In early oct 2024 my VWT5 1.9 TDi started losing power and making a large knocking sound from the engine. My normal garage said that the engine needed replacing, but without any internal investigation (cost/benefit of investigating etc). They removed the engine really quickly, and then spent a few weeks looking for an engine - which they found. The supplier they chose suggested 10 days, which then became 2, then 3, then 4 weeks.... before arriving just before Xmas. So about 9 weeks in total. A recon engine was finally fitted in mid January, and promptly seized on start up. The supplier then supplied another engine, and I've had my van back since mid February.
Since then it has been back twice, with leaking coolant. Once the garage said it was a pipe. More leaks. Then I took it back, they said it was a plastic gasket. Since then , it's kept on leaking, and a test I did myself using the coolant tank has suggested a leaking cylinder head gasket or cracked head.
I'm now dropping the van back a third time for them to test it themselves. In the meantime, I'm hiring cars/taxis etc to get about for work.
I've lost faith in the engine, and in the garage - as the van problems started in October, and I'm now in mid March.
Does anyone have any advice as to next steps?
Should I have any faith in my current repaired engine - if the head/gasket gets replaced?
Should I just take the van elsewhere, take the garage to court, and get a proper warranted engine fitted?
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Ed