Automobiles, Cars
Engine EP6: specifications, description, problems, reviews
The car engine EP6 is mainly installed on French cars from manufacturers "Citroen" and "Peugeot". Despite the fact that this power unit is quite common, it is imperfect and has a number of problems. In order to avoid them, it is necessary to comply with a number of rules and recommendations for the operation and maintenance of the engine EP6.
brief information
The power unit EP6 was developed jointly by Peugeot and BMW. Despite this fact, the engine has turned out to be quite contradictory: on the one hand, innovative technologies have made it cheap, efficient and reliable, and on the other, it exhibits "capriciousness" to harsh operating conditions, which is expressed in excessive consumption of motor oil. Nevertheless, the EP6 engine is installed not only on Citroën and Peugeot, but also on other models that are created by megaconcern BMW Group.
It is worth noting that the company also participated in the development of the engine. Production of motors is carried out at the PSA Peugeot-Citroen plant. It is located in the northern part of France, and it is from there that the engines get to the world market. New developments and production technology of such units is kept in the strictest secrecy. However, some of the information still seeps into the masses and becomes public.
For example, in this model of engines, cylinders are installed, the heads of which are cast without the use of special shapes. In addition, as a raw material for the production of cylinder blocks, the manufacturer uses only light alloys. Another feature is the lack of a counterweight when balancing the crankshaft in the production process of the motor. In the latest technology, the production of connecting rods is not without two-sided forging. After the engine is assembled, it undergoes very strict quality control. Probably, this made this motor one of the most reliable in the process of operation.
Engine characteristics
This unit is equipped with four cylinders, as well as a special system of water cooling. Engine power EP6 - 120 liters. from. (Translated into power units - 88 kW), while the volume is 1598 cubic centimeters (or 1.6 liters). Each cylinder of the engine has 4 valves, their total number is 16. A distinctive feature is the compression ratio, which has a parameter of 11: 1. Many motorists can please and torque, which is 160 nm at 4250 rpm. The diameter of each cylinder is 77 mm.
The engine EP6 is perfectly combined with a five-speed manual transmission, as well as a four-stage adaptive transmission. In addition to the 120-strong version, there is a 150-strong, equipped with a turbo system.
Engine arrangement
The description of the EP6 engine allows for better understanding of the cause of the fault and for prompt repairs. So, the power unit consists of the following parts:
- Four cylinders lined up in a row;
- Two camshafts, which are located in the cylinder head;
- Four valves per cylinder;
- A special system that allows changing the gas distribution phases;
- Turbocharger BorgWarner Twin-Scroll;
- A system that allows for regular self-cooling of the turbocharger;
- Intercooler;
- Chain drive of the gas-distributing mechanism;
- Hydraulic supports and roller pushers that drive each valve;
- Systems of direct fuel injection.
The main problems of the engine EP6
According to statistics, the EP6 engine on the Peugeot is installed more often than other brands of cars. However, the owners of these machines often complain about the problems that arise with the motor. It should be noted that EP6 is quite vulnerable to harsh operating conditions. Information on the causes of problems, as well as how to solve them, will be presented below.
At the new "Peugeot" or "Citroen" engine starts to operate quite noisy and unstable, while it does not "give" the claimed capacity. The engine literally chokes when trying to disperse the car, while consuming an increased amount of oil and fuel. In addition, the phases of the gas distribution mechanism begin to "run away," and a message may appear on the dashboard - the antipollution system faulty ...
Unexplained, but the fact that a new car with the ER6 starts to "bug" the sensor, which is responsible for monitoring the temperature of the coolant, which causes the engine to become unstable. Incorrect readings of the sensor can lead to a vain replacement of the thermostat, which does not help to solve the problem.
However, the main disadvantage of this engine is the frequent oil leakage. It can "escape" by seeping through the valve cover. From there it gets into the wells for the candles and corrodes the tips of the ignition coils there. Also, oil can flow from the oil filter housing, seep through the gasket of the vacuum pump and the electrovalve.
The causes of problems with EP6
For the reasons that lead to a number of failures and breakdowns of EP6, the following factors can be attributed:
- Non-observance of the recommendations for the operation and maintenance of the engine.
- Using the motor in harsh conditions (constant high intensity of operation, sudden temperature changes, high humidity, extreme driving).
- A rare change in oil and the use of low-quality fuel.
The last problem of the EP6 engine is worth talking about in the most detail. A rare change in the lubricating fluid or the operation of the EP6 motor in conditions of a low oil level leads to a failure of the mechanism responsible for lifting the valves. In this case, it can break down as a motor that moves the shaft, and the worm drive and the gross gear (there is simply a mechanical wear of these elements). Also, special attention should be given to the timing of the use of the gas distribution chain. It eventually stretches and requires replacement.
An interesting feature is the fact that Peugeot engineers recommend changing the oil after 20,000 kilometers of the rally. This recommendation is aimed at the fact that after the expiration of the warranty period, the motorist will have a motor that requires major overhauls: a stretched chain, shifted phases, oil channels clogged with slags, affected phase regulators, faulty sensors and much more. Well, where to carry out the overhaul of the engine as not in the Peugeot service center?
