Engine Renault M4R

The 2.0-liter Renault M4R engine has been assembled at factories in Yokohama and Busan since 2005 and is installed on such popular models of the company as Megane, Laguna, Fluence, Latitude. This power unit is inherently one of the varieties of the Nissan MR20DE engine.

The SCe line: B4A, B4D, H4D, H4M, M4R, M5R, 2TR, V4U, V4Y.

The engine debuted in 2005 as the MR20DE on the third generation of the Nissan Serena minivan and almost immediately began to be installed on the Renault Samsung SM5 sedan already under the M4R index. By design, this is a completely classic 16-valve engine of the Japanese school of motor building: an aluminum block, a head without hydraulic lifters, a timing chain and an inlet dephaser. Thanks to the use of an electronic throttle, this motor easily fits into the EURO 5 environmental standards.

A signature feature of this motor is considered to be a very low internal resistance, achieved through particularly careful surface treatment of all rubbing parts, such as crankshaft journals and camshaft cams. Literally to a mirror finish.

Specifications

Production years since 2005
Displacement, cc 1997
Fuel system injector
Power output, hp 130 – 145
Torque output, Nm 190 – 210
Cylinder block aluminum R4
Block head aluminum 16v
Cylinder bore, mm 84
Piston stroke, mm 90.1
Compression ratio 10.2
Hydraulic lifters no
Timing drive chain
Phase regulator at the intake
Turbocharging no
Recommended engine oil 5W-30, 5W-40
Engine oil capacity, liter 4.7
Fuel type petrol
Euro standards EURO 4/5
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Renault Fluence 2015)
— city
— highway
— combined
11.0
6.2
8.0
Engine lifespan, km ~350 000
Weight, kg 118

The engine was installed on:

  • Renault Clio 3 (X85) in 2006 – 2008;
  • Renault Fluence 1 (L38) in 2009 – 2017;
  • Renault Laguna 3 (X91) in 2007 – 2015;
  • Renault Latitude 1 (L70) in 2010 – 2015;
  • Renault Megane 3 (X95) in 2008 – 2016;
  • Renault Scenic 3 (J95) in 2009 – 2016;
  • Samsung SM3 2 (L38) in 2009 – 2020;
  • Samsung SM5 2 (EX1) in 2005 – 2010.

Disadvantages of the Renault M4R engine

  • Probably the most famous problem of this power unit is lubricant consumption. Sometimes the selection of a different oil or decarbonization helps, but most often only a major overhaul.
  • Often, on a run of about 200,000 km, the timing chain is pulled out in this engine. Replacement is inexpensive, but usually servicemen also sentence an expensive phase regulator.
  • On specialized forums, many cases of a sharp drop in engine power in intense heat have been described. The reason is most often in the air temperature sensor, which is combined here with the mass air flow sensor.
  • The aluminum cylinder head of this power unit is very delicate and is afraid not only of overheating, but simply of excessive force when screwing in the candles. Be extremely careful.
  • Also, the idle speed of the engine periodically floats here due to throttle contamination, the belt of mounted units often whistles or knocks requiring valve adjustment.

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