Mitsubishi 4B11 engine
Content
In today's automotive industry, cooperation to reduce costs is a common phenomenon. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that Mitsubishi and KIA jointly developed, and in 2005 launched into production an engine to which the Japanese manufacturer assigned the 4B11 marking, and specialists from South Korea - G4KD. It replaced the legendary 4G63 and turned out to be successful, and according to the rating of many publications, it is in the top ten in its class. The motor was created according to the technologies used to create the gasoline power units of the THETA II family.
Great popularity
The engine was widely used and was installed on various car models:
- Mitsubishi used it on Lancer X, Outlander, Galant Fortis and ASX/RVR.
- On KIA, the Korean counterpart can be found under the hood of Cerato II, Magentis II, Optima II, Soul and Sportage III.
- Hyundai completed the G4KD modifications of the ix35, Sonata V and VI and limited it to some models, clamped to 144 hp. With. G4KA version.
Showed interest in the motor and other car manufacturers. Dodge considered it possible to install it on the Avenger and Caliber, Jeep on the Compass and Patriot, Chrysler on the Sebring. The Malaysian company Proton chose it to equip the Inspira model.
Technical specifications
Such a wide distribution is directly related to the device and the technical characteristics of the engine, which are as follows:
- Layout: four cylinders in one row, with overhead camshafts. Cylinder head with four valves per cylinder.
- The cylinder block is made of aluminum alloy. Dry steel sleeves are used in the design of the cylinders.
- Working volume - 1996 cubic meters. see with a cylinder diameter and a piston stroke of 86 mm.
- Power at a compression ratio of 10,5: 1 and a crankshaft speed of 6500 rpm varies between 150 and 165 hp. s., depending on the software settings.
- The recommended fuel is AI-95 octane gasoline. The use of A-92 gasoline is allowed.
- Compliance with Euro-4 environmental standard.
Features of the lubrication system
The oil pump is driven by a chain that transmits torque from the crankshaft. The motor is not picky about the quality of engine oil. At temperatures above -7 degrees Celsius, even the use of mineral water with a viscosity of 20W50 is allowed. But it is better to still give preference to lubricants with a viscosity of 10W30 and higher.
The capacity of the lubrication system depends on the year of manufacture and the model of the vehicle on which the power unit is installed. The volume of the crankcase, say, on the Lancer 10, may differ from the volume of the crankcase on the Outlander. It is recommended to change engine oil every 15 km, and when operating in difficult conditions, this interval should be halved.
Resource and potential for repair
The manufacturer determines the engine resource at 250 km. Feedback from owners and service specialists rate the 000B4 a solid four and suggest that in practice the mileage can exceed 11 km. Of course, with regular maintenance and proper operation.
Replacement of liners with grinding of crankshaft journals to the repair size, as well as the possibility of boring cylinders and replacing liners, are not provided by the manufacturer. However, auto parts companies supply liner kits to the market, and ICE repair companies offer liner services. Before agreeing to such a repair, calculate the costs. It is possible that it will be cheaper and easier to buy a contract engine.
Timing drive
The answer to the question of what is installed on the 4B11 for timing, chain or belt, is simple. To increase reliability, the developers chose a roller chain. The part is made of durable steel. It is assumed that the resource of the timing chain is designed for the entire life of the car. The main thing, from time to time, once every 50 - 70 thousand km, is to check the tension.
If the service claims that after 130 thousand km. mileage requires a chain replacement, this may turn out to be a frank divorce. Get a diagnosis from another specialist. Let him evaluate the condition of the components. It's possible it's all about the tensioner. Due to its malfunction, problems can really arise.
When performing work on the gas distribution mechanism, it must be remembered that each camshaft sprocket has two marks. With the correct setting of the TDC, the position of the marks should be as follows:
- Crankshaft: vertically down, pointing to the color-coded chain link.
- Camshafts: two marks look at each other in a horizontal plane (along the upper cut of the cylinder head), and two - up and slightly at an angle, pointing to the links marked with color.
The tightening torque of the bolts on the timing sprockets is 59 Nm.
A real look at MIVEC
To increase torque and improve traction in different modes, the 4B11 is equipped with MIVEC, a system developed by Mitsubishi. This is indicated by the inscription on the valve cover. Analyzing some sources, you will come across information that the essence of the technology lies either in synchronizing the opening of valves, or in changing the height of their opening. Behind the not very clear wording lies a poor understanding of the essence of the design.
In fact, no matter what marketers write, MIVEC is the next version of the intake and exhaust phase adjustment system. Only the mechanical phase shifters on the camshafts have been replaced by electronically controlled clutches. You will not find any devices that allow you to change the valve opening height on 4B11.
Due to the lack of hydraulic lifters, it is necessary to regularly, at least once every 80 thousand km, check the clearances and adjust the valves. This will avoid unpleasant noises and malfunctions in the timing drive system. Many service centers do not like to take on such work, since adjustment is made by replacing thrust cups of different sizes, and these parts are in short supply.
