The EA111 is unique in that it has two versions: one that is less powerful with only a TD02 turbocharger and one that is more powerful with an Eaton-Roots supercharger and a K03 turbocharger.
The EA11 has a single turbo and produces 122-131 HP and 148-160 lb-ft torque. EA111, the more powerful supercharger and turbocharger, produces 140-179 HP and 162-184 lb-ft torque. The acceleration is surprising for the size of the engine.
But in this article, we will tackle the EA111 version.
What are VW/Audi 1.4 EA111 Engines?
The 1.4 TSI/TFSI engine is part of the EA111 turbocharged gasoline engine family. The engine was unveiled for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005 to illustrate VW’s displacement-reducing strategy.
The major goal for the small turbocharged engines was to replace the 1.6 FSI and 2.0 FSI normally aspirated engines without sacrificing power and torque while also improving fuel efficiency and pollution norms. The 1.4 TSI and 1.2 TSI engines are the most popular powertrain combinations for VW’s hatchbacks Golf, Polo, and small Jetta sedans.
The EA111 1.4l engine has won the ‘International Engine of the Year award many times. Volkswagen replaced it with a more technologically sophisticated 1.4 TSI engine from the EA211 series.
This variant is also equipped with a variable intake valve timing mechanism that may be adjusted continuously. Roller finger cam followers and hydraulic tappets/lifters operate the valves for valve clearance adjustment. The throttle body on all 1.4 TSI engines is equipped with an electronically regulated Bosch “E-Gas” throttle valve.
Engine Specifications and Design:
- Production Run: 2005 – Present
- Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum
- Cylinder Block Material: Cast-iron
- Configuration: Inline 4
- Bore: 76.5 mm
- Stroke: 75.6 mm
- Valvetrain: DOHC four valves per cylinder
- Displacement: 1.4 L (1390 cc)
- Compression Ratio: 10.0
- Weight: 270 lbs.
- Maximum HP: 180 HP at 5,000 – 6,000 RPM
- Maximum Torque: 185 lb-ft at 1,500 – 4,500 RPM
Engine Design:
The cast-iron cylinder block of the 1.4 TSI EA111 engine has 82 mm cylinder spacing. The crankshaft is made of die-forged steel and is supported by five main bearings. The engine is 16-valve – four valves per cylinder, has an aluminum cylinder head, and intake and exhaust camshafts are located on top.
The camshafts are operated by a roller timing chain designed to last the engine’s life. However, this chain will stretch out around 60,000 miles – far before the engine’s lifetime expires.
1. Turbocharger
The turbocharger is a critical component of the engine. The 1.4 TSI is available in two variants. The less powerful variant, fitted with a single TD02 turbocharger, generates 26.1 psi of maximum boost pressure and a water-cooled intercooler built into the intake manifold.
These engines have a power range of 122-131 horsepower. The most powerful models have a belt-driven fifth-generation Eaton Roots-type supercharger and a KKK K03 turbocharger. This combination eliminates the illusion of turbo lag while producing much greater power and torque.
2. Fuel Management
VW’s Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) technology is used in the TFSI models. A low-pressure pump within the fuel tank and a camshaft-driven single-piston high-pressure injection pump give fuel pressure to the six-hole fuel injectors of up to 2,180 psi.
Fuel is delivered directly into each cylinder’s combustion chamber. The NGK spark plugs are located in the engine’s heart, between the intake and exhaust valves. Each spark plug has its ignition coil. The engine is operated by the Bosch Motronic ME electronic engine control unit (ECU).
Applications of VW/Audi 1.4 TSI EA111 Engine:
- VW Golf Mk5
- VW Golf Mk6
- VW Touran
- VW Scirocco
- SEAT Leon
- Audi A3
- Skoda Octavia
- VW Tiguan
Engine Potential
Chip tuning is the easiest and most dependable approach to boost the capacity of these engines. Chipping a Stage 1 1.4 TSI 122 hp engine can usually transform into a 140-150 horsepower engine, depending on the tuning program and shop. This will not have a large impact on the resource – it is an excellent urban solution.
The scenario is more fascinating on engines with twinchargers. This firmware may be upgraded to a Stage 1 capacity of 200 horsepower. I’m sure you won’t stop there.
The conventional Stage 2 configuration includes a chip, no catalyst exhaust, a low resistance filter intake or cold, and an intercooler. It produces roughly 250 horsepower and has pretty dependable and traveling forces. Then the rise is less lucrative, and the dependability may be poorer.
