I think my engine is gone!! Need help ASAP

[Junaid]

Well my car has been smoking white smoke, and i took it to the mechanic and he said the engine is gone. How much am i looking to spend, the PO said we can work out a deal to pay since the car isn't even in my name because it won't pass emissions.

Should i dump it or replace the engine?


Thanks,
Junaid

[pipe7284]

you might have a bad head gasket. or maybe the valve seals are bad.its hard t diagnose with so little info. But you definately have oil inside your cylinders.

[Junaid]

you might have a bad head gasket. or maybe the valve seals are bad.its hard t diagnose with so little info. But you definately have oil inside your cylinders.

Thanks for the reply the car is going to the mechanics on monday and i think he will do a compression test/ confirm what it is for sure, hopefully it will not be too expensive. The coolant level has not decreased since we bought it and the temperature has not gone over the middle.

Thanks

[chris164935]

Sounds like it could be your turbo...

[speedydragon]

maybe you have coolant in your oil :P

[Junaid]

I checked my oil and its clean as a whistle no sludge on the dipstick or under the cap, my turbo still kicks in that is the only thing thats makes the engine go otherwise there is no power when i push the gas.


Thanks

[Junaid]

I found this video on another thread, but the smoke is like this...--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJsZ9H_xpbk

[chris164935]

Turbo can still work and the seals be worn to junk. What does the exhaust smell like? Fuel? Oil?

[Junaid]

it smells like fuel but sometimes it has a wierd smell

[Jared71482]

white smoke is water in the combustion chambers. oil related issues are blue smoke.

Most likely the head gasket.

[Junaid]

So cheaper to drop new engine in? or repair head gasket?

Thanks again i really appreciate it.

[Jared71482]

well a proper diagnosis is in need... then go from there. Its hard for anyone here to say EXACTLY what it is without looking it over and finding all the symptoms. Theres no such thing as a bad motor unless a piston has gone through the wall or the block is cracked. Pretty much anything else can be fixed or rebuilt.

Theres usually one way for water to get into the cylinders... and thats where the head meets the block... warped head, bad gasket...

[02AudiS4]

gasket

[chris164935]

it smells like fuel but sometimes it has a wierd smell

Open your coolant expansion tank and smell the coolant, is that very similar to the wierd smell you get from the exhaust?

[Militant-Grunt]

Whats your mileage, year. Engine?

If its a 1.8t:

Before you panic I suggest you check your turbo. Then try to diagnose for a blown head gasket. More then likely its oil ending up in your exhaust from a failing turbo.

If your mechanic is telling you that you need a new motor, time to find a new mechanic.

Does it look or sound anything like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhOMppm-SLU

[Rhynolite]

Does it look or sound anything like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhOMppm-SLU

Or this?

http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=1aiNAchgCxs

Cause that'd be awesome. People would think they were being chased by a train.

[aaronamerica]

Sounds like it could be your turbo...

thats what i was thinking

[Junaid]

I really appreciate the responses and through the video the smoke is identical to that so yes i believe my turbo is gone. I have an appointment with my mechanic to make sure of what the problem is and then i will discuss with the PO of how we are going to settle this.

Thanks again
Junaid

[Mawhitey]

white smoke is usually coolant, does she overheat at all? I note you said the smike smelt funny, is it a kinda sweet smell?

The last few turbos i have swapped out for leaking blew blue smoke, mostly on tickover due to leaky seals.

I would also try a different mechanic for a 2nd opinion

[4A Play]

Craigslist around philly has 30v's going for $300 all day. IDK what popped in your car.

[Junaid]

Nope does not overheat one bit and the coolant has not moved at all from the max line. I am out of town but on tuesday when i get back its going to another mechanic and he said he will tear it down to see what is wrong, i think he mentioned if the turbo is gone there will be water in the intercooler??


Thanks

[LEGO]

I Don't know about water in your intercooler. If the seals in your turbo completely blew, then you would have a ton of oil in your intercooler and intercooler piping. Your exhaust would smoke bad too cause the oil would leak into your exhaust and burn up. But if it's smoking a bit, it could be cause your turbo seals are on their way to being out. Not yet completely blown but letting oil leak into your exhaust causing it to smoke. That's what I'm thinking mine is doing too, cause I just put a new turbo in from gpopshop.com and it's smoking at idle after the car is warmed up. I did some research and it seems that for the turbo going out, first it smokes at idle, when the seals blow more, it starts smoking all the time.

[Junaid]

Today i realized that it actually smells like burning plastic...and how much will the turbo cost me approximately?

Thanks

[1.8t]

bump...i want to also know how much a turbo would cost...

[Seerlah]

You can find a used k03 for like $150 with no shaft play. As for the k03s, you have to jump on them as soon as you can as people try and source those out quick. As that is a cheaper upgrade for most compared to the k04. New, they are rather pricey. MJM usually has the cheapest prices. But you can always find cheaper if you search.

[redflagquattro]

I HAVE THE BURNING PLASTIC SMELL TOO. Ive been trying to diagnose why my car is running like shit and my turbo/manifold/front of downpipe glow molten red when i get on the car a little bit. Im really thinking my K03S is bad now, ive rulled EVERYTHING else out.

[djwimbo]

my car is running like shit and my turbo/manifold/front of downpipe glow molten red ...

That's definitely not good. The only way your exhaust, turbo or manifold would ever get that hot is if you're burning fuel in the exhaust.(OR if you EGT's are sky high, but that would at least mean you car is trying to make power)

There's a list of issues you could be dealing with, I seriously doubt the turbo is at fault. It could be something rather simple. I suggest you get that checked out ASAP before you do fry that turbo from all that heat.

[B5A4Kevin]

headgaskets arent too common on 1.8t's. most likely your turbo seals are failing as stated above. water wont enter your intercoolers but an excess of oil will tend to turn your intercooler into a oil filled bong. they make a chemical test kit to check for carbon present in your coolant. this would be the result of a failed head gasket. you can get a used turbocharger for 100-150 + labor. i just sold my spare k03s for 120 shipped. should have asked for more apparently. sounds like the guy you take your car to is more of a grease monkey rather than a technician.

as for the cherried exhaust, you are either dumping mass amounts of fuel, or your exhaust is clogged. try loosening up your turbo-cat nuts and see if it still does it, or just remove it completely and inspect it. if it is a fueling issue it needs to be addressed very soonishly as it can cause direct failure of the turbo as well as the cat.

[redflagquattro]

it wouldnt be the exhaust becuase i have a test pipe and brand new ghl cat back. This is really killing me, im not getting any codes other than for my test pipe. What i did notice though is the throttle feels very spungey, but when i begin to get lower on gas it feels uch more responsive. I got a new fuel filter and will change that and see what happens. but i doubt it will help me.

[Mawhitey]

Have you checked the oil feed pipe to the turbo isnt clogged

[kampfer]

I have a KO3 you can have, just PM if you want it.