Will not start, no oil leaked out

I suspect they said it needs an engine because it is seized. Did they give a reason why it needs the engine replaced? This is what makes sense with just the info of it wouldn't start and they said it needs an engine.

Can you put a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt and see if you can spin the engine over?

If someone is saying the engine needs to be replaced, we need to either find out the reason they are saying it needs an engine or start from scratch on figuring it out. However, the info on why they are saying it needs to be replaced would be helpful info. Thanks

Lol, I’m a 71 year old woman with very little engine knowledge! But the engine does turn over when you turn the key, it just doesn’t catch and run. The mechanic said it needed engine replaced because it didn’t have compression. No other explanation. Originally (before taken to his place of business) he said might just need oil and if needed replacing he “ did it all the time” for $2,500.00 to $3,000.00. Then when he had it there he said he did oil change (including filter) and it turned over but wouldn’t start because it didn’t have compression and he could replace engine with one with 50,000 miles on it for $8,500.00. I still owe almost $5,000.00!
Thank you for your thoughts.

Okay. I would recommend just seeking a second opinion from another shop. If it has no compression then the engine would not start. However, it sounds like they are giving you very little explanation to send almost $10,000.00. I am a service engineer and fully understand what no compression is but even I would not spend that kind of money on this explanation.

They need to provide the compression readings for each cylinder, where they are losing compression and confirm it is not just a warped head. If this is the case, then replacing the head would repair the vehicle.

Long story short, I would not trust the info they are telling me at this point anyway so I would just take it to another shop and see what they come back with. You can tell them that you had it somewhere else and don't trust what they are saying is wrong and would like to see if they find the same thing. Tell them you would like them to look at it without telling them what the other shop found with the compression just to see if they come back with this info.

Let me know if you have questions or want to talk this out a little more before going to another shop. Thanks

If there is a blown head gasket causing the loss of all the oil would the head gasket cause no compression? Would you advise just taking it to the VW dealership? There is another shop a neighbor has used he was happy with that might be less expensive than dealer?

To answer your questions, if the head gasket is the issue, it would cause the oil and coolant to mix which should be able to be found in one or the other.

The dealership is more then likely more expensive but they are better trained. However, this does not sounds like an issue that requires a dealer so if you have another shop that you trust, I would at least see what they say.

Let us know and we can be a sounding board if you want. Thanks