Engine Encyclopedia: Honda 2.0 i-VTEC (Petrol)

Honda's naturally aspirated K-family engines are considered some of the finest and most advanced gasoline engines on the market. Unfortunately, even Honda has had its setbacks, and one of the biggest ones is the early K20A6, which has serious problems.

In general, the engine can only be described in superlatives. The K20 family is so numerous that a book could be written about it. 90-95 percent of the options are very good engines. However, in our market realities the most popular grade K20A6 used on Honda Accrod in 2003-2005 and K20Z2 of the same model, but from 2006 until the end of the 7th generation model. In both versions with a capacity of 155 hp.

The engine has pleasant characteristics, high work culture and flexibility. It is economical with skillful driving, and at high speeds it offers good dynamics. It remains at 200-300 thousand. km is almost reliable. In addition to changing the oil, checking the timing chain and adjusting the valves, it does not require special intervention.

This may cause some problems with autogaswhich causes the valve clearances to drop. If you check them every 15-20 thousand km, there are no problems. However, it may become more frequent malfunction of the lambda probe or premature wear of the catalytic converter. Honda has very sensitive electronics that diagnose the operation of the engine and should not be ignored.

The engine at an early stage suffered from one manufacturing defect in the form camshaft scoring. Usually this does not happen after replacement. This is mainly due to too long intervals between oil changes from new to new. Honda owners usually go to ASO oil services for several years, and often this ends with wiping the unit. However, this is not the biggest problem yet.  

The worst thing that chord owners have to deal with is the so-called swollen pistons. This applies only to the K20A6 variant with a mileage of more than 300 20. km, it was operated quite aggressively. Unfortunately, even after a long drive, even an increase in engine speed can lead to engine knock. Then the whole assembly must be replaced. LPG engines are more prone to this because the failure is in some way the result of high temperatures and loads. Often this happens when driving on the highway. The problem does not occur at all in the newer version of the engine, marked with the code K2Z.

Advantages of the 2.0 i-VTEC engine:

• Nice performance, high flexibility
• Low fuel consumption
• Low failure rate and simple structure

Disadvantages of the 2.0 i-VTEC engine:

• The problem of swelling of the camshaft and piston of the early version of K20A6
• electronic feeling
• Malfunctions of the lambda probe in engines with a gas installation