Prevent engine failure with the MMHP oil pump upgrade: the timing-belt-driven oil pump drive is completely removed and replaced with a robust chain drive and a high-performance oil pump.
The EA189 oil pump timing-belt upgrade system for the 2.0 TDI engine is not to be confused with the EA189 balancer shaft module conversion system, nor with the oil pump upgrade system for the EA288. There are further differences even within this design type. Please read the relevant product description and look up your vehicle in the vehicle list. Feel free to contact us for further help.
This product information page deals exclusively with the EA189 issue, where the oil pump is driven by a timing belt.
With this design, the engine oil pump is driven by a timing belt. Over time this belt disintegrates, since it runs in the engine oil and is attacked by the substances it contains. It ages very quickly, breaks down and sheds small particles that then end up in the engine oil. The oil pump draws in the engine oil. The particles clog the oil strainer and can also spread further through the oil circuit.
Why do the particles spread through the oil circuit even though there is an oil filter? Every oil filter has an emergency bypass — a pressure relief valve. If the oil filter is clogged, or the engine oil is too viscous, for example in winter while the engine is still cold, this valve opens. The engine oil is then not pumped through the filter, but past it. This carries the particles shed by the timing belt into every corner of the oil circuit. Hydraulic lifters, bearing shells, the turbocharger and more are then exposed to these particles. Especially at the turbocharger and the connecting-rod bearings, these particles can narrow or even block the oil channels. Engine failure is then not far off.
Beyond this issue, the delivery rate of the oil pump design is too low in the most commonly used operating conditions to protect the engine from wear over the long term.
For all of this, we have developed a perfect and installation-friendly solution.
It is nothing new that manufacturers, regardless of industry, design their products with deliberately built-in weak points. This ensures the product lasts only as long as the brand's reputation requires — not forever.
For consumers it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly where these weak points were built in. This only becomes clear once numerous users share their observations, for example on the internet.
Many years ago a trend emerged in the automotive industry: manufacturers extended oil-change intervals, while measurements at the same time showed a reduction in oil pump output. In some vehicles, timing-belt-driven oil pumps were apparently installed to cut costs, and several weak points came into play at once.
The conversion completely removes the timing-belt problem. Continuous oil pressure is restored and significantly improved with a high-performance oil pump.
Note: Stage 1 (+35 %) sits right at the boundary — depending on the engine's wear and manufacturing tolerances, the danger zone can still be breached even with this stage. No guarantee. Only Stage 2 (+116 %) maintains a safe margin throughout.
The primary problem is the timing belt. Not the timing belt that connects the crankshaft to the camshaft, but a second timing belt. This one is mounted on the crankshaft and connects it to the oil pump. The problem is that this timing belt runs in the engine oil. This design is cheaper than the tried-and-tested chain design — it lets the manufacturer save on costs.
Unfortunately it is also more prone to failure. Contrary to the claim that this would be trouble-free, practice shows that it is not.
The timing belt becomes porous and disintegrates. It can also tear quickly. The particles that come off the belt travel through the engine and cause major damage there.
The engine can fail this quickly — all because manufacturers wanted to save on production costs that are wildly disproportionate to the resulting damage.
On top of that, the drive ratio and pump design were chosen such that oil pressure and delivery rate are too low in most operating conditions. Higher pressure would significantly reduce wear.
With our conversion, the oil pump and the timing-belt drive are removed from the engine. A completely new and different design is built up in their place.
The MMHP high-performance oil pump delivers 35 % more oil pressure and flow volume. It is driven by a proven chain drive, which a chain tensioner keeps permanently and perfectly tensioned.
The design is completely maintenance-free.
MMHP has been manufacturing products for the automotive industry for 25 years. For reverse engineering we use state-of-the-art 3D scanning and CAD technology.
Once the product is designed, extensive testing takes place. This requires test vehicles to be thoroughly monitored in real-world use.
Our conversion solution for the EA189's timing-belt and oil-pump problem closely resembles the conversion system fitted with a balancer shaft module. However, several components are changed, and installation also differs.
We place great value on making sure no surprises arise during installation. That's why we develop special tools that are essential aids for the job. We want the work to be as easy as possible to carry out.
The tools pay off quickly. They cut installation time considerably, which for customers who have the installation done at a workshop ultimately means lower workshop costs.
The goal is to deliver a complete solution that runs maintenance-free for the long term. After installation, no further thought needs to be spent on it. The vehicle is used just as before. The certainty that wear has been significantly reduced also makes for a more relaxed driving experience.
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Best experienced on a desktop or laptop — it runs on mobile, but space gets tight.
The eGuide forms the basis for the conversion. The work is accompanied step by step with images and text.
There are also valuable tips on the EA189 2.0 TDI engine drawn from years of experience, helping the engine run smoothly from the start.
The complete upgrade kit including high-performance oil pump, chain drive, chain tensioner, special tool and eGuide – in the MMHP shop.
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