Problems and shortcomings identified during operation
The motor is generally reliable, but during its operation one has to deal with some of the problems characteristic of the 4B11. Among them:
- Cracks in the cylinder head and cylinder block. This is the fault of many power units with an aluminum block that have undergone overheating. You should carefully monitor the operating temperature by monitoring the performance of the thermostat and regularly, once a year, changing the coolant.
- The appearance of noises reminiscent of the operation of a diesel engine. If this is normal when cold, then the diesel of a warm engine is a sign of a malfunction in the MIVEC system. Most often, the clutches for changing the valve timing fail. A crackling sound from the timing mechanism indicates that repairs must be started without delay.
The power unit cannot be called quiet. When working, it makes a variety of sounds. Complaints that "clicks in the engine" are most often associated with the chirping of injectors. But loud noises are a sure sign of a serious breakdown. Other malfunction symptoms include:
- Power drop. This can happen for various reasons, which can only be established by performing a full diagnosis.
- Increased engine oil consumption. Most often, the engine consumes oil when the rings are stuck, scuff marks appear on the cylinder walls, or the valve stem seals are damaged. Replacing rings or caps is not too difficult a task. Worse if it's bullying. In this case, the repair takes a lot of time and money. But before rushing to extremes, you should inspect the unit for leakage of lubricant through gaskets and seals.
- Increased fuel consumption. In this case, you will have to examine the intake and exhaust systems. Even a damaged seal can be a source of trouble.
Engine diagnostics help minimize the chances of breakdowns. It is recommended to perform it at every maintenance. One more thing. Statistics show that the quality of parts and assembly of Japanese engines is better than that of analogues from South Korea.
incomplete similarity
Despite the structural similarity between 4B11 and G4KD, these motors do not have complete interchangeability of parts. It should be remembered that:
- Power units are equipped with electronic components from different manufacturers. It will not work to rearrange from one engine to another an absolute pressure sensor or a lambda probe. Spark plugs differ in glow number.
- Manufacturers from Japan and South Korea use various materials and technologies in the manufacture of parts. This is especially true for the components of the connecting rod and piston group. For example, it is unacceptable to install pistons and rings designed for 4B11 on G4KD, or vice versa, since the thermal gap between the piston and cylinder will be violated. The same applies to many other components.
- Installing a motor from another manufacturer, or, as some fans say to show off foreign terminology, doing “swap g4kd to 4b11”, you will have to not only change electronic components, but also make changes to the wiring design.
If you intend to purchase a contract engine, it is better to spend time looking for its original modification. This will greatly simplify your life.
Tuning potential
A separate topic for those who like to increase the power of their iron horses is 4B11 tuning. There are different ways to approach this problem:
- Correct the software by flashing the ECU. This will increase the power of artificially clamped power units up to 165 hp. With. without wasting a resource. By agreeing to sacrifice a little resource, it is possible in a similar way to achieve an indicator of 175 - 180 liters. With.
- Install a zero resistance air filter. This is quite acceptable, although sometimes it causes the filter dust sensor to fail.
- Install the turbocharging system. Such thoughts come to mind to those who know that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is equipped with a 4B11 Turbo engine, whose maximum power reaches 295 hp. With. However, just using a turbo kit is not enough in this case. The atmospheric and turbocharged versions of the power units have very significant differences. You will have to change the piston group, crankshaft, fuel injection system, intake and exhaust manifolds, control electronics ... Assembling a motor on a TD04 turbine is possible, but expensive. The costs may exceed the cost of buying a new turbocharged engine. In addition, the car, the power of which has almost doubled, will have to be equipped with a suitable transmission, suspension and brakes.
Having decided to start tuning the internal combustion engine, weigh the pros and cons, and soberly assess your capabilities.
Helpful information
Many owners of cars on which the 4B11 engine is installed are interested in where the engine number is located. If the car has a factory-mounted power unit, then its number is stamped on the platform at the bottom of the cylinder block, just above the oil filter. But if a replacement internal combustion engine was installed during the repair, then there is no number on it. This should be taken into account when processing documents in the traffic police.
Like most engines with an aluminum cylinder block, 4B11 / G4KD is demanding on the quality of antifreeze, which, as mentioned above, must be replaced once a year. Since there is no single standard for coolants, it is best to use the antifreeze brand specified in the vehicle's technical documentation.
Beware of motor overheating! Monitor the condition of the cooling system by regularly cleaning the cells of the engine radiator and air conditioning heat exchanger from dirt. Monitor the condition of the pump (it is driven by a V-ribbed belt) and the operation of the thermostat. If overheating still occurs, do not try to drastically reduce the temperature by pouring coolant into the expansion tank. This is a sure way to deformation of the cylinder head and the appearance of cracks in it.
Try not to spin the engine above the nominal speed. This will inevitably lead to a decrease in the resource. Treat the power unit with care, and then it will serve you faithfully.
