What qualities should an engine in a car possess?
This includes not just power. There are several criteria that specialists use to assess the reliability, quality, and longevity of the "car heart":
- Power and torque (Nm).
Good power implies the engine's ability to develop greater power (measured in horsepower or kilowatts) so that the car can cover a significant distance without noticing difficulties associated with the road surface.
Sufficient torque, the ability to generate high Nm (the unit of measurement) over a wide range of RPMs, which ensures good traction at low RPMs and smooth acceleration. This is important for comfort on a flat road, during towing, or overcoming bumps.
- Fuel efficiency.
How much fuel the engine consumes per 100 km gives the driver an understanding of future fuel costs. A lower consumption with higher power is especially valued.
- Eco-friendliness.
This indicator is particularly welcomed in megacities and determines the emission of minimal harmful substances into the atmosphere (CO2, NOx, soot). The engine must meet modern environmental standards (Euro-6 and above).
- Reliability and durability.
The ability to operate without failures for an extended period is the foundation of any vehicle's quality and the main wish of car enthusiasts. In addition, high repairability, ease of assembly/disassembly, and availability of new parts are also appreciated, as well as resistance to wear of the engine parts even with daily use.
- Smooth operation.
Minimum noise and vibration levels while the engine is running. Few people are satisfied when there is such a racket in the cabin that conversation is only possible by shouting.
- Good technical specifications.
The engine should have an optimal volume to suit specific tasks and driving styles. Complete combustion of the fuel mixture for maximum efficiency is encouraged, along with good compatibility or the ability to operate on different types of fuel (gasoline, diesel, gas). Particularly in cold regions, a fast warm-up of the engine to operating temperature is critical. It is not enjoyable to warm up for 30-40 minutes in winter.
And, of course, a small engine weight and compactness are desirable, allowing it to be accessed for repairs without the use of additional lifting mechanisms. The compactness increases the space under the hood and decreases the overall weight of the car.
All these qualities are interrelated, although an ideal engine that combines all the above-mentioned characteristics does not exist in nature. The choice of engine directly depends on individual preferences and the car's operating and repair conditions.
TOP-5 most preferred cars by engine characteristics
In modern cars, "indestructible" units are a nonsense. No leading automotive manufacturers can boast that their car is more likely to quickly rust than to have engine failure. However, there are still reliable cars in the world that can boast good engine characteristics:
Renault K4M (100–115 hp)
This engine has proven itself in Renault Logan, Megane II, Fluence, and Kangoo models, as well as in the Russian Lada Largus. The foundation of the engine is a cast iron block, which is somewhat heavy, has 16 valves, and 4 cylinders. It runs easily on universal AI-92 and is not particularly picky about oil quality.
The weak point of the engine is the timing belt, which must be replaced with a very high-quality one after 60,000 km; if the belt breaks, the valves bend, leading to an expensive repair or complete engine replacement. The water pump withstands 60-120 km of operation, and its failure causes the valves to come into close contact with the pistons. In practice, the motor block's lifespan is enormous (up to 500,000 km), although attention should be paid to the seals, as they tend to leak.
Volkswagen / Skoda 1.6 MPI EA 211 (90/110 hp)
This engine is found in early models of VW Polo and Skoda Rapid. It is a relatively young engine, produced only since 2011. The exhaust manifold is integrated into the aluminum cylinder head. Undeniable advantages include adjustable phase intake valves and a belt-type timing mechanism. The engine comes in two power variations – 90 and 110 hp. The maximum mileage after which a major overhaul is recommended is up to 300,000 km, which is quite good in modern realities.
Nissan HR16DE (94–150 hp)
It won’t exceed expectations; the HR16DE engine is not considered eternal and is found in many cars, predominantly from Japanese brands. For car owners from the 90s, it is familiar from Renault, being a 16-valve engine with the design and index H4M. It is not picky about fuel quality and runs smoothly on both 92 and 95. However, it always whistles on startup due to the drive belt, which is an inherent design drawback.
It does not like slow driving; piston rings often get stuck, leading to excessive oil consumption. What is particularly unpleasant is that to replace the spark plugs, you need to remove the exhaust manifold, as they are not easily accessible. There are no hydraulic lifters; adjusting the thermal gaps is done by selecting cups. The timing chain lasts about 250,000 km, while the engine's lifespan ends at about 350,000 km.
Peugeot EC5 (110–115 hp)
The EC5 unit is relatively new and can be found in newer Peugeot 301 and 408, Citroen C-Elysee, and C4 Sedan. The ancestor of the current design is the atmospheric TU5JP4, known since the 80s. The block is cast iron, resistant to overheating and deformation, and the engine consumes low-octane fuel well. It has hydraulic lifters and a phase regulator on the intake camshaft. Ignition is managed by a single unit, and replacing spark plugs does not require removal of the exhaust manifold.
The engine itself is reliable, but its weak point is the catalytic converter, which wears out very quickly—often by 150,000 km of mileage. The timing belt needs replacing after 55-60,000 km. A major overhaul is needed after 400,000 km.
Hyundai G4FC (122–129 hp)
The 1.6-liter gasoline atmospheric engine with two variable camshaft timing actuators can be found in popular Kia Rio, Creta, Solaris models. The G4FC block is aluminum with reliable cast iron cylinders. The main downside of this engine is the destruction of the catalytic converter and the ingress of ceramics into the cylinder-piston group.
Therefore, only high-quality fuel should be filled in the tank. The valves need to be adjusted using cup selection, and there is a problem with leaking seals; the timing belt’s lifespan is up to 150,000 km. The mileage after which a major overhaul of the engine will be required is 300,000 km.