The service life of an engine is usually understood as the number of operating hours that the engine can be guaranteed to operate. After such a motor life, the car owner invariably needs to carry out complex overhauls, carrying out a complete restoration of the engine. The engine life will depend on various factors, including the car’s driving style and regularity of service, as well as the type of engine. According to statistics, diesel engines have a longer service life, which is explained by the features of their design. However, the car owner needs to take into account the complexity of their maintenance.
Poor starting and poor performance at low temperatures. 20% true
“Behind the Wheel” conducted a comparative cold start test of diesel and gasoline engines. These were the petrol Kia Rio 1.6 and the Kia Sorento Prime with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel (both cars were fresh, with minimal mileage). It turned out that both engines start at -33°C and do not come to life at -36°C.
The Korean crossover in the freezer confirmed its high starting qualities at low temperatures.
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Extending the resource
Operating experience is an irreplaceable thing. It was he who helped identify a few simple rules that will help extend the “life” of a diesel engine and forget about operational problems. So let's get started:
- Change your oil in a timely manner.
For a diesel engine, the issue of choosing oil is one of the key ones. Please note that the lubricant composition must be suitable for the type of your power unit and meet the operating conditions. For most regions, the best option is universal oils - 5W40 and 10W40. In this case, you can give preference to both synthetics and semi-synthetics.
Pay special attention to the manufacturer (it is advisable to use oil from popular brands). In addition, try not to fill in oils from different manufacturers (even if they have the same class). This lack of forethought can lead to deposits and further engine contamination.
Recommendations for changing the oil can be found in the car manual. But these parameters are usually idealized. Practice shows that it is necessary to change the oil every 10-14 thousand kilometers. At the same time, filters need to be replaced (which is logical). If the car is operated in particularly difficult conditions, then the oil change interval can be reduced to 8-10 thousand kilometers.
Believe me, these are not just words. Timely oil changes can increase the life of the car by two or even three times.
- Raise the color number.
Today, special additives for diesel fuel are very popular. With their help, you can increase the color number and increase engine life. Why do this? In Russia, the requirements for this indicator are less stringent than in Europe. Our minimum acceptable parameter is from 45 units, in the EU – from 51 units. This difference needs to be covered.
Special additives (for example, Diesel Cetan+) help raise the color number by an average of five units. As a result, fuel ignition improves, engine efficiency increases, and service life increases. Such waste will result in an average of 30-40 kopecks per liter.
In addition to this additive, you can use special anti-smoke additives. With their help, you can also improve the quality of fuel combustion and at the same time reduce exhaust smoke. As a rule, the percentage of such an additive does not exceed 0.2-0.25% of the total volume of fuel, so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money.
- Don't skip timing belt replacement.
Most car enthusiasts remember the importance of replacing the high-pressure fuel pump, but forget about an equally important element - the belt. The reason is that most manufacturers prescribe in the technical manual long belt service life of 100,000 km and above. In fact, replacement often has to be done after 40-60 thousand kilometers. In order not to miss the moment, it is necessary to inspect the belt from time to time for damage, the appearance of oil or antifreeze on it, and the quality of the tension.
If you have a chain drive, then it will, of course, last longer, but it also cannot be called eternal. As a rule, it “walks” about 180-220 thousand kilometers. This mileage only seems high. With active use, it can be achieved within 6-7 years. You need to be especially careful when buying a used car.
- Remove excess deposits.
The world of auto chemicals never ceases to amaze with various developments - you need to use them. There are special additives that can be used to easily clean the engine fuel system - combustion chambers and other elements. This removes any varnish deposits and fuel residues.
The above work can be done using Diesel System Purge, a powerful solvent. It is enough to run the engine through a special cycle for one hour to get the expected result. After such work, you can count on the restoration of the injectors and effective cleaning of the entire fuel system, including the fuel pump.
Please note that the remaining dirt in the combustion chamber burns out for quite a long time - about 18-20 hours. If the contamination is severe, the valves may need to be adjusted. This procedure will allow you to level the compression level and increase the resource of the power unit.
- Clean the fuel system by hand.
If it is not possible to carry out cleaning using the method described above, then do not forget to clean the fuel filter and change it every 12-15 thousand kilometers.
But here, of course, much depends on the quality of the fuel itself. For example, the use of Euro-5 diesel fuel allows you to delay the replacement period by 5-10 thousand kilometers.
- Presence of moisture in the fuel tank and fuel system.
This is another big problem for cars with a diesel engine. This significantly affects the operation of the fuel system and can lead to corrosion in the injectors and pump plungers. “Interesting” situations also arise in winter, when the water simply freezes.
