Hi,

I'm interested in buying a 2.0 litre diesel Superb, probably a 2010-2012 Mk2.

Having had a bad experience with swirl flaps on an Alfa Romeo diesel engine (actually in a Saab), I am keen to avoid any diesel engine that uses them (e.g. BMW, some VAG etc.)

Does the Mk2 2.0 diesel engine incorporate swirl flaps?

Same question for the MK1 and Mk3.

Many thanks

For the 2.0tdi cr Yes it does. They aren’t likely to fall to bits though like the **** bmw designers ones do. lol.

If you stand in front of the engine and have someone turn the ignition on you will hear them wirl open and closed again. The plastic gear in the motor end stop bends with time meaning they do not fully open calling a fault. You can put an adapter on but for the cost and ease of just change the unit don’t bother with the adapter. The plastic gear is a bad vag design. I have posted about it here if you look. But at least your engine won’t die from them.

Edited 10 August, 202510 Aug by Nackuk

Thanks for the response.

Just to clarify, does yoour comment apply to all power variants of the 2.0Tdi engine in Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 cars?

Could you supply a link to yoour other posting on this subject.

On my current Saab, the swirl flap shafts have worn, and a lot of exhaust fumes are getting passed the shafts and being sucked into the cabin. I don't want to experience the same again.

Hi Phil. I own a 2011 superb 2.0tdi cr engine.

Yes, one might be bothered with issues, but it is avoidable. It comes down to driving style and use. Cars that are driven in "lazy mode", lots of cold starts and seldom taken up to running temps, will likely have major issues with swirl flaps or intake manifold flaps. Cars used as they should, good engine temps over time and always run long enough to reach optimal temp, will habe fewer issues. I mean, the best way to prevent manifold issues are to once a week take it for a longer ride, at least 80-100 km/h for an hour or so. Or, connect a trailer to it and drive it so engone gets to work with oil temps above 100-120 degrees celsius. A diesel engine likes to work hard occasionally around 1800-3000 o/min.

4 minutes ago, rbhelle said:

Hi Phil. I own a 2011 superb 2.0tdi cr engine.

Yes, one might be bothered with issues, but it is avoidable. It comes down to driving style and use. Cars that are driven in "lazy mode", lots of cold starts and seldom taken up to running temps, will likely have major issues with swirl flaps or intake manifold flaps. Cars used as they should, good engine temps over time and always run long enough to reach optimal temp, will habe fewer issues. I mean, the best way to prevent manifold issues are to once a week take it for a longer ride, at least 80-100 km/h for an hour or so. Or, connect a trailer to it and drive it so engone gets to work with oil temps above 100-120 degrees celsius. A diesel engine likes to work hard occasionally around 1800-3000 o/min.

Thanks for the advice; I'm aware that diesels need running over extended distances relatively frequently.

The problem though (well with the SAAB / GM / Alfa Z19DTH engine), is that, not matter how you drive the car, the poor design leads to exhaust fumes escaping around the swirl flaps stems - plastic turning with no proper bearing is bound to wear out. I just want to staisfy myself that I won't go through the same with a Superb.

Well, Skoda with 2.0tdi CR engine is less affected than what you see in Audis V6 2.7/3.0tdi engines from 2006-2013 and the V6 3.0tdi engines from 2013 and above. So, I have had my superb with 2.0tdi CR engine inspected and no issues detected in the flaps. Of course, the electric motor running the flaps could fail, but that is to be expected for a 14 year old car with 250'km on the clock.

I do believe you will be satisfied with Skoda and swirl flaps would not be my first concern regarding their 2.0tdi common rail engines.

Thanks

3 minutes ago, rbhelle said:

Well, Skoda with 2.0tdi CR engine is less affected than what you see in Audis V6 2.7/3.0tdi engines from 2006-2013 and the V6 3.0tdi engines from 2013 and above. So, I have had my superb with 2.0tdi CR engine inspected and no issues detected in the flaps. Of course, the electric motor running the flaps could fail, but that is to be expected for a 14 year old car with 250'km on the clock.

I do believe you will be satisfied with Skoda and swirl flaps would not be my first concern regarding their 2.0tdi common rail engines.

Sorry, one more question...

Is the 2.0tdi CR engine (with the swirl flaps) used in both Mk2 and Mk3 Superbs?

Yes, it is. The CR engine in MK 2 is primarily the EA189 engine, and the CR engine in MK 3 ia the EA288 engine. They are a bit different, but not much. Just a litte more cumbersome to change oil on the EA288 engine (oil filter from under engine). EA189 has oil filter on top of engine for easier access. Also the ea288 engine is more advanced and fuel efficient. I will argue that no matter what engine you choose, get a vcds or obd eleven. Diagnosing is crucial in order to get anything done on these cars.

I have worked on both and there are some differences, but all in all they are alike 🙂

Timing belt tool kit for the ea 189 engine is a bit different from the ea288. But replacing process is the same.

On 12/08/2025 at 13:13, rbhelle said:

Yes, it is. The CR engine in MK 2 is primarily the EA189 engine, and the CR engine in MK 3 ia the EA288 engine. They are a bit different, but not much. Just a litte more cumbersome to change oil on the EA288 engine (oil filter from under engine). EA189 has oil filter on top of engine for easier access. Also the ea288 engine is more advanced and fuel efficient. I will argue that no matter what engine you choose, get a vcds or obd eleven. Diagnosing is crucial in order to get anything done on these cars.

Going a bit adrift from the original subject, but can you offer any insight into my ULEZ compliance confusion?

In simplistic terms I thought:

Mk2 (EA189) - NOT ULEZ compliant

Mk3 (EA288) - ULEZ compliant

I understand that the change from Mk2 to Mk3 was in June 2015.

A friend of mine has a Mk2 registered on 29/5/2015, and it is NOT ULEZ compliant (as expected). However, I have seen a '65' plate Mk2 advertised, and IT IS ULEZ compliant! How can this be; can you offer any explanation? Were the very last MK2's fitted with the EA288 engine?

First things first: Well, this is pretty normal when it comes to VW, Skoda, Audi releases. They start production of new models the year before release and simultaneously they sell the old models also. Thats why you can buy a new 2015 model superb MK 3 with the new engine in 2014, but you can also buy a old MK 2 in 2014 with a production date probably mid 2014. Both cars will be registered with plates in 2014 (well, thats the case here in Norway).

When it comes to ea 189 vs ea288 engines, MK 2 was never released with the ea 288 engine, but the MK 2 had a facelift in 2013 and got new engines, but still based on the same ea189 cr engine. So, are your friend sure that he got a MK 2? Because MK 2 facelift is not too unlike the MK 3 in front. And the MK 3 had the new engines ea288...

It could be that your friends ea189 engine was part of the emission scandal that hit VW. In those days VW manipulated the ea 189 engines to be ulez compliant, but it was not true.

Phil the post about the swirl flaps.

Error code P2015 "sensor for intake manifold flap position" fixed with aluminium bracket. - Skoda Superb Mk2 (2008-2015) - BRISKODA

Thanks