Golf 1.4 TSI Engine Issues?

Golf 1.4 TSI Engine Issues?

Author
Discussion

HughiusMaximus

Original Poster:

695 posts

127 months

Tuesday 9th May 2017
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Evening gents,

Currently looking into picking up a 2014 1.4 TSI Golf (150bhp) with around 25k miles and just wanted to see what the general consensus was on the engine.

I have done a bit of reading around the place and it looks to be a bit of a mixed bag with frequent issues with the timing chain and valves being reported along with some DSG issues.

I'm conscious that google always brings out the horror stories.. but whats the general feeling on here?


Thanks!

SteBrown91

2,389 posts

130 months

Tuesday 9th May 2017
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The reliability issues are on the old engines (the old 1.4T 122bhp and the 1.4 twin charge engines)

The modern 1.4 tsi is belt driven and so far has been reliable. The engines are a nice balanced torquey engine

acme

2,972 posts

199 months

Wednesday 10th May 2017
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Given you're talking about the 150 you'll be referencing the ACT model, if you do a search there's a long thread about these that I started 2.5 years ago.

Mines just turned 52k miles, it's a company car and I'm getting 45mpg (spreadsheet not OBC), driven sensibly and mainly long commute/work journeys. Other than the poor throttle response/lag at low speeds it's superb. For me the main test is would I spend my own money on one, and the answer is a yes.

Low oil light flashed up a few times when new, just the engine bedding in, tyre pressure lights come on a few times spuriously, all good other than that.

I've not heard of any other issues, as mentioned the horror stories are the early 'regular' 1.4, though this engine as it's in the expensive GT spec only (least was when I got mine & I think still is) is rare.

HughiusMaximus

Original Poster:

695 posts

127 months

Wednesday 10th May 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies.

That has put my mind at ease!

AJB88

12,452 posts

172 months

Wednesday 10th May 2017
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The troublesome 1.4TSI was the turbo charged / super charged version as found in the Ibiza Cupra, Polo GTI, Fabia VRS etc.

doogle83

760 posts

148 months

Wednesday 10th May 2017
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Make sure to give the Leon FR a look too... We did, and will now be picking up a 65 plate SEAT next weekend instead of a Golf. smile

LeoSayer

7,308 posts

245 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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I've got the 140bhp version of this engine in an Audi A3 with DSG and have done 25,000 miles.

It's been faultless. Oil consumption is around a litre every 10,000 miles.

Fuel economy low is 32mpg from a tank driving around town and 47mpg from a tank out of town.

HughiusMaximus

Original Poster:

695 posts

127 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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Thanks guys, deposit down, picking it up next week.

Its the OH's car.. but I'm looking forward to driving it myself!

catso

14,790 posts

268 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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AJB88 said:
The troublesome 1.4TSI was the turbo charged / super charged version as found in the Ibiza Cupra, Polo GTI, Fabia VRS etc.
That was my understanding when I looked into it when my Son bought a Golf 1.4Tsi - the lower powered turbo only model which, other than needing a new battery has been fine.

acme

2,972 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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I'm sure someone will be along to correct me, but I believe as well as the twin charger 1.4 having issues, oil consumption related, and many engines having to be replaced (a third according to a recent Evo article on it when inserted in a Skoda) there were also issues with the earlier 1.4's, chain issues I think?

Geoffrey Boycott

38 posts

90 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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acme said:
I'm sure someone will be along to correct me, but I believe as well as the twin charger 1.4 having issues, oil consumption related, and many engines having to be replaced (a third according to a recent Evo article on it when inserted in a Skoda) there were also issues with the earlier 1.4's, chain issues I think?
Could you link to the Evo article please? Can't seem to find it on the Goggles.

acme

2,972 posts

199 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
quotequote all
Geoffrey Boycott said:
Could you link to the Evo article please? Can't seem to find it on the Goggles.
There's a buyers guide in this month's Evo on the Fabia VRS and it's mentioned in there, suspect the article will be online in the not to distant.

Roger645

1,728 posts

248 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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acme said:
I'm sure someone will be along to correct me, but I believe as well as the twin charger 1.4 having issues, oil consumption related, and many engines having to be replaced (a third according to a recent Evo article on it when inserted in a Skoda) there were also issues with the earlier 1.4's, chain issues I think?
We have a twin charger Polo that had a replacement engine at 17k miles, new engine has done 10k miles now and uses no oil where the earlier one used a bit. Not sure if VW fitted a "revised" engine but it seems better. I bought 2 years extended warranty and when it runs out in just under a year I think we will swap it out.

AlwynMike

509 posts

88 months

Friday 12th May 2017
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SWMBO has the Fabia vRS twin charger 180bhp.
Four years old now and done nearly 28000 miles.
Thinking 4 years ago on the forums was to nail the car from new (hers is the later type engine) but sadly, it's been driven gently all its life (she doesn't let me drive it alone very often!). It does have a thirst for oil, but I reckon I've put in about 5 litres in total between oil changes - it's on fixed servicing too, so it doesn't need/get expensive long life oil - so I don't consider that too excessive.
Otherwise it's been faultless.
Normally we would have sold it last year, but SWMBO can't see anything else on the market that suits her, so it looks like a keeper!

Mike

va1o

16,032 posts

208 months

Monday 15th May 2017
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All variants of the original timing chain driven 1.4 TSI (or TFSI in Audi speak) seem to suffer issues, the design was never fit for purpose IMO. But the newer belt driven EA211 version as per OP's purchase seems much more solid and is also better to drive. Enjoy thumbup

JackReacher

2,130 posts

216 months

Tuesday 16th May 2017
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No major issues with our Leon ACT, 52k miles now and only problem was a faulty radiator. They are a very good engine choice if you want economy, a bit of performance and not a diesel. I got an indicated 56mpg the other day on a mostly motorway drive to Uxbridge. Stick it in cruise control and it will cruise along on 2 cylinders sipping petrol.

HughiusMaximus

Original Poster:

695 posts

127 months

Tuesday 16th May 2017
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Sounds good guys, thanks!

Parisien

623 posts

163 months

Tuesday 15th August 2017
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va1o said:
All variants of the original timing chain driven 1.4 TSI (or TFSI in Audi speak) seem to suffer issues, the design was never fit for purpose IMO. But the newer belt driven EA211 version as per OP's purchase seems much more solid and is also better to drive. Enjoy thumbup
I've posted on another thread about this, I though the VW 1.4 TSI engine was different ie twin turbo charger versus the Audi 1.4 TFSI single turbo charger.

Is there a timing chain/belt issue with both regardless of single or twin turbo? Its a 2010 1.4 engined A3 we have.

va1o

16,032 posts

208 months

Tuesday 15th August 2017
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Parisien said:
I've posted on another thread about this, I though the VW 1.4 TSI engine was different ie twin turbo charger versus the Audi 1.4 TFSI single turbo charger.

Is there a timing chain/belt issue with both regardless of single or twin turbo? Its a 2010 1.4 engined A3 we have.
Yes all the early models can suffer from timing chain issues regardless whether Turbo or Twincharged and which marque

Parisien

623 posts

163 months

Tuesday 15th August 2017
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Thanks for clarification. Since we bought it 5 yrs ago, done 60k miles in it since, its always been a bit clattery for 2/3 secs after start up (more if not started for two three weeks), then quiet after.

Spoke to Audi this morning, they say not a service item, only if it gets noisey should we go for a diagnostic to see if it needs changed, is it advisable to change anyways? Approximate cost from Audi or indie?