Volkswagen EA211 1.4 TSI Common Problems

The EA211 is a three- and four-cylinder gasoline engine developed by Volkswagen, manufactured since 2011 in Germany (Salzgitter), the Czech Republic (Mladá Boleslav), and Hungary (Győr). This powertrain serves as the successor to the infamous EA111 and is employed in a wide variety of models within the VW Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Seat).

EA211 Engine: Main Changes

The most significant innovation concerns valve control. While a timing chain was used in the predecessor, the EA211 switched to a timing belt. The series features:

Variable Camshaft Control on the intake side (1.4 TSI from 138 hp for the exhaust side as well).
Integrated Exhaust Manifold within the cylinder head.
Active Cylinder Management (ACT) equipped in some engine variants, which ensures that two of the four cylinders are deactivated under low power requirements, thereby reducing fuel consumption.

In 2017, the EA211 was technically revised and supplemented with the suffix "evo" (evo1), with a second revision taking place in 2022 (evo2).

Volkswagen EA211 Engine Problems

Below we discuss the most common weaknesses of the engine that have revealed themselves since its market introduction.

Problems with the Timing Belt in 1.2 TSI

timing-belt-may-suffer-a-higher-sterr-due-to-engine-construction

In some 1.2 TSI engines of the EA211 series, serious engine damage has occurred. The cause of this was the timing belt, which could tear due to a defect in the camshaft gears. The engines primarily affected were from the production year 2014.

The manufacturer recognizes this problem under the TPI 2038019/4, and the remedy is the installation of an improved camshaft adjuster. Indicators that the improved camshaft adjuster has been installed can be found in the following markings on the timing belt cover:

Factory	Code
Salzgitter	S (17)
Mladá Boleslav	M (31)
Győr	G (26)

Oil Leakage at the Camshaft Adjuster

in-some-ea211-engines-oil-cal-leak-through-the-camshaft-adjuster

According to VW, isolated failures of the camshaft adjuster may occur in VW vehicles with the EA211 engine. During the associated recall workshop visit, the camshaft adjuster is replaced. Models affected include the Beetle, Golf, and Polo from 2013 to 2015.

Carbon Formation in the Intake Tract and Valves

Due to direct gasoline injection, the EA211 will have to contend with coked injectors and carbon deposits in the intake tract. To at least delay the resulting problems (loss of performance, higher consumption, etc.), the preventive use of cleaning fuel additives, added regularly during refueling, is recommended.

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Cars Equipped With EA211 Engine

Brand	Model
Volkswagen	Polo
Volkswagen	Golf
Volkswagen	Jetta
Volkswagen	Passat
Volkswagen	Beetle
Volkswagen	Up!
Audi	A1
Audi	A3
Audi	Q2

Conclusion

The EA211 is fundamentally a robust engine. Severe engine damage, like that caused in the EA111 through the elongation of the timing chain, is finally a thing of the past due to the switch to a timing belt. Even the sometimes quite high oil consumption of the predecessor does not occur anymore or only sporadically.

The deciding factor is ultimately the service history: Has the previous owner taken care of maintenance and had it done (ideally) always by the manufacturer? If both of these questions can be answered with a "Yes," there is nothing standing in the way of purchasing a VAG model with the EA211 engine.

EA211 Technical Specs

Engine Code	Displacement	Power	Torque	Introduction
CHYA	61 cu in	60 HP (44 kW) / 5,000 RPM	70 lb-ft / 3,000-4,250 RPM	2011
CHYC	61 cu in	65 HP (48 kW) / 5,000-6,000 RPM	70 lb-ft / 3,000-4,300 RPM	2012
CPGA	61 cu in	68 HP (50 kW) / 6,200 RPM	66 lb-ft / 3,000-4,250 RPM	2012
CHYB	61 cu in	75 HP (55 kW) / 6,200 RPM	70 lb-ft / 3,000-4,250 RPM	2011
CHZE	61 cu in	82 HP (60 kW) / 3,500-5,500 RPM	118 lb-ft / 1,500-3,500 RPM	2016
CHZK	61 cu in	86 HP (63 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	129 lb-ft / 2,000-3,000 RPM	2017
DKLB	61 cu in	86 HP (63 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	129 lb-ft / 1,500-3,000 RPM	2018
CHZA	61 cu in	90 HP (66 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	118 lb-ft / 1,500-3,500 RPM	2016
DLAB	61 cu in	90 HP (66 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	129 lb-ft / 1,600-3,000 RPM	2020
CHZB	61 cu in	95 HP (70 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	118 lb-ft / 1,500-3,500 RPM	2015
CHZC	61 cu in	110 HP (81 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	147 lb-ft / 2,000-3,500 RPM	2015
DLAA	61 cu in	110 HP (81 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	147 lb-ft / 2,000-3,000 RPM	2020
CHZD	61 cu in	115 HP (85 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	147 lb-ft / 2,000-3,500 RPM	2015
CHZJ	61 cu in	115 HP (85 kW) / 5,000-5,500 RPM	147 lb-ft / 2,000-3,500 RPM	2015
CJZB	73 cu in	86 HP (63 kW) / 4,300-5,300 RPM	118 lb-ft / 1,400-3,500 RPM	2012
CJZC	73 cu in	90 HP (66 kW) / 4,400-5,400 RPM	118 lb-ft / 1,400-3,500 RPM	2014
CYVA	73 cu in	90 HP (66 kW) / 4,400-5,400 RPM	118 lb-ft / 1,400-3,500 RPM	2014
CJZA	73 cu in	105 HP (77 kW) / 4,500-5,500 RPM	129 lb-ft / 1,400-4,000 RPM	2012
CJZD	73 cu in	110 HP (81 kW) / 4,600-5,600 RPM	129 lb-ft / 1,400-4,000 RPM	2014
CYVB	73 cu in	110 HP (81 kW) / 4,600-5,600 RPM	129 lb-ft / 1,400-4,000 RPM	2014
CZCC	85 cu in	115 HP (85 kW) / 5,000-6,000 RPM	147 lb-ft / 1,400-3,500 RPM	2016
CMBA	85 cu in	122 HP (90 kW) / 5,000-6,000 RPM	147 lb-ft / 1,400-4,000 RPM	2012
CZCA	85 cu in	125 HP (92 kW) / 5,000-6,000 RPM	147 lb-ft / 1,400-4,000 RPM	2013
CHPA	85 cu in	140 HP (103 kW) / 4,500-6,000 RPM	184 lb-ft / 1,500-3,500 RPM	2012
CPTA	85 cu in	140 HP (103 kW) / 4,500-6,000 RPM	184 lb-ft / 1,500-3,500 RPM	201

EA211 evo1 Engine Technical Specs

Engine Code	Displacement	Power	Torque	Introduction
DPBC	91 cu in	114 HP (84 kW) / 4,500-6,000 RPM	162 lb-ft / 1,750-3,000 RPM	2020
DACA	91 cu in	130 HP (96 kW) / 5,000-6,000 RPM	147 lb-ft / 1,400-4,000 RPM	2017
DADA	91 cu in	150 HP (110 kW) / 5,000-6,000 RPM	184 lb-ft / 1,500-3,500 RPM	2017