The problem of the 1.2 3-cylinder engines in VW, Škoda, Seat

Nürnberger Landstr. 49, 34326 Morschen, Germany +49 5664-9399817

Wagner Motoren
Replacement engine
BMW | Mini
News En
The problem of the 1.2 3-cylinder engines in VW, Škoda, Seat

The small car segment of the VW Group is and remains a bestseller among Germans. Whether Polo, Fabia or Ibiza: They are often popular with novice drivers or in city traffic. The report by the information platform "welt.de" shows how many vehicles have been sold compared to other manufacturers in this segment.

But unfortunately there is a far-reaching problem behind the "little speedster". In the Polo 6R, 9N, Fox, Ibiza III, IV, Fabia I and II generations, the VAG Group relies on small 3-cylinder engines with a displacement of 1.2 liters. Were installed here z. B. the CGP Motor, AWY Motor, AZQ Motor, BME Motor, CHF Motor and others.

The problem

The problem with your vehicle is the drive type of the engine components. This is done via a timing chain, which makes the CGP engine, for example, susceptible to engine damage. Frequent short trips in your small car in particular ensure that the engine cannot heat up to operating temperature. The result is that the oil pressure in the engine is too high due to the oil's viscosity being too high, and the components are oversupplied. This is fatal for the timing chain tensioner. This is suddenly pushed forward when the engine is started and cannot then retract properly to the rear. The timing chain is therefore no longer properly guided in your engine. This changes the shape of the chain over time. After a certain mileage, your vehicle will reach the point where the timing chain is no longer guided on the appropriate gears: your timing chain jumps!

This triggers a chain reaction in your engine: the intake and exhaust valves are no longer opened and closed at the right time. These hit the pistons and bend or break off. Both cause major engine damage in your vehicle, since in the worst case the entire combustion chamber is destroyed.

We therefore recommend that you have your vehicle's timing chain checked every 45,000 kilometers. But as a driver, how can I determine whether a timing chain check might be too late? The most noticeable feature of a defective timing chain is a rattle after the engine starts. A brief rattle is usually not serious. Nevertheless, you should then consider an examination. If your engine rattles for a few seconds after starting, a check is mandatory. In individual cases, you can then only replace the timing chain. Also read our article "Avoiding engine damage".

Any questions?

You are welcome to contact us if, for example, you notice oil consumption on your VW Polo 9N 1.2, feel a loss of performance or the timing chain is causing problems.

Do you drive a 1.2 TSI and have engine damage after only 100,000 kilometers? Unfortunately, this is no longer uncommon these days. The reason for this is the technology that goes into these engines, as well as the material used. Engines are becoming more and more compact. The reason for this is the ever more stringent environmental protection regulations imposed by the government that manufacturers are being confronted with. This hits your 1.2 TSI engine from VW particularly hard. Turbocharging and under-designed material ensure that engine damage can occur early.

But what does 1.2 TSI engine actually mean?

It is a compact 4-cylinder engine with almost 1200cm³ and an output of 86-105 hp. TSI (Turbocharged Stratified Injection: brand name for an engine technology from VW) is a type of petrol injection. In this case, the 1.2 TSI engine is direct injection.

VW uses TSI technology to make smaller-displacement engines similarly powerful to larger-displacement engines. The advantage here is that your vehicle consumes less fuel and is also cheaper in terms of vehicle tax. But the manufacturer also saves. Less material is required, which minimizes manufacturing costs. But what is the cause of the 1.2 TSI problem? In this case, the culprit is the timing chain. It ensures that the camshafts are driven by the crankshaft. The chains wear out prematurely as a result of inaccurate production and residues of production dirt. They lengthen impermissibly. This can be recognized by the fact that the chain drive rattles louder and louder, especially during a cold start. In the worst case, the chain can jump on one of the sprockets. The result is that your engine no longer runs due to the adjusted valve control times.

Are there problems with the 1.2 TSI that can be identified so that engine damage can be avoided? We recommend an oil change for this engine every 15,000 kilometers. It is also advisable to have the compression checked every 50,000 kilometers. 1.2 TSI problems can also occur due to frequent short trips. The engine is then not properly brought up to operating temperature and is therefore only moved when it is cold. This ensures that the engine oil does not reach its optimum operating temperature.