Volkswagen’s 1.8L turbo (20v-Turbo, 1.8 20vt) engine was first introduced in 1993 and ran through 2005. The two versions that are seen for this engine are the EA113 & EA827.
The engine features a turbocharger, similar to a Garrett T30, and puts out anywhere from 148bhp to 236bhp. These engines are liked for their reliability and their mid-range torque. The torque that you can expect with these is anywhere from 155lb-ft to 236lb-ft.
Before diving into the 1.8t common problems, PLEASE ensure the parts and guides listed apply to your specific vehicle! If you need assistance researching parts or guides, leave a comment below and we will assist you in any way we can!
VW 1.8t Common Problems are Applicable for:
Volkswagen:
MK4 Jetta
MK4 Golf/GTI
B5/B5.5 Passat
New Beetle
Audi:
MK1 TT
MK2 TT
A3
B5 A4
B6 A4
B7 A4
B8 A4
The 6 Most Common Volkswagen 1.8t Engine Problems
- Oil sludge buildup
- Ignition coil pack failure
- Water pump failure
- Vacuum system leaks
- Timing Belt & Tensioner failure
- Coolant sensor failure
1. VW 1.8t Oil Sludge Build-Up
Unfortunately, this is a very common problem with 1.8’s due to the low oil capacity Volkswagen provided these engines. Oil sludge could lead to serious damage if it is not acted on in a timely manner. Engine sludge is the formation of thick oil deposits, caused by moisture or heat, that collect in the engine and, if not acted on, can cause blockages in every inlet/outlet and the oil pickup tube.
Why this is so common in 1.8’s is because Volkswagen provided the engine with an undersized oil supply. This can happen frequently IF you do not use the correct oil OR don’t stick to the maintenance schedule with oil changes.
Symptoms of Oil Sludge Build-Up:
- Low oil pressure
- Low oil light illuminating while vehicle is running
- Slow draining of engine oil
- Visible oil/grease on the oil filter
- Limp mode
In 2004, Volkswagen acknowledged the sludge problem in the 1.8’s and issued an extended warranty as well as refunds for customers that paid for the service already. If you’re having this issue with your 1.8, call VW and provide them with your VIN to see what they can do for you. There are usually 3 solutions when it comes to this problem: hand cleaning, using an oil additive, or taking it to a shop to get it professionally cleaned. We would advise option 3 because you want to make sure your engine is COMPLETELY cleaned of sludge as it can cause serious engine damage. If you were looking to get your engine professionally cleaned, you are looking at anywhere from ~$500 – $1,000.
Video Explaining Engine Sludge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFOqW0x7oiI
2. Ignition Coil Pack Failure
Ignition coil pack failure is common in many turbocharged engines nowadays. Coil packs are controlled packs of ignition coils that convert the voltage from the battery to the spark plugs to spark. There are individual coil packs for each cylinder, so in this case you will have 4 coil packs. If your engine had one faulty coil pack, you will experience misfires, and if you have more than one, your engine may not start.
The reason these can fail is normal wear and tear or faulty coil packs. With that said, you will probably only experience these failing once or twice in your vehicle’s lifetime, unless you have tuned your vehicle.
Symptoms of Ignition Coil Pack Failure:
- Engine misfires (P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, or P0304 Fault Code)
- Rough idle
- Check Engine Light (CEL) Illuminating
- Poor engine performance
- Difficulty starting the engine
Ignition Coil Pack Replacement Options:
If you have a faulty coil pack, we highly advise replacing ALL coil packs just so you won’t have to deal with a mix of new and old parts. If you plan to DIY, this is a rather simple fix with the proper tools. Taking your vehicle to the shop, you would be looking at a bill of ~$200.
1.8t OEM Ignition Coil Replacements: https://amzn.to/3bgz62g
DIY Difficulty: Easy
3. VW 1.8t Water Pump Failure
This is another rather common problem in 1.8’s because Volkswagen put a plastic impeller within the water pump which is more prone to failure. A water pump carries coolant from the radiator into the engine ensuring the engine is running at an optimal temperature. Without a functioning water pump, your vehicle is going to overheat at a rapid pace and continue to overheat until the water pump is replaced.
There are two main reasons why water pumps will fail: the plastic impeller breaks or normal wear and tear. A water pump’s life cycle is typically 60,000 – 90,000 miles, so you should only have to go through one or two throughout the life cycle or your vehicle.
