Engine damage after timing belt failure and what to do next

[lapwizrus]

2003 A4 1.8t with 190,000 miles on it. So long story short - the water pump seized and took out the timing belt which did the following damage. Brand new timing kit was installed (along with water pump) around 20k ago.




I need to get this car back on the road and I don't want to sink a ton of money into it. Now obviously the cylinder head is gone and I plan on getting a used head. What about that number 4 piston? Will I be okay just swapping with another piston? All four cylinder walls are in great shape. Hoping to hear from someone that has been in a similar situation. Thanks!

[Matt Devo]

if the #4 cylinder wall is fine, then yes just replace the #4 piston. I'd probably throw fresh rings on all 4 cylinders just because, and replace the oil pump while you're there. Then it's all set for another 200k. Also, go with an AWM head to avoid the cracking issues that seem to plague all AMB heads at some point

[yanni6556]

Where I live it’s probably cheaper to get a used motor and pop it in. I’d go that route, the damage looks pretty significant on the original motor.

[Spike00513]

what kind/brand of water pump?
what would cause it to seize?

if the #4 cylinder wall is fine, then yes just replace the #4 piston. I'd probably throw fresh rings on all 4 cylinders just because, and replace the oil pump while you're there. Then it's all set for another 200k. Also, go with an AWM head to avoid the cracking issues that seem to plague all AMB heads at some point

used or new piston? I imagine there's a specific brand people may prefer in accordance with a stock engine, if getting new. IDK what the OEM ones are.

[Matt Devo]

used or new piston? I imagine there's a specific brand people may prefer in accordance with a stock engine, if getting new. IDK what the OEM ones are.

any used OEM piston in good condition would be fine

[obaka]

it was a metal propeller water pump?

[lapwizrus]

I was all ready to just swap the piston and get another used head but decided to thoroughly check the cylinder walls. Ended up finding a deep enough scratch in the number 4 cylinder wall. I'm thinking about just swapping in another used engine. ugh.

it was a metal propeller water pump?

Yep, metal propeller. Looks like the bearings failed on the pump. The whole rotating assembly is bent.

[kwilson]

Yep, metal propeller. Looks like the bearings failed on the pump. The whole rotating assembly is bent.

What brand?

[lapwizrus]

It was from the contitech kit. Not sure what brand.

[Chemmie]

It was from the contitech kit. Not sure what brand.

Makes me happy I bought the Gates kit. Is there a warranty period for the parts? Persue it.

I'm curious how he's going replace the piston and "throw fresh rings" on it without removing the oil pan/sub frame. At that point, a new engine seems like the obvious choice.

[Nollywood]

I would be inclined to just fitting a good used engine. Don’t forget to carry out maintenance before fitting it - new timing belt kit and water pump.

[IndoReef]

I would be inclined to just fitting a good used engine. Don’t forget to carry out maintenance before fitting it - new timing belt kit and water pump.

you can find them for very cheap if you looks for them longer then 10 minutes on the net.
That way you have tons of spare parts for the newer engine if need be.

[obaka]

yeah stick with plastic propeller pump. my A3 came with one of those, not even a brand one, just generic, it lasted for5 years and when it failed, it started dripping coolant just like any other waterpump. I had to replace it with a german metal propeller one from the conti kit, but sold the car the time after that. good luck!

[Kevin C]

Makes me happy I bought the Gates kit. Is there a warranty period for the parts? Persue it.

I'm curious how he's going replace the piston and "throw fresh rings" on it without removing the oil pan/sub frame. At that point, a new engine seems like the obvious choice.

I hope you didn't get this Gates pump...

https://www.autobytel.com/volkswagen...5/car-recalls/

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

[V70R]

Tip or manual trans? Looks like I see a small ridge on cylinders 2 and 3, save the time for teardown to replace a single piston and replace the motor. Find a low mileage AWM engine and just swap oil pans, toss on a new belt kit and misc. cooling pieces and you're good to go. An AWM engine from a 2001.5-2005 Passat would work just fine and save you quite a bit in the long run.

[Chemmie]

I hope you didn't get this Gates pump...

https://www.autobytel.com/volkswagen...5/car-recalls/

No, appears much newer than that, has the proper part #/pulley. Didn't know about the recall though, good info.

[BARRY]

find a good used engine...if you're in northern california i have a complete low mileage engine in my garage for sale. still wrapped up from the place i ordered it from in Arizona.

[lapwizrus]

I'm going to check out a AWM out of a 2003 Passat today. 150k on it, $700. Timing kit w/ new updated tensioner has been order from Blauparts - $278. Hoping to keep this under $1k

[Matt Devo]

I'm going to check out a AWM out of a 2003 Passat today. 150k on it, $700. Timing kit w/ new updated tensioner has been order from Blauparts - $278. Hoping to keep this under $1k

seems high, and you'll need to modify the thermostat opening to accept a B6 t-stat, or modify the t-stat itself to fit

[G.AUDI]

seems high, and you'll need to modify the thermostat opening to accept a B6 t-stat, or modify the t-stat itself to fit

Ok this is the kind of response I was looking for. For anyone else looking to do this in the future, what is a decent offer that one should be looking at? Is eBay a credible source? It's hard to decipher between all the junk from the legit ones.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Tapatalk

[lapwizrus]

seems high, and you'll need to modify the thermostat opening to accept a B6 t-stat, or modify the t-stat itself to fit

I found it at a local auto salvage place (thorugh car-part) and all the auto 1.8 engines are around the same price. eBay prices seem to be inline and are actually more expensive when you include shipping. They still had the engine in the car and just got done testing it so I know its in good condition.

What kind of modification am I looking at? Hopefully its something I can do with a dremel.

[Matt Devo]

I found it at a local auto salvage place (thorugh car-part) and all the auto 1.8 engines are around the same price. eBay prices seem to be inline and are actually more expensive when you include shipping. They still had the engine in the car and just got done testing it so I know its in good condition.

What kind of modification am I looking at? Hopefully its something I can do with a dremel.

the step lip on the thermostat opening is different. You could dremel the thermostat to fit and then seal with silicone.