What engines are reliable and durable

Unfortunately, today the question of reliability of this or that power unit is pushed by manufacturers to the background for a number of reasons. First of all, against the background of globalization and the desire of automotive corporations to make a profit, marketing comes first.

No less influential is the tendency to rapidly change and gradually strengthen environmental norms and standards in the United States, Japan and developed European countries. In other words, to produce reliable and durable engines is not only unprofitable, but also impractical.

The main task is to do so, that the power unit left the warranty period, after which he was still able to serve to a certain conditional limit, which for many modern internal combustion engines in practice is limited to an average mark of about 200-300 thousand. km.

Automakers expect, that while the car at the average owner will pass so many kilometers, by this time, environmental standards will have changed, taxes on the maintenance of the old car will increase and the driver will change the car faster, what will be done to repair the engine and other components.

It becomes clear, that the stories of experienced drivers about the Germans, Japanese or American engines - millionaires today are more like a beautiful legend. We hasten to assure you, such motors still exist, and there are quite a lot of them.

However, on modern new machines to meet such units is unlikely for obvious reasons. There is a much better chance of finding a car with such a reliable and durable engine in the market of old cars. We will talk about it further.

Gasoline and diesel engines are long-lived

Let's note at once, that in one article to consider all units, noteworthy, simply impossible. For this reason, our list included the most famous versions of power units, which were found under the hoods of the most recognizable and even iconic cars of their time. so, let's go.

The most reliable gasoline engine

Let's start with the usual in-line four-cylinder gasoline engines. Such motors are well-deserved popularity around the world, and in the CIS countries units on gasoline make the absolute majority in comparison with diesel analogues.

• Among the petrol engines from this group, the Toyota 3s-fe unit should be singled out. This engine is rightly considered very reliable and fairly easy to maintain. The secret to the success of this installation is simple: working volume 2.0 liters, sixteen valves, timing belt drive and power system with distributed injection, power different versions from 130 to 140 l. With.

This motor can be considered very successful, since the ICE appeared in the late 80's, but its various modifications in atmo and turbo versions were issued up to 2000 year. The 3s-fe engine was fitted to the Toyota Camry 1987-1991 year of issue, is located under the hood of the Celica T200, Avensis 1997-2000 , RAV4 1994-2000 etc.. d.

Car service workers and the owners themselves note the resistance of the engine to harsh operating conditions, as well as the overall reliability of the structure. If you follow the engine, then ran close 550-600 thousand. km. without the need to overhaul is not the limit for this unit.

• Next on the list is again the Japanese car industry. This time the laurels of the championship go to the Mitsubishi 4g63 engine. This unit also has a working volume 2.0 liters, which first saw the light in the early 80's. Early versions had one camshaft and 3 valves per cylinder, with 1987 p. The timing belt received two camshafts. Modified versions of this engine were installed on the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX (under the hood of this model, this unit belonged to 2006 p.).

There are many types of 4g63 units, as atmospheric, and troubled versions. More complex developments have a system of changing the phases of gas distribution, complex fuel supply scheme, etc.. d. Naturally, the more complex the device, the less reliability. If we talk about atmospheric deformed versions, then these engines may well be called the same "millionaires".

It is also interesting, that different versions of this internal combustion engine are copies today, which are licensed by Korean brands Huyndai and Kia, as well as car manufacturers from China.

• Let's move on. Which is strange, our attention will be focused on another legend from Japan. This time we are talking about Honda engines, namely about D series engines (D-series).

The line of these internal combustion engines includes at least a dozen different versions with a working volume of 1.2 to 1.7 liters with a capacity of up to 130 l. With. The motors are easily spun up 7 thousand. rpm. Power units of this series were produced 84 on 2005 year. Outstanding performance in terms of reliability were especially different versions of D15 and 16.

D-Series engines were based on the Honda Civic, HR-V, Accord, etc.. d. With that in mind, that the working volume was not the largest and the power units had to be constantly rotated, the design was still relatively easy to get to 500 thousand. km. During the repair, these engines also did not cause special problems or difficulties for the mechanics.

• Another outstanding engine, this time already European production, there is an engine from Opel. More specifically, we are talking about power units of the 20NE line. Among the simple four-cylinder engines, the x20se version stands out. This motor has an "indestructible" design, which often lasted longer, than the car itself, on which the unit stood.

Working volume 2 liters, power from 115 to 130 l. With, total 8 valves per cylinder, Timing belt and simple distributed injection allow this engine to work hundreds of thousands of kilometers properly, even on oil and fuel of not the best quality. These ICEs appeared 1987 year and were issued before 1999 p. They can be found under the hoods of Opel Kadett and Astra, Vectra, Omega, Calibra, on American Oldsmobile models, popular in the US Buick, on Holden from Australia, etc.. d. There are also supercharged versions of this engine.

