VW Amarok
Second-generation EA888 engine in a commercial vehicle context. The known EA888 Gen2 problems (oil control rings, timing chain) affect this engine too. Commercial load (trailer use) is hard on a high-output petrol passenger-car engine.
Petrol pickup — wrong idea
The 2.0 TSI CFPA with 160 hp as a problem engine in a work pickup makes no sense. High consumption, problematic technology.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The EA888 Gen2 is known for excessively thin oil control rings. Affected engines can consume over 1 litre of oil per 1,000 km. Complete repair including pistons and connecting rods costs €3,000–6,500.
Symptoms: High oil consumption, blue exhaust cloud on acceleration, oil level falls quickly
The timing chain on the EA888 Gen2 is known for premature stretch. On replacement a reinforced chain with modified tensioner is fitted as standard. Engine failure possible on chain breakage.
Symptoms: Metallic rattling from engine bay on cold start, fault code camshaft position
The turbocharger on the EA888 can fail from leaking oil lines and defective wastegate actuators. Commercial vehicle loading on the Amarok further increases turbo stress.
Symptoms: Blue smoke from exhaust, oil mist in intake area, power loss, whistling turbo
The EA888-based CFPA 2.0 TSI suffers from blocked oil control rings from excessively narrow oil return bores (0.3 mm). Oil carbon blocks the rings; oil enters the combustion chamber.
Symptoms: Oil consumption above 1 L/1,000 km, blue smoke clouds on acceleration, blackened spark plugs
Oil loss between engine and gearbox documented from approx. 115,000–130,000 km. Cause is the crankshaft radial shaft seal on the gearbox side. Repair requires engine and gearbox removal.
Symptoms: Oil drops between engine and gearbox, oil smell after driving, slight oil seepage visible
Vehicle Weaknesses 6
The centre bearing and universal joints on the propshaft wear from around 120,000 km. Vibrations and clunking in the drivetrain when braking or declutching. Specialist repair is possible.
Rust appears on the bonnet underside (near the headlights), at the door handles, and in the underbody area. VW's corrosion warranty from 2013 onward covers 12 years but is frequently rejected.
Under commercial use with trailer or payload, brake discs and pads wear significantly faster than in normal passenger car use. Rear axle particularly affected.
All diesel Amaroks in the 2H series are affected by the emissions scandal. VW issued mandatory software updates which, according to owner reports, had a negative impact on shift behaviour.
The rear leaf springs tend to squeal and creak intensely under load and in dry conditions. Friction between the spring leaves or at the retaining brackets is the most common cause.
The handbrake cable rusts solid and jams the rear drum brakes, especially on vehicles that have been standing for a while. Repair to rear brake assembly including cables: approx. 800 €.