Carsieve At a glance
- What it is: VW's EA211 petrol engines, 1.2 and 1.4 TSI, built from 2012. The 1.5 TSI evo (codes DACA, DADA, DPBC, DPCA, from 2017) has its own guide. The 1.0 TSI is also EA211 but is not covered here.
- Main faults: oil use from worn piston rings, and water pump leaks.
- Belt, not chain: EA211 has a timing belt. The older EA111 TSI has a timing chain. Read the engine code first: codes such as CJZA, CHPA, CXSA and CZDA are EA211. The year alone does not tell them apart.
- Reliability: 3/5, because oil use and water pump leaks each show up in more than one source.
- DIY: 2/5, because a belt job ends with a camshaft timing check and a scan.
- Buy: a car with belt and pump invoices, and a clean oil check.
- Avoid: oil top-ups between services, and coolant on the ground or a low coolant level.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil use and piston rings | 1.2 and 1.4 TSI (CJZ, CHP, CXS codes) | Not stated | 60,000 RUB labour (Russia, year not stated) |
| Water pump and coolant leaks | 1.2 and 1.4 TSI, built from 2012 | Not stated | About 400 to 600 EUR (Germany, year not stated) |
Before you buy
- Oil level (no scanner needed). Check the dipstick and ask for the oil-use history. Bad: the level falls between services, or blue smoke comes out under hard acceleration. Ask for proof of any ring or head work.
- Coolant and water pump (no scanner needed). Check the coolant level when the engine is cold, and look under the car for wet stains near the pump. Bad: a low level or any leak. Ask for a dated invoice showing the pump was changed with the belt.
- Invoices. Ask for dated invoices with the mileage for any belt, pump, oil or software work. No record means budget for the job.
- Recall check. Enter the VIN in the official recall check for the car's country. Bad: an open campaign on the car.
Models with this engine
| Brand | Model | Generation | Production years | Power | Engine codes | ADAC versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | A1 | 8X | 2013–2014 | 140 PS (103 kW) | CPT | 8 |
| Audi | A1 | 8X facelift | 2014–2018 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZC, CZE | 24 |
| Audi | A3 | 8V | 2012–2016 | 105–150 PS (77–110 kW) | CJZ, CPT, CPW, CXS, CZC, CZE | 114 |
| Audi | A3 | 8V facelift | 2016–2018 | 110–150 PS (81–110 kW) | CPW, CZC, CZE | 42 |
| Audi | Q2 | GA | 2016–2018 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZE | 6 |
| Audi | Q3 | 8U | 2013–2014 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZE | 4 |
| Audi | Q3 | 8U facelift | 2015–2018 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZD, CZE | 9 |
| SEAT | Ateca | 5FP | 2016–2018 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZE | 12 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6J | 2009–2012 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZE | 3 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6J facelift | 2012–2015 | 140–150 PS (103–110 kW) | CPT, CZE | 6 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6P facelift 2 | 2015–2017 | 90 PS (66 kW) | CJZ | 11 |
| SEAT | Leon | 1P facelift | 2009–2012 | 125 PS (92 kW) | CZC | 7 |
| SEAT | Leon | 5F | 2012–2016 | 105–150 PS (77–110 kW) | CHP, CJZ, CPW, CXS, CZC, CZE | 58 |
| SEAT | Leon | 5F facelift | 2016–2018 | 110–150 PS (81–110 kW) | CPW, CZC, CZE | 27 |
| Skoda | Fabia | 3. Generation | 2014–2018 | 90–125 PS (66–92 kW) | CJZ, CZC | 46 |
| Skoda | Kodiaq | 1. Generation | 2017–2018 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZC, CZE | 13 |
| Skoda | Octavia | 3. Generation | 2013–2016 | 105–150 PS (77–110 kW) | CHP, CJZ, CPW, CZD | 72 |
| Skoda | Octavia | 3. Generation facelift | 2017–2018 | 110–150 PS (81–110 kW) | CPW, CZD | 34 |
| Skoda | Rapid | 2. Generation | 2015–2017 | 90–125 PS (66–92 kW) | CJZ, CZC | 68 |
| Skoda | Rapid | 2. Generation facelift | 2017–2018 | 125 PS (92 kW) | CZC | 11 |
| Skoda | Superb | 2. Generation | 2008–2013 | 125 PS (92 kW) | CZC | 21 |
| Skoda | Superb | 2. Generation facelift | 2013–2015 | 125 PS (92 kW) | CZC | 10 |
| Skoda | Superb | 3. Generation | 2015–2018 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZC, CZE | 30 |
| Skoda | Yeti | 1. Generation facelift | 2015–2017 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZC, CZD | 56 |
| VW | Beetle | 2. Generation | 2013–2016 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZD | 30 |
| VW | Beetle | 2. Generation facelift | 2016–2018 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZD | 30 |
| VW | Golf | VII | 2012–2017 | 105–150 PS (77–110 kW) | CHP, CJZ, CPT, CPW, CXS, CZC, CZD, CZE | 196 |
| VW | Golf | VI | 2015–2016 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZC, CZD | 20 |
| VW | Golf | VII facelift | 2017–2018 | 110–150 PS (81–110 kW) | CPW, CZC, CZD, CZE | 68 |
| VW | Passat | B8 | 2014–2018 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZC, CZE | 20 |
| VW | Polo | V | 2011–2014 | 90–140 PS (66–103 kW) | CJZ, CPT | 40 |
| VW | Polo | V facelift | 2014–2017 | 90–150 PS (66–110 kW) | CJZ, CZE | 60 |
| VW | Tiguan | I | 2008–2011 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZD | 6 |
| VW | Tiguan | I facelift | 2015–2016 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZD | 15 |
| VW | Tiguan | II | 2016–2018 | 125–150 PS (92–110 kW) | CZD, CZE | 14 |
| VW | Touran | II | 2015–2018 | 150 PS (110 kW) | CZD | 8 |
| VW Nutzfahrzeuge | Caddy | IV | 2015–2020 | 110–125 PS (81–92 kW) | CPW, CZC | 198 |
In detail
Oil use and piston rings
Symptoms. The oil level falls between services. Blue smoke comes out under hard acceleration.
Cause. The sources point to the piston rings, the rings that keep oil off the cylinder wall.
Which cars. The 1.2 TSI CJZ (one owner, a 2016 Ibiza) and the EA211 codes CJZA, CHPA and CXSA in a Russian garage list.
Fix. The sources give no fix procedure for EA211 oil use. The Russian garage list prices an oil-use repair and a cylinder head job as separate lines.
Cost. Russia: oil-use repair 60,000 RUB labour; cylinder head removal and refit 40,000 RUB (garage price list, year not stated).
Sources: Only VAG price list, CarWiki, VW EA211 evo 1.5 TSI engine, SEAT Cupra forum, 1.2 TSI CJZ advice
Water pump and coolant leaks
Symptoms. Coolant leaks around the pump. Coolant loss and overheating follow.
Cause. The plastic water pump leaks or fails.
Which cars. 1.2 and 1.4 TSI, built from 2012 (German garage blog). A Russian owner reports a leak on a 1.4 TSI CHPA.
Fix. Replace the pump as an assembly with its drive belt. Do it at the belt job. A German garage kit for the belt job includes the pump. A German price page says the belt job does not include it, but replacing it makes sense.
Cost. Germany: about 400 to 600 EUR for the pump change (garage blog, year not stated).
Sources: motor.com.de, VW TSI and TDI known faults, Only VAG price list, repareo, timing belt change Golf 7
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years or build range | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | None with a campaign number found | – | Enter the VIN in the official recall check before you buy |
Maintenance
- Timing belt. VW sets no early fixed change. The first check is due at 210,000 to 240,000 km. Many owners change it earlier, at about 150,000 km. On a car past about 150,000 km, ask whether the belt was checked or changed, and keep the invoice with date and mileage.
- Belt job price. Germany: from about 500 EUR for a 1.4 TSI 140 PS, water pump not included (garage price page, year not stated). Russia: 14,800 RUB labour only (garage list, year not stated), and 10,000 RUB excluding parts (garage page, undated).
- Belt failure. No EA211 belt failures are reported.
- Water pump. Change it with the belt. See Water pump and coolant leaks.
- Oil. Check the level between services. The sources give no oil change interval for EA211.
Sources
English
- SEAT Cupra forum, 1.4 EcoTSI 150 bhp cambelt
- SEAT Cupra forum, 1.2 TSI CJZ advice
- Autoscore, 1.4 TSI EA211
German
- CarWiki, VW EA211 evo 1.5 TSI engine
- KFZ Dietrich, 1.4 TSI timing belt case study
- repareo, timing belt change Golf 7
- motor.com.de, VW TSI and TDI known faults