Note, that more modern atmospheric versions of the modified 20NE with 16 valves firmly settled under the hoods of Chevrolet, manufactured by GM Corporation in South Korea and other countries. As for simple 8-valve varieties, ran close 500 thousand. km. for them it is far from the limit. With proper care, such a power unit may well pass to 800-900 thousand. or even about a million kilometers.

In the case of more modern and advanced 16-valve versions, reliability is significantly reduced, however, the engine can also run confidently 300-400 thousand. km. Simplicity of a design does not create special problems during repair, the unit copes well with loads and normally digests not the best fuel in the CIS.

Now let's look at in-line six-cylinder engines. First of all, there are many true legends among such units, able to run the same cherished million. This reliability is ensured by the simplicity of the device, excellent balance and reduced vibration, as well as sufficient power.

• Among the leaders in this group are the well-known 1JZ-GE engine and its continuation 2JZ-GE from Toyota.. Power units of this series with working volume 2.5 and 3.0 liters are rightly considered one of the most reliable and durable for the entire era of engine construction. Also, internal combustion engines from this line have outstanding characteristics in power and torque.

These engines were produced intact 17 years (from the 90s to 2007 p.). During this time, several options were created, the most famous of which were the legendary turbocharged engines 1JZ-GTE and 2JZ-GTE. Turbocharged and atmospheric versions of this engine are firmly established under the hoods of legendary Japanese sports cars (example, model Toyota Supra), felt great on Mark II and Crown, Lexus models for the US market, etc.. d.

We also recommend reading the article about it, what is the resource of a diesel engine. In this article you will learn about the distinctive features of this type of power units from gasoline counterparts, as well as affecting the service life of this type of internal combustion engine.

Note, that the atmospheric motors of this line are quite capable of passing 1 a million kilometers and even more by that time, while the engine needs major repairs. Such indicators became possible thanks to a competent and simple design, and also high quality of execution of all details and knots of the power unit.

• The next worthy representative, now the European School of Engine Engineering, BMW is deservedly on our list. The in-line six-cylinder M30 was created a long time ago 1968 p., while its modifications were issued before 1994 p.

The atmospheric unit had a volume of 2.5 to 3.4 l, power was from 150 to 220 l. With. Turbo version M102B34 had a capacity of about 250 l. With. The design of this engine is based on a cast iron cylinder block, timing chain drive, 12 valves and aluminum cylinder head. Let's add, that the sporty versions of the M88 were intact 24 valve.

M30 engines can be seen on BMW's well-known BMW models 5 and 7 series. Also the specified motor was put on BMW 6, moreover, the unit has repeatedly moved from the old generation of the model to the new body. As practice shows, this engine (especially with volume 3.4 liters on relatively light models 5 series) quite capable of coming out 500 thousand. km. mileage and more.

• Another BMW engine continues the list, namely in-line "six" M50. The line of these engines at the initial stage only strengthened the fame of BMW after a reliable M30. Units were "explosive" in the range of medium and high speeds. The engines had a displacement of 2.0 to 2.5 l, power was from 150 to 192 "Horse".

The design remained relatively simple (cast iron block, aluminum cylinder head, timing chain, and four valves per cylinder). However, further modernization, to which later versions of this engine were subjected, somewhat damaged the reputation. After the introduction of a complex control system of gas distribution phases (VANOS solution is widely known among BMW fans), the engine became less reliable.

As for the "weightless" versions of the M50, this motor is quite capable of passing close 500 thousand. km. and more to overhaul. Problems with VANOS on modified versions may require intervention 200-250 thousand. km, although with proper maintenance and care the unit is able to work normally close 400 thousand. km.

We will add, that the next generation of M52 engines received a nicasil block, and also differed in a difficult design in comparison with predecessors. On such internal combustion engines the number of errors considerably increased and the general motor resource of the unit essentially decreased.

Powerful V-shaped engines complete the list of the most reliable gasoline engines. Of particular interest are V8 units, standing on luxury cars, SUVs and sports cars.

Let's note at once, similar power units on cars from Europe and Japan, usually, do not have a large resource. The point is, that such engines are made of lightweight materials, and they have a rather complex structure. The only exception is the voracious deforced V8 on American cars, but even there things are not so smooth.

• Speaking of which, which V-shaped motors are reliable, then it is worth mentioning the BMW M60 engine. The engine received a two-row timing chain, cylinders are coated with Nikasil, and the engine itself does not have a high degree of forcing and is designed with a large margin of safety.

This power unit is able to pass without any problems 500 thousand. km. Marked cases, when on such run there is no need even to make replacement of piston rings. These engines were installed on the BMW 7th and 5th series, the unit was used on models from 92 on 98 p.

The main disadvantage of this engine can be considered nicasil coating. The point is, that driving on fuel with a high sulfur content can quickly "kill" heavy-duty material. For this reason around BMW cars with a nickel-plated covering of cylinders at one time loud scandal broke out.

