Renault K4J engine
Content
At the end of the 90s, Renault engineers managed to create an engine that became a masterpiece of French engine building. The developed power unit is widely used in the world market. The key to success was the high quality and durability of the product.
Description
The K4J engine was developed and put into mass production in 1998. Received international recognition in 1999 at the auto show in Geneva (Switzerland). It is a gasoline in-line four-cylinder aspirated engine with a volume of 1,4 liters with a capacity of 82-100 hp with a torque of 127 Nm. Produced until 2013, had many modifications.
The K4J engine and its modifications were installed on Renault cars:
- Clio (1999-2012);
- Symbol (1999-2013);
- Scenic (1999-2003);
- Mégane (1999-2009);
- Mode (2004-2008);
- Grand Mode (2004-2008).
The cylinder block is made of ductile iron.
Aluminum cylinder head. The head has 16 valves. In the upper part there are two camshafts on six supports each.
Valve lifters make it easy to adjust the valve clearance.
Timing belt drive. The belt is designed for a run of 60 thousand km. The pump (water pump) receives rotation from it.
Crankshaft steel, forged. It is located on five supports (liners-bearings).
Pistons are standard, cast aluminum alloy. They have three rings, two of which are compression, one is oil scraper.
Closed crankcase ventilation system.
The fuel supply system includes the following elements:
- fuel pump (located in the t / tank);
- throttle assembly;
- fine filter;
- fuel pressure control;
- nozzles;
- fuel line.
Additional elements are the exhaust gas recirculation system and the air filter.
Chain oil pump drive. It receives rotation from the crankshaft. The volume of oil in the system is 4,85 liters.
The spark plugs have their own individual high voltage coils.
Technical specifications
| Manufacturer | Renault Group |
|---|---|
| Engine volume, cm³ | 1390 |
| Power, hp | 98 (82) * |
| Torque, Nm | 127 |
| Compression ratio | 10 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron |
| Cylinder head | aluminum, 16v |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 79,5 |
| The piston stroke, mm | 70 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 (DOHC) |
| Hydraulic compensators | + |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Camshaft adjuster | no |
| Fuel system | injector, port injection |
| Fuel | gasoline AI-95 |
| The order of the cylinders | 1-3-4-2 |
| Environmental standards | Euros 3/4** |
| Service life, thousand km | 220 |
| Location | transverse |
* 82 hp derated engine modification (without electronic throttle), ** environmental standards of the first and subsequent engine versions, respectively.
What do modifications mean (710, 711, 712, 713, 714, 730, 732, 740, 750, 770, 780)
For all the time of production, the engine has been repeatedly upgraded. As a result, power and non-critical elements were partially changed. For example, in mounting the power unit on various car models.
Specifications and device modifications remained the same as the base model.
| Engine code | Power | Years of issue | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| K4J710 | 98 HP | 1998-2010 | Clio |
| K4J711 | 98 HP | 2000-present | Clio II |
| K4J712 | 95 HP | 1999-2004 | Clio II, Thalia I |
| K4J713 | 98 HP | 2008 | Clio II |
| K4J714 | 95 HP | 1999-2003 | Megane, Scenic I (JA) |
| K4J730 | 98 HP | 1999-2003 | Scenic II |
| K4J732 | 82 HP | 2003 | Megane ii |
| K4J740 | 98 HP | 1999-2010 | Megane |
| K4J750 | 95 HP | 2003-2008 | Megane I, Scenic I |
| K4J770 | 98 HP | 2004-2010 | modus |
| K4J780 | 100 HP | 2005-2014 | modus |
Reliability, weaknesses, maintainability
Consider the important factors that are a mandatory addition to the technical characteristics of each engine.
Reliability
The K4J motor has a number of useful qualities that characterize its performance. The vast majority of car owners of cars with such an engine note its high reliability.
The simplicity of the design and a number of innovative technologies confirm the opinion of the majority. For example, forum member ZeBriD from Novosibirsk writes: “... I checked the oil only in the summer, on a cold engine ... And everything is fine”.
The engine becomes reliable and durable if the operating rules recommended by the manufacturer are observed. Special requirements are placed on the quality of technical fluids, especially fuel and oil. Here one “but” arises - if you can still buy exactly the oil that is required, then things are worse with fuel. You have to be content with what you have. There is only one way out - you need to find a gas station where gasoline more or less meets the standard.
On the Internet you can find information about the use of AI-92 gasoline. She is not entirely true. The recommended brand of fuel is AI-95.
The manufacturer indicates specific terms for the replacement of consumables. Here, the recommendations must be approached creatively, taking into account the operating conditions of the engine. It is clear that they are different from European ones. And the quality of fuel and lubricants, and the condition of the roads. Therefore, the replacement time for consumables and parts must be reduced.
With an appropriate attitude to the unit, it is able to serve without breakdowns for a long time, with a significant overlap of the pledged resource.
Weak spots
Despite the fact that the design of the engine as a whole turned out to be successful, weaknesses in some cases appear on it.
First of all, it is noted Timing belt weakness. The danger of its breakage lies in the bending of the valves. Such a nuisance leads to a serious and rather budgetary repair of the entire engine. The belt service life is determined by the manufacturer at 60 thousand km of the car's run. In reality, he is able to nurse 90 thousand km, but the replacement must be done according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Together with the timing belt, it is recommended to change the alternator belt.
Oil leakage through various seals is also not uncommon. However, this picture is typical not only for French power units. The attentiveness of the car owner will help to detect a malfunction in a timely manner, and it is easy to fix it yourself. For example, it is enough to tighten the valve cover mount and the problem of oil leakage will be solved. In extreme cases, you can use the services of car service specialists. It is appropriate to recall that timely scheduled maintenance excludes the occurrence of oil leakage.
The most serious weaknesses are failures in the functioning of electrical elements. Ignition coils and various sensors (crankshaft position sensor, pressure sensor, etc.) are subject to such a "misfortune". In this case, it is impossible to eliminate the malfunction without car service specialists.
Pretty limited service life (100 thousand km) has a crankshaft damper pulley. It is recommended to change it after the second scheduled replacement of the timing belt.
Thus, we see that there are weak points on the engine, but in most cases the owner of the car provokes their occurrence. The exception is auto electrics. There is indeed a defect of the manufacturer here.
Maintainability
Engine repair is not very difficult. The cast-iron block allows you to bore the cylinders to the required repair size.
Replacement of parts and assemblies is possible, but it is noted that sometimes there are difficulties with their search. Not in every city in a specialized store they are in the right assortment. Here an online store will come to the rescue, where you can always order the necessary spare part. True, the lead time can be long. Additionally, many motorists pay attention to the high prices of parts and assemblies.
The use of spare parts from dismantling does not always lead to the desired result due to the impossibility of checking their condition.
As noted, the internal combustion engine has a simple design. But this does not mean that everyone is able to repair it with their own hands. You can't do without special tools and fixtures. As well as without knowledge of the nuances of repair. For example, the replacement of any gasket requires a certain tightening torque of its fasteners. In case of non-compliance with the recommended figures, at best, there will be leakage of technical fluid, at worst, the thread of the nut or stud will be torn off.
The most optimal option for repairing the motor is to entrust it to the professionals of a specialized car service.
The French aspirated K4J turned out to be extremely successful, simple in design, reliable and durable. But these qualities are manifested only if all the manufacturer's recommendations are observed when operating the engine.
