Why won't my Volkswagen start? A seized engine on a used Volkswagen usually traces back to running low on oil or skipped service. Here, a failing turbo and a broken oil pump chain wrecked the engine, and a pre purchase inspection could have caught it.
What happened
A woman called us after buying a used car that was very loud. The seller told her it was a diesel and that diesels are noisy. It wasn't a diesel at all. The car came in on a tow truck with a seized engine.
What we found inside
The oil level was only about a quart low, so we pulled the oil pan. Metal chunks and a broken gear were inside. The oil pump drive chain had snapped. The oil pump screen was blocked by a large piece of metal. Heat and friction from low oil had destroyed the lower end of the engine.
The turbo was the clue
The turbo had been failing for a while, coming apart a little at a time. Oil meant to lubricate it passed through and went out the exhaust. That caused the loud noise she was told was normal. The car was also about 4,000 miles past the service where the manufacturer calls for a turbo inspection.
How it could have been avoided
- Get a pre purchase inspection from a licensed shop that isn't the seller.
- Choose a shop with experience on that make.
- Ask for service records.
- Follow the manufacturer's service schedule in your owner's manual.
- Read any aftermarket warranty in full before you buy it.
About the warranty
She had bought a warranty with the car, and the warranty company covered most of the engine cost. But the approval took about a week and the engine took about another week to ship. Many warranty companies also make you pay to take an engine apart until they find the point of failure.
What we did
We replaced the engine and the turbo. The repair itself took about two days, and most of the delay came from waiting on the warranty company. We explained each step so she knew what to do for her car going forward.
Questions we hear
Why does a Volkswagen engine seize?
Running low on oil is the usual cause. That can come from missed oil changes, leaks or an engine that burns oil.
Is a noisy engine normal?
No. A loud engine is a warning. Have it diagnosed before it's too late.
Buying a used car? Book a pre purchase inspection first. For Volkswagen service or engine repair, schedule with us.