To avoid such problems, use special automotive chemicals. For example, the Dry Fuel additive helps to promptly get rid of moisture in the fuel tank. As a result, all components of the fuel system will be reliably protected. It is advisable to use such additives every 5-7 thousand kilometers.
- Warm up the engine properly.
The diesel engine loses its life the most in winter. The reason is improper warming up.
If the power unit is filled with 0W30 or, for example, 0W40 type oil, then there is no need for long warm-up. You can start the car, stand for 1-2 minutes and start driving. The main thing is not to increase the speed until it is completely warmed up.
- Protect your engine from sulfur.
It is no secret that in domestic diesel fuel the volume of sulfur exceeds 0.5%, with an acceptable level of 0.05%. Such excess of permissible parameters can lead to corrosion in the exhaust tract systems and combustion chamber. What to do in this case? There are several options: change the engine oil more often; pour special additives into motor oils that will reliably protect against changes in their parameters. For example, you can use the Diesel Oil Fortifier additive. With its help, you can improve the antioxidant properties and quality of engine lubrication. As a result, the engine oil will last 40-50% longer. The volume of such an additive is on average 10% of the total oil volume. This action can increase engine life by an average of 30-40%.
Under no circumstances should you jump start a diesel car. This can lead to failure of fuel system elements, as well as timing belt breakage; At the first sign of engine malfunction, immediately contact a service station. You shouldn’t test the car’s strength – it’s more expensive for yourself; Get timely servicing of your equipment only from professionals in their field.
How to increase the resource of an internal combustion engine
As you may have guessed, the service life of the engine depends not only on the material of its manufacture and technical projection characteristics, but also on the driver himself, or more precisely, on the correct maintenance of the power plant.
First of all, the driver must use for lubrication only high-quality oil that has passed special testing and is approved for use on a given type of engine. After all, the lubrication system is the “blood” of any engine and its life depends on its contents.
Oil for a diesel engine must be selected taking into account the applied loads. If you intend to use the engine in conditions close to extreme, it is recommended to fill only with oil with a high viscosity coefficient to avoid its dilution when the temperature rises. The type and brand of oil can also be found out by reading the technical data sheet for the power unit. It indicates all the characteristics of oils used on the engine under various conditions.
Experienced drivers know that a diesel engine is very sensitive to sudden increases in temperature. This phenomenon has a more serious impact than the quality of the oil being poured. To avoid overheating and increase engine power, you can install a turbo compressor connected to an intercooler, which will help maintain the engine at the temperature it needs.
That's probably all you need to know about the service life of a diesel engine. As you can see, the price to pay for a powerful and reliable motor is considerable, because you will have to stock up in advance on expensive spare parts and automotive chemicals that can save you from unnecessary expenses and preserve the life of the motor, even if quite large dust particles have flown into it.
Do million-dollar engines exist now? Where did this legend come from?
Perhaps the legends about million-dollar engines emerged from stories that were told by car drivers 17-20 years ago. They talked about the cars of German taxi drivers, which had traveled more than 1,000,000 kilometers and were in working condition. Currently, passenger cars do not have such a resource.
Currently, million-dollar engines can be found on trucks. Diesel power units with a displacement of more than 10 liters often overcome the 1,000,000 kilometer mark without serious intervention in the internal combustion engine.
Question answer
Why can’t you put modern oil into an old engine?
Durability of Renault engines
When choosing cars from this manufacturer, the deciding factor for many buyers is their durability. According to European car owners, the service life of the Renault engine is about 750,000 km. This figure is the highest among all B-class sedans. Naturally, this figure is only relevant when the car is properly cared for. With proper care, this figure may increase.
If this is a new car, it is important to break it in properly. Also, you should not drive on bad roads, where the engine will work at its limit. Do not overheat it or spin it too much. It is also important to change the timing belt on time - a lot depends on it.
The manufacturer recommends checking the belt every 15 thousand kilometers.
If all the rules for using the units are observed, their service life is quite high and can give a head start to older foreign cars.
How long does a diesel engine last on average?
It is believed that, in general, the service life of a diesel engine exceeds that of a gasoline engine by 2 or more times. After all, for the manufacture of a diesel engine, more durable materials are used that can withstand high temperatures - for example, cast iron instead of aluminum for the cylinder block. In addition, a special feature of the diesel engine is that high torque is achieved at low crankshaft speeds, which ensures less wear on parts.
