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Volkswagen CK (1.5 diesel) specs: 1.5L (90 ci) 4-cylinder, 76.5 x 80 mm (3.0118 x 3.1496 in) bore and stroke, 23.5:1 compression. Rated 48 hp, 1977–1980.
The Volkswagen CK (1.5 diesel) is close to square: 3.0118" bore against 3.1496" stroke, within 4.4%, which splits the difference between a high-revving layout and a torque layout. The 3.1496" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,600 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 22.5 ci (369 cc).
At 23.5:1 this is a compression-ignition engine: the ratio is the heat source that lights the fuel, not a knock limit to be managed.
It is one of 3 engines in the Volkswagen 90ci family, all of them 90 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 4 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 48 hp across 1977–1980.
| Displacement | 90 ci / 1.5 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.0118" |
| Stroke | 3.1496" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Compression ratio | 23.5:1 * |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.956 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
How to tell which you have: Diesel: glow plugs and an injection pump, no spark plugs; engine code CK stamped on the block beside the injection pump (1,471 cc).
| Fuel type | diesel |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 48 hp |
| Years | 1977–1980 |
| Bore/stroke character | 0.956 — square — bore and stroke are within 5%, a balanced compromise |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,150 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 22.5 ci |
| Static compression | 23.5:1 — high enough that pump premium or better is normally required |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 48 hp | CK (1.5 diesel) |
| 1978 | 48 hp | CK (1.5 diesel) |
| 1979 | 48 hp | CK (1.5 diesel) |
| 1980 | 48 hp | CK (1.5 diesel) |
1 factory vehicle, 1977–1980. Each year opens that model's engine table.