Dead LC

CupraUK

Pushing on
Aug 15, 2005
1,350
0
Bedfordshire
Sadly, I suspect that my LC has seen its last day today. Whilst driving down the motorway there was a terrible noise and then engine cut. After pulling onto the hard shoulder there was an oil trail behind and it proceeded to dump the rest of its oil into a pool on the floor.

Got it home on a flatbed but there was lots of metal in the oil it put down on that. Once home it will start (making horrible smashing noises) but no drive once 1st is engaged.

I'll get it up tomorrow and assess the damage but in a 2-3k car I suspect it is probably terminal.

4.5 years of truly great fun

:-(
 
Last edited:

George

Guest
That's really bad news, sorry to hear it mate. I hope there is some light at the end of the tunnel and maybe it can be salvaged?

Best of luck :)
 
Mar 18, 2003
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Sound like you may have dropped a rod, if it hasn't killed the head as well then it may not be terminal a short engine transplant could sort you out! I wouldn't start it again till you know whats gone pop, just in case you make it worse!
 
Dec 6, 2008
612
0
Shropshire
As stpete said sounds very much like a con rods gone through the side of the block, even if it is terminal you might be able to pick up a complete engine for a reasonable enough price.

Got to question the starting it knowing its chucked all its oil and lumps of metal out as well as trying to drive it. :confused:
 

CupraUK

Pushing on
Aug 15, 2005
1,350
0
Bedfordshire
Didn't try and drive it, just needed to get it a few feet further up the drive.

Hopefully all is not lost, probably overreacted earlier. Will take a good look tomorrow and see what's what.
 

CupraUK

Pushing on
Aug 15, 2005
1,350
0
Bedfordshire
Some early morning examinations have revealed an alternate diagnosis. I have all of my engine oil still, what I don't have is any gearbox oil. I also have a box full of neutrals.

So I assume that my clutch and/or gearbox has gone. If it were just the clutch should the gears engage with the engine (if you could get it in gear)?

All may not be lost :)
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
Clutch from GSF looks like ~£115 (for a golf...)
Gearbox on ebay looks about £350, which is steep IMO
 

smivvy

Seat Leon Cupra
Apr 21, 2008
113
0
Northants
If you source a 6-spd box from a salvage company they charge anything form £350+vat. The other option is to goto a gearbox centre offering recon boxews. I believe their prices start from around £650+vat but then offer extended warranty.

Oh and thankfully it was your box and not engine
 

Willie

LCR Track car
Aug 6, 2004
8,939
1
Sunny Scotland
I looked into one for my LCR, was looking at about £750 inc VAT but it was a dodgey 'Laanndin Geezers' I spoke to who sounded dodgey as ####!!!!
 
Dec 6, 2008
612
0
Shropshire
Some early morning examinations have revealed an alternate diagnosis. I have all of my engine oil still, what I don't have is any gearbox oil. I also have a box full of neutrals.

So I assume that my clutch and/or gearbox has gone. If it were just the clutch should the gears engage with the engine (if you could get it in gear)?

All may not be lost :)

If just the clutch went you would be able to engage the gears within the gearbox but you would have no transmission of power to the gearbox so the engine would just rev out. Obviously in your case with the puddle of oil its the gearbox and even if the clutch hasnt been contaminated with oil it would be worth changing it while the box is out, unless its only recently been done of course.
 

S3 AKR

livin' the dream!!!
Jun 30, 2004
1,453
1
Colchester, Essex
It's not unknown for the final drive (or maybe he said the diff - can't remember exactly what he said as I'd had a drink or two!) to pop its rivets and go bang according to a mate of mine who is a VW mastertech mechanic. That could put your gearbox through but not sure if you're left with a suitable exchange unit which a lot of recon ones are priced against.

Hopefully, now you know its not the engine, its an economic repair for you although still not cheap. Best of luck with it.
 

matt_s

4 8 15 16 23 42
Dec 23, 2004
654
19
If it's lost the oil from the gearbox then chances are you have nothing to recondition. When my golf box let go it was the diff rivets. When I enquired about a recon box I was told no chance, to do that they wanted at least the casing and the final drive intact. You can get a recon box but you won't get your deposit back.
 
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