Family reference for Volkswagen Wasserboxer engine.
Family specifications
Volkswagen wasserboxer
| Field | Reported value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group |
| Production | August 1982 – July 1992 |
| 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) |
| 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 , 2 valves/cyl. |
| Fuel system | Carburettor Electronic fuel injection |
| Fuel type | Petrol |
| Oil system | Wet sump |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled |
| Predecessor | Volkswagen air-cooled engine |
Volkswagen Group engine directory
Design, development and variant notes
The Wasserboxer is a water-cooled, pushrod-operated flat-four petrol engine. Its internal camshaft is gear-driven, and combustion takes place in a bowl in the piston.
Both the 1.9- and 2.1-litre versions use a 94 mm bore; the larger version has a longer stroke. Wikipedia discusses water-jacket sealing and corrosion as possible concerns; the cause of any leak needs inspection.
Data adapted from the cited Wikipedia revision by Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0. Production dates and fitments reflect that revision; verify the exact engine code, market and vehicle before applying a specification.
Sources
Curated reference notes. Applicability follows the cited sources; hardware testing by this wiki is not implied.
- Wikipedia: Volkswagen Wasserboxer engine. Wikipedia contributors; CC BY-SA 4.0. Source revision oldid 1376266490; accessed 2026-11-10.
Further Wikipedia-sourced details
The following additional information is drawn from the cited Wikipedia revision by Wikipedia contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. An open-ended date reflects the source snapshot, not confirmed current production or fitment.
Additional technical and variant notes
The flat-four has a four-main-bearing crankshaft and a gear-driven camshaft. Its cast-iron cylinder liners sit within the water jacket and use separate jacket and cylinder sealing arrangements.
Volkswagen commissioned Oettinger to develop a six-cylinder WBX derivative; Volkswagen did not adopt it, but Oettinger sold a T3 using that engine.
Wikipedia identifies Volkswagen Type 2 T3 installations for the four-cylinder Wasserboxer. The separate Oettinger WBX 6 is not the same as the ordinary four-cylinder versions.
Wasserboxer engine codes and ratings
| Displacement | Engine ID | Compression | 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 | |
| 1.9-litre engines — 1,914 cc (116.8 cu in ) | DG | 8.6:1 | 57 kW (77 PS; 76 bhp) | 2E3 or 2E4 carburetor | 08/82–07/92 | |
| 1.9-litre engines — 1,914 cc (116.8 cu in ) | DH | 60 kW (82 PS; 80 bhp) | Digijet (Digital- Jetronic ) fuel injection , vane-type air flow meter | 01/83–07/85 | ||
| 1.9-litre engines — 1,914 cc (116.8 cu in ) | EY | 7.5:1 | 41 kW (56 PS; 55 bhp) | 34 PICT-5 carburetor | ||
| 1.9-litre engines — 1,914 cc (116.8 cu in ) | GW | 8.6:1 | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) | Digijet (Digital-Jetronic) fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/83–07/85 | |
| 1.9-litre engines — 1,914 cc (116.8 cu in ) | 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 |
| 2.1-litre engines — 2,109 cc (128.7 cu in ) | 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 |
| 2.1-litre engines — 2,109 cc (128.7 cu in ) | SR | 64 kW (87 PS; 86 bhp) | Digifant fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/86–07/92 | Switzerland only | |
| 2.1-litre engines — 2,109 cc (128.7 cu in ) | SS | 9:1 | 68 kW (92 PS; 91 bhp) | Digifant fuel injection, vane-type air flow meter | 08/89–07/92 |