This is the calculation even at the stage of creating the power unit. It's just marketing and maximizing profit - nothing personal. Among other things, an error may appear on the dashboard of the car, which informs that the mixture is excessively enriched. The main cause of this error is contaminated oil channels (P2178 - the code for this error).
Ways of elimination of malfunctions of the power unit ЕР6
In order to eliminate any malfunction that has arisen in the motor, you need to know its exact characteristics and location. A description of the problems with the EP6 engine and how to solve them is given in the table below.
Malfunction of the engine EP6 | The way to eliminate it |
The carbon on the valves of the motor arises from the wear of the oil removable caps. They pass the oil, which falls on the cylinders and burns, forming a thick deposit, because of it, the catalyst can break down. In the end, the worn out caps are affected, and they are completely out of order. Nagar degrades the gas distribution, as well as interferes with the efficient and stable operation of the cylinders. As a result, the power unit can not develop the claimed power and chokes when trying to disperse the car. | In order to eliminate the deposit from the valves, it must be cleaned manually. Well, if the problem is identified at an early stage, then you can replace the oil-removal caps with new ones. It is worth noting that this step will be more economical solution than the subsequent overhaul of the power unit EP6. |
Excessive oil consumption. The main reason for this may be the torn membrane of the oil separator, which is located in the valve cover. | The only correct solution to this problem is the replacement of the valve cover. The whole point is that the Chinese repair kits do not have the appropriate quality, but original spare parts can be purchased both in official dealer centers and in a number of reputable auto shops. |
The phases of the gas distribution mechanism "float": the problem can be either in the stretched chain, or in the failure of the "stars" of phase regulators, camshafts and (or) valves, which are responsible for supplying oil to the shafts. | To solve the problem, depending on its cause, it is necessary: to replace the chain and tensioner, to change the "stars", to clean the oil channels in the gas distribution mechanism itself, or to perform all of the above operations simultaneously. |
Unstable operation of the power unit is the lack of oil, largely due to the fact that the timing mechanism is too complex and literally "punctured" by a number of complex knots. | Check the oil level and keep it in the required quantity. |
Engine Sensors
The 5FW EP6 engine is equipped with a number of sensors that allow monitoring its operation and detect failures in operation at the first signs. On the motor such sensors are installed:
- Monitoring oil pressure;
- Detonation;
- Impulses;
- oxygen;
- Monitoring the temperature of the coolant;
- thermostat;
- Which regulates the position of the camshaft.
For the stable functioning of the sensors it is necessary to regularly carry out maintenance of the vehicle. In addition, it is worthwhile to monitor the condition of mechanical components and engine assemblies, as well as the quality and level of motor oil. In the event of a failure of the sensors, they should be replaced immediately, as incorrect indications can lead to more serious failures. It should be added that with any intervention in the engine system EP6 should be an electronic debugging, which can be performed only by professionals with special equipment.
Engine life
With proper care, the EP6 engine on the Citroën C4, as well as the Peugeot, is capable of running back around 150-200 thousand kilometers. In order for the motor to remain in a "viable" state after reaching these parameters, it is necessary to observe a number of rules and recommendations:
- It should be every 8-10 thousand kilometers to change the engine oil, while you need to pay attention to its brand (in particular, it is recommended TOTAL 5w30 ENEOS). It is also worthwhile to follow the quality of fuel (AI 95-98).
- It is necessary to develop the habit of carrying out regular technical inspections and full diagnostics of the car. Yes, this step takes time and leads to some cash costs, but they will be much larger when carrying out engine overhauls.
- Worn and close to wear parts must be changed immediately.
- It is worth paying close attention to the state of the engine sensors. They inform about the stability of the motor, as well as the occurrence of possible malfunctions and breakdowns.
Adhering to the above recommendations, you can extend the life of the engine EP6 to a good 50-100 thousand kilometers. Perhaps, such an aggregate will "eat" a little more oil, but at the same time the motor will work stably and efficiently.
Reviews
According to car owners, the engine's performance characteristics meet all modern requirements for engines. However, some people say that the temperature sensor of the coolant must be changed systematically. Also on the web there are complaints about the noises that the engine emits during intensive work. Some notice the distinct audibility of the motor in the car. However, the declared operational life of the engine is working properly. Despite this, the reliability of this mechanism remains questionable.
Conclusion
The EP6 engine on Peugeot, Citroen, Mini Cooper and other models of cars is very popular. This demand is explained by the fact that the engine is sufficiently high-tech, efficient, meets European environmental standards, and also has quite decent power characteristics. There are versions of 120 and 150-liter. The engines are reliable enough. This is due to the fact that they were created jointly by specialists from Peugeot and BMW.
With all the advantages of the engine, its drawback is "capriciousness" both in the quality of fuel and oil, and in the operating conditions. The motor for stable operation requires increased attention: regular diagnostics and maintenance will increase the life of the engine. For example, you need to change the oil every 10 thousand kilometers, instead of declared by the manufacturer 20, and the candles are subject to replacement after 25 thousand kilometers of automobile run. After the motor "runs off" 50 thousand kilometers, it is necessary to think about carrying out a full diagnosis of the power unit and manipulations to eliminate the problems that have arisen. Thanks to timely diagnostics and maintenance, as well as the use of high-quality fuel and oil, the engine is able to work about 200 thousand kilometers without serious problems. In general, the resource of the unit is 300-350 thousand km.
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