Carsieve At a glance
- 1.4 TDI (AMF, BHC, BMS, BNM, BNV): pump-injector (PD) engines, where each injector sits in the cylinder head. The sources report no 1.4-specific fault.
- 1.9 TDI (ASZ, AWX, BKC, BXE, BLS and other codes): avoid a BXE unless the rod bearings were checked or replaced.
- 2.0 TDI PD (BKD, BMN, BMM, BMP and other 8- and 16-valve codes): the oil pump hex drive can fail, and BKD and BMN heads crack. Prefer proof of both repairs. The common-rail successor is covered in VW 2.0 TDI EA189.
- 2.5 R5 TDI (AXD and AXE, T5): camshafts and lifters wear out. Prefer cars with oil change records using VW 506.01 oil.
- Reliability: 2/5, because several faults that can destroy the engine are reported by more than one independent source.
- DIY: 2/5, because a cam job is possible with special tools, but the hex drive, rod bearing and head work need a workshop.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil pump hex drive | 2.0 TDI PD, built 2005 to 2009 (Passat, Sharan, A4, A6, Superb, Alhambra) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Cylinder head cracks | 2.0 TDI 16-valve, BKD (140 PS) and BMN (170 PS) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Rod bearing failure | 1.9 TDI BXE (105 PS) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Camshaft and lifter wear | 2.5 R5 TDI AXD and AXE | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Rod bearings (no scanner). Check the engine code in the service book, the vehicle papers or on the block. Bad: a BXE with a knock under the bonnet and no proof of new rod bearings.
- Oil pump drive (no scanner). Ask for proof that the oil pump drive or the balance-shaft module was replaced or checked. Bad: no record on a 2005 to 2009 car.
- Coolant (engine cold). Check the coolant level and look for loss with no visible leak. Bad: coolant loss. A workshop test can confirm it.
- Camshaft (no scanner). Ask for oil change records with VW 506.01 oil, at no more than 15,000 km apart. Bad: no records.
Models with this engine
| Brand | Model | Generation | Production years | Power | Engine codes | ADAC versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | A2 | 8Z | 2000–2003 | 75 PS (55 kW) | AMF | 2 |
| Audi | A2 | 8Z facelift | 2003–2005 | 75 PS (55 kW) | BHC | 1 |
| Audi | A3 | 8P | 2003–2005 | 105 PS (77 kW) | BXE | 3 |
| Audi | A3 | 8P facelift | 2004–2008 | 105 PS (77 kW) | BXE | 24 |
| Audi | A3 | 8P facelift 2 | 2008–2009 | 105 PS (77 kW) | BLS, BXE | 16 |
| Audi | A4 | B7 | 2004–2009 | 140–170 PS (103–125 kW) | BPW, BRD, BRE | 16 |
| Audi | A6 | C6 | 2004–2008 | 140 PS (103 kW) | BRE | 8 |
| Ford | Kuga | II | 2016–2017 | 120 PS (88 kW) | BNMC | 3 |
| Ford | Kuga | II facelift | 2017–2019 | 120 PS (88 kW) | BNMC | 7 |
| Ford | Kuga | III | 2021 | 150 PS (110 kW) | BKDA | 3 |
| SEAT | Alhambra | 7M facelift | 2000–2010 | 115–150 PS (85–110 kW) | ASZ, AUY, BRT, BTB, BVK | 53 |
| SEAT | Altea | 5P | 2004–2009 | 105 PS (77 kW) | BXE | 27 |
| SEAT | Altea | 5P facelift | 2009–2010 | 105 PS (77 kW) | BXE | 12 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6L | 2002–2006 | 70–160 PS (51–118 kW) | AMF, BLT, BNM, BNV, BUK | 33 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6L facelift | 2006–2009 | 70–160 PS (51–118 kW) | BLT, BNM, BNV, BUK | 25 |
| SEAT | Ibiza | 6J | 2008–2010 | 80–105 PS (59–77 kW) | BLS, BMS, BXJ | 20 |
| SEAT | Leon | 1P facelift | 2009–2010 | 105 PS (77 kW) | BXE | 6 |
| Skoda | Fabia | 1. Generation | 2003–2004 | 75–130 PS (55–96 kW) | AMF, BLT | 17 |
| Skoda | Fabia | 1. Generation facelift | 2004–2007 | 69–130 PS (51–96 kW) | AMF, BLT, BNM, BNV | 49 |
| Skoda | Fabia | 2. Generation | 2007–2010 | 69–80 PS (51–59 kW) | BNM, BNV | 33 |
| Skoda | Octavia | 2. Generation | 2004–2009 | 105–140 PS (77–103 kW) | BKC, BMM | 79 |
| Skoda | Octavia | 2. Generation facelift | 2009–2013 | 105–140 PS (77–103 kW) | BKC, BMM | 63 |
| Skoda | Roomster | 1. Generation | 2006–2010 | 69–80 PS (51–59 kW) | BNM, BNV | 19 |
| Skoda | Superb | 2. Generation | 2008–2010 | 105 PS (77 kW) | BXE | 4 |
| VW | Fox | 1. Generation | 2005–2010 | 70 PS (51 kW) | BNM | 4 |
| VW | Golf | V | 2003–2009 | 90–170 PS (66–125 kW) | BKC, BLS, BMM, BMN, BRU, BXE | 450 |
| VW | Golf | VI | 2008–2012 | 140–170 PS (103–125 kW) | BMM, BMN | 11 |
| VW | Passat | B6 | 2005–2010 | 105–170 PS (77–125 kW) | BLS, BMP, BMR | 182 |
| VW | Passat | B7 | 2010–2014 | 140–170 PS (103–125 kW) | BMP, BMR | 76 |
| VW | Polo | IV | 2001–2005 | 100–130 PS (74–96 kW) | AXR, BLT | 28 |
| VW | Polo | IV facelift | 2005–2009 | 70–130 PS (51–96 kW) | AXR, BLT, BNM, BNV | 130 |
| VW | Sharan | I facelift 2 | 2004–2010 | 115–150 PS (85–110 kW) | ASZ, AUY, BRT, BTB, BVK | 73 |
| VW | Touran | I | 2003–2006 | 90–170 PS (66–125 kW) | BKD, BLS, BMM, BMN, BRU | 39 |
| VW | Touran | I facelift | 2006–2010 | 90–170 PS (66–125 kW) | BLS, BMM, BMN, BRU | 64 |
| VW | Touran | I facelift 2 | 2010–2015 | 140–170 PS (103–125 kW) | BMM, BMN | 28 |
| VW Nutzfahrzeuge | Caddy | III | 2003–2010 | 105–140 PS (77–103 kW) | BLS, BMM | 51 |
| VW Nutzfahrzeuge | Transporter | T5 | 2003–2009 | 86–174 PS (63–128 kW) | AXB, AXC, AXD, AXE | 125 |
In detail
Oil pump hex drive
Symptoms. The oil pump can fail suddenly, usually at high revs. The warning lamp comes on only after the damage. The engine can be destroyed, and the turbo with it.
