Engine Renault K4M

The 1.6-liter 16-valve Renault K4M engine was first introduced at the 1998 salon and is still actively produced at a plant in Spain, Turkey, and since 2009 at AvtoVAZ. There is a version of such a motor with and without a phase regulator, as well as a sports version of the RS.

The K-series include: K4J, K7J, K4M, K7M and K9K.

In 1998, a 16-valve engine appeared in the Renault K-series powertrain range. In addition to the new block head with a pair of camshafts and hydraulic lifters, this motor received individual ignition coils, and in some versions, a phase regulator on the intake shaft. There was a forced version of the K4M RS for Clio GT models, as well as Wind or Twingo RS.

In all other respects, such an engine differs little from its 8-valve predecessors: there is a distributed fuel injection, an in-line cast-iron cylinder block, a timing belt drive. At first, the assembly of this motor was carried out only at the company’s Spanish plant in Valladolid, then an enterprise in Turkish Bursa was added to it, and in 2009, Togliatti AvtoVAZ.

Specifications

The engine was installed on:

• Renault Clio 2 (X65) in 1998 – 2005; Clio 3 (X85) in 2005 – 2013;
• Renault Duster 1 (HS) in 2010 – 2015;
• Renault Fluence 1 (L38) in 2009 – 2016;
• Renault Kangoo 1 (KC) in 2001 – 2009; Kangoo 2 (KW) in 2008 – 2014;
• Renault Laguna 1 (X56) in 1998 – 2001; Laguna 2 (X74) in 2001 – 2007; Laguna 3 (X91) in 2007 – 2010;
• Renault Logan 1 (L90) in 2009 – 2016; Logan 2 (L52) since 2012;
• Renault Logan 2 Stepway (L52S) since 2018;
• Renault Megane 1 (X64) in 1999 – 2003; Megane 2 (X84) in 2002 – 2009; Megane 3 (X95) in 2008 – 2014;
• Renault Sandero 1 (B90) in 2009 – 2014; Sandero 2 (B52) in 2012;
• Renault Sandero 1 Stepway (B90S) in 2009 – 2014; Sandero 2 Stepway (B52S) since 2014;
• Renault Scenic 1 (J64) in 1999 – 2003; Scenic 2 (J84) in 2003 – 2009; Scenic 3 (J95) in 2009 – 2016;
• Renault Symbol 1 (L65) in 2002 – 2008; Symbol 2 (L35) in 2008 – 2013;
• Renault Twingo 2 (C44) in 2008 – 2013;
• Renault Wind 1 (E33) in 2010 – 2013;
• Dacia Duster 1 (HS) in 2010 – 2018;
• Dacia Logan 1 (L90) in 2005 – 2013; Logan 1 MCV (R90) in 2006 – 2013;
• Dacia Sandero 1 (B90) in 2010 – 2012; Sandero 1 Stepway (B90x) in 2010 – 2012;
• Nissan Almera RUS (G15) in 2012 – 2019;
• Nissan Terrano 3 (D10) in 2014 – 2016;
• Lada Largus Cross in 2014 – 2017; Largus station wagon in 2012 – 2017; Largus van in 2015 – 2017.

Disadvantages of the Renault K4M engine

• In the modifications of this motor with a phase regulator, it is he who is the weak link. Sometimes it starts to crack already at 60,000 km, and a new one is quite expensive.
• According to the regulations, the timing belt is changed every 60,000 km, but in fact it takes longer. Most often, it breaks due to the wedge of the pump or the tensioner roller. The valves are bent at the same time.
• Regularly, owners of cars with such an engine are faced with floating rpm. The reason may be contamination of the idle speed controller, throttle or injectors. Also often the culprit is air leakage through cracks in the intake manifold.
• All power units in this line are prone to oil or coolant leaks. The main weak points are the valve cover, crankshaft front oil seal and oil separator. Antifreeze most often oozes through cracks in the thermostat housing.
• This power unit also has not the highest resource: its pillows, crankshaft damper pulley, ignition coils and crankshaft position sensor.