Potential cost of engine repair from low oil(UK)

[West1990]

My car oil level light was on the yellow warning light , a few days later I went to get oil and the car. Just died , no loud grinding from the engine , just stopped like a dead battery .

I went to get more oil and refilled the engine , the engine was struggling but after a few minutes the oil flowed through the system and the engine calmed down .

There where a few subtle jolts but began to calm .

I let the engine sit for a while and then left it overnight .

The following day I started the engine , and tried to reverse the car it died out , after a few attempts the car was running and I tried to move the car about 300yds , the engine is clearly damaged , as there is a loss in performance and it's chugging , not overly , by the time I reached 300yds a small amount of white smoke came out of the exhaust.

How much is it likely to cost to have this repaired (UK)

 

[JRS]

What car is it?

Though no matter what, it's probably going to be new engine time. Or throw the car away if it's not worth the expense/doesn't have sentimental value/isn't a Land Rover Series and can't be repaired with duct tape and a hammer.

 

[chaparral]

Chances are you need another engine if it ran out of oil

As all the following parts could be damaged from metal to metal contact

Cylinder bores & pistons
Main bearings & crank shaft
small end bearings
Camshaft lobes & bearings
Oil pump

 

[West1990]

What car is it?

Though no matter what, it's probably going to be new engine time. Or throw the car away if it's not worth the expense/doesn't have sentimental value/isn't a Land Rover Series and can't be repaired with duct tape and a hammer.

Seat Ibiza 1.4 2011,

 

[Nasher]

Engine destroyed most likely. You are supposed to stop straight away if the oil light comes on.

On some engines damage can already be done by the time the light comes on. Which is why the level needs checking regularly.

 

[agw_01]

Yellow oil light means low oil level (top up required), red oil light means low oil pressure (engine damage likely)

Does the engine sound like it's rattling/knocking?

 

[West1990]

Yellow oil light means low oil level (top up required), red oil light means low oil pressure (engine damage likely)

Does the engine sound like it's rattling/knocking?

No rattling or knocking , just chugging it's not heavy , it's mild ,loss of power like it wants to die out

 

[JRS]

How far down on oil was it and how much did you put in?

 

[MagicBoy]

TTIUWV.

 

[Supernova]

Seat Ibiza 1.4 2011,

Oh dear, oh dear. High oil consumption is a very common issue in 1.4, 1.8, and 2.0 TSI engines of this age (2008-2013). VW, because they're crooks, officially state that 500ml of oil consumed per 1000km (one thousand) is normal. It's anything but normal, but they can regulate themselves for this. When you get a low oil warning on these engines you must refill it before driving again, as the oil consumption is so rapid.

How many miles did you drive between getting the low oil warning and topping it up? Sounds like you might have done quite a few miles.

But VW released a revised piston design for these engines, which acknowledges that there is an issue. Prices to fit these is around £2500 which makes it uneconomical to repair many 7-10 year old cars.

There is a fault in the design of the piston ring that means holes designed to let oil pass through get blocked with soot/coke. Oil is left behind inside the combustion chamber and is burnt. Replacing the pistons is necessary because the revised piston ring design doesn't fit on the current pistons.

IMO this is a scandal that should be more publicised on national news. VW had some serious shenanigans going on in their engine division during this period, with the diesel farce as well.

OP, take the car to an independent VW specialist as soon as you can but it sounds like you need to get it towed there. Don't take it to a VW main dealer, they will deny any knowledge of high oil consumption on these engines.

 

[pcfarrar]

The standard 1.4 in the 2011 Ibiza is not a TSI. It’s a much older VAG engine. Unless the OP has the Cupra/FR model then it’s the supercharged 1.4 tsi that was a terrible engine...

 

[Nasher]

The oil consumption problem has been going on much longer than the TSI has been around. It's funny that VW's "normal oil consumption" is considered excessive and indication of an internal engine problem by others.

 

[HoneyBadger]

Surely the rough running and oil are two separate things? If he received a yellow warning (Not a red) and topped up the oil, unless you over filled it, wouldn't cause the symptom's you describe IMO.

 

[Supernova]

Surely the rough running and oil are two separate things? If he received a yellow warning (Not a red) and topped up the oil, unless you over filled it, wouldn't cause the symptom's you describe IMO.

It's not clear how much driving the OP did between the warning showing and topping up.

 

[HoneyBadger]

It's not clear how much driving the OP did between the warning showing and topping up.

Whilst I agree, he said a few days later. Realistically, assuming he was driving non-stop, that's a few thousand miles, probably less. Is the implication that from receiving an initial top up required, it can't go any reasonable distance without exploding?!
Surely if so, the yellow would have turned to red - in which case if the OP still ignored it, then shame on him!!

 

[Lashout_UK]

I suspect there are two separate and unrelated issues here, but it's difficult to tell. We'll need more details.

It's all a bit moot, anyway – you're going to have to get a garage to look at it, in any case, so find somewhere local that's well regarded and go from there.

 

[Supernova]

Whilst I agree, he said a few days later. Realistically, assuming he was driving non-stop, that's a few thousand miles, probably less. Is the implication that from receiving an initial top up required, it can't go any reasonable distance without exploding?!
Surely if so, the yellow would have turned to red - in which case if the OP still ignored it, then shame on him!!

The 1.8 TSI engine I had was using about a litre of oil for every 400-500 miles. If it's got that bad on the OP's engine, you could definitely do some damage in a few days whilst continuing to drive it on a low oil warning. But I agree, you'd think you'd get a low pressure warning before doing serious damage.

Timing chain issues are common on this 1.4 TSI too. The tensioner fails and that's goodbye engine. Perhaps this rough running is caused by a tensioner in the process of failing. Next comes the full failure and a dead engine. It could be repairable at this point.

 

[HoneyBadger]

That's a lot of consumption!

I think we can all agree the OP needs to get it to a Garage ASAP!

 

[matthab]

Take it to a mechanic, Yellow the car just wants a top up it would show a red light and bong like crazy if it was a pressure issue. The 1.4 N/A is a reliable lump which has been used for a long time across the VAG group. If you have a code reader check for any codes as a quick place to look.

The 1.4TSI yep that might as well of been a two stroke. Mine needed 250ml every fuel fill up.

 

[Jamesyboyjim]

The standard 1.4 in the 2011 Ibiza is not a TSI. It’s a much older VAG engine. Unless the OP has the Cupra/FR model then it’s the supercharged 1.4 tsi that was a terrible engine...

Indeed.

What model is it op? I have a 2010 1.4 Ibiza myself, its just a standard NA 4 cylinder engine. Although its a hardworking engine due to only having 85ps its actually known for being reliable and mine burns next to no oil so I think you've been unlucky with an oil leak if that is what has killed your engine. definitely get it recovered and checked somewhere!