VW Golf engine seized - Cat D

[tsam19]

How is it possible for a 'low level flood' to cause a car engine to seize up?

The insurers have classed the car as CAT D only because of the engine is seized.

Would it, or is it possible to repair this engine in this condition?

What is the work & cost involved etc?

Alternatively how much would it be for a brand new engine?

What alternative VW engines could replace this one?

Its a 2002 VW Golf 1.9 SDI - had covered 70k miles.

At present the insurers have put a price on the car as it stands if i want it back @ £2000 - is it worth the hassle?

Any advice or tips / help would be grateful.

[herby0001]

Once a significant amount of water gets in through the air intake, the pistons try to compress the incompressible, which results in bent conrods and all. On AutoTrader, you can pick up a 2002 Golf SDI from around £2,750 to £3,000. Rebuilding an engine isn't cheap, £2k maybe, so that's why it's being written off. Personally, if I really wanted to keep the car, I'd try to find an engine from a scrappie and take my chances. Other than that, take the money, but a £2k valuation sounds a bit on the low side.

[jimma04]

depends on how fast the rpm at the time I have got away with it a few times for customers by just draining out the bores and intrcoolers good as gold if there is def something bent unless u love it. I wouldn't bother

[VAGMAN54]

how did the water get into the intake,its a long way above a shallow water line ,the air cleaner is more or less level with the headlights !!

[tonyleach]

how did the water get into the intake,its a long way above a shallow water line ,the air cleaner is more or less level with the headlights !!

We had loads at work a while back with moosive puddles/lakes across the road which cars were getting through ok until another vehicle came the other way sending big waves back across the road,but i wouldnt bother without sounding horrible,to have the engine stripped down and checked for damage can be costly unless you can do yourself and getting a good engine from a scrapper itself is russian roulette