GM/Chevrolet 1.8 F18D4 engine

Characteristics of the F18D4 engine

TUNING:

• Potential: 200+ hp
• No loss of life: about 150 hp

Engine was installed on:

1. Chevrolet Cruze
2. Chevrolet Orlando
3. Chevrolet Trax
4. Vauxhall/Opel Mokka

Troubleshooting, engine repair

1. The oil heat exchanger is designed with the cooling system and oil connections close together. Over time, the gaskets dry out, begin to leak, forming an oil-antifreeze mixture. At the same time, leaks may occur outside the box. Such problems arise after 120-150 thousand kilometers. The emulsion of the two substances appears in the cooling tank, beginning to actively destroy the sockets. To prevent this, it is advisable to carry out the replacement of gaskets before the approach of the term of possible loss of tightness. Some specialists simply block the heat exchanger, directing the oil to the filter directly through a separate branch pipe. The separation problem is solved, but no oil cooling is provided. So far, there are no known cases of problems due to overheated oil, but theoretically it can lead to liner rotation.
2. The thermostat in the engine is controlled with the transition to the “open” mode at a temperature of +105 degrees. In some cases, it is replaced by a thermostat that opens when the temperature exceeds +92 degrees. In this case, it will be necessary to re-flash the ECU, disable the control and lower the temperature of activation of the cooling fan by 10 degrees (to +98 degrees).
3. Another engine problem is phase shifter breakage on the camshaft of the exhaust system. In some cases, the problem can be solved by repositioning the valves responsible for controlling the phase shifter. If the operability did not return, an expensive purchase can not be avoided. Problems with the solenoid of this valve lead to an error (P0016).
4. Problems with phase control are also possible after changing the timing belt. In this case, the sensor responsible for determining the position of the crankshaft was damaged with a high degree of probability. Among other problems, which should be classified as minor, it is necessary to include the valve cover leaking on the gasket, rupture of the diaphragm on the crankcase ventilation valve, puncture of insulators on the ignition, the appearance of leaks on the pipes as a result of their cracking. In rare cases, the gasket on the pump of the oil system may burst, after which the lubricant ends up in the cooling system.
5. Some motorists note the destruction of the piston group, when the skirts of the pistons begin to come off, and cracks appear in the inter-piston partitions. The reasons for this lie not in congenital defects of the engine, but in human actions: ignoring elementary rules of engine maintenance, use of low-quality fuel (one or two refuelings are enough), transfer of the car to gas fuel.
6. One more possible problem of F18D4 motors is wiping of the fuel pipe that supplies gasoline to the ramp. The rupture most often occurs closer to the connector, after which the fuel ends up in the underhood. In the best case there will be only a persistent smell of fuel, and in the worst case there will be a fire. In the first place suffered from the problem of cars of the first years of production, so periodically the socket should be checked for scuffs.

Motor resource of F18D4 engine is not big, a little more than 200 thousand kilometers and strongly depends on the operation. Otherwise, a typical representative of Chevrolet family ECOTEC D4, unlike the younger models, it is quite powerful, moderately economical and the car with it goes decently. When buying a Chevrolet Cruze or Opel Mokka, you can safely take them with this motor.

Tuning engine F18D4

Chip tuning, compressor and turbine on F18D4

All those methods of modification to increase power used on F16D4 are applied on our 1.8 liter engine. To the indicated figures of power gain on 1.6 liter motor, safely add 12-15% due to the larger volume.

MOTOR RATING: 4