VW 1.8 TSI Intake manifold - Vaico, "OEM", Genuine VW

[drtyler]

2016 1.8 TSI VW engine - The intake manifold is caked with oil and carbon. May try and clean it all, but not sure of how much success I'll have. Some replacement intake manifolds aren't priced badly. Also replacing the oil separator and purge valve with Genuine VW.

Vaico - $125
Febi - $150
'OEM' from SSF - $170
Genuine VW - $400

Anyone have experience with the Vaico or Febi hard parts, good or bad? I generally have not had good luck with Febi. Never tried Vaico.

OEM or Genuine might be the way to go, but I wanted to see first.

 

[KGMtech]

I think you'll be able to clean it good enough. Remove, 3 cans of brake clean, 2 rolls of blue towels, your wife's toothbrush, your MIL toothbrush and you'll be fine. Use your judgement on re-using the toothbrushes.

 

[tcp71]

Vaico is an OEM supplier of Porsche parts. I got a few items from them that matched the originals on the Macan.

 

[wavinwayne]

If you want to try cleaning it, I've seen people have good results cleaning similarly gunked up parts with oven cleaner and a pressure washer.

 

[edyvw]

OE, or Vaico.

 

[shortyb]

Recently did the valve cleaning on the Passat. Was getting all kinds of codes from the manifold runners, flap diaphragm, and flap position sensor, so decided to get a new manifold. The original was beyond cleaning worthy anyway. Bought a Febi Bilstein for half of OE VAG, and after receiving and installation, I know why. Plastic does not appear to be the same quality, or structured (webbing and bracing) like the OE piece. Runner flaps don't move as smoothly and give a turbo lag like step in response at around 4K RPM. Gaskets were fine and it fit well enough, but didn't have much confidence in the overall construction and the flap response got really annoying. Ordered a "replacement" OEM VAG manifold from FCP and got replacement credit for the Febi unit when I sent it back. The OE manifold is just like, well, the original one except it's clean and flaps run very smooth. NO bump in response, just smooth revving. So, if, you plan on keeping the car, and decide to get a manifold, spend the extra $$$ and get an OEM VAG. No experience with a Vaico manifold, or anyone that has, but have used several Vaico replacement parts with good resuIts, so may be worth the roll of the dice on one.

Incidentally, the original oil separator (breather) is a Hengst and can be purchased outside of OEM for half the cost. You just don't get the little VW logo.

 

[drtyler]

Thank you for the detailed writeup. I have had generally poor experience with any Febi hard parts that I have used over the years, although their fluids are typically ok. I am tempted to try the Vaico due to cost savings, but we’ll see. I don’t really want to have to re-do the job.

The car isn’t worth much but needs to be reliable for a few more years.

Thanks.

Recently did the valve cleaning on the Passat. Was getting all kinds of codes from the manifold runners, flap diaphragm, and flap position sensor, so decided to get a new manifold. The original was beyond cleaning worthy anyway. Bought a Febi Bilstein for half of OE VAG, and after receiving and installation, I know why. Plastic does not appear to be the same quality, or structured (webbing and bracing) like the OE piece. Runner flaps don't move as smoothly and give a turbo lag like step in response at around 4K RPM. Gaskets were fine and it fit well enough, but didn't have much confidence in the overall construction and the flap response got really annoying. Ordered a "replacement" OEM VAG manifold from FCP and got replacement credit for the Febi unit when I sent it back. The OE manifold is just like, well, the original one except it's clean and flaps run very smooth. NO bump in response, just smooth revving. So, if, you plan on keeping the car, and decide to get a manifold, spend the extra $$$ and get an OEM VAG. No experience with a Vaico manifold, or anyone that has, but have used several Vaico replacement parts with good resuIts, so may be worth the roll of the dice on one.

Incidentally, the original oil separator (breather) is a Hengst and can be purchased outside of OEM for half the cost. You just don't get the little VW logo.

 

[shortyb]

Well right now, FCP Euro has the Vaico manifold on overstock at $125 vs. the OE VAG one at $370. One thing I would suggest is get the Vaico manifold and compare it to the OE on the car. If there is anything that doesn't seem quite right, send it back and get the OEM unit. Granted, the intake manifold R&R on the EA888 is much easier than a CCTA (injectors stay on head with EA888), it's still a pain to do the job twice. Easily worth the difference in price to not spend the time doing it again. Are you cleaning valves while you're in there? If so, which method are you planning to use?

 

[drtyler]

Well right now, FCP Euro has the Vaico manifold on overstock at $125 vs. the OE VAG one at $370. One thing I would suggest is get the Vaico manifold and compare it to the OE on the car. If there is anything that doesn't seem quite right, send it back and get the OEM unit. Granted, the intake manifold R&R on the EA888 is much easier than a CCTA (injectors stay on head with EA888), it's still a pain to do the job twice. Easily worth the difference in price to not spend the time doing it again. Are you cleaning valves while you're in there? If so, which method are you planning to use?

Yes the valves need cleaning badly. Going to attempt by hand first, but will escalate to walnut shell media if needed.