Genesis Autoworks West End VW 118TSI 1.4L Twin Charge Engine Problems
The Volkswagen 118TSI 1.4L Twin Charge engine was fitted in many VW Golf, Beetles, Tiguans, Jettas, Polos, Audi A1’s and the Skoda Fabia.
Fundamentally by design a great motor, featuring a smaller capacity of 1.4L with a Turbocharger and supercharger to reduce lag and provide a seamless power delivery. The 1.4L TSI often referred to as engine code CAVD, which then received fundamental upgrades to engine codes CAVE, CTHD, CTHE is the world’s first twin charge motor employing both a turbocharger and supercharger, another milestone for Volkswagen.
By downsizing the motor from a typical 2.0L to a 1.4L, VW were able to reduce engine weight and fuel consumption and by adding a twin-charge system this resulting in no loss of power or ‘turbo lag’ and as such this small motor still produced 118KW in all forms.
The motor features a timing chain drive with a intake camshaft sprocket with a load dependant variable vane adjuster to allow for continuous inlet camshaft adjustment which has many benefits including an improved torque band.
The cylinder block in the 118TSI engine is made from grey cast aluminum with lamellar graphite. This allows sufficient operation and safety at the high combustion pressures required to operate a twin charge motor due to the strength of these materials and their design properties.
Piston Design and Failure VW 118 TSI Motor
The pistons in the Volkswagen 118 TSI Motor are made from diecast aliminum with a combustion chamber recess and a deflector have been worked into the piston base which results in a strong swirl of intake air and thus a excellent mixture formulation. The outlet side of the pistons are cooled with a piston cooling system – often referred to as a oil jet which sprays oil at a pressure of approximately 2 bar to the piston to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
The problem is, with these 118TSI Twin charge motors, VW forgot one thing – Australian climate and fuel standards. This resulted in catastrophic failure of this engine. It is recommended that these vehicles run a premium grade of fuel and anything less will result in ‘pinging’ which causes pre-detonation of the combustion mix which in turn results in excessive pressure placed on the motor – in particular the pistons and damage occurs.
Unfortunately in Australia our fuel quality is subpar when comparing to our European counterparts, so our equivalent of 98 is often documented as being the same as a European 91 level – these motors were not designed for this.
Volkswagen Australia ultimately released a ‘campaign bulletin’ to offer owners a software update of certain parameters to try and avoid pre-detonation and catastrophic failure, but ultimately failures still occurred many times over.
VW Engine Light on, car shaking, running rough, lack of power
If you find your VW / Audi, Skoda CAVD, CTHD, CTHE or 1.4L Twin Charge TSI motor with the engine light on, lacking power, running rough or shaking, chances are in most cases you have one or more cracked pistons and you will need to visit a specialist like Genesis Autoworks West End for a diagnostics and repair. Typically it is found one or more cylinders failure a compression test of 50-75PSI (Max wear limit 100PSI) – typical healthy motor 155-175PSI.
Our team will scan your vehicle with VW Factory diagnostic equipment and arry out the necessarily checks and diagnostics required to determine what repair is needed – we will then provide you a estimate to pull the motor down and inspect the pistons and cylinder block for damage and scoring, inspect the pistons for cracking and markings and then provide you with a detailed report and repair options.
Typically we can rebuild a 118TSI motor within 2-3 days and have it running flawlessly at a fraction of the cost of a dealership or other mechanics. Our team are experienced in VW Group vehicles and the 118tsi Motor. We are the expert VW Mechanics / specialist in Brisbane and can cater for all your Volkswagen Brisbane needs.
If you think your motor is suffering from cracked pistons, or even better yet – you want a accurate and skilled diagnosis, give our team a call today (07) 3844 7494.
VW Timing Chain Replacement
Another common problem with the VW 118TSI and in general many different Volkswagen models is timing chain failures, whether it be failed tensioners – as seen on the EA888 2.0L & 1.8L Petrol or stretched chains as seen on the 1.2L CBZB or CAVD / CTHD/ CTHE engine – we can cater for them all.
Again, our team are experienced VW mechanics and specialists that cater for all VW and European Car Servicing and Repairs in Brisbane.
So, if you have a issue with your VW Group engine or Timing chain, please give our team a call today on (07) 3844 7494 to discuss today.
The Volkswagen 118TSI engine is known for its reliability and performance. However, like any engine, it is subject to wear and tear and can suffer from mechanical issues such as piston failure.
Piston failure in a Volkswagen 118TSI engine can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Overheating: If the engine gets too hot, the pistons can expand and seize up, leading to failure. This can be caused by a faulty radiator, a damaged water pump, or a lack of coolant.
Lack of lubrication: The pistons in the Volkswagen 118TSI engine rely on oil to keep them lubricated and running smoothly. If the oil level gets too low, or if the oil is not changed frequently enough, the pistons can suffer serious damage.
Fuel contamination: If the fuel in the engine is contaminated with dirt or other foreign particles, it can cause the pistons to fail. This can be caused by a clogged fuel filter or a problem with the fuel delivery system.
Mechanical issues: The pistons in the Volkswagen 118TSI engine can also fail due to mechanical problems such as a broken timing chain or a faulty valves
- General Manufacture defects – the 118 TSI commonly referred to as CAVD or CTHD / CTHE designation is not absent from known manufacturing defects including piston failure / cracking due to pistons not being manufactured correctly at the factory level.
If you suspect that your Volkswagen 118TSI engine may be suffering from piston failure, it’s important to have it checked out by a trained mechanic as soon as possible. Piston failure can lead to serious engine damage, which can be costly to repair. To prevent piston failure, it’s important to maintain your engine properly by following the recommended service schedule and using high-quality oil and fuel.