The 1.6-liter Toyota 4A-FE engine was produced by a Japanese concern from 1987 to 2002 and was installed on a number of well-known models of the company such as Avensis, Corolla, Celica, Carina E. In addition to the usual modification of this engine, a particularly economical version of Lean Burn was produced.
The A family also includes engines: 8A‑FE, 5A‑FE, 5A‑FHE, 4A‑FE, 4A‑FHE, 4A‑GE, 4A‑GZE, 7A‑FE.
This engine appeared in 1987 along with the new generation of the E90 Corolla model and is a classic injection 4-cylinder unit with a cast-iron block and a 16-valve aluminum head with two camshafts, which are driven by a timing belt. Hydraulic compensators are not provided, so the valves need to be adjusted every 100,000 km.
In total, there are three generations of this power unit with an impressive list of differences:
- The first generation, or as it is also called 4A-FE Gen 1, was produced from 1987 to 1996 and can be very easily distinguished by the large Toyota 16 VALVE EFI inscription on the valve cover.
- The second generation or 4A-FE Gen 2 was produced from 1992 and had a gray valve cover. The main difference was the relocation of the fuel injectors from the head to the intake manifold, a more reliable ignition system, a MAP sensor, other camshafts and a connecting rod piston group also appeared.
- The third generation was installed only on models for the Asian car market from 1997 to 2002 and was distinguished by a more developed intake and exhaust, which increased power by 5 hp.
The engine was installed on:
- Toyota Avensis 1 (T220) in 1997 – 2001;
- Toyota Carina 5 (T170) in 1987 – 1992; Carina 6 (T190) in 1992 – 1998;
- Toyota Celica 5 (T180) in 1989 – 1993;
- Toyota Corolla 6 (E90) in 1987 – 1992; Corolla 7 (E100) in 1991 – 1998; Corolla 8 (E110) in 1995 – 2002;
- Toyota Corolla Spacio 1 (E110) in 1997 – 2001;
- Toyota Corona 9 (T170) in 1988 – 1992; Corona 10 (T190) in 1992 – 1996; Corona 11 (T210) in 1996 – 2001;
- Toyota Sprinter 6 (E90) in 1988 – 1991; Sprinter 7 (E100) in 1992 – 1998; Sprinter E110 in 1995 – 2001.
Specifications
| Production years | 1987-2002 |
| Displacement, cc | 1587 |
| Fuel system | injector |
| Power output, hp | 100 – 115 |
| Torque output, Nm | 135 – 150 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 81 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 77 |
| Compression ratio | 9.5 |
| Hydraulic lifters | no |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 3.2 |
| Fuel type | 92 |
| Euro standards | EURO 2 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Toyota Carina E 1997) — city — highway — combined |
9.5 5.6 7.1 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
| Weight, kg | 128 |
Disadvantages of the 4A-FE engine
- Economical Lean Burn engines are very demanding on fuel quality, use expensive platinum candles and suffer from sudden traction dips that are almost impossible to get rid of.
- Series A motors do not have pronounced weaknesses and all their problems are from old age. But there is still one branded sore: piston pin knocks at high mileage. First, of course, check the thermal clearances of the valves, they often knock.
- The culprit for a sharp increase in fuel consumption is often a burned-out lambda probe, and the failure of the temperature sensor leads to the fact that the engine does not start at all. Often the absolute pressure sensor and the throttle position sensor fail.
- After 200,000 km, lubricant consumption often appears up to 1 liter per 1000 km of run. The reason may be the wear of the valve stem seals and the occurrence of piston rings.
- On trifles, this engine regularly worries: nozzles and a throttle valve get dirty pretty quickly, which is why the speed starts to float, the unit starts to triple or vibrate, malfunctions in the ignition system are not uncommon, the crankshaft oil seal periodically flows, etc.
