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Author Topic: Tsi engines  (Read 7258 times)

Offline iansabf

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Tsi engines
« on: 11 December 2013, 23:41 »
Does anyone have any feedback they would share on the 1.2 or 1.4 tsi engines? I'm considering upgrading my mk4 tdi in the near future. I do not cover many miles, maybe 8k a year probably 70% short town journeys. I don't think the engines are that old, however I would be looking at something out of warranty with at least 60k on it to get into my price range.
Are they reliable?
Are there any expensive known common faults?
I have read they do not seem to get the quoted mpg, what is a sensible assumption for town and motorway mpg?
I'm dubious of whether to give one of these tsi's ago or to spend a bit more and have a tdi again.
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Offline RocketRossUK

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #1 on: 12 December 2013, 08:47 »
Yes there is an expensive fault - the timing chain. which as far as im aware is in the 1.4TSI

If it slips, new engine needed. Google it, a few people on here have had it slip, mainly GTI's.

But google TSI and timing chain, loads will come up
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Offline Poached

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #2 on: 12 December 2013, 09:21 »
They don't have a great reputation. The concept is good but the added complexity will probably start to show as the mileage climbs. The combined figure for the 160 ps version is 44 so I suppose late 30's to early 40's is possible on longer runs which isn't that much better than the GTI.

Any of the newer TDI's will likely lead to problems running short journeys with a DPF fitted. Could I say your 1.9 TDI is likely to be more reliable than it's successors? I know some had problems with Camshaft lobe wear but the 1.9 is supposed to be a reliable unit.

At 8k/year mileage I would recommend a petrol. Does your budget cover a late production MK6 GTI? If not you could grab a nice MK5 GTI instead.
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Offline MustardGTI

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #3 on: 12 December 2013, 09:55 »
My Missus has got a 122bhp 1.4 Golf. Every time I drive it I am surprised how strong & torquey the engine is, not at all disappointing coming from my 2.0 GTI petrol.

On the typical commute (12 miles each way) it averages around 36 / 37 mpg. The thing is it doesn't do much better than 40 on a long run cruising at 70/80. Drop that to 60 mph, which you probably won't, and it would be high 40s.

Haven't had it long enough yet to have suffered any mechanical problems, but being far less complicated and under stressed compared to the twin-charger 1.4 has to be more reliable.
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Offline mwad gti

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #4 on: 12 December 2013, 14:25 »
Be careful if considering the 160ps Twin-charged 1.4. They suffer from a misfire.
Mine broke down 6 or 7 times and in the end I got rid of it as I wasn't confident that VW had cured it, even after various sets of spark plugs, coils, replacement of all fuel injectors (twice!)
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Offline ajmoir36

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #5 on: 12 December 2013, 15:24 »
My dad has the 1.4 TSI 122 in the Skoda Octavia its been good but has just had its second water pump from brand new and only covered 8.5k miles. Average mpg calculated brim to brim is 38.6mpg. Max calclated was 46.1mpg. He is impressed. Its a very nice drive.
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Offline Exonian

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #6 on: 12 December 2013, 15:59 »
The turbo only TSI engines seem to be pretty reliable but the super/turbo cars are a nightmare.
I'd go for the TDI every time just due to the ease of driving. Unless you do really short journeys which clog up the PDF.
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Offline dubber36

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #7 on: 12 December 2013, 16:00 »
I've had a couple as courtesy cars. Both (I think) were 1.4 122PS ones. I was quite impressed, although probably wouldn't buy one. I'd go for a diesel. Whilst they might cost a little more initially, it will be a much easier car to sell when you have finished with it.
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Offline joe6

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #8 on: 13 December 2013, 15:34 »
I have a 160 TSi in my Scirocco (MY2011). Not had any problems but need to know that early models MY2009 and 10 had misfire problems that were sorted with software upgrade to the ECU and change in spark plug gap. Pistons were changed in 2011 cars as early ones had problems. If going for 2009/10 make sure it has had full VW service history so that upgrades been made. My advise would be buy MY 2011 build if you can run to the expense. Fuel consumption is not that marvellous and is far below the VW advertised - overall 39 for me with a 50:50 mix of town and motorway driving but I don't hang around, compared to 36 for the GTI. All that said, it pulls well (smooth acceleration up to 100mph in 4th but only on German autobahns!) and would not swop mine. Rumour has it that the 1.4 is going to be replaced by 1.8 TSI 160 in future new models.
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Offline mwad gti

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Re: Tsi engines
« Reply #9 on: 13 December 2013, 16:38 »
Quote from: joe6 on 13 December 2013, 15:34
I have a 160 TSi in my Scirocco (MY2011). Not had any problems but need to know that early models MY2009 and 10 had misfire problems that were sorted with software upgrade to the ECU and change in spark plug gap. Pistons were changed in 2011 cars as early ones had problems. If going for 2009/10 make sure it has had full VW service history so that upgrades been made. My advise would be buy MY 2011 build if you can run to the expense. Fuel consumption is not that marvellous and is far below the VW advertised - overall 39 for me with a 50:50 mix of town and motorway driving but I don't hang around, compared to 36 for the GTI. All that said, it pulls well (smooth acceleration up to 100mph in 4th but only on German autobahns!) and would not swop mine. Rumour has it that the 1.4 is going to be replaced by 1.8 TSI 160 in future new models.

With regard to my previous comments with my GT 160 above, mine was a late 2010
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