VW/Audi 1.4 TSI EA211: Everything You Need To Know

The 1.4 TSI engine is found in the majority of Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, and Audi vehicles. For the past 12 years, it has been available on the market in a variety of forms. The 1.4 TSI comes in a variety of flavors, some of which are worth suggesting while others should be avoided. So, which one should I go with?

You can classify the VW/Audi 1.4 TSI engine into two groups. Initially, units from the EA111 family were created that were recharged by a compressor and a turbine or twincharger or a turbine. The second category includes the EA211, which just has a turbocharger.

What are VW/Audi 1.4 TSI EA211 Engines? 

The EA211 series’ 1.4 TSI engine is a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline turbocharged engine. The new EA211 engine family was developed for use in VW’s MQB architecture, implying some engine commonality. 

If you will look at the engine closely, the new 1.4 TSI engine appears to be a modified version of the 1.4 TSI EA111 engine due to their comparable power output, appearance, and displacement, but it is a completely new engine based on the expertise of developing and manufacturing prior small turbocharged power units.  

The 1.4 TSI engine debuted in the Golf V in 2006. It was a modern turbocharged unit for those years and received positive feedback from Engine Of The Year judges. Unfortunately, after a few years, it was discovered that it was not as good as it had been portrayed, considering its frequent issues. 

The 1.4 TSI engine proved to be an undeveloped unit with several faults, and its maintenance resulted in very expensive expenses. That is why the EA211 1.4 TSI was made. To recreate and improve the previous engine from its shortcomings. 

Engine Specifications and Design:

• Production Run: 2012 – Present
• Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum
• Cylinder Block Material: Aluminum
• Configuration: Inline 4
• Bore: 74.5 mm
• Stroke: 80.0 mm
• Valvetrain: DOHC four valves per cylinder
• Displacement: 1.4 L (1395 cc)
• Compression Ratio: 10.0 and 10.5
• Weight: 214 lbs.
• Maximum HP: 150 HP at 5,000 RPM
• Maximum Torque: 184 lb-ft at 1,500 – 4,000 RPM

Engine Design: 

The VW EA211 is a four-cylinder gasoline engine series. The engine generation has been utilized in numerous Volkswagen Group cars since 2011, and it is the successor of the VW EA111 series. All engines in the EA 211 series share four-valve technology, a maintenance-free timing belt that drives the two overhead camshafts, and an exhaust manifold incorporated into the cylinder head.

1. Cylinder Block 

The 1.4 TSI EA211 has a lightweight aluminum cylinder block with cast iron sleeves liners rather than having a whole cast-iron block. A new die-forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods have been installed. However, the cylinder size was reduced to 74.5 mm while the stroke was raised by 2-mm to 80 mm. 

The engine’s new components reduced its weight by more than thirty pounds over its predecessor. The engine block is slanted 12 degrees backward, and the exhaust manifold is always located near the firewall on the rear side. This enables for greater uniformity of vehicles manufactured on the MQB platform.

2. Cylinder Head

The engine features a 16-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy cylinder head with an integrated water-cooled exhaust manifold. The camshafts are now powered by a timing belt -not a chain. Only the 122 HP models feature variable intake timing. 

Variable intake and exhaust timing are used in the 140+ horsepower engines. The 1.4 TSI, as previously stated, is fitted with hydraulic tappets and roller finger cam followers, which allow automated valve clearance adjustment and reduced friction.

3. Turbocharging

The engine is equipped with a turbocharger and a water-cooled intercooler built into the intake manifold. The VW/Audi 1.4 TSI’s cooling system consists of two loops. The intercooler and turbocharger housing are connected via a low-temperature loop. Further, the integrated exhaust manifold quickly reaches its ideal working temperature when the engine is started; it also cools the exhaust gases in full power mode, extending the life of the turbocharger. 

For a speedy warm-up, the catalytic converter is situated beyond the turbocharger.

