Characteristics
| Characteristics | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine make | G4KE |
| Manufacturing | Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Shandong plant, Hwaseong plant |
| Years of production | 2009-present |
| Cylinder Block Material | Aluminum |
| Power system | Injector |
| Type | Ready |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 97 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 88 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 2359 |
| Engine power, hp/rpm | 172/6000, 177/6000, 180/6000 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 225/4000, 229/4000, 231/4000 |
| Fuel | 95+ |
| Environmental standards | Euro 4, Euro 5 |
| Engine weight, kg | – |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km (city / highway / mixed for Kia Sorento) | 11.4/7.2/8.8 |
| Oil consumption, gr./1000 km | Up to 600 |
| Engine oil | 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| How much oil in the engine, liters | 4.6 |
| Oil change is carried out, km | 15000 (better 7500) |
| Engine operating temperature, deg. | ~90 |
| Engine life, thousand kilometers | Factory data: -, In practice: ~200 |
| Tuning, h.p. | Potential: 200+, Without loss of resource: – |
| Motor installed | Kia Cerato, Kia Optima, Kia Sportage, Kia Sorento, Hyundai ix35, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Tucson |
Troubleshooting and repair of G4KE 2.4L engine
Theta 4B12The G4KE engine belongs to the Theta II family and is a Korean realization of Mitsubishi 4B12 or Chrysler world motors. This modification is based on the 2.0-liter G4KD. Here is almost the same aluminum cylinder block, but the cylinder diameter is increased to 88 mm, and the height has not changed – 220 mm. Inside there is a crankshaft with 8 counterweights and a piston stroke of 97 mm, connecting rods 143.75 mm, pistons with a height of 27.5 mm. Due to such a stroker it was possible to get almost 2.4 liters of volume. Balancer shafts have been added here and the oil pan has been modified. Here is the main difference between the G4KD and the G4KE.
The head is the same as on the G4KD – 16 valves with a CVVT timing system on the intake shaft, and there are dual-phase variants as well. The camshafts rotate with the help of timing chain, which serves around 150 thousand kilometers. There are no hydrocompensators here, so you need to check the clearances every 95 thousand kilometers and adjust them as necessary. The intake manifold with variable geometry and has 2 modes of operation.
On the basis of G4KE created a version with direct fuel injection – G4KJ, modification with longitudinal installation G4KG and electric G4KK.
Disadvantages and problems of G4KE engines
A pleasant fact is that these motors are practically not prone to scuffing, unlike their 2-liter brethren, and so quickly do not go to overhaul. Oil splashing by balancing shafts saves. But here it is possible to rotate connecting rod liners due to oil starvation, which is caused by a drop in oil level due to failure of the oil pump, and it is combined with the block of balancer shafts. Most often in such cases balancers are removed and put oil pump from G4KD, but then there is a possibility of scoring in the future. Installing oil injectors can reduce the risk of scuffing.
Otherwise there are no differences from G4KD, all the same noises and extraneous sounds, only the resource is now not 150 thousand km, but 200 thousand km or even more.
Rotation of liners
The abrasive formed by scoring is spread throughout the oil system and contributes to accelerated wear of both camshaft journals and oil pump gears. And a drop in oil pressure in the system often leads to rotating crankshaft liners. Since the end of 2011 composite coated liners are used, their life is even less.
Low chain life
Despite the fact that, according to the statement of officials, the chain is designed for the entire life of the dvs, most often it is already seriously stretched to mileage from 100 to 150 thousand kilometers. The main danger is that the stretched chain often overshoots, and the valves bend here.
Other disadvantages
Also here are very weak gaskets and oil seals and therefore often happen leaks of grease, and also regularly bursts the exhaust manifold in the area of the second and third