Symptoms of Water Pump Failure:
- Engine overheating
- Coolant leak
- Steam coming from the front of your engine
- Loud whining noise coming from water pump
Water Pump Replacement Options:
A good rule of thumb when it comes to replacing the water pump would be to replace the timing belt as well. However, just replacing the water pump is not a very difficult DIY and can be done in a few hours if you know your way around your engine. If you are taking it to a shop, plan on a bill of ~$500.
Water Pump Replacement: https://amzn.to/3ewdCk6
Timing Belt Kit: https://amzn.to/3bhO1Jx
DIY Difficulty: Intermediate
4. Vacuum System Leaks
When we reference the vacuum system, we are mainly focusing on the vacuum hoses. Since these engines are starting to get up in age, a lot of drivers are seeing the hoses become brittle and causing leaks. The hoses were not made with the best material from Volkswagen, which is why this is a common problem on 1.8’s. If you haven’t changed your hoses, now may be the time to do it before it’s too late. Once you replace them, they should last your vehicle’s life cycle.
What is the function of the vacuum system in your engine? The vacuum system of an engine creates suction and assists bring air into the engine. Oddly enough, your vehicle can not run without proper vacuum. The main function of a vacuum system is to control the RPMs of the engine.
Symptoms of Vacuum System Leaks:
- Hissing or sucking sound from the engine
- CEL illuminating (P2279 fault code)
- Sporadic or high idle
- Loss of engine performance
- Engine stalling
Vacuum System Replacement Options:
We would advise, unless you know your way around your engine, that you take this to a shop to get done because it can get VERY confusing with the vacuum lines. If you were looking to take it to a shop, the bill could vary due to what is actually wrong, but we’ve seen anywhere from $200 – $1,000.
Vacuum Hose/Pipe Replacement Set: Order Here
DIY Difficulty: Difficult
5. VW 1.8t Timing Belt & Roller/Tensioner failure
The timing belt in Volkswagen’s doesn’t seem to be the most reliable straight out of the factory. The timing belt is a very crucial component of the engine because it links the cylinder head, camshafts, and crankcase to run in sync.
If the timing belt snaps, very rare, this could cause major damage to your engine’s internals. It is recommended to change your timing belt every 75,000 miles, so you should only have to go through 2, maybe 3, timing belts throughout your vehicle’s lifecycle.
Symptoms of Timing Belt And/Or Roller/Tensioner Failure:
- Engine not turning over
- Ticking noise in the engine bay
- Rough Idle
- Engine misfires
- Lack of performance
Timing Belt Replacement Options:
As stated above, we would advise replacing your water pump with the timing belt. This is actually an average DIY if you choose to do so because there are some good write-ups and videos out there. However, if you choose to take your vehicle to a shop to get it fixed, you will be looking at ~$300 – $500 just for the timing belt repair. If you want to do the water pump and the timing belt, encouraged, then you would be looking ~$700 – $800.
OEM Timing Belt Kit Replacement: https://amzn.to/3bhO1Jx
DIY Difficulty: Intermediate
6. Coolant Temperature Sensor Failure
This is a common enough problem to put into this list when it comes to Volkswagen’s 1.8t engine. The function of a coolant temperature sensor (CTS) is as it sounds, it gauges the temperature of the coolant going through the engine. It gives an idea of how much heat the engine is putting off.
The main reason the sensors fail is due to normal wear and tear since the engine runs very hot. If a CTS does happen to go bad, it can send false signals resulting in incorrect fuel and timing settings.
Symptoms of Coolant Temperature Sensor Failure:
- Engine overheating
- CEL illuminating (P2185 fault code)
- Irregular engine temperature reading on dash
- Poor engine performance
Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement Options:
This is a simple DIY and we would recommend doing it to save you labor costs at the shop. A replacement CTS is a cheap part and shouldn’t take any longer than 30 minutes.
OEM Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement: https://amzn.to/3ewet4i
DIY Difficulty: Easy
Video DIY Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IaJt-BtMrw
Volkswagen 1.8t Engine Reliability
If you follow the maintenance schedules and ensure you are using the proper oil, these engines can easily make it up to 200,000 miles, like the 1.4 engines. You may have some small issues, like the ones listed above, but the 1.8’s are very reliable Volkswagen engines. Since the 1.8t has been around for almost 30 years, obviously with multiple modifications, you can trust the reliability of the engine if it is taken care of.