4. Fuel Management

The EA211 1.4 TSI, like its predecessor, uses a direct fuel injection system. The high-pressure pump’s maximum injection pressure is 2900 psi. With up to three distinct injections, the cylinders’ five-hole injection nozzles accurately fed fuel into combustion chambers. 

The 1.4 TSI operates on 140 HP with an ACT system that may shut off two cylinders for better fuel economy. 

Other features

A three-way catalytic converter is standard on all engines. Some variations will additionally employ an Otto Partikel Filter beginning in 2017 (OPF). Just a refresher, the OPF is a particle filter that is closed. Due to the higher exhaust gas temperatures of a gasoline engine, this does not require active regeneration like a diesel particulate filter. 

A low-temperature cooling circuit is also present for indirect intercooling. The cooling of the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger is included in this cycle. The low-temperature circuit includes an electrically operated coolant pump, which allows the turbocharger, for example, to be cooled even after the car is parked.

Applications of VW/Audi 1.4 TSI Engine:

• Volkswagen Jetta
• Volkswagen Golf
• Volkswagen Passat
• Skoda Rapid
• Skoda Octavia
• Skoda Superb
• Audi A3
• Audi A4

Engine Tuning, Upgrades, and Modifications

ECU Upgrades are the best dollar per horsepower modification one can make to their 1.4T engine. The upgrades can dramatically increase power and torque, making for a quicker vehicle with exciting performance capabilities that requires no end-user adjustment from you because shops have optimized the factory management system so perfectly already – all without sacrificing any fuel efficiency or emissions level whatsoever. 

One of the most significant modifications available is Enhanced Computer Upgrade which will give your car an extra boost in power by injecting many HP levels on top of everything else this ECU can offer already. These include increased acceleration time as well as improved handling due to more responsive steering response times at high speeds.

Problems Surrounding VW/Audi 1.4 TSI EA211 Engine: 

The new engine is far superior to the old one. It gets rid of its main shortcomings, so you can enjoy driving with more confidence and peace of mind. However, these engines are far from being perfect and still may display some issues. Its development may not be raw, but there is still room for some improvements. 

Some of these include: 

1. Tensioner and Timing Chain Stretching

The first problem you’ll run into is the tensioner running and stretching out your timing chain. Defects can be identified by specific sounds emanating from this area, but they are also expensive to fix, so it’s best to regularly check if there are any foreign sounds from the bay. 

This defect turns gasoline engines into diesel ones which makes them rattle instead of purring like normal cars do when idling at lights or going around corners in traffic, for example.

2. Piston Cracking

Another problem in the engine is the piston might have been cracked, especially in the 160 HP variant. In this case, it’ll cost you a whopping thousand bucks just to replace the cylinder head. In addition to that, there was also an issue with water pump magnetic coupling failure, but they’ve fixed that by 2010 – now everything should work as expected. 

3. Improvements

The stretched-out timing chain issue on the EA111 version was removed and replaced with a timing belt meant to last the life of the engine -according to VW’s official statement. 

Further, the engine can now warm up in colder regions with below-average temperatures. Because of the colder exhaust gases, the turbocharger experiences fewer wears, similar to diesel engines. 

The EA2111.4 TSI, on the other hand, has a more sophisticated design, more complicated components, and electrical systems. However, this raised some eyebrows because it might contribute to making the repair cost soar.

Summary

The new structure has been available in the market for six years, and it can be said that this update was a success. The 1.4 TSI Turbo EA211 engine is praised due to its very quiet, courteous operation as well as affordability from low revs with fuel consumption below the average compared to its peers. 

This variation is also offered with ACT – an automatic cylinder shut-off system. During light loads, the engine operates only on two cylinders which save about 0.5 L / 100 km. 

This system can be found in both 140HP and 150HP versions, but it’s not available everywhere because of its cost for automakers who want more power without having any decrease in fuel efficiency or emissions levels.

The VW/Audi 1.4 EA211 TSI engine has been around for a long time and can be considered successful over the years, but we’re glad that it’s finally available in new or used cars equipped with this variation.