Engine Hyundai-Kia G4FC

The 1.6-liter Hyundai G4FC engine has been assembled at the concern’s plant in China since 2006 and is installed on many of the company’s mid-size models, such as the Ceed, i20, i30 and Soul.

In 2006, the 1.4 and 1.6 liter Gamma units replaced the Alpha series engines. Structurally, both motors are identical: an aluminum block with an open cooling jacket, an aluminum 16-valve DOHC block head without hydraulic lifters, a timing chain drive, an inlet dephaser, a plastic intake manifold without a geometry change system. Like predecessors, the first engines of the series were equipped with distributed fuel injection.

Since 2009, the Gamma family of engines began the transition to more stringent Euro 5 and a huge ram’s horn exhaust manifold gave way to a small catalytic converter. After that, problems began with scuffing due to the ingress of catalyst crumbs into the cylinders.

Gamma family: G4FA, G4FL, G4FS, G4FC, G4FD, G4FG, G4FJ, G4FM, G4FP, G4FT, G4FU.

Specifications

The engine was installed on:

• Hyundai Accent 4 (RB) in 2010 – 2018;
• Hyundai Elantra 4 (HD) in 2006 – 2011;
• Hyundai i20 1 (PB) in 2008 – 2010;
• Hyundai ix20 1 (JC) in 2010 – 2019;
• Hyundai i30 1 (FD) in 2007 – 2012;
• Hyundai Solaris 1 (RB) in 2010 – 2017;
• Kia Carens 3 (UN) in 2006 – 2013;
• Kia Cerato 1 (LD) in 2006 – 2009, Cerato 2 (TD) in 2008 – 2013;
• Kia Ceed 1 (ED) in 2006 – 2012;
• Kia ProCeed 1 (ED) in 2007 – 2012;
• Kia Rio 3 (QB) in 2011 – 2017;
• Kia Soul 1 (AM) in 2008 – 2011;
• Kia Venga 1 (YN) in 2009 – 2019.

Disadvantages of the Hyundai G4FC engine

• The motors of the first years of production were equipped with a large “ram’s horn” exhaust manifold, but with the transition to Euro 5, it gave way to a modern collector. Since then, the problem with scuffing in the cylinders due to catalyst crumbs has become relevant.
• The cylinder block here is made of aluminum with an open cooling jacket and thin sleeves, the rigidity of which is low. And with active use or regular overheating, the cylinders often go in an ellipse, after which a progressive lubricant consumption appears.
• With a quiet ride, the timing chain serves a lot and usually it changes closer to 200,000 km. But if the driver constantly turns the engine to high speeds, then the resource drops by half. Also, due to contamination of the lubricant, it often fails and the hydraulic tensioner jams.
• Briefly about minor problems: the alternator belt often whistles due to a weak tensioner, the engine mounts do not last long, oil leaks from under the valve covers and floating revolutions are often due to contaminated fuel injectors or a throttle assembly.

Frequently asked questions about the Hyundai-Kia G4FC