So my 2013 1.4tfsi has been into 2 garages for coolant loss & random "Stop engine low pressure" light.

First garage said head gasket & quoted £3,055 for the work, but they added w/pump & belt plus timing chain on a 60k engine.

Second garage concurred but refused the job saying Tfsi engines were rubbish & couldn't guarantee it was head gasket alone! And fitting another engine would cost 3-5k!

Third was online community who all say both are a joke, & a few mentioned the intake manifold cooler as possible reason?

So sniff test done & failed, compression test & failed (none said what readings were or what cylinder(s) )

Now it's losing coolant rapidly, however there's no white smoke, oil is still clean & runs absolutely fine with no misfires.

Car on a good day could fetch 5-6k due to improvements made over 4 years i've had it. Now stuck on what to do or go next? I live in Crewe & no particular VAG specialists nearby other than official garage.

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by cockneyrick

Richard.

Are you really referring to low coolant pressure warning? I suspect you mean low oil pressure.

The 1.4 TFSI engines of that era were notorious for their skinny piston rings causing dramatic losses of oil which would explain the low compression readings and failed sniff test. The only realistic solution is installation of redesigned pistons and rings at great expense. Whether the coolant loss is related I can not say.

Your first garage was right to suggest renewing belts and water pump at the same time because they would be due in 10000 miles and would need another engine strip down to install them, so it is cheaper to have the lot done at the same time.

In its present condition I doubt that the car is worth more than £1000. Do you love it enough to spend several thousand pounds on it?

1 hour ago, cliffcoggin said:

Richard.

Are you really referring to low coolant pressure warning? I suspect you mean low oil pressure.

The 1.4 TFSI engines of that era were notorious for their skinny piston rings causing dramatic losses of oil which would explain the low compression readings and failed sniff test. The only realistic solution is installation of redesigned pistons and rings at great expense. Whether the coolant loss is related I can not say.

Your first garage was right to suggest renewing belts and water pump at the same time because they would be due in 10000 miles and would need another engine strip down to install them, so it is cheaper to have the lot done at the same time.

In its present condition I doubt that the car is worth more than £1000. Do you love it enough to spend several thousand pounds on it?

Yes oil pressure, & it's a timing chain not belt. Happy with the pump & belt, not the unnecessary chain.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by cockneyrick

5 hours ago, cockneyrick said:

So my 2013 1.4tfsi has been into 2 garages for coolant loss & random "Stop engine low pressure" light.

First garage said head gasket & quoted £3,055 for the work, but they added w/pump & belt plus timing chain on a 60k engine.

Second garage concurred but refused the job saying Tfsi engines were rubbish & couldn't guarantee it was head gasket alone! And fitting another engine would cost 3-5k!

Third was online community who all say both are a joke, & a few mentioned the intake manifold cooler as possible reason?

So sniff test done & failed, compression test & failed (none said what readings were or what cylinder(s) )

Now it's losing coolant rapidly, however there's no white smoke, oil is still clean & runs absolutely fine with no misfires.

Car on a good day could fetch 5-6k due to improvements made over 4 years i've had it. Now stuck on what to do or go next? I live in Crewe & no particular VAG specialists nearby other than official garage.

Hi if its failed a sniff test its academic the gasket is leaking, I personally would do the same as the first garage if you take in to account that the head will most likely need a skim to correct any surface defects, then the valve seats would need to be lapped in, the timing chain is worth doing as even at 60k its probably stretched and the guides will be worn, factor in possible bore wear and you have the potential for a catastrophic wallet failure, from memory these engines were not good from new and if driven hard don't generally take to much action, you also mentioned improvements, one of them was not mapping was it?

Steve.

Stage 1 about 3 years ago. Most other improvements are wheels, Interior leather, S/wheel & brakes.