If you want a newer car I'd go for the 104hp 1.9 PD diesel with a remap. Previous versions of this engine have been widely remapped and seem to be able to produce considerably more power with few issues.

Older cars - why not consider a Passat 1.9 TDI 130 (2000-2005 model), the Skoda Fabia vRS Mk. 1, also with the 130hp TDI engine, Skoda Octavia Mk1 if you need a larger car. Other cars available with the same engine such as Mk4 Golf, Seat Leon Mk 1, VW Polo GT (rare). These older cars benefit from not having a DPF with the associated risk of clogging if used for short journeys and eventually requiring replacement.

Other recent diesels without DPFs include the Honda Civic 2.2 CDTI and the Kia Cee'd CRDI (pre-2009).

I currently have a Leon FR TDI 1.9 with 150hp but the Polo GT I test drove seemed to pick up better, despite having the 130hp engine. I've also heard of camshaft wear issues with the 150hp motor on the SEAT Cupra forums.

It's a shame the later VAG diesels are so problematic - I deliberately opted for an older car to avoid the problems and also DPF issues...

The jury is still out on the CR engines which run very nicely although lacking the "shove" of the higher powered PDs. I am less than convinced of the long term durability of a fuel pump lubricated in fuel (the PD pumps are oil lubricated) which develops pressures approaching 2 kBar.

I went from a 2.0 TDI PD 140 to the CR TDI 143, as you say there is less 'percieved' shove but this is just because the engine is much more flexible - amazingly so.

2.0 TDI's with engine code BRE are trouble-free generally, ie no oil pump or injector issues or any DPF.

The PD pumps can barely be called pumps, but are just cam-driven pistons, but I would think that CR rotary pump technology is mature now after the nightmares of the earlier systems on Fords etc. I occasionally put a bottle of 2-stroke oil in mine to be on the safe side, I guess 29,000 psi is quite a lot of fuel pressure !

Well done - best engine with good maintenance. I hope mine is as good - so far, no problems.

For a replacement, I would go for a 1.9 PD with Bosch injectors in the body/badge of your choice. This will limit you to about MY '05 (10th digit in VIN). Some surprisingly late Octavias were fitted with rotary pump engines, so you will have to find a very late Mk1 to get a PD 130 engine, which is the one to have. You should recognise a PD engine by now...

The cam cover should have a paper label giving the engine code (usually, but not always, 3 letters, eg. AWX). Alternatively the engine code is on the build sticker in the spare wheel well or on the inside front cover of the service book. Google the code for a quick way to get the important engine details.

I hope you find a good one. I've met all kinds of diesel engines in my time, and the AWX is the engine of my choice.

659.

All of the basic engines on the Golf diesel are fine, the 150PS unit in the Golf 4 had issues with cam follower failure, some early 115PS versions failed in a big way with their con rod small ends and all the TDI's suffer from turbo issues, especially the Golf 5 140PS version BUT having said that the main block/head and extremely strong.

The reason for the change of injector design was that the 4 valve per cylinder layout did not allow room for the type used on the 8 valve, Siemens really screwed up with the Piezo injector manufacturing, a good basic design compromised by cost cutting as you say.

The real killer on all engines is extended drain oil change intervals, this was a marketing ploy that backfired, it is simply not possible to make the oil protect for 20K miles without some loss of protection. Nearly all my customers are on Platinum oil and 1 year/9300 mile intervals (except the 150PD which we recommend at 5K) and PD lifter failure is a thing of the past. Some customers do 20K or more a year and they insist on keeping these intervals, I don't argue as I will probably be making out the bill for a new engine in a couple of years. The lasted DLC treated lifters are also proving to be extremely good.

We have done a lot of 8v PD cam belts in the past few weeks and I still have not seen one with the tensioner torque spec on it.

VAG have just won the Golden Carrrot award this year its awarded for the biggest disaster of the year in motoring inGermany.Its for the chain in the 1.4tsi.

Thanks for all the comments. It's a shame, my current run around (Fabia 1.9 SDi) will still go for a long time I'm convinced, but it is already 10 years old and I fear the body will rust away around the oily bits which seem to be strong. The family car (Seat 1.9 BXE) is also still good, but I will have to replace them at some point in the next number of years. Sounds like it's not going to be with a VAG 1.6 / 2.0 CR TDi or the 1.4 Tsi. Mercedes engines I don't trust and BMW may or may not be good, but both are too expensive for the likes of me. Honda probably have a tough new 1.6 diesel, but they sadly stopped with the FR-V, suppose I can still go for the new civic as a replacement for the Fabia. Toyota Verso diesel is probably the other safe option. There's perhaps also the Nissan Qasqai + or the Ford C / S Max. Though I wonder whether these above mentioned cars are really that much more reliable than VAG's new CR diesel - are they? From what I see the Prius is very reliable and you now get a 7 seater, maybe that's the future then - electrical motor + Atkinson engine what can go wrong.....

Oh, almost forgot, the 1.4tsi won that award this year, was that for engines manufactured a number of years ago and are now showing their weak points or was that for engines manufactured in 2012 - or are they all teh same unchanged?

Thanks again

Thanks Collos, you would not have a link or something? Can we assume they will fix this at some point or will they just continue building these faulty engines?

