Renault Trafic engines

Renault Trafic is a French light van and minivan car from Renault Group. Manufactured since 1981. Since 2014, the third generation of the model has been produced. In 2016, a modification with increased driving performance appeared, designated as the Trafic X-Track. The machine is manufactured in Great Britain and France. The analogues of cars from other manufacturers are Opel Vivaro, Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar.

Renault Trafic, 1st generation, 1981–2001

First generation Renault Traffic, 1981–2001 The first generation Renault Trafic light commercial vehicle was produced from 1981 to 2001. It was equipped with 1.2, 1.4, 1.7 liter petrol engines or 2.1 and 2.5 liter diesel engines. It was equipped with a five-speed gearbox and was offered with various body types: a four- or five-door van, a two-door pickup or a five-door minibus.

Renault Trafic, 2nd generation, 2001–2014

Second generation Renault Traffic, 2001–2014 The second generation Renault Trafic was produced from 2001 to 2014. The twins of this model are the Opel Vivaro, Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar cars.

A nine-seater Renault Trafic minibus with a 116 hp 2-liter petrol engine and a 114 hp 2.0 dCi turbodiesel car were offered in many markets. The car had versions with two wheelbase lengths.

Renault Traffic, 3rd generation, 2014

Third generation Renault Traffic, 2014 The current generation of the Renault Trafic model has been produced since 2014.

The Renault Trafic was offered with 8 engines since 1980 (1 petrol, 7 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.6 to 2.5 liters, power output from 54 to 200 hp. 2 use a timing chain and 6 a timing belt. 7 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Renault F8Q (about 500,000 km).

Renault Trafic engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Renault Trafic 1 (TXW) 1980–2001
Renault J8S1980–19972.1 L R463–92 hpdiesel, NA / turbobelt6.3 L~500,000 km
Renault S8U1980–20012.4–2.5 L R471–113 hpdiesel, NA / turbobelt5.5–6.5 L~500,000 km
Renault F1N1984–19971.7 L R468 hppetrolbelt
Renault F8Q1997–20011.9 L R454–90 hpdiesel, NA / turbobelt5.9 L~500,000 km
Renault Trafic 2 (X83) 2001–2014
Renault G9U2001–20142.5 L R4100–145 hpdiesel, turbobelt + gears8.2 L~400,000 km
Renault F9Q (dCi)2001–20061.9 L R480–130 hpdiesel, turbobelt5.5 L~500,000 km
Renault M9R2006–20142.0 L R490–200 hpdiesel, turbochain7–7.8 L~500,000 km
Renault Trafic 3 (X82) 2014–present
Renault R9M2014–present1.6 L R495–160 hpdiesel, turbochain6.5 L~400,000 km

Renault Trafic engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Renault Trafic?

Renault Trafic 1 (TXW) (1980–2001): Renault J8S, Renault S8U, Renault F1N and Renault F8Q; Renault Trafic 2 (X83) (2001–2014): Renault G9U, Renault F9Q (dCi) and Renault M9R; Renault Trafic 3 (X82) (2014–present): Renault R9M.

Which Renault Trafic engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Renault Trafic engines are: Renault F8Q — about 500,000 km; Renault F9Q (dCi) — about 500,000 km; Renault J8S — about 500,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Renault Trafic engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Renault F8Q — 5.9 L (5W-40, 10W-40); Renault F9Q (dCi) — 5.5 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Renault G9U — 8.2 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Renault J8S — 6.3 L (10W-40, 15W-40); Renault M9R — 7–7.8 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Renault R9M — 6.5 L (5W-30); Renault S8U — 5.5–6.5 L (10W-40).

Does the Renault Trafic have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Renault M9R and Renault R9M; timing belt: Renault F1N, Renault F8Q, Renault F9Q (dCi), Renault G9U, Renault J8S and Renault S8U; gear drive: Renault G9U. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Renault Trafic available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Renault F8Q, Renault F9Q (dCi), Renault G9U, Renault J8S, Renault M9R, Renault R9M and Renault S8U.

Engine details

Renault J8S

Renault J8S

1979–1997 · 2.1 L R4 · diesel · 63–92 hp · belt

This diesel unit is very afraid of overheating and breaks the gasket in it regularly. But the most dangerous thing is that…

Renault S8U

Renault S8U

1980–2001 · 2.4–2.5 L R4 · diesel · 71–113 hp · belt

This is a strong diesel engine with a long resource, but when overheated, its cylinder head often bursts.

Renault F1N

Renault F1N

1984–1997 · 1.7 L R4 · petrol · 68 hp · belt

Poor fuel regularly clogs the carburetor filters and jets, causing vibration, unstable idle and stalling.

Renault F8Q

Renault F8Q

1988–2006 · 1.9 L R4 · diesel · 54–90 hp · belt

The most well-known problem with this diesel engine is head cracking. Almost all motors suffer from cracks and frequent overheating only accelerates…

Renault F9Q (dCi)

Renault F9Q (dCi)

1998–2012 · 1.9 L R4 · diesel · 80–130 hp · belt

The resource of this motor depends on the condition of the oil pump, which wears out quickly, from which its performance drops.…

Renault G9U

Renault G9U

1999–2014 · 2.5 L R4 · diesel · 100–145 hp · belt + gears

There is not a very reliable mechanism for adjusting the gap between the gears of the timing drive, in which the springs…

Renault M9R

Renault M9R

2005–present · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 90–200 hp · chain

Bosch piezo injectors are demanding on the quality of diesel fuel and their repairability is poor, but the main problems here are…

Renault R9M

Renault R9M

2011–present · 1.6 L R4 · diesel · 95–160 hp · chain

The most frequent calls of owners to the service are associated with the vagaries of piezo injectors, the rapid contamination of the…

Models with the same engines

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