The TSI engines have received many praises. They're fun to drive - responsive, powerful turbo engines with a nice soundstage. A good example of downsizing. But they are not flawless. The warnings are many. Is it safe to buy a car with a TSI engine?

Which engines are involved?

Almost all petrol engines produced by the Volkswagen Group between 2009 and 2016 are affected, specifically engine type EA111 with timing chain. The volume sellers can include the following engines:
– 1,2 TSI with 85, 90, 105 or 110 HP
– 1,4 TSI with 122, 140 or 170 HP
– 1,8 TSI with 120 or 160 HP
- In addition, there are corresponding engines for Audi, Seat and Skoda. Audi calls the TSI engines TFSI. A quick search on Finn.no estimates that there are currently 752 cars that can be equipped with the TSI engines in question. Then we have not counted on the 1,4 and 1,5 TSI 150 HP which have a timing belt - that is regime, not chain.

*) See examples of affected models and production years

It is the registry chain that is the source of the problem.

It stretches. In the end, the chain tensioner is unable to tighten any more, and then the chain can break or jump over some teeth. Both parts are fatal for the engine. There are many stories of unhappy car owners. After two employees at Teknikens värld experienced engine crashes with their TSI models (1,4 and 1,2 TSI), the renowned car magazine issued the following warning: Warning - do not buy this Volkswagen engine! Kamkedjan from hell. This was in 2015.

The world's best engine?

Terjes' cars have on a couple of occasions designated the 1,2 TSI as the world's best Polo engine. At the same time, the engine breakdowns spread and we received worried messages from our readers. We did that there was a problem with the engines, but we did not know the extent. Today we know more. The truth is known only to the Volkswagen group, - but I think we are close.

Was caught in the dealer network

To track down the extent of a car-related problem, we check at Finn.no. We deal with privately sold cars with the highest mileage. Brand dealers do not want to advertise that the engine has been replaced due to a manufacturing fault. Here you have to ask. Private individuals, on the other hand, have everything to gain from providing all information. There is no indication that engine breakdowns are a major problem for owners of TSI cars. What we can determine is that many register chains have been changed. Probably under warranty. It therefore appears that the engine problems have been resolved through the dealer network. Perhaps the bills were forwarded to Germany?

A bigger problem abroad

We've seen something similar before. The Volkswagen T5 Transporter and Caravelle with a 2-litre biturbo engine of 180 HP had a serious manufacturing fault which resulted in high oil consumption and eventually an engine change. We wrote about it on Terje's cars. For a long time, our Contact page was red-hot with anxious car owners - not only in Norway, but also other European countries - and Australia. Then we saw that foreign car owners with shorter warranty periods were met with a cold shoulder at their dealers. In Norway, on the other hand, customers had the engine replaced under an extended warranty. We think the dealers here at home have "sorted it out". On the web, we still read stories about foreign TSI customers who were sent home with the message that nothing was wrong despite constant rattling noises in the register. Then the warranty runs out and soon after the customers' engines break down.

Can be expensive without warranty

The problem with the registration chains in TSI may be brought up again. After the end of the new car warranty, car owners on the second-hand market must pay themselves. Changing a timing chain is a mechanic's day job. If the work is carried out at a branded workshop, the bill can come to NOK 20. Buying a car with TSI does not have to be unsafe, but it does require careful research into the car's history.

Be thorough!

It is good news if the car's history includes changing the timing chain. Although we've seen it before. Since the fault is due to poor component quality, the fault will return if the bad component is replaced with a similarly bad component. A repair performed recently, is therefore better than one carried out a few years ago. Another factor that can play a role is whether the repair was carried out at a brand dealer. A timing chain repair kit contains, in addition to the chain itself, slide rails, chain tensioners, sprockets for the camshaft(s) - depending on whether it is SOHC or DOHC. When the chain expands, the sprockets the chain runs on wear out. This also applies to the sprocket on the end of the crankshaft. It rotates twice as fast as the cam wheels and is thus more subject to wear. In the video at the bottom of the page, this is clearly shown. The sprocket on the crank is double-tracked, one for the cam chain and one for the chain that drives the oil pump. The point here is that if you don't change the sprockets the chain runs in, there is a risk that the new chain will wear out faster. If you are going to sell or buy a TSI car with the timing chain replaced, the invoice for the job should be included.
 

Use your ear at startup!

A rattling or rattling sound in the register when starting from cold is a common sign that the chain tensioner needs to be replaced. On cars with a timing chain, it is not unusual. On the TSI engines, the chain tensioner is hydraulic and dependent on oil pressure. On a cold start, it will therefore take 2-3 seconds before enough pressure is built up for the tensioner to work. It can be heard as a rattling sound at start-up (can be reminiscent of a rattling bank). This is completely normal, but should disappear after 2-3 seconds. If it takes longer than this, the chain has stretched. Considering the history of engine failures among the TSI engine, one should not ignore this sign. Then the chain must be replaced.

A cold start is worth its weight in gold

If you buy a TSI car, the first start is of vital importance. Feel free to start with the hood open and listen to the right side of the car. Count the seconds until the engine sound changes. If the engine has been in use recently, it will not be possible to capture this check. Then you have to trust the seller. Also note that if the chain has stretched too far, or the chain tensioner is not working, the engine will rattle constantly. It's hard to spot if you don't know the car beforehand. There are many "audio samples" available on YouTube.
 

What you can do to avoid engine breakdown

If you own a car with a TSI engine, it is important to focus on the cold start rattle. This is the only sign you get. It's actually the only sign the mechanics get too. Stretched timing chain does not necessarily show any error codes. If you ignore the warning, the engine may break down. Consult a mechanic if you are unsure. Also remember to change the oil every year at the latest. Volkswagen's long service intervals have only compounded the problems.

Should we ignore the horror stories of engine breakdowns?

It is said that the timing chain never needs to be changed. Today we know that this does not apply to the TSI engines. But for a while the car workshops may have thought so. No danger! Just drive! Surely that's what the captain of the Titanic also thought? Today, people are much more careful. Millions of cars with TSI engines have been sold, and the roads are not exactly blocked by broken-down TSI cars.

What about car owners who have changed the chain many times?

Unfortunately, bad components in production also ended up in the dealers' parts warehouses. There are countless examples of exactly that. At "my" Møller dealer, spare parts - such as a timing chain replacement kit - are delivered the same day/the next day from a central warehouse (Sweden?). Besides saving the dealers from keeping their own stocks, it is easier to ensure the supply of "fresh" components.

Conclusion

I do not agree with claims that it is unsafe to buy TSI engines with a timing chain. If you buy a used car, you should familiarize yourself with the model in advance, for example by searching for information online. Next, you must be careful to check the history and do the necessary research. This applies regardless of which car you are going to buy.

*) Examples of affected models

Affected models with timing chain have engine type EA111. From 2012, the EA211 engines came into production. They had timing belt - not chain. Many people think that the problem with the registry chains disappeared in 2012. That is not true. Several years would pass before the EA111 engines were phased out for all affected models.
 
To clarify this, I have started from cars for sale and checked the VIN/registration number against the vehicle register at skruvat.no to see how long engine codes belonging to the EA111 were actually in production. This is therefore not a complete list - only based on individual cars of some affected models.


BILER MED MOTORTYPE EA111:

Audi 1,8 TFSI 120HK CDHA - Ut modellår 2015


See

Teknikens värld 29.05.2015 – Warning – do not buy this Volkswagen engine!