Volkswagen TSI vs TFSI: What's the Difference?

The thought of waking up to find your car engine shot is every Audi, Volkswagen, or BMW enthusiast's worst nightmare. In the event that happens, and you need to swap car engines, you need to know which will work best for your Audi, Volkswagen, or BMW.

You have the option of choosing either the Volkswagen TSI or TFSI engine, but which one should you go with? Although similar, there are minor variations between both engines. 

At UroTurning, we want to make sure you leave with the best OEM and performance parts for your vehicle. Thus, in this guide, we discuss the differences between the Volkswagen TSI and TFSI engines. By the end, we hope, you'll know enough to make an informed decision on which engine to buy. 

Volkswagen TSI vs. TFSI: What's the Difference?

The obvious difference between both engines is in their names. Whereas TSI is short for "Turbo Stratified Injection," TFSI is short for "Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection."

What does fuel injection mean in the first place? The fuel injector is quite literally a valve in the engine that injects fuel into a vehicle. 

And what about "turbo?" In the case of these engines, the term simply indicates that the engine is turbocharged. A turbocharged engine is one that uses the engine's exhaust gases to force additional compressed air into the engine to boost performance.

Other than having differences in their names, the TSI and TFSI have more technical differences between them.

For instance, the TFSI came first, debuting in 2006. Although powerful, they came along with common issues, such as engine knocking and carbon buildup in intake valves. 

The TSI engine was first introduced in 2008 and is still used as Volkswagen and Audi engines today. 

Which Volkswagen Engine Is Superior?

The TSI improves on issues found in the TFSI, making it the superior engine. It has certain modifications, such as a different downpipe and a new PCV system, meant to correct the older TFSI engine issues. 

Although an improvement, the TSI engine still has its own issues. For example, the engine is prone to water pump failure and thermostat housing leaks. 

Why Trust Us for Your Car Parts 

At UroTurning, we carry quality engines and other OEM and Performance parts so that you can keep your Volkswagen, Audi, or BMW in pristine condition.

Our owner Justin Welty is an enthusiast, having been involved in the Volkswagen and Audi community for over 25 years. Justin and the rest of the staff use their enthusiasm to provide quality products and customer service to fellow enthusiasts.

Use a Quality Engine for Your Vehicle

Although the Volkswagen TSI is technically superior, both the TSI and TFSI are reliable engines. Despite their issues, both engines are known to last longer than 200,000 miles if maintained with care. 

If you're looking for a dependable engine, look no further than UroTurning. We ship nationwide and internationally. 

Browse our blog for more car-related content.