Forgot to ask 659FBE earlier, let's imagine you must replace your 1,9 Superb now with something build in the last 4 years what would it be?

Cheers

What year / month did piezo injectors replace solenoid injectors in the 1.9 engine?

Would I be correct in assuming that it took place at different times for different models? And if so, when did it happen for VW Golfs?

Hi guys

Sorry to retrieve this old thread but I have a question that is related.

I am looking at buying a '57 Altea 1.9 diesel 105bhp. Having looked at the Vin i'm pretty sure the engine was a bxe but I am only going on memory.

Is this the VAG engine that has Bosch injectors?

Is there anything else I should be aware of if i purchase the car?

Thanks for all the info above, all good to know

I'm pretty sure that all PD injectors are Bosch

Edited by balleballe on 16/04/2013 at 11:26

Sorry - I forgot about that 2.0PD

So a number of years on, what is the consensus of the 2.0 CR engine found in the Audi A4 estate found in the B8's?

I'd really love the look of them and the boot space is very handy.

Info/advice will be very appreciated.

Edited by sausagepilot on 12/02/2017 at 09:48

Just googled the BXE engine/con rods issue you mentioned and there definitely appears to be a common problem here given the age and mileage of the vehicles it is happening to. I was on the verge of making an offer until I read your message, looks like I owe you (and others) one!

The question is what the heck do I look to buy now?!

Cheers CWS the last car I bought was a lemon and i'm determined to avoid doing the same! Yes you're right I do want something with space, the Altea is by no means something I must have I just want something solid and reliable. I have looked at the Octavia and given it has the 1.9 PD 105 in it it has to be considered. It's daft that when we are talking about the likes of VW that they can have such common and expensive problems even if looked after right.

Funny you should say that about the Kia and Hyundai I asked Honest John and he suggested the same. Might have to adjust my thinking, he says that the 1.6 diesels didn't have DPF until 2010 either so it looks like it could be the way forward. They look to have good running costs as well. I'll get there in the end!

Thanks again

A 1.9PD A4 of that year will probably have the AVF engine - which is fine. It's very similar to the AWX but has the fuelling set for a slightly higher peak torque - on paper. When actually comparing them, there's much more difference between individual engine samples. My AWX out-performs many AVFs that I have driven - these engines vary quite a bit. A good one of either type will go like a steam train.

The way to tell them apart is to look at the auxiliary drive. The AWX has a separate drive belt for the aircon compressor which is mounted on the right hand side of the engine (looking towards the front). The AVF has one drive belt for the lot and the compressor is on the left.

The engine type designations are printed on the cambelt cover, on the build sticker in the spare wheel well, and on the front inside cover of the service book. The engine output in kW is also given - divide by 0.746 to get BHP (or 0.735 to get PS).

Both of these engines are useful and reliable - assuming correct maintenance (absolutely vital, as they are now old).

Beware any auto transmission - the torque of the PD wrecks them and their general reliability does not meet my standards. A failing auto usually begins to hesitate to engage reverse as the clutch drum breaks up. Expense quickly follows.

The 5 speed manual gearbox is better in all respects than the 6 speed and if you get one of the later ones (eg. GGB) the top gear ratio is very nearly as tall as the 6 speed unit (a difference of 120 engine rpm at 70 mph - not worth bothering about). The 6 speed units can suffer pinion bearing failure due to incorrect bearing preload and also have a linkage design which can make them sloppy when they age.

One advantage of the 6 speed transmission is that it is fitted with a larger clutch - not a deal breaker unless you are heavy on clutches or tow. As transmissions cost more than clutches, the 5 speed unit is generally a better choice. If test driving a 6, check for a road-speed dependent whine on and off load.

Good hunting. By far your biggest problem will be finding a car which has had good maintenance and annual oil changes of the correct type throughout its life. A main dealer service record is no guarantee of this - a good independent, in my experience, will have done a better job.

659.

Many thanks 659.

Your knowledge is profound.

Thank you - that was a most interesting read. We have a Passat with the AWX 1.9 TDi PD130 engine and it has been both reliable and economical.

However I cannot say the same for the electronics and I am therefore looking around for a replacement. My inclination would be for an Skoda Octavia but I am now very skeptical about the later engines !

Your comments on the experienced (and now probably retired) engine designers were pertinent. It is hard to imagine that after designing and proving a good design some bright spark says "lets change all of this - I am sure it will be better"

I suppose the continual pressure to make it cheaper over rides everything else ?

And of course the 'make it cleaner and leaner' imperative.

Hi Steveieb, I know it's been 7 months since, but did you find a A4 PD130? I ask because iv'e been lookin for months for something similar as reccomended by 659, I finally bought one 2 weeks ago, a 53reg Passat AWX/130/pd, one owner from new, 51k warranted miles only, FSH, and it drives and pulls really well.

I have wasted no time at all in doing jobs on it as reccomended by 659 and craig pd/130,

1: front upper suspension pinch bolts

2:track rod end pinch bolts

3:Plenum chamber checked, rubber drains were removed, carpets dry.

4: Pollen filter upper foam seal siliconed.

I hope you found what you were looking for.

Cheers.