 odd year old car. So the big question is do I get rid or do I try and get the engine rebuilt? Anyone have any idea of costs involved and anyone who still does this type of work?

Id say unless you are doing the work yourself the cost of a rebuild would be astronomical.

If you can do the work yourself (other than machining) it would be maybe worth it

Maybe look at secondhand engine but be aware it may have some issues too.

Yeah I thought it probably would be. Any idea what you'd imagine it'd cost for a head gasket/rebuild or engine swap?

I'd be happy to give it a go but the problem is my tools are in storage and I only have a drive to work on. Then having the car off the road would leave me pretty stranded :(

Second hand engine is definitely an option but as you say, could be straight into another problem engine

This is not directly relevant as my car is a 2l tdi mk2 Octy but will hopefully be helpful. When I bought it with a worn camshaft I chased around pricing options from dealer camshaft repair, to indy camshaft repair to replacement engine (it's a BMM) and a guesstimate cost of the exchange. I wasn't able to tackle the work myself at the time.

It's 5 years back so prices may have varied somewhat but the numbers I ended up with were:

1) dealer replace camshaft - around £1k

2) indy ditto - £300

3) replacement (refurb) motor - £7-800 plus guesstimate workshop via indy £500

If you have the offroad drive space it might be worth buying a scrap car, pillaging it for bits and then selling on the carcase for scrap. That way you can inspect the replacement engine and do any work that's appropriate before swapping it over.

Edited 7 January7 Jan by MikeTheThinker

Cheers Mike. That gives me some sort of rough idea pricing.

Given the chance I'd be up for buying a donor car but my Mrs would strangle me or I'd at least be single. She's a gooden so no way can I get a donor car lol

Sounds like a head gasket failure but if its gone it may not be possible to do an accurate compression test to check its not the rings etc. It might be worth trying a test and if they all seem fairly equal and near spec perhaps a head gasket replacement. A decent one for my 1.9 bxe is around £30-00 plus I assume a new set of bolts etc plus factor in a new timing belt and waterpump as well.

Alasdair

I did a compression test a few months back and got the following 460, 380, 390 and 400

The readings are not bad at all for the mileage but slightly imbalanced but I think ok. Might be worth getting a leak down test done especially as your getting oil in coolant. It may pin point the problem cylinder/cylinders If your losing coolant out of expansion tank it sounds like the head gasket is on its way out and is over pressurising system.

Alasdair

Meant to add that at a litre of oil every 1k will soon mount up ££. Are you getting blue smoke while driving?

15 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

Meant to add that at a litre of oil every 1k will soon mount up ££. Are you getting blue smoke while driving?

Sorry mate, I actually got that wrong, it's more like 3l of oil every 1k!!!! 😲 so yeah you're right, soon adds up.

I do get some but I'd imagine I should have seen loads of blue smoke using that much oil

15 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

The readings are not bad at all for the mileage but slightly imbalanced but I think ok. Might be worth getting a leak down test done especially as your getting oil in coolant. It may pin point the problem cylinder/cylinders If your losing coolant out of expansion tank it sounds like the head gasket is on its way out and is over pressurising system.

Alasdair

I did look at getting the kit to do it before but something put me off. I'll look at it again...

If your using 3l /1k then I would expect a full smoke screen behind you. It may be that its oil getting into coolant thats forcing coolant out and not burning much but that amount of oil would mean that you probably wouldnt have much coolant left. Check that the intercooler isnt full of oil. Had an old volvo that the turbo seals failed and was dumping it there. If it sat idling for a while then some blue smoke but not much when driving.

If you have an oil leak that amount would definitly be noticeable.

Alasdair

It's always used that much since I bought the car 5 odd years ago. The oil in the coolant has been the last 6 months or so. Turbo has been changed twice since I've owned the car.

I'll check the intercooler as I added a drain screw into it so pretty easy to do

Check the engine breather system pcv isnt clogged/jammed as well

Alasdair

changed that before and made no difference at all. I tried the "elephant mod" into a clear bottle and got next to no oil into the bottle

Reckon a leak down test might be the way to go. Hope you get it sorted. I prefer the Mk1 and early Mk2 Octavias. Still have my 1.9tdi bxe sitting waiting for me to tackle rust but reckon its past it. Shame as its mechanicly sound. If I scrap it will let you know as engine has 140k and runs like a train with no probs.

Alasdair

mk1 at a breakers https://www.gumtree.com/p/car-replacement-parts/breaking-for-spares-skoda-octavia-1.9-tdi-2001/1508402067

On 09/01/2026 at 10:29, Alasdair1 said:

Reckon a leak down test might be the way to go. Hope you get it sorted. I prefer the Mk1 and early Mk2 Octavias. Still have my 1.9tdi bxe sitting waiting for me to tackle rust but reckon its past it. Shame as its mechanicly sound. If I scrap it will let you know as engine has 140k and runs like a train with no probs.

Alasdair

Thanks bud but I'd need a non PD engine as I run bio

On 10/01/2026 at 21:33, MikeTheThinker said:

mk1 at a breakers https://www.gumtree.com/p/car-replacement-parts/breaking-for-spares-skoda-octavia-1.9-tdi-2001/1508402067

Mate, I really would be single if I brought that home lol