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Engines from JAPAN Reviews

Car Blog

Engines ACURA

Acura cars generally have similar specifications to Honda models, with even the same model names. Most Acura models are produced in North America, while some, like the RL and NSX, are imported from Japan due to lower demand. In 1999 alone, over 101,300 American Acura models were manufactured. Notably, Acura’s best engine is the Japanese i-DTEC, which was introduced in 2009. The i-DTEC engine reduces emissions, offers excellent power, fuel efficiency, and environmental friendliness. It operates quietly, providing exceptional handling. Driving a car with the i-DTEC engine is a delightful experience.

Engines NISSAN

Nissan engines are renowned for their reliability and durability. Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Nissan is one of the few manufacturers that use gear and chain timing mechanisms instead of rubber timing belts. This choice enhances longevity and eliminates the need for belt replacements.
  2. Nissan diesel engines rarely experience cylinder head warping or cracking even under severe overheating conditions.
  3. Many Nissan gasoline engines can run smoothly on lower-octane gasoline, although it’s advisable not to overuse it.

These examples demonstrate that Nissan engines are on par with other top Japanese models in terms of quality. The VQ engines, found in models like Cedric, Maxima/Cefiro, and others, have been considered the best in their class for around seven years.

 

Engines TOYOTA

Toyota engines are renowned for their reliability and ease of repair. Unlike some other manufacturers, Toyota engines are designed with simplicity and durability in mind. They may not have certain features like balancing shafts or extensive variable valve timing systems found in engines like Mitsubishi’s. However, Toyota has implemented systems like VVTi to enhance performance and reliability. Toyota vehicles have well-organized engine compartments, making maintenance and servicing straightforward.

Among Japanese manufacturers, Toyota engines are considered highly reliable. The inline 6-cylinder series and the JZ and 1G engines are particularly notable for their performance and dependability. Repairing engines from the A series (excluding the 4A-GE with 5 valves per cylinder) is relatively easy. Other Toyota engines are also generally trouble-free to repair. The only notable engine failures are found in the diesel engines like the 2C-T, 2L-T (E), and the gasoline VZ series, which can experience rapid wear on counterbalanced crankshaft journals.

Engines MITSUBISHI

Japanese engines, particularly those from Mitsubishi, are often considered problematic and challenging to repair. The design choices made by Mitsubishi engine designers, such as using plastic carburetors, balancing shafts, direct fuel injection systems, and V-shaped cylinder arrangements, do not contribute to the engines’ reliability and ease of maintenance.

For instance, the inline four-cylinder engine found in the Galant model operates smoothly due to the use of balancing shafts. However, if the drive to the shafts fails (a common occurrence in older units), the engine, which was not originally designed to function without them, may require extensive repairs. Diesel engines like the 4D56 and 4D55, especially when equipped with turbocharging, are particularly problematic. They often experience cylinder head failures in harsh winter conditions due to the material’s inability to withstand low temperatures.

The reliability of the cylinder heads is greatly affected by low temperatures, leading to thermal stress cracks. When starting the engine in extremely cold weather without allowing it to warm up properly, thermal stresses become excessive due to the temperature difference between the combustion chamber and the cooler head. Over time, microcracks can develop and eventually lead to coolant and gas leakage. It’s worth noting that even in a warm engine, high thermal stresses can occur during extended periods of high-load operation or when using full fuel supply.

Detecting cracks in naturally aspirated diesel engines is challenging since they typically experience lower thermal stress due to lower fuel burn rates and, consequently, lower gas temperatures in the cylinder. One headache for mechanics is the EFI-diesel 4M40, specifically the electronically controlled TVND variant commonly found in the Pajero model.

In summary, Japanese Mitsubishi engines require timely and competent servicing. If you plan to purchase a Mitsubishi vehicle, it’s advisable to opt for a model with a “simpler” engine like the 4G15 found in the Lancer, which may be easier to maintain.

Engines HONDA

This automaker produces highly reliable engines with minimal defects. If you maintain and service your Honda engine properly and use high-quality oil and gasoline, you can expect a trouble-free experience. However, it’s important to be aware of the following characteristics specific to Honda engines:

  1. Many (but not all) Honda engines have a high RPM range, which can lead to issues if a used Honda vehicle with a highly revving engine, such as the Honda Integra with a redline starting at 8000 RPM, requires major repairs due to reaching the end of its lifespan.
  2. Repairs on Honda engines can sometimes be challenging due to the presence of various features like electronically controlled dual carburetors, VTEC, and other unique components. Additionally, Honda engines may have a crankshaft rotation direction opposite to that of other Japanese engines.
  3. It is essential to use high-quality oil and fuel suitable for the specific engine requirements, especially for high-performance engines.

However, it’s worth noting that most problems arise from the advanced and high-performance Honda engines. If your car has a more “mild” engine, such as the F23A or C35A, you have less to worry about.

 

Engines MAZDA

Mazda engines are generally considered reliable and not overly problematic. Unlike some other manufacturers, Mazda does not heavily experiment with engine designs (except for their rotary units). Their engines lack significant innovations that would positively impact their reliability and ease of maintenance. In terms of reliability and maintainability, Mazda engines are slightly behind Toyota engines.

Subaru engines are known for their horizontally opposed arrangement, which provides high cylinder rigidity and strength. It’s worth noting that repairing Subaru engines can be quite challenging.

The older EA82 engine series, produced before 1989, has always been recognized for its reliability. From 1989 onward, Subaru started using the newer EJ series engines (EJ15, EJ18, EJ20, EJ25, EJ30). While these engines are not exceptionally reliable, they perform reasonably well overall. They have moderate power output and lack features like direct fuel injection and variable valve timing. It’s important to mention that Subaru, like Honda, does not offer diesel engines. Subaru engines are sensitive to the quality of fuel and oil, and in terms of quality, they are comparable to Toyota engines.

 

Engines SUZUKI

Suzuki engines generally provide reliable performance and do not cause significant issues for their owners. However, I cannot provide detailed information about the smaller engines with a displacement of 660 cc (which Suzuki produces for many of their cars). In popular models like the Vitara and Escudo, the inline 4-cylinder G16A engine with a displacement of 1.6 liters is both easy to repair and reliable. On the other hand, the newer V-shaped 6-cylinder engines, such as the J20A with a displacement of 2.0 liters and the H25A with a displacement of 2.5 liters, are comparatively more finicky than the 4-cylinder G16A.

As for Daihatsu engines, there is limited information available about them. Therefore, specific defects related to these engines are not widely known. Historically, Daihatsu designers have not incorporated many advanced features like variable valve timing into their engines.

 

Engines ISUZU

Isuzu, a Japanese automaker, no longer manufactures its own car models. However, it is well-known for its SUVs and trucks, which often feature diesel engines. Isuzu diesel engines have earned a reputation for their durability and reliability, although the 4JX1 diesel engine used in models like the Trooper and Bighorn is considered slightly less reliable compared to the Nissan TD27 engine. As for Isuzu gasoline engines, there are no significant issues or negative reports that I am aware of. They are known for their relatively simple design and have generally performed well.