Problems Surrounding VW/Audi 1.4 TSI EA111 Engines:
The VW 1.4 TSI is available in two models: the EA111, which is produced from 2005 up to the present day, and the EA211- 2012–present. The EA111 has received several accolades, including three ‘International Engine of the Year honors.
With that stated, many people claim this is a terrific engine, but it has a slew of usual issues, as do most engines. The EA211, which was designed after the EA111, does not have as many flaws as the early EA111s.
Here are some issues that you might encounter with your VW/Audi 1.4 TSI EA111:
1. Excessive Oil Consumption
Excessive oil consumption is particularly noticeable in the early versions of the EA111 1.4’s and less so in the EA211’s. If you observe that your vehicle’s oil is consuming more oil than usual – approximately 1qt per 1,000 miles, this might be the cause.
If you suspect this is the case, you must act quickly since catastrophic engine damage might result if left unattended. The pistons and piston rings of the early EA111s were not the most trustworthy, which is what caused this problem.
You can take certain measures, such as getting a consumption test to check there is nothing wrong with the pistons, using the exact oil indicated in your VW handbook, and using high-quality gasoline.
2. Timing Chain Tensioner Failure
Tensioner failure is fairly prevalent in Volkswagens since they were not constructed to last from the factory. The tensioners in the VW/Audi 1.4s are no different. A timing chain tensioner ensures that the timing chain tension is at the engine’s ideal tension for driving several essential engine components. Timing chains were used in the early EA111s, while timing belts were used in the EA211s.
If the tensioner fails, the engine’s timing may be wrong, causing catastrophic engine damage to the pistons. If you have an EA111, we strongly advise you to get ahead of this repair since, once replaced with a more dependable tensioner, you should not have to replace it again.
3. Ignition Coil Failure
Unfortunately, ignition coil and spark plug failure are too typical in today’s turbocharged engines. The ignition coils and spark plugs are critical components of combustion.
The ignition coil, in essence, takes the voltage from the battery and generates a spark to the spark plugs, which ignites the vehicle’s gasoline. Misfires will occur in your car if things are not working properly.
Ignition coils are expected to last up to 100,000 miles, while spark plugs will last between 30,000 and 60,000 miles. A fair rule of thumb is that if one spark plug or ignition coil fails, we recommend replacing all of them to avoid having worn components mixed in with new parts.
4. Carbon Build-up
Carbon buildup will occur spontaneously due to the 1.4 TSI’s direct injection fuel system. Fuel is fed directly into the combustion chamber under high pressure, causing a gradual accumulation of carbon in the engine’s valves and ports.
Sluggish engine performance, engine misfires, and blocked fuel injectors are all symptoms. As the engine approaches 40,000 miles, there is a good possibility that a significant amount of carbon has already built up. Again, this is normal and difficult to completely avoid, but there are steps you can do to lessen the amount of accumulation.
5. Slow Engine Warmup
As stated, the engine takes a long time to warm up, and this problem happens on both EA111 and EA211. After some investigation, it was discovered that this problem occurred due to how the engine was created.
Because the 1.4 engines are smaller, there is less displacement, which results in less heat output. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done to ease this issue, which only occurs with the 1.4’s due to the engine’s size.
6. Faulty Oxygen Sensors
Oxygen sensors are prone to failing in Volkswagen cars and many modern automobiles on the road today. An Oxygen sensor measures the quantity of oxygen released by the vehicle’s exhaust.
Some VW/Audi 1.4s feature one oxygen sensor, while others have two. So make a note of the year and the number of copies you have. An engine will run erratically, create a rough idle, waste gas, and spew black smoke from the exhaust if the Oxygen sensor fails.
These fail for various reasons, including regular wear and tear, muck or soot on the sensor, utilizing low-quality gasoline, and a lack of maintenance. It will almost certainly go through at least one set of oxygen sensors during a vehicle’s career. They should, however, survive up to 100,000 kilometers.
Summary
The VW/Audi 1.4 engine is a compact motor with excellent fuel efficiency. The EA111 model, which offers more power than its other models. If you want to drive around in style without worrying about gas prices or filling up your tank every week, this might be just your perfect vehicle.
The VW/Audi 1.4 engines, like many of Volkswagen’s engines, are quite dependable if the maintenance schedules are followed rigorously and the proper fuel/oil is used.
Although the list of typical faults may have made you doubt their dependability, we cannot emphasize enough that not all engines are created equal. If you’re considering buying or currently possess a 1.4, keep in mind that they may last up to 120,000 miles or more.