The 1.8-liter 8-valve Renault F3P engine appeared in 1992 as a replacement for the 1.7‑liter F2N due to tougher environmental requirements. It is found on models such as Renault 19, Clio and Laguna. Under the Volvo hood, this single-injection engine has the B18U index.
The F-series include: F3P, F4P, F7P, F2R, F3R, F4R, F4Rt, F5R, F7R.
In the early nineties of the last century, environmental requirements for all cars became more stringent and French designers had to upgrade the F2N engine. The result was a power unit with a standard catalytic converter and electronic fuel injection, first mono, and then multi-point. Due to the use of larger pistons, the working volume increased from 1721 to 1783 cm3 (in the 678 version 1794 cm³).
The timing drive remained a belt drive with a replacement schedule every 120,000 km, and due to the lack of hydraulic lifters, periodic adjustment of valve clearances is required.
The engine was installed on:
- Renault 19 (X53) in 1992 – 1997;
- Renault Clio 1 (X57) in 1993 – 1998;
- Renault Laguna 1 (X56) in 1993 – 1999;
- Volvo 440 in 1990 – 1996 (as B18U);
- Volvo 460 in 1990 – 1996 (as B18U).
Specifications
Production years | 1992-1999 |
Displacement, cc | 1783 – 1794 |
Fuel system | injector |
Power output, hp | 88 – 110 |
Torque output, Nm | 142 – 160 |
Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
Block head | aluminum 8v |
Cylinder bore, mm | 82.7 |
Piston stroke, mm | 83 – 83.5 |
Compression ratio | 9.6 – 10 |
Hydraulic lifters | no |
Timing drive | belt |
Turbocharging | no |
Fuel type | petrol |
Euro standards | EURO 1/2 |
Engine lifespan, km | ~250 000 |
Weight, kg | 132 |
Disadvantages of the Renault F3P engine
- Unstable operation of the engine is almost always associated with malfunctions of the ignition system. And it doesn’t matter if you have a distributor or individual coils, both options are problematic.
- In fact, there may be several reasons for this: a throttle valve overgrown with dirt, a burned-out lambda probe, or a buggy coolant temperature sensor.
- Most often, by a run of 200 thousand kilometers, oil and coolant leaks begin. No sooner do you get rid of one leak, another immediately arises.
- Power failures, up to the point that the car simply stalls, are usually caused by a clogged fuel filter or injectors, less often by a fuel pump failure.