Volkswagen Wasserboxer engine
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2009) |
| Volkswagen wasserboxer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group |
| Production | August 1982 – July 1992[1] |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | flat-4 petrol engine |
| Displacement | 1,914 cc (116.8 cu in), 2,109 cc (128.7 cu in) |
| Cylinder bore | 94 mm (3.70 in)[1] |
| Piston stroke | 69 mm (2.72 in) 76 mm (2.99 in) |
| Cylinder block material | Cast aluminium alloy |
| Cylinder head material | Cast aluminium alloy |
| Valvetrain | pushrod OHV |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | Carburettor Electronic fuel injection |
| Fuel type | Petrol |
| Oil system | Wet sump |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Volkswagen air-cooled engine |
The Volkswagen wasserboxer is a four cylinder horizontally opposed pushrod overhead-valve (OHV) petrol engine developed by Volkswagen. The "Wasserboxer" ("water-boxer") name is a portmanteau of two German words, where "wasser" indicates that the engine is water-cooled, and "boxer" describes the arrangement and movement of the pistons. It was available in two displacements — 1.9-litres[1] or 2.1-litres.[1] Both engines have the same cylinder bore, but the 2.1-litre has a longer stroke.[1] The wasserboxer was unique to the Volkswagen Type 2 (T3).[1]
Design detail
[edit]The wasserboxer featured a cast aluminium alloy cylinder block, cylinder heads, and pistons; and a die-forged steel flat plane crankshaft with four main bearings.[1]
The wasserboxer, as with all Volkswagen boxer engines, directly drives the three-bearing camshaft via a small steel gear on the crankshaft, and a large aluminium one on the camshaft, so there is no timing belt or timing chain. The entire mechanism is internal to the engine, so there should be no concerns regarding wear or replacements, as long as the engine oil is changed regularly. The overhead poppet valves each feature two concentric valve springs, and are operated by pushrods, with adjustable rocker arms to facilitate valve clearance adjustment.[1]
It also features a "Heron cylinder head", or "bowl-in-piston" type combustion chambers — combustion takes place within the piston area, and not in a recess machined in the cylinder head.[1]
The cylinder banks contain cast iron cylinder liners inserted into the crankcase surrounded by a water jacket, with a "rubber lip" style water jacket seal, which is a very different design as compared to most engines. The top of the cylinder liners is pressed into a recessed cut-out in the cylinder heads, that are sealed with compressible metal rings, to prevent leakage.[1]
Some wasserboxers were plagued by water jacket gasket failures (often erroneously referred to as head gaskets) due to several design issues. Engine failure was also a result of poorly placed sensors, corrosion in the cooling system, often caused by using phosphated coolant, and many areas were subjected to leaks.
The switch to water-cooling for the boxer engines was made mid-year in 1982, because Volkswagen could no longer make the air-cooled engines meet emissions standards. (The previous generation Volkswagen Type 2 (T2), produced in Brazil until 2013, was changed to water-cooled engines on 23 December 2005 in response to Brazil's emission laws; the power plant used in the previous-generation T2 was an Audi-sourced inline four.) Water-cooled T2 models can be distinguished by a second radiator grille.
Variants
[edit]All data from ETKA and Owner's Manuals.[1]
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion with: dates for 'EY' variant. You can help by adding to it. (January 2010) |
| Engine ID code |
Compr. ratio |
DIN-rated maximum power | Fuel system | Years | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9-litre engines — 1,914 cc (116.8 cu in) | ||||||
| DF | 8.6:1 | 44 kW (60 PS; 59 bhp) | 34 PICT-5 carburetor | 08/82–07/92 | ||
| DG | 8.6:1 | 57 kW (77 PS; 76 bhp) | 2E3 or 2E4 carburetor | 08/82–07/92 | ||
| DH | 60 kW (82 PS; 80 bhp) | Digijet (Digital-Jetronic) fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 01/83–07/85 | |||
| EY | 7.5:1 | 41 kW (56 PS; 55 bhp) | 34 PICT-5 carburetor | |||
| GW | 8.6:1 | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) | Digijet (Digital-Jetronic) fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/83–07/85 | ||
| SP | 54 kW (73 PS; 72 bhp) | 2E3 or 2E4 carburetor | 08/86–07/89 | Switzerland only | ||
| 2.1-litre engines — 2,109 cc (128.7 cu in) | ||||||
| DJ | 10:1 | 82 kW (111 PS; 110 bhp) | Digijet (Digital-Jetronic) fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/84–07/92 | Sold in European countries not requiring catalytic converter | |
| MV | 9:1 | 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) | Digifant fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/85–07/92 | 90 bhp in USA and Canada; also used until the end of Vanagon importation into the USA and Canada in 1991 | |
| SR | 64 kW (87 PS; 86 bhp) | Digifant fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/86–07/92 | Switzerland only | ||
| SS | 9:1 | 68 kW (92 PS; 91 bhp) | Digifant fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/89–07/92 | ||
Oettinger wbx6 engine
[edit]
Volkswagen contracted Oettinger to develop a six-cylinder version of the wasserboxer. Although Volkswagen decided not to use it, Oettinger sold a T3 equipped with this engine.[2]
See also
[edit]References
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