Cause. VW points to manufacturing tolerances. The hex drive, a short shaft that turns the oil pump, wears out. On engines with balance shafts it sits in the balance-shaft module. The BKD has no balance shafts; its pump is chain-driven, and owners and a Russian garage report the same hex shaft wear there.
Which cars. VW Passat, Sharan, Audi A4 and A6, Skoda Superb and Seat Alhambra, built 2005 to 2009. One German press report names the BMP engine in older 2.0 TDI units.
Fix. VW's preventive repair replaces the whole balance-shaft module. VW reviews goodwill case by case.
Recall. Audi service action 13D7 covers the oil pump drive. The source does not say whether the hex shaft is replaced.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD, VW-Konzern 2.0 TDI, Gebrauchtwagenberater, 2.0 TDI EA188 problems, Drive2, BKD 16-valve, Audi-Sport owner thread, 2.0 TDI hex drive
Cylinder head cracks
Symptoms. Coolant loss. The coolant level drops with no visible external leak, and coolant is found in the combustion chambers.
Cause. Cracks in the cylinder head. VW cited a casting process weakness for cylinder heads in 2003 and 2004 and offered goodwill beyond the warranty.
Which cars. 2.0 TDI 16-valve engines: BKD (140 PS) and BMN (170 PS). Older units are more often affected. BKD was built 2003 to 2011.
Fix. The cylinder head is replaced.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Sources: AUTO BILD, VW Touran 2.0 TDI long-term test, Gebrauchtwagenberater, Skoda Octavia II problems, Audi-Sport owner thread, BKD head cracks
Rod bearing failure
Symptoms. A knock under the bonnet that grows louder over time.
Cause. Not settled. A German site calls it a material defect. A Czech press article says it is unclear whether the bearings were faulty, and points to long oil change intervals and the small oil capacity. The rod bearing holds the connecting rod on the crankshaft.
Which cars. 1.9 TDI BXE, 105 PS. A German site and a Czech press article both name it.
Fix. The sources give no repair procedure. In the worst case the rod breaks through the block and the engine must be replaced.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, 1.9 TDI EA188 problems, Gebrauchtwagenberater, VW Touran I problems, Autojournal.cz, 1.9 TDI service traps (Czech), Audi-Sport owner thread, BXE rod failure
Camshaft and lifter wear
Symptoms. The sources name the failure but give no early symptoms. In one press case, the camshaft and the hydraulic lifters were worn out, and the cam had ground through a lifter.
Cause. The PD elements are pushed by very steep cam lobes, so the cam takes hard pushback five times per turn. In one press case, a clogged oil filter let debris reach the cam through the bypass. A garage calls worn cam tips a common failure.
Which cars. 2.5 R5 TDI, AXD and AXE, used in the VW T5. AXD was built 2003 to 2009.
Fix. Replace the camshaft and all hydraulic lifters together. A garage says the lifters must be replaced with the camshaft.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Oil and mileage. VW 506.01 oil is the spec for early 2.5 R5 engines without a factory DPF. Change the oil at least every 15,000 km.
Sources: AUTO BILD, VW T5 technical faults, KFZ Dietrich, VW T4 and T5 timing belt, turbo and EGR
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not stated (Audi service action; one German press report) | 13D7 | Not stated | Service action for the oil pump drive. The source does not say whether the hex shaft is replaced. |
The sources list no other campaign. Check open campaigns for your VIN with VW or Audi before you buy.
Maintenance
- Oil spec: VW 506.01 for early 2.5 R5 engines without a factory DPF (AXD, AXE), usually 0W-30. Change at least every 15,000 km.
- Oil filter: keep it clean. In one press case, a clogged filter starved the cam of oil.
Sources
English
- Audi-Sport owner thread, 2.0 TDI hex drive
- Audi-Sport owner thread, BKD head cracks
- Audi-Sport owner thread, BXE rod failure
German
- AUTO BILD, VW-Konzern 2.0 TDI
- AUTO BILD, VW Touran 2.0 TDI long-term test
- AUTO BILD, VW T5 technical faults
- KFZ Dietrich, VW T4 and T5 timing belt, turbo and EGR
- Gebrauchtwagenberater, 2.0 TDI EA188 problems
- Gebrauchtwagenberater, 1.9 TDI EA188 problems
- Gebrauchtwagenberater, VW Touran I problems
- Gebrauchtwagenberater, Skoda Octavia II problems