The 2.0-liter 8-valve Renault F3R engine was produced by the concern from 1986 to 2001 and was installed on such popular models as the Laguna, Megane, as well as the Volvo 440, 460 and 480.
The F-series include: F3P, F4P, F7P, F2R, F3R, F4R, F4Rt, F5R, F7R.
The first modification of the F3R engine appeared in 1986 on the Alliance model for the US market. This 95 hp power unit was essentially a version of the F2R engine with a single injection instead of a carburetor and lasted only a year on the assembly line.
The European version of the engine debuted in 1993 on the first generation of the Laguna. It was quite a typical unit for that time with an in-line cast-iron block for 4 cylinders, an aluminum 8-valve cylinder head without hydraulic lifters, and a timing belt drive. Unlike the American modification, the engine for Europe was with distributed injection.
In addition to some Renault models, this motor was installed on Volvo cars under the B20F index and Moskvich Svyatogor. For the latter, a version of the F3R 272 was developed with a longitudinal arrangement.
The engine was installed on:
- Renault Espace 3 (J66) in 1996 – 2000;
- Renault Laguna 1 (X56) in 1993 – 2001;
- Renault Megane 1 (X64) in 1995 – 2000;
- Renault Scenic 1 (J64) in 1996 – 1999;
- Volvo 440 in 1993 – 1996 (as B20F);
- Volvo 460 in 1993 – 1996 (as B20F);
- Volvo 480 in 1992 – 1995 (as B20F);
- Moskvich Svyatogor in 1997 – 2001.
Specifications
| Production years | 1986-2001 |
| Displacement, cc | 1998 |
| Fuel system | injector |
| Power output, hp | 109 – 114 (European ver.) 95 (US ver.) |
| Torque output, Nm | 165 – 168 (European ver.) 145 (US ver.) |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 8v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 82.7 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 93 |
| Compression ratio | 9.5 – 9.8 (European ver.) 9.4 (US ver.) |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-40, 5W-50 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.5 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 2 (European ver.) EURO 1 (US ver.) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Renault Laguna 1997) — city — highway — combined |
11.3 6.1 7.7 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~400 000 |
| Weight, kg | 136 |
Disadvantages of the Renault F3R engine
- Here you need to carefully monitor the cooling system, since any overheating can lead to the cylinder head. And the gasket will break through every 10,000 km. Exactly for the same reason, caps tan, rings lie down and oil consumption appears.
- Like many French motors, this unit is famous for frequent electrical failures. Not only sensors regularly fail, but also a system of two ignition coils.
- The main reason for the unstable operation of the motor is the contamination of the throttle or the idle speed controller, but also often the culprit is a breakdown of the fuel pump or contamination of its filter.
- According to the regulations, the timing belt here changes every 60,000 km, but it can burst earlier, for example, due to oil getting on it. When it breaks, the valves almost always bend.
- The weak points of this unit also include its pillows and attachments. Do not forget about the periodic adjustment of the valves, there are no hydraulic lifters here.
