Volkswagen 1.4 TSI Engine (VW EA111)

Engine specifications for the 1.4 TSI CAXA engine

Reliability, problems and repairs of the 1.4 TSI Volkswagen EA111 engine

The EA111 series of small displacement turbo engines (1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI) became widespread in 2005, thanks to the popular Golf 5 and Jetta sedan. The main and at first the only engine was the 1.4 TSI in its various modifications, which was intended to replace the atmospheric 2.0 liter four and 1.6 FSI.

The powertrain is based on a cast-iron cylinder block covered with an aluminum 16-valve head with two camshafts, with hydrocompensators, with a phase shifter on the intake shaft and with direct injection.

In the drive timing uses a chain with a lifetime calculated for the entire period of operation of the motor, but in reality the replacement of the chain is required after 50-100 thousand kilometers. Let’s move on to the most important thing, and the most important thing in TSI engines is, of course, supercharging. Weak versions are equipped with the usual turbocharger TD025, more powerful 1.4 TSI Twincharger and work on the scheme compressor Eaton TVS + turbocharger KKK K03, which virtually eliminates the effect of turbo yoke and provides significantly more power.

Despite all the technology and advanced EA111 series (the 1.4 TSI engine is a multiple winner of the “Engine of the Year” competition), in 2015 it was replaced by the even more advanced EA211 series with a new, seriously modified, 1.4 TSI engine.

Modifications of the 1.4 TSI engine

1. BLG (2005 – 2009) – engine with compressor and turbocharger, which blow 1.35 bar and the engine develops 170 hp on 98 gasoline. The engine is equipped with an air intercooler, meets the Euro-4 environmental standard, and controls all the ECU Bosch Motronic MED 9.5.10.
2. BMY (2006 – 2010) – analog BLG, where the boost was reduced to 0.8 bar, and the power dropped to 140 hp. Here you can make do with 95 gasoline.
3. BWK (2007 – 2008) – 150 hp version for the Tiguan
4. CAXA (2007 – 2015) – 1.4 TSI 122 hp engine. It is simpler in all components than the compressor engine with a turbine. The turbo on the CAXA is a Mitsubishi TD025 (which is smaller than the Twincharger) with a maximum pressure of up to 0.8 bar, which quickly goes to boost and allows you to do away with the compressor. It also features modified pistons, a flapperless intake manifold with a liquid intercooler, a head with flatter intake ports, modified camshafts, simpler exhaust valves, redesigned injectors, and a Bosch Motronic MED 17.5.20 ECU. The motor meets Euro-4 standards.
5. CAXC (2007 – 2015) – analog of CAXC, but programmatically the power is increased to 125 hp.
6. CFBA – engine for the Chinese market, it is also the most powerful version with a single turbine – power of 134 hp
7. CAVA (2008 – 2014) – analog of BWK under Euro-5.
8. CAVB (2008 – 2015) – BLG analog for Euro-5.
9. CAVC (2008 – 2015) – BMY engine for Euro-5.
10. CAVD (2008 – 2015) – CAVC engine with firmware for 160 hp. Supercharging pressure of 1.2 bar.
11. CAVC (2008 – 2015) – CAVC engine with firmware for 160 hp.
12. CAVE (2009 – 2012) – 180 hp firmware engine for Polo GTI, Fabia RS and Ibiza Cupra. Supercharging pressure 1.5 bar.
13. CAVF (2009 – 2013) – 150 hp version for Ibiza FR
14. CAVG (2010 – 2011) – the top variant among all 1.4 TSI at 185 hp. Worth on Audi A1
15. CDGA (2009 – 2014) – gas-powered version with 150 hp
16. CTHA (2012 -2015) – analog of CAVA with other pistons, chain and tensioner. Ecological class remained Euro-5.
17. CTHB (2012 – 2015) – analog of CTHA with an output of 170 hp.
18. CTHC (2012 – 2015) – the same CTHA, but flashed for 140 hp
19. CTHD (2010 – 2015) – engine with 160 hp firmware
20. CTHE (2010 – 2014) – one of the most powerful versions with 180 hp
21. CTHF (2011 – 2015) – 150 hp engine for Ibiza FR
22. CTHG (2011 – 2015) – the engine that replaced the CAVG, the power is the same – 185 hp

Problems and disadvantages of 1.4 TSI engines

• Transmission timing chain stretching, tensioner problems. The most common disadvantage of 1.4 TSI, appearing at mileage from 40-100 thousand kilometers. Crackling in the engine is its typical symptom, if such a sound appears, it is worth going to replace the timing chain. To avoid repetition, do not leave the car on a slope in gear.
• Not driving. In this case, the problem most likely lies in the turbocharger bypass valve or turbine control valve, check and everything will be fine.
• Trolling, vibration on cold. This is a peculiarity of 1.4 TSI engines, after warming up these symptoms go away.

In addition, VW-Audi TSI motors take a long time to warm up and like to eat a little bit of quality oil, but the problem is not so critical. With timely maintenance, the use of quality gasoline, quiet operation and normal attitude to the turbine (after the movement to give to work 1-2 minutes), the motor will drive off for quite a long time, the resource of the engine Volkswagen 1.4 TSI is more than 200000 km.

Tuning the engine Volkswagen 1.4 TSI

Chip tuning

The easiest and most reliable option to increase power on these motors is chip tuning. The usual chip Stage 1 on 1.4 TSI 122 hp or 125 hp can turn it into a 150-160 strong motor with torque under 260 Nm. In this case, the resource will not change critically – a good urban option. With a downpipe you can remove another 10 hp.

On Twincharger engines the situation is more interesting, here with the firmware Stage 1 you can raise the power to 200-210 hp, while the torque will increase to 300 Nm. It is possible not to stop on achieved and to go further, having made standard Stage 2: chip + downpipe. Such a set will give you about 230 hp and 320 Nm of torque, it will be relatively reliable and driving forces. It makes no sense to go any further – reliability will drop significantly, and it is easier to buy a 2.0 TSI, which will give 300 hp.