VW EA888 Balance Shaft Delete

Please read this product page before you ask a question that has already been answered below.

Currently EA888 Gen1 and Gen2 ONLY!

EA888 balance shaft delete while retaining the original water pump drive. 

This kit performs a true balance shaft delete. It includes a brand-new precision-ground and balanced 4340 shaft that retains the original water-pump drive while the secondary shaft is partially deleted so the unnecessary rear counterweight section is completely removed.

This reduces the combined balance shaft rotating mass by approx. 1 kg reducing inertia and improving engine response while keeping the OE mechanical water pump drive.

A minor increase in engine vibration should be expected.

The problem we’re solving...

The factory EA888 Gen1/Gen2 balance-shaft arrangement is well known for oiling-related problems. The small plastic balance-shaft screens can clog, melt, oil flow can become restricted, bearing wear follows, and hot oil pressure can suffer. In more serious cases the shafts can seize and cause major engine damage.

Why this is a good approach

• Deletes unnecessary rotating mass
• Retains the original water pump drive
• Helps retain engine oil pressure by eliminating the rear oil gallery correctly
• Removes a known weak point from the factory setup
• Well suited to fast-road and performance builds

Installation:

The installation process is the same as instaling a stock balance shaft except two important steps.

1. On the partially deleted (left, hot side) shaft has a rear oil gallery which must be blocked correctly during installation.

For that reason we supply a new rear bearing shell. The original rear bearing must be removed and the new shell installed and clocked in the correct position so that it blocks the rear oil gallery and retains oil pressure. This step is essential. 

On the right (cold) side though you replace the old rear bearing shell but the oil gallery MUST NOT be blocked as it still requires the oil flow to lubricate the rear end of the shaft (water pump drive).

2. This kit does not include the original-style plastic oil screens for the balance-shaft housing. That is intentional.

These small screens are widely regarded as a weak point on EA888 Gen1/Gen2 engines because they can deform, clog, or restrict oil flow with age, heat and debris. Not reinstalling them removes a known restriction point and helps avoid the seizure risk associated with the factory screened oil feed.

Audi has also issued guidance for removing a damaged plastic oil screen from the camshaft bridge non-return valve on specified 2.0-litre applications. That is a sepeate oiling component but supports the principle of removing a failed local screen rather than leaving it in place. See Audi bulletin 15 16 30 / 2045732/1 dated 25 October 2016.

On applicable camshaft bridge designs screen removal can also be carried out as a preventative measure during servicing.  Auto-Bon describes screen removal during camshaft bridge servicing.

What is included in this listing:

• Partially deleted balance shaft (left (hot) side)
• Brand-new precision-ground and balanced 4340 balance shaft with retained water-pump drive (right (cold) side)
• Rear (hot side) balance-shaft bearing shell to block the rear oil gallery correctly
• Rear (cold side) balance-shaft bearing shell to replace your old worn bearing (NOT for blocking the oil gallery!)
• New rear water-pump drive seal
• Both shaft assemblies are supplied pre-assembled and pre-lubed to assist with the initial startup before full engine oil pressure is established

What we dont send with the order:

• No plastic foam sleeve/tube for the left shaft, because that end of the orignal shaft is completely removed and no longer required
• No plastic balance-shaft oil screens
• No fitting instructions/manual (It's all here)

Important note

This product is intended for engines where the owner understands and accepts the trade-off of a balance shaft delete: reduced rotating mass and removal of a known weak point in exchange for a small increase in engine vibration compared with stock.

Fitment — EA888 Gen 1 & Gen 2 only

Not for EA888 Gen 3.

Typical OE repair-kit refs: 06H 198 205 A / 06H 198 205 F (and supersessions). Not for Gen 3 (06K/06L).

When does Gen 3 show up?

• Europe: from late-2012 / 2013→ (e.g., Golf Mk7, A3 8V)
• North America: widespread from MY2015→ (Mk7 GTI, etc.)

If your engine code begins CHH/CHZ/CX/CZ/DKF*** or your parts catalog shows 06K/06L…, you’re Gen 3 → this conversion & upgrade kit does not apply.

FAQ:

-Do I need to keep the original balance chain drive?

-Yes

-Do I need to time and align the balance shafts using their timing marks?

-No. Timing the balance shafts is not necessary as they will no longer function to reduce engine vibration.

-Are these balance shaft fitted with ball bearings?

-No. Our first revision used ball bearings but in the latest revision we use the stock hydrodynamic oil film lubrication.

-Is the balance shaft just a normal CNC-lathe made shaft?

-No. Our shaft is fully balanced and made from hardened 4340. We carefully kept the original partial oil grooves on the journals so the hydrodynamic bearing can retain its pressure wedge (oil film) under load. This maintains proper lubrication and load capacity instead of bleeding off pressure like a full 360° groove would.

Technical