Then BMW decided to abandon Nikasil and switched to another material called Alusil. In practice, this coating was more fragile, however, Alyusil does not suffer so much from the effects of sulfur. so, if we exclude the possibility of refueling with sulfur fuel, then such a V8 engine is quite capable of half a million kilometers.

We will note still, that the next version of the M62 (continuation of M60) structurally much more complicated than its predecessor. Quite obviously, that the resource of the unit has naturally decreased. It does not mean, that the engine is unable to run 400 or 500 thousand. km, however, the total number of various problems with this engine has increased significantly.

The most reliable diesel engine

Let's start with that, that diesel engines are considered a more reliable type of internal combustion engine compared to gasoline counterparts. The weak point of modern diesels is not the engine itself, and complex fuel equipment and turbocharging. If we talk about old diesel units, which have a simple implementation of injection, then the resource of such motors is simply impressive.

• Although diesel engines from many well-known manufacturers have a large resource, Among the most outstanding power units is the OM602 engine. The five-cylinder engine, has 2 valves per cylinder, equipped with a mechanical pump made by Bosch.

Such diesels appeared in 1985 year, falling under the hoods of various models of vehicles up to 2002. The unit does not have much power (in different versions the figure is 90-130 l. with), however, pleases owners with its reliability and moderate fuel appetite. Based on this engine, Mercedes has built a modern line (OM612, OM647), while the resource was not affected.

As for the famous Mercedes OM602, such an engine was put on the popular models Mercedes W124, W201, on G-class SUVs, on the Sprinter model and even on some versions of the W210. For this engine, the norm is to run close 500 thousand. km. in difficult operating conditions.

There were also specimens, who cared more 2 million. kilometers of mileage without overhaul. The main thing, monitor fuel equipment, pour quality diesel fuel and engine oil, as well as timely maintenance of internal combustion engines and quickly eliminate problems.

• Another worthy representative in the list of the most reliable diesels is the BMW M57 engine. Row unit, has 6 cylinders, reliable and has outstanding characteristics.

This engine is a continuation of the company's "diesel" line, the M51 design was the basis, which was conducted with 1991 after 2000. The designers took into account the shortcomings, as a result, the M57 came out much better. It should also be noted, that this engine at the time of its appearance did not fit into the conventional concept of the time. In other words, diesel engine was considered a "quiet" engine for quiet driving and maximum fuel economy.

At the same time, the power of the BMW M57 engine in different versions was from 201 to 286 l. With. The unit went into series with 1998 year and was put on various models of the Bavarian brand to 2008 p. Popular diesel "three", BMW's "five" or "seven" could well compete with gasoline counterparts in acceleration dynamics.

At the same time, the torque and efficiency of a powerful diesel confidently won fans around the world. The engine turned out so successful, that the diesel engine M57 could be found as a compact "lighter" BMW 330D, and under the hood of a solid Range Rover.

As a result

As you can see, the service life of the motor often depends on the complexity of its device, carefully worked out design, degree of forcing, quality of manufacturing parts and properly selected materials for their production. Also, the mileage before overhaul strongly affects the quality of fuel and fuel, individual features and operating conditions, manner of driving, etc.. d.

In other words, you need to talk about reliability and mileage with the necessary correction, how a particular car is operated. Quite obviously, what if the car will drive frequently on the track, the power unit runs on clean fuel and quality engine oil, the load mode on the engine will be optimal, then in these conditions the internal combustion engine is able to travel many kilometers and work a large number of hours.

We also recommend reading the article about it, which is better to choose, gasoline or diesel engine. In this article you will learn about the distinctive features of these types of power units, as well as what points should be considered when choosing a car with a particular type of engine.

If the vehicle is in a region with a cold climate, most of the time the car is used within the city, etc., then the engine life can be significantly reduced. The service life of the motor is strongly influenced by the following factors:

• the car is often started in cold start mode;
• the movement begins without warming up the engine and gearbox, motor "spins";
• the engine does not have time to reach operating temperatures in a short trip;
• the car stands idle in traffic jams and moves in low gears;
• in a dense stream it is not possible to gain speed, revs are constantly low;
• the style of driving with sharp accelerations and the subsequent stop is practiced;
• the driver drives aggressively, motor braking is actively used;
• the trailer is towed regularly or heavy loads are transported, etc.;

Finally, note, that it is not necessary to ignore questions of correctly picked up motor oil and features of change of oil. The lubricant must be as follows, which is recommended by the car manufacturer, as well as properly selected for the season.

It is still important to understand, that most cars are in difficult operating conditions. This means, that is the average oil change interval, specified by the vehicle manufacturer in the manual, it is desirable to reduce to 20-50% (depending on individual conditions, features of the oil used, etc.. d.)

Do not rely on the statements of fuel manufacturers. As practice shows, on our fuel even the highest quality synthetics like Longlife in simple atmospheric engines requires replacement as much as possible every 10 thousand. kilometers traveled. For pipe motors and forced high-agility atmospheric service interval is further reduced to an average of about 7-8 thousand. km.