The Ford Duratec V6 series of gasoline engines were produced by Ford from 1993 to 2013. These engines were installed in a wide range of the group’s vehicles produced under the Ford, Mazda, and Jaguar brands. The Duratec V6 engines are based on the Mazda K-engine range design, being the result of Ford’s collaboration with the Japanese manufacturer.
Development history and features
The first engine of the Duratec V6 series appeared in 1994 in the first-generation Ford Mondeo with a displacement of 2.5 liters. It was a classic V-shaped 6-cylinder engine with a cylinder camber angle of 60 degrees. The cylinder block was made of aluminum with cast iron liners, and heads – with double camshafts (DOHC) and hydrocompensators. The timing was driven by two chains, and the fuel injection system was of the conventional distributed type.
In addition to Ford Mondeo, this engine was installed on its American analogs – Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.
Modifications and engine development
In 1999, an updated version of the 2.5-liter engine was released for the Mondeo ST200. This engine received sport camshafts, a larger throttle body, a new intake manifold and a higher compression ratio. This allowed to increase the power from 170 to 205 hp.
In parallel, in 1996, a 3.0-liter version of the Duratec V6 appeared on American models Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable. The engine featured an increased displacement and produced about 200-220 hp. Later, this motor was also offered on European models, such as the Ford Mondeo Mk3. The Mondeo ST220 modification used a 220 hp version of the engine.
In 2006, the American version of the Ford Fusion and its Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr counterparts featured a version of the 3.0-liter motor with phasoregulators on the intake camshafts. And in 2009, this engine was modernized and received phasoregulators on all camshafts, which improved its power and fuel efficiency.
Characteristics of Ford Duratec V6 engines
General
| Volume | Engine Model | Power | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 liters | SEA | 170 hp | Ford Mondeo Mk1, Mk2 |
| 2.5 liters | SEB | 170 hp | Ford Mondeo Mk2 |
| 2.5 liters | SGA | 205 hp | Ford Mondeo ST200 |
| 2.5L | LCBD | 170 hp | Ford Mondeo Mk3 |
| 3.0L | REBA | 204 hp | Ford Mondeo Mk3 |
| 3.0L | MEBA | 226 hp | Ford Mondeo Mk3, Mazda MZI |
Details
| Characteristics | Ford Duratec V6 | Mazda V6 | Jaguar AJ-V6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine type | V6, 60° | V6, 60° | V6, 60° |
| Volume | 2.5 l / 3.0 l | 2.5 l / 3.0 l | 2.1 l / 2.5 l / 3.0 l |
| Cylinder Diameter × Piston Stroke | 2.5 l: 82.4 × 79.5 mm 3.0 L: 89 × 79.5 mm |
2.5 liters: 81.6 × 79.5 mm 3.0 l: 89 × 79.5 mm |
2.1 l: 81.6 × 66.8 mm 2.5 l: 81.6 × 79.5 mm 3.0 l: 89 × 79.5 mm |
| Power | 170 – 226 hp | 170 – 240 hp | 156 – 240 hp |
| Torque | 220 – 280 Nm | 211 – 300 Nm | 201 – 300 Nm |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum block with cast iron liners | Aluminum block with cast iron sleeves | Aluminum block with cast iron liners |
| Material of block head | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Number of valves | 24 (DOHC) | 24 (DOHC) | 24 (DOHC) |
| GRM | Chain drive | Chain drive | Chain drive |
| Fasor regulator | From 2006 (on intake, from 2009 on all shafts) | From 2006 | From 1999 (inlet, from 2008 on all shafts) |
| Hydrocompensators | Yes | Yes | No |
| Power System | Distributed injection | Distributed injection | Distributed injection |
| Environmental class | Euro 3 – Euro 4 | Euro 3 – Euro 4 | Euro 3 – Euro 4 |
| Application | Ford Mondeo, Taurus, Fusion, etc. | Mazda MPV, 6, Tribute | Jaguar S-Type, X-Type, XF, XJ |
Mazda and the Duratec V6
In 1999, a 2.5-liter V6 engine debuted in the second-generation Mazda MPV, which was structurally indistinguishable from the Ford Duratec V6. Later, the Mazda 6, MPV and Tribute for the U.S. market featured a 3.0-liter engine that was developed in parallel with similar Ford engines.
| Volume | Engine Model | Power | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 liters | GY-DE | 170 hp | Mazda MPV LW |
| 3.0L | AJ-DE | 200 hp | Mazda 6 GG, MPV LW, Tribute EP |
| 3.0L | AJ-VE | 240 hp | Mazda Tribute EP2, Jaguar AJ-V6 |
Jaguar and the Duratec V6
In 1999, a 3.0-liter engine from the Duratec V6 family was introduced in the Jaguar S-Type with phase control on the intake camshafts. This version received additional improvements over its Ford and Mazda counterparts, but there were no hydrocompensators in the design, requiring regular manual valve adjustment.
Later, in 2001, the Jaguar engine lineup was expanded with 2.1 and 2.5 liter versions. In 2008, the 3.0-liter engine was upgraded, receiving phase adjusters on all camshafts.
| Volume | Engine Model | Power | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 liters | AJ20 | 156bhp | Jaguar X-Type X400 |
| 2.5 liters | AJ25 | 200 hp | Jaguar S-Type X200, X-Type X400 |
| 3.0 liters | AJ30 | 240 hp | Jaguar S-Type X200, XF X250, XJ X350 |
Ford Durate’s V6 / Jaguar AJV6 / Mazda MZI problems and reliability
Gasoline V6 with a curious pedigree turned out to be very reliable and unpretentious. There are no questions on mechanics at all. Such engines easily go 500 000 and more kilometers. If not to save on oil, there will be no problems at all. But if you pour unsuitable or cheap oil, there is a high probability of seizure of oil rings. However, you can change them and drive on.
To improve the vitality of oil rings of Durate V6 engine during overhaul, masters sometimes drill additional channels in the grooves of rings for oil drainage. And you can not hesitate to drill holes with a diameter of 2-2.5 mm.
With this gasoline V6 may arise minor questions about the performance of sensors and ignition coils.
The alternator of this engine is not too reliable and its resource is inversely proportional to the number of options included in the car. That is, the more electrical equipment, the shorter the life of the generator. You can choose and buy an alternator for Jaguar V6 engine in our catalog.
You may encounter the fact that the intake manifold does not fit loosely to the cylinder head, and therefore excess air leaks into the cylinders. But this problem is solved by replacing the manifold gasket.
Also every 100 000 km it is necessary to remove and clean the crankcase ventilation valve, otherwise excessive pressure will start to squeeze out oil through the engine seals.
The crankshaft oil seal usually slowly leaks on all Durate V6 engines and can be changed very easily. The pump is very survivable: goes over 300,000 km before replacement.
There are no questions about chains at all. This is the case when used timing chain can be sold, bought, installed on the motor and it will serve long and reliably.
The timing chain tensioners are equipped with a stopper that prevents the rod from being pushed in, causing chain slack.
Jaguar V6 (AJ25) / Ford Duratec V6 engine block is aluminum with cast iron liners. Reliability of the piston group is very high. But if due to poor maintenance there will be scoring or ellipse, the block will have to be rebuilt or bought used, because there are no repair sizes of the piston group.