Do you own a Volkswagen car? Or are you planning to buy a Volkswagen and wondering how long its engine may last? The lifespan of an engine usually depends on how well the car is taken care of and the frequency of service.
Most Volkswagen engines on today’s roads are designed to last as far as over 100 000 miles. This explains why mileage is used as the main factor when it comes to evaluating the duration of an engine. Let’s dive deep into the Volkswagen engine to give you a clear picture of its lifespan.
What is the Life Span?
The answer is simple as well as complex: It all narrows down to the engine parts. The engine treats you the way you treat the engine. Proper care and maintenance, and you will not be worried about “How many miles can I get out of my engine?”.
Take your car to service frequently, act on all repair alerts, and drive it with some love, and it may last 200,000 miles or more. Regardless of the engine model, there is no guarantee that it will serve you forever. The best you can do is maintain and service it properly.
The Volkswagen engine is made up of several complicated parts that need high order functionality and care to achieve longevity. These parts are designed to enhance the efficiency of your engine. Whenever an engine part fails, you’ll need to replace it immediately, or you bear the risk of damaging the entire engine.
Additionally, replacing damaged engine parts is neither a cheap nor an easy affair as the labor involved alone may cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,800. A damaged engine part puts the owner in a situation where he or she has to reconsider purchasing a new machine. The decision normally depends on the usefulness and economic value of the vehicle.
Nevertheless, there are things that standard care and maintenance of your engine cannot overcome. The general problems that come with diesel and DSG engines are just out of our control. However, an on-time filter, spark plug, and oil changes can go a long way.
So how long does a Volkswagen engine last? Well, if you purchase a vehicle with a proper engine, it’s all up to you to make sure it lasts as long as the manufacturer designed it to last and or even longer than that.
Factors that influence the engine lifetime
Material Make up
It’s obvious that all engines are made out of metal, but the type of metal used determines the durability of the engine. The common materials used to make engines are iron, aluminum, or a combination of iron and aluminum.
Iron base alloys are more preferable by manufacturers because of their durable index and ability to withstand higher temperatures without compromising functionality. Iron is mostly used to make in the engine block, while aluminum is often used in pistons, cylinder heads, and cylinder blocks.
Technology advancement
Research indicates that engines produced nowadays have a higher standard than before because they are constructed with better materials, tested rigorously, and have better innovative outlines than before. The new standards have resulted in less wear, increased efficiency, and reduced emissions.
Driving habits
The extent to which your engine works determines its lifespan. Rapid deceleration or acceleration, towing massive loads, and redlining RPMs puts a lot of strain on the engine, thus shortening its life span.
Maintenance
Much like the driving habits, this factor is entirely up to the owner of the vehicle. Always ensure you are up to date with routine maintenance for your engine filters, fluids, and all the systems that your engine depends on.
All the time, keep an eye on your engine oil pressure sensor and make sure it is working fine. Besides that, an engine works in tandem with other car systems, including the cooling, exhaust, electrical, and transmission system. If all these systems are not working properly, the engine may get slack, thus minimizing its effectiveness and lifespan over time.
What is the Most Reliable VW Engine?
Unlike the previous generations of Volkswagen engines, modern engines are more efficient, powerful, and long-lasting. I like the EA888 1.8L engine. Research has shown that it’s the most dependable, easily accessible, and best Volkswagen engine out there.
The engine comes with advanced sports engine technology, which includes variable valve timing, lightweight internal engine parts, non-stop fuel injection, low load fuel consumption, and port fuel injection, among other features.
As if that is not enough, the EA888 has been distinguished because of its higher-level fuel economy. The engine delivers up to 17 percent in reduction of fuel consumption as compared to other motor engines. Other notable features of the VW engine are reduction in weight, friction, and its efficient exhaust cooling system.
Tips on how to achieve your car’s engine miles score
As stated above, all Volkswagen engines are estimated to last for approximately 100k miles. To make sure you hit this mark and beyond, do the following;
Regular change of oil
Bad oil will affect the proper functionality of your Volkswagen engine. Make sure you change your engine oil often to avoid such issues.
Handle repairs promptly
It’s advisable to pay utmost attention to your car engine for any slightest repair required. Any small fix that needs to be done should be done swiftly before it increases. This will ultimately ensure you get the best out of your car and engine.
Keep the engine clean
Dirt will result in a faulty engine. Always ensure to do occasional engine cleanups. In this case, wipe all the oil spills and stains around and in the engine as these trap dust and make your engine dirty.
Keeping going for maintenance routines
Observe the recommended engine check routines and ensure maintenance is done by professionals. Remember, some people are out here to make money out of your faulty engine. If you can, take it to your dealership if they offer maintenance as an after-sale service.
Listen to your car
It’s important to keep an ear out for any noise that might come from your vehicle and get it checked immediately. Get your mechanic to check and ascertain what is the cause of the strange noises.
High mileage Volkswagen engine problems to watch
When talking about long-term reliability, Volkswagens of all sizes and shapes are some of the longest-serving vehicles you will ever find on our roads today. Unfortunately, regardless of who is driving the vehicle, high-mileage may also come with additional problems. So, should you be on the lookout for?
Volkswagen TDI oil pump failure
This issue is normally caused by a lack of oil pressure, resulting in a noisy engine and ultimate stalling. The oil pump is the root cause of this, causing damage to thousands of dollars’ worth of engine. The problem is particularly common with high mileage engines. If you’re getting a rattling or knocking noise from your Volkswagen, stop at your nearest car repair and get the problem resolved before you can proceed. Certainly, replacing your oil is not cheap, but it is comparably less expensive than replacing your engine motor.
Timing belt failure
A timing belt is a reinforcement rubber that joins the top and bottom end of the engine. With time, the belt normally stretches, cracks, and wears out. For most Volkswagen models, a replacement is done after 60,000 miles, and you must stick with this schedule.
With a broken timing belt, there is potential damage to the engine. It can lead to damaged pistons, bent valves, and longer repair times. Don’t take a risk that can damage your engine. Simply replace the belt when it is due, and this will save you big time from future unforeseen failure and unexpected expenses.
Transmission concerns
This is an issue often caused by wear and tear of the internal transmission parts of an engine. At about 60k to 100k miles, this is normally a critical time where you need to check your transmission fluid and ensure it’s kept clean. This is to avoid internal wear, the formation of debris which causes blocking and sticking of solenoids.
Volkswagen TDI Turbocharger failure
Turbo failure is normally caused by oil contamination or shaft failure. To avoid this, always ensure you change your oil regularly. More importantly, use a high-grade type of oil. If you notice your Volkswagen whining or producing too much smoke, be sure to have it checked before the problem worsens and affects other functionalities in your vehicle.
Volkswagen Battery junction Block Fires
This is a problem as a result of faulty wiring. Sometimes you might smell or see some smoke emanating from your hood, and suddenly your car stalls and will not start. This is a common problem for old generation beetles. Usually, this is not a problem that should keep you worried.
However, it’s annoying and might get you stuck, especially when you have an emergency. If you experience any electrical problems with your vehicle, first have your junction block checked. Then, make sure all the wiring is okay as this is the powering system for your engine.
