Newbie- basic Q's on me new motor!

[Zoot]

Hi chaps,

Just about to pick up a 2014 2.0 TDI "CR FR" Leon, in 2 days. Fastest buy ever- one test drive out of curiosity, & I was sold!

My first ever diesel, & Seat too, so already having kittens about putting unleaded petrol in it! Anyway, basic Q's if I can ask:

1) How do I know if it a facelift (simply a year marker?).
2) what does 'CR' denote
3) How can I tell what hp it has (Ive read conflicting www info on my car so far).

Thanks alot, Zoot

 

[James_R]

You have a pre facelift model. The facelift came out around 2017/2018. The easiest way of confirming whether a vehicle is a facelift is by the presence of an electronic handbrake.

CR denotes that the engine is a "Common Rail" diesel.

If the engine code is CUNA then it'll be 184bhp.

 

[Compo1]

Log book will tell you what power version it is.

If the rear axel is solid its a 150 if the axel is independent suspension wise its the 184

 

[Zoot]

Thanks chaps, I'll be hoping to see CUNA then, under the bonnet I believe is the black label with engine code.

Pleased to get replies so swiftly. Website bodes well.

 

[James_R]

Thanks chaps, I'll be hoping to see CUNA then, under the bonnet I believe is the black label with engine code.

Pleased to get replies so swiftly. Website bodes well.

You can find the code on this sticker

 

[Zoot]

Log book will tell you what power version it is.

If the rear axel is solid its a 150 if the axel is independent suspension wise its the 184

Log book.. aha I must admit I didn't look at this book sat on the passenger seat, moved by the dealer whilst we test drove it.

Although I did look under the rear area for any obvious nasties, I'm not sure I'd be able to ID the difference between suspension systems- it's all new to me. Anyway, just hoping CUNA is a definitive way to identify it.

 

[James_R]

Do you know the registration number?

 

[Zoot]

You can find the code on this sticker

Thanks- is the plastic engine top cover needing to be removed to see this label?

I was told on the TT forum (I had designs on the petrol EA888 2.0 audi TT until the timing chain Achilles heel made me opt out) to just 'oh you just lift that plastic engine cover up/ off' but as if I'd do that looking over someone else's car- it just seemed wrong.

 

[Zoot]

Do you know the registration number?

Yes indeed so. Reg plate I do.

 

[James_R]

The EA.888 timing chains of late are relatively trouble free.

 

[James_R]

Yes indeed so. Reg plate I do.

If you're happy to post it, I'll check what engine code it has.

 

[Zoot]

The EA.888 timing chains of late are relatively trouble free.

Please tell me I don't have any timing chain concerns with this '14 diesel?? Is it a ea888? Or were you referring to the audi petrol I mentioned.. hopefully so.

Appreciate the replies James C.

 

[SuperV8]

Please tell me I don't have any timing chain concerns with this '14 diesel?? Is it a ea888? Or were you referring to the audi petrol I mentioned.. hopefully so.

Appreciate the replies James C.

The diesel is EA288.
It has a timing belt.
The 184 has independent rear axle.
The 150 FWD has beam rear axle.

 

[James_R]

The EA.888 is VWG's group term for the 2.0TSI chain driven engine. It's fitted in all their brands. I see or hear of very few issues with them.

The 2.0TDI is part of the EA.288 family. They don't have timing chains, they have a belt.

Water pumps and blocked heater matrix are things to look out for.

 

[SRGTD]

The EA.888 timing chains of late are relatively trouble free.

Yes - I can’t remember the last time I read of a timing chain issue on the 2.0 litre TSI EA888 engine.

From memory, the problem back in the mk6 Golf era it was with the timing chain tensioner on the generation of the 2.0 litre TSI EA888 that was fitted in the mk6 Golf GTI rather than the timing chain itself. Quite a number of timing chain tensioner failures were reported on golfgtiforum.co.uk by owners of the mk6 Golf GTI, resulting in VAG producing a number of revisions to the tensioner - I think there were three revised versions produced throughout the lifecycle of the mk6 Golf.

I’m assuming that issue wasn’t specific to VW, and other VAG vehicles that also used the same generation of VAG’s 2.0 litre TSI EA888 engine would also have been affected.

 

[Zoot]

If you're happy to post it, I'll check what engine code it has.

I think I may have a code on my deposit sheet James, CKF 261958 ?

 

[Zoot]

Yes - I can’t remember the last time I read of a timing chain issue on the 2.0 litre TSI EA888 engine.

From memory, the problem back in the mk6 Golf era it was with the timing chain tensioner on the generation of the 2.0 litre TSI EA888 that was fitted in the mk6 Golf GTI rather than the timing chain itself. Quite a number of timing chain tensioner failures were reported on golfgtiforum.co.uk by owners of the mk6 Golf GTI, resulting in VAG producing a number of revisions to the tensioner - I think there were three revised versions produced throughout the lifecycle of the mk6 Golf.

I’m assuming that issue wasn’t specific to VW, and other VAG vehicles that also used the same generation of VAG’s 2.0 litre TSI EA888 engine would also have been affected.

Spot on SRGTD.

It was the tensioner, on these EA888 engines -up until- they fitted the newer variant tensioner. IE they knew a slight design defect, & got onto it.

This change was 2013, give or take this or that: meaning I wanted to -only- consider 2014 EA888's (in the TT audi which was 1st on my want list). I got this detailed info, on the TT forum you see. Sensible then to consider 2014 TT's onwards.. meant I was then out of my budget/ big reconsider.

Hence where I find myself now. Quite a big u-turn. But Leon the test drive was that good ( in a diesel I had only recollections of my Dad's 80's clattering slow Sierra).. & I was fairly stunned. Hooked I'd say! And a belt.. thank goodness: just the surity I need hearing I have this system & no bloomin chain.

Thanks chaps, Zoot

 

[SuperV8]

The diesel is EA288.
It has a timing belt.
The 184 has independent rear axle.
The 150 FWD has beam rear axle.

If you have a photo of the rear wheel you can tell which axle it has from the brake caliper position.

150 - higher mounter caliper

184 - rear caliper is horizontal = independent rear axle.

 

[Bahnstormer_vRS]

2.0L TDI CR 184bhp, eh?

That's all presuming some kind soul hasn't waved a magic wand over it and chanted some Alchemy, sometime in the last 10 years and it's magically got 210+ bhp.



Guy

Sent from my Galaxy S25 Ultra using Tapatalk

 

[SuperV8]

I think I may have a code on my deposit sheet James, CKF 261958 ?

140-150 engine codes:

184 engine codes: