* Crack the oil pan: This is the most likely scenario. The oil pan is located at the bottom of the engine and is relatively vulnerable to impacts from below. A crack in the oil pan will lead to oil loss, potentially causing catastrophic engine failure.
* Damage the oil sump: Similar to the oil pan, damage here will lead to oil loss.
* Bend or break the engine mounts: These mounts secure the engine to the chassis. A significant impact could damage or break them, leading to engine misalignment and potential internal damage.
* Damage the transmission: While less likely than oil pan damage, the impact could also damage the transmission, which is often close to the engine and vulnerable to impacts.
* Indirect damage: The jolt from the impact could cause other components to shift or break, potentially leading to engine damage indirectly.
While 7900 miles suggests the car has very low usage, it doesn't make it immune to damage from a significant impact like hitting a center divider. The age of the car (2000) means some components might be more susceptible to damage than newer parts.
In short, it's entirely plausible that driving onto a center divider caused significant damage to your VW Golf's engine, even with its low mileage. A mechanic would need to inspect the vehicle to determine the extent of the damage.
