Is This the Worst VW Engine Ever? MK5 GTI's Timing Chain Fail

The first generation TSI engine from VW may be the WORST ENGINE VW has ever made. The EA888.1 TSI engine had chain issues, water pump issues, timing issues, oil leak issues and more! I picked up this MK5 GTI CHEAP and planned to replace the bent intake valves on the TSI, but the car may have other plans.

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Disclimer:
The content of this video is available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the professional advice of a mechanic who has personally inspected your vehicle, nor does it create a relationship of any kind between the Humble Mechanic and you. Every situation may be different, and the Humble Mechanic does not make any warranties, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, fitness, or applicability of the information or automotive parts portrayed in this video to any project and makes no guarantee of results. The Humble Mechanic and any sponsors of this video will not be liable for any damages related to personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind that may result from the use or reliance on this video and/or any automotive parts represented in this video. You are using the information and automotive parts portrayed in this video solely at your own risk.

[rabbitenjoyer]

"Metal water pumps? Nah, MATTEL water pumps" 💀

[denzelfashington]

I wonder why VWs didn’t do various other engines based on 2.5 5 cyl, it’s almost like they hated reliability

[Greenious]

For those who may not know, this MK5 GTI has the EA888 Gen 1 engine, not the EA113 engine used in earlier model years (2004-2008~). The main difference is that the EA113 uses a timing belt instead of a chain but is an overall much more reliable engine.

Also, the EA888 Gen 2 & 3 are improved over the first generation as these problems are (mostly) fixed, even though you’ll still need to worry about plastic water pumps and other modern VW goodies.

[benjohn]

Hey Charles and Paul! About a year and a half ago i inherited a 2011 Tiguan with a CCTA that came with a LITTANY of issues, namely timing chain tensioner failure (thankfully, no bent valves). I watched just about every video you have about the CCTA and it weak points. With the help and insight from your videos, I was able to literally tear this entire thing apart and rebuild it. its been running strong for the past year. To add to all this, I hadn't even changed my own oil before. You are a lifesaver.

As for the CCTA in general, It's a love-hate relationship. I've owned a MK5 GTI, a MK6 GLI, a MK7 Golf R, and now this 5N1 Tiggy. When they fail, they fail catastrophically. But when they're working, they are amazing. I should seek help and quit the CCTA cold turkey lol.

[yaho]

18:06 - missed opportunity for "in the bin"

[godspeed]

As an owner of an MK5 Jetta with the CCTA engine and 150k miles, I've experienced almost all of these failures. The timing chain tensioner failed but thankfully I had just parked in my garage. It skipped a tooth but no valve damage. Still cost about 3k to fix. One common failure that wasn't mentioned is injector seals going bad and spewing fuel in the engine bay. That happened. Also, had failed ignition coils multiple times and just recently the intake valve mechanism failed. Thankfully ECStuning has a cheap cap to keep it in place that I was able to use to "fix" it. Also, my PCV valve failed which in turn caused my rear main seal to fail. Even though I replaced it within a week. Then my K03 turbo failed. I ended up doing a K04 upgrade which makes the car super fun to drive. However, I have spent much more on repairs then I paid for the car and it's worth to keep it going. It is a love/hate relationship. 😆

[skipsterz]

Mk5 (BPY) owner here. It’s a sad state when another 2 door GTI gets scrapped, no matter what gen it is. 😞

[bgee]

You know when a vw mechanic calls something bad, it's like... BAD bad. Michael Jackson BAD

[parbjotkhela]

Humblemechanic and pual drop a video same day lets go

[jacoblittle]

As a former MK5 GTI owner my car had began having many of these same issues (failed intake manifold, HPFP, diverted valve, water pump, rear main seal, etc.) and I'm so glad that one night while parked at the curb some drunk hit and totalled that thing. I loved that car and was pissed when it happened but in the end it was ultimately a good thing

[rkan]

Would be good to make a program to swap southern VW bodies with bent valves to cars with rotted rust belt bodies but with good engines lol 😂😂

[thegodfreyspecial]

As owner of a Gen 2 EA888 (built late 2014 - VW Tiguan with slushbox) I live in fear - but - at 308, 000km I have learned a few things: change the oil - often - with very high quality oil. Am currently using Cera Tec with good results. Keep an eye on the timing chain: my original chain and tensioner lasted until 275, 000km which is apparently not common. Always let it warm up before driving - there is always debate about this on the internet but I have owned several cars where this practice has served me well in the long run. At least once every two oil changes I run a can of Sea Foam through the gas tank - this seems to keep the injectors running quiet. I run only 91 Octane fuel. Lastly: I run an Integrated Engineering Stage 1 tune for over 200, 000km: I am starting to believe it is part of the longevity of the engine, and it still rocks and rolls. Another oddity: my engine doesn't burn alot of oil (maybe 1 quart over 7000km) and similarly I've never had issues with carbon on the valves.

[scotturich]

I had that car as my first Autocross car and it blew the rear main seal because of the crappy PVC system. The timing guides are a ticking time bomb. Definitely the worst engine ever.

[jamesherndon]

Little pro tip I’ve learned and figure you might like, but the t30 heads fit inside of a 12 point 11mm. So whenever one gets rounded I hammer the 11 on it and it gets em out with ease!

[lewzes]

I haven't had any big issues from my 4 years of ownership on my 09GLI with gen 1 ea888

[Salmon_Rush_Die]

To me, the BPY is almost trouble free in comparison to the TSI mkV. HOWEVEr, VW/Audi never told us owners about doing intake ports, timing chain replacement, or HPFP follower inspection/maintenance... Only if you were paying attention, doing your homework, would a DIY-er ever know to do these any of these things -- or else face total engine failure by 150K...
Also, that head looks super clean. A replacement? Or do you think a frequent oil-changed engine?

[anthonysharpe]

In Australia we got the BWA engine in the Mk5 GTI. The CCZA and CCZB engines were in the Mk6 GTI and Skoda VRS. I’ve purchased one of each where the timing chain had skipped timing and bent all 8 intake valves. Actually the Skoda bent one exhaust valve as well. There was no other damage so I had the head reconditioned with new valves and seals and put them back together with new chains, guides etc and they were good to go. In Australia they generally seem to fail at around 150 to 190, 000 kilometres b

[dougbuchanan]

Hey Charlies. Nothing give me more pleasure than a person who clearly loves VW getting a car back on the road even if it means breaking even on the money spent verses the money recieved.

[rennkafer]

140k on my EA888.1 and still going strong. I will say it is a late 2012 GTI that had the updated tensioner from new, plus I run LiquiMoly, change it at less than 10k miles, and am always gentle on it until fully warmed up. So they're not all problem children.

[RoadrunGTI]

As someone who’s worked on the CCTA/ CBFA engine for over 10 years now, I do think you need to be fair to the later year versions of these engines. The timing chain tensioner was revised mid-year 2012. Same for the intake manifolds. The water pump affected all of them, but it also affects the Gen 3 in the mk7. Same for PCV and RMS failures. I think rather than crapping all over the Gen 1 ea888, it’s worth talking about the specific years affected, how to check what you have, and the role preventative maintenance plays in this.