But such comparisons in favor of diesel engines are correct only for heavy trucks. As for modern diesel engines with a volume of 1.9-2.2 liters in passenger cars, their maintenance-free life is about 300-350 thousand km. mileage This is comparable to the service life of gasoline engines.
The complexity of the fuel equipment of diesel internal combustion engines also directly affects their service life. Moreover, in difficult cases, restoring the normal operation of the fuel injection pump, injectors and plunger pair can cost more than overhauling a gasoline engine.
It is clear that the resource of a diesel engine declared by the manufacturer is designed for its operation in optimal conditions. And the specific mileage at which serious problems will appear is determined by two important factors.
Why are diesel engines longer in service life?
The thing is that more durable materials are chosen as materials for the manufacture of diesel engines. So, the cylinder block is made not of aluminum, but of cast iron. In addition, the strength tolerances here are much higher. The piston group is also manufactured - each part has higher strength limits. And such engines will work much longer.
On diesel cars, the number of operating revolutions is 1.5 times less than on gasoline cars. At the same time, the number of piston strokes is reduced and its wear is reduced. The speed of the piston group and crankshaft on a diesel engine will be from 1500 to 3000 rpm, while on a gasoline engine this figure will be twice as high.
What engines are installed on the Prado 150
Toyota Prado 150 is a fourth generation product, production of which began in 2009. The Japanese concern presented the model with a 2.7- and 4-liter gasoline engine, as well as a power unit running on 3-liter diesel fuel:
- The title of the most powerful engine in the presented model range was earned by the 1GR-FE gasoline unit. The engine volume is 4 liters. A high degree of cross-country ability is provided by 282 horsepower. But quality requires investment. The engine consumes a huge amount of fuel. The engine works in combination with an automatic transmission. The power unit accelerates the car to 180 km/h.
- Toyota Prado 150 diesel is popular among car enthusiasts due to its adequate fuel consumption. However, special attention is paid to the quality of the diesel fuel being filled. The developed Prado 150 engine on a 3.0 diesel engine has a power of 173 horsepower. The engine operates by sucking in cool air through a turbocharger. This system allows you to reach speeds of up to 175 km/h.
- Specifications of the 2TR-FE include a volume of 2.7 liters and a power of 160 horsepower. The only engine model that works in tandem with automatic transmission and manual transmission. Despite the small resource, the power unit copes with the dimensions of the car, providing the driver with good controllability. The maximum speed of the Prado 150 is 165 km/h.
The choice of motor depends on the preferences of the future owner.
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Afterburning catalysts, expensive particulate filters, valves will “live” longer!
Thanks to the combustion catalyst, there are fewer impurities in the exhaust gases. Therefore, the load on the particulate filter and afterburning catalyst drops sharply.
Interestingly, afterburning catalysts are able to restore their performance: reducing agents formed during combustion of fuel in the additive clean their surface.
During a flash and high-temperature combustion of the air-fuel mixture, the additive cleans the cylinders and exhaust tract, in particular the particulate filter, from soot. Deposits are also removed from the pistons.
More information about the positive effect that FuelEXx has on the life of the particulate filter and catalyst can be found here https://www.rvsmaster.ru/Blog/sazha-sazhevyj-filtr-i-katalizator.
Diesel engines have high torque. Fair
A diesel engine by its nature does have more torque than a gasoline engine due to the higher effective pressure in the cylinder. This is due to longer combustion at constant pressure in the cylinder. This was the case with naturally aspirated diesel and gasoline engines. Nowadays, turbocharged diesel engines (and they don’t produce others) significantly exceed the torque of only naturally aspirated gasoline engines.
External speed characteristics of two engines of similar power installed on the Renault Duster: A - K9K diesel engine; B — gasoline engine K4M.
But gasoline engines with direct injection and turbochargers are literally stepping on the heels of diesel engines. Their boost control system allows them to provide a wide range of torque, which drivers like so much. Well, this shelf is a little lower than that of diesel engines.
R9M Engine Characteristics
R9M engine
Technical characteristics of the R9M engine:
- exact volume – 1598 cubic meters. cm;
- power (hp) – from 130 to 180;
- torque (N/m) – 320 (maximum value);
- compression ratio - 15.4;
- fuel used – diesel;
- environmental class – Euro-5;
- food – direct injection “Direct Injection”;
- cast iron cylinder block;
- number of cylinders – 4;
- valves per cylinder – 4;
- piston stroke – 79.5 mm;
- Timing (chain) – DOHC type;
- permissible oil consumption – up to 500 g. per 1000 km;
- lubricant change frequency - every 15,000 km (in harsh conditions - after 7-8 thousand);
R9M engine under the hood of Nissan Qashqai
Fuel consumption
Diesel consumption by a Nissan X-Trail T32 (third generation) with a 6-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive and 1.6 R9M engine:
- in city mode - 6.2 liters per 100 km;
- in “highway” mode – 4.8 liters per hundred;
- mixed cycle - 5.3 l.
Nissan X-Trail T32
Fuel consumption on the Qashqai j11 crossover with similar units:
- in the city - 5.6 l;
- on the highway - 4.5 l;
- mixed version - 4.9 l.
Diesel fuel consumption on a first-generation all-wheel drive Qashqai with a 6-speed manual:
- in “city” mode – 6.1 l;
- in “out of town” mode (on the highway) – 4.6 l;
- mixed cycle - 5.1 l.
Nissan Qashqai J11 before update on top, updated on bottom
How long does a turbocharged engine last in Russian conditions?
In our climate, turbines in passenger cars operate for approximately 80,000 - 100,000 kilometers, depending on the load and driving style. Their service life is affected by almost the same factors as the engine - the quality of lubricants, operating conditions. Under particular intense loads, sudden starts at traffic lights, rash overtaking with sudden braking, the service life of the turbine is reduced. It must be remembered that after driving the turbine must be cooled. To do this, before turning off the engine in the parking lot, you need to let it run for about a minute at idle speed.
Question answer
What is torque and why is it more important than horsepower?
VAZ
Cars of this domestic brand used to have a service life of 130 thousand km. But now the situation is gradually changing. AvtoVAZ is releasing new engines that are characterized by smoother and quieter operation.
But still, cars in this segment are economy class, so it’s simply pointless to wait for anything here. In production they are trying to make the design cheaper. Inexpensive materials, assembly, attachments - all this significantly affects durability.
But at the same time, the new VAZ engines, the service life of which, according to engineers, is 500 thousand km, work quite well.
Perhaps this figure should be a little less, about 300 thousand, and even then in a quiet driving mode, but this is already the result.
The figure that reflects the service life of the vehicle is generally not as important as high-quality and regular maintenance of the unit and the vehicle. No matter how high the reliability indicator is, it can easily be reduced by low-quality oil, poor fuel, and improper maintenance. It doesn’t matter at all what the engine’s service life is. It is important to monitor the condition of the units correctly and in a timely manner. and then it will not need repairs in the near future.
Design Features
The specifics of design solutions are directly related to the service life of the diesel engine. So, the larger the engine volume , the greater its safety margin, while small cars running on diesel engines have a noticeably shorter lifespan before overhaul.
Another important point is whether the engine is equipped with turbocharging . The latter increases torque and power, but also reduces the engine life of the internal combustion engine. But there are legends about longevity - it is known that they “run” for a million kilometers without serious interventions.
What does the indicator depend on?
This figure is greatly influenced by the volume of the combustion chambers.
And the higher this indicator, the more positively it affects the service life. The condition of the cylinders and pistons plays an important role. For example, the integrity of the rings is negatively affected by the conditions of use. Carbon deposits and dust can act abrasively on parts and thus destroy them. The upper part of the cylinder also wears out quickly - gases and inner rings press on it, and lubrication may be insufficient.
Naturally, only the manufacturer can determine the service life of a diesel engine. Different cars and different engine models may have different performance. The higher the cost of the motor, the better it is. It is also important for what purpose the machine is used. If the car is raced, that's one thing, but if the car is used as a family car, that's another thing entirely.
Some cars can only be purchased with diesel. Is it true
Some models can be purchased in our country only with a diesel engine. This often happens because only diesel modifications have tax-effective power of up to 250 hp. For example, Audi Q7. Although the luxurious SQ8 is also equipped with a 422 hp diesel engine.
The premium cross-coupe SQ8 from Audi is equipped only with diesel engines.
Step-by-step instruction
For most diesel car models, this service procedure is performed using standard technology:
- It is necessary to drive the car onto an overpass or a pit in the garage.
- Wait for the oil in the engine to cool, then unscrew the drain plug located on the engine crankcase.
- The waste will drain into a previously placed container, after which it is necessary to unscrew the filter, replace it, tighten the drain plug and pour new Lukoil oil into the engine through the appropriate neck.
- In most cases, this procedure takes 30-40 minutes and does not present any difficulty.
If the thread is burnt and it is not possible to unscrew the filter, you can try to pierce the filter housing with a flat screwdriver and, using it as a lever, unscrew the thread. If possible, use a special filter puller, which greatly simplifies maintenance work.
For cars with an on-board computer, the program of which contains certain data about the mileage of the car during service, you will have to reset the meter readings yourself.
This can be done either using a computer connected to the car (for this you will have to purchase a special connector for connecting a laptop) or by manually closing the corresponding connectors on the diagnostic equipment connection terminal. You can also simply ignore the readings of the on-board computer, which will erroneously signal the need for service work.
Power plant operating mode
When choosing a diesel power plant, it is necessary to determine in advance the needs that the diesel power plant must meet, so that in the future you do not have to regret the wrong choice or wasted money. The diesel generator engine should be selected in accordance with the operating mode of the power plant.
| Main power supply | Backup power supply |
| Continuous use of a diesel power plant if there is no other permanent source of power supply | The power plant is used only during outages of stationary power supply, for example when electrical networks are damaged or overloaded. |
| Choose an engine that can operate without interruption for a long time | Choose a motor that can instantly accept 100% of the load at once |
What is inside?
In terms of design and functionality, the salon does not stand out from other “Japanese” ones. Everything is standard and convenient. At the same time, there are complaints about the finishing. Plastic is sensitive to mechanical stress. After just a couple of months it looks scratched and worn, which is noticeable, especially in bright sunshine.
A typical problem with the Prado 150 is the “weak” handles of the climate control unit. Particular care should be taken with the right “twist” - the passenger area. It is hollow inside, and the stopper is weak and when pressed hard, the button is easily recessed. You can’t buy the handle separately – just the whole unit assembled. Fortunately, if you have time and desire, you can fix it yourself by disassembling the block and putting the broken cylinder in its place using glue.
If we talk about the seats and steering wheel, the equipment is important here. After more than 100 thousand kilometers of mileage, only premium leather will look beautiful. And the upholstery of the seats, steering wheel, as well as the silver plastic inserts on the steering wheel and gearbox handle noticeably wear out after 30 thousand km. This will inevitably be misleading when assessing mileage based on indirect evidence, but until the 2nd restyling in 2022, mileage is not duplicated in any of the ECU units.
Steering wheel after 50,000 km. In most cars, by 100,000 km the steering wheel has already been reupholstered with new materials. Driver's seat. 160,000 km
In terms of electrical and electronics, Prado is a typical native of the land of the rising sun. That is, there are almost no problems, nothing breaks or burns without malicious intent. However, with long-term use, “even an old woman can get ruined.” There are known cases of replacing the steering column cable accompanied by the failure of the buttons on the steering wheel and the display of errors on the SRS unit. The price of the original cable starts from 18 thousand rubles, the Chinese analogue will cost 10-12 times cheaper.
Creaks in the Toyota interior are already commonplace. “Music” in the cabin is usually created by explosive plastic on the center console or at the bottom right of the windshield. To drive it away, you need to glue the plastic lining on the outside.
Sometimes the trunk door locks or the travel limiter are weak. The problem is solved by regular lubrication:
Instructions for using the additive
The instructions themselves do not look complicated. I just opened the bottle and poured it in. But before that, the internal combustion engine must be prepared.
- It is better to change the oil and filter, since the composition is not intended to increase the service life of the lubricant in the engine. And if you replace the old oil on time, you will drain the additive, thereby throwing money down the drain.
- Before filling, warm up the engine to operating temperature and turn it off. In a warm engine, the additive will mix better and faster with the oil.
- Pour the contents of the bottle into the oil filler neck.
- Start it and let it idle for 10-15 minutes.
Here are all the instructions. I will note one nuance that I read on the forum in correspondence with a representative of VMPAUTO.
The question was : Is it possible to pour the additive in -30 frost or is it better to wait?
The answer sounded something like this : You can fill in the additive at any time, but it is best to do this before frost.
Replacing consumable parts
Filters, spark plugs and other consumable parts must be replaced in a timely manner to eliminate the possibility of reducing engine life.
Turbo engines and naturally aspirated internal combustion engines require a constant flow of air, which is part of the fuel-air mixture. Such air must be clean and free of any debris, which is ensured by an air filter, the replacement of which is regulated. Although the peculiarities of car operation make their own adjustments. Mostly the filter is replaced every 10 thousand km.
The next important “consumable” is spark plugs. They must not only be checked and changed on time, but also chosen correctly. Spark plugs must match the specific internal combustion engine. If this is not the case, the resource of the unit will suffer due to impaired sparking.
The engine life is comparable to how human life is maintained. Both the first and second need nutrients and clean air. Only in this case can we hope for a long life of functioning of a living organism and a mechanical device in the form of an internal combustion engine.
