Honda R18A Engine Characteristics
Honda R18A engine appeared in 2006 and became a significant update in the lineup of power units of the Japanese automaker. It is used in a number of models such as Honda Civic, Honda Stream and Honda Crossroad. This engine is a continuation of the evolution of Honda engines, offering an optimal combination of power, fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Main Features
The Honda R18A engine is a 1.8-liter inline 4-cylinder unit with an aluminum cylinder block. Aluminum as a block material reduces engine weight, thereby improving vehicle handling and fuel efficiency.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Honda Motor Company |
| Engine brand | R18 |
| Years of production | 2006-now |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum |
| Power system | Injector |
| Type | Ready |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 87.3 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 81 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 1799 |
| Engine power, hp/rpm | 140/6300 141/6500 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 174/4300 |
| Fuel | 95 |
| Environmental regulations | Euro 5 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | City: 9.2 Highway: 5.1 Mixed: 6.6 |
| Oil consumption, gr./1000 km | To 1000 |
| Engine oil | 0W-20, 0W-30, 5W-20, 5W-30 |
| How much oil in the engine, liters | 3.7 |
| When replacing pour, l | 3.5 |
| Oil change is carried out, km | 10,000 (better 5,000) |
| Engine life, thousand km | 250-300 |
| Tuning, hp | Potential: 300+ |
| The engine was installed on | Honda Civic, Honda Stream, Honda Crossroad |
Design Features
The R18A engine has been designed to meet the modern requirements for mid-range cars. The most important technical innovations are:
- Chain-driven timing: The timing chain is characterized by high reliability and durability, which reduces maintenance costs.
- The i-VTEC system: The intelligent i-VTEC timing system allows the engine to adapt to different operating modes, improving efficiency at low and high speeds.
- Aluminum cylinder block: The use of aluminum has significantly reduced engine weight, which has a positive effect on fuel efficiency and agility.
Operation and durability
The Honda R18A is characterized by high reliability and durability. With proper maintenance, which includes regular oil changes every 5,000-10,000 km, the engine life is between 250,000 and 300,000 km. However, like any other unit, it has its own peculiarities of operation and maintenance:
- Oil consumption: Within 1000 g per 1000 km, which is considered normal for this engine.
- Cold start vibrations: Slight cold start vibrations are normal for the R18A, but if they become excessive, it is worth checking the condition of the engine mounts.
The Honda R18A is a reliable and economical engine that is ideal for daily use. With proper maintenance and quality fuel, this motor is capable of lasting for many years, and its tuning options allow enthusiasts to significantly increase power when needed.
Modifications of the Honda R18A engine
- R18A1 – version of the engine for the Japanese and North American market.
- R18A2 – European version. Technically, the motors are identical.
- R18Z1 – version with a refined i-VTEC, which at low speeds disconnects 4 intake valves. The intake manifold shift is set at 5000 rpm. Power output is 141 hp at 6500 rpm, torque 174 Nm at 4300 rpm.
- R18Z4 is the R18Z1 counterpart for the European Civic.
- R18Z9 – analog of R18Z1 for Honda HR-V.
Troubleshooting and repair of the R18A engine
Appeared in 2006 on the eighth Civic engine R18 replaced the outdated motors D17, and the whole series D in principle. It used a more compact aluminum cylinder block, the height of which is equal to 230 mm. Inside the block is installed crankshaft with a stroke of 87.3 mm, reinforced and lightened connecting rods, their length – 157.5 mm, and compression height of pistons 28.75 mm. The engine has a chain drive timing, the design of the cylinder head remained the same – 16 valves on one camshaft (SOHC), but added an intelligent system of changing the timing iVTEC. There are no hydrocompensators, valve adjustment on R18A is carried out every 40 thousand kilometers, if necessary. Valve clearances (cold): intake 0.18-0.22 mm, exhaust 0.23-0.27 mm.
At the intake there is an intake manifold of variable geometry (dual-mode), manifold switching occurs at 5200 rpm.
A year after the beginning of production of R18, on its base, Honda engineers developed a larger volume counterpart – R20A, for cars with class higher than Civic.
R18 malfunctions and their causes
- Engine knocking. Usually caused by the adsorber valve, this is normal. Also in the Civic engine like to knock valves, if the work on the adjustment of valve clearances has not been carried out for a long time, it is probably them.
- Noise. Superfluous sound is provided by the tensioner of the drive belt, the service life of which is about 100,000 km, often dies earlier. The issue is solved by replacement.
- Vibrations. On cold it is normal, if the vibration is significant, then check the supports (left).
In addition, low-quality gasoline reduces the life of the catalytic converter and lambda-probe, so it is more expensive to save money here. It is important to use a good quality engine oil, otherwise the system will not serve you as long as you would like. If these conditions are met, the R18A engine is completely trouble-free and will easily drive many thousands of kilometers.
Honda R18A engine tuning
Atmospheric
This motor, to put it mildly, is not very adapted to atmo tuning, but something can be done. Budget tuning is to install a cold intake, direct exhaust and chip tuning, such triviality gives about 10 hp. Need more? Look for a GO Power Motorsport shaft (or something else), a Skunk2 60mm choke, a Weapon R intake receiver, Wiesco pistons for an increased degree of 12.5, you can modify the cylinder head itself, injectors from a 410cc turbo Acura RDX. All this will allow you to increase the power even more (+\- 180 hp), but in real conditions, any less hot hatchback will be faster than such a modified R18A, so how justified it is to spend a few thousand dollars on atmo tuning, you decide.
Compressor and turbo on the R18A
One of the most correct ways to approach tuning a Civic R18, is to install a compressor. The market offers a popular kit solution from Jackson Racing based on a Rotrex C30-84 supercharger with an intercooler. To make the motor to fall apart, we will replace the CMP on forged (pistons CP Pistons under compression ratio 9, connecting rods Eagle), take injectors 550cc, fuel pump Walbro 255, customize Hondata FlashPro. Such configurations give more than 250 hp, on even more powerful compressors, like Rotrex C30-94, you can inflate far beyond 300-350 forces.
On the same configuration you can put a turbo kit, on some 28-m Garrett and blow 300 forces. All these transformations cost substantial money, strongly affect the engine life, its stability, not to mention fuel consumption, so to build such a thing is recommended only to fans of their car.
MOTOR RATING: 4