The 2.4-liter Hyundai G4KE engine was produced in South Korea and the United States from 2008 to 2019 and was installed on many of the company’s large models, such as the Sonata, Sorento and Santa Fe. This powertrain is still assembled at Hyundai’s Chinese plant for the local market.
In 2008, an updated line of Theta II gasoline engines was introduced and at first it consisted of two atmospheric engines with distributed injection of 2.0 and 2.4 liters. The main difference from the predecessors of the Theta family was the presence of phase shifters on both camshafts, as well as a new intake manifold with a geometry change system. Otherwise, these are all the same engines with an aluminum block, an open cooling jacket, cast-iron sleeves, an aluminum 16-valve cylinder head without hydraulic lifters and a timing chain. As in many large displacement 4-cylinder engines, there is a block of balancers in the sump.
The manufacturer has constantly upgraded this power unit and the engines of different years are different. For example, in 2010, a different oil pump appeared, combined with a block of balancing shafts, and since 2012, such engines began to be equipped with piston cooling oil nozzles.
Theta 2.4L family: G4KC, G4KE, G4KG, G4KJ, G4KK.
The engine was installed on:
- Hyundai Grandeur 4 (TG) in 2009 – 2011; Grandeur 5 (HG) in 2013 – 2016;
- Hyundai ix35 1 (LM) in 2009 – 2015;
- Hyundai Sonata 5 (NF) in 2008 – 2010; Sonata 6 (YF) in 2009 – 2014; Sonata 7 (LF) in 2014 – 2019;
- Hyundai Santa Fe 2 (CM) in 2009 – 2012; Santa Fe 3 (DM) in 2012 – 2018;
- Kia Cadenza 1 (VG) in 2009 – 2011;
- Kia Forte 2 (TD) in 2008 – 2013;
- Kia Magentis 2 (MG) in 2008 – 2010;
- Kia Rondo 3 (UN) in 2009 – 2010;
- Kia Sorento 2 (XM) in 2009 – 2017;
- Kia Sportage 3 (SL) in 2010 – 2016.
Specifications
| Production years | 2008-2019 |
| Displacement, cc | 2359 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 170 – 180 |
| Torque output, Nm | 220 – 230 |
| Cylinder block | aluminum R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 88 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 97 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | yes |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.2 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 4/5 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Hyundai Santa Fe 2011) — city — highway — combined |
11.7 7.2 8.8 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
| Weight, kg | 136.3 |
Disadvantages of the Hyundai G4KE engine
- The main complaints about the powertrains of the Theta line are related to scuffing in the cylinders, which appear due to crumbs from the catalyst falling directly into the combustion chambers. Usually, a progressive oil consumption immediately appears, and then a piston knock.
- The abrasive formed when scuffing appears is carried throughout the entire oil system and contributes to accelerated wear of both the camshaft journals and the oil pump gears. And a drop in oil pressure in the system often leads to crankshaft liners turning. Since the end of 2011, inserts with a composite coating have been installed, their resource is even less.
- Despite the fact that, according to the officials, the chain is designed for the entire life of the engine, most often it is already seriously stretched to runs from 100 to 150 thousand kilometers. The main danger is that the extended chain often jumps, and the valves is bent here.
- Also, there are very weak gaskets and seals, and therefore lubricant leaks often occur, and attachments are not the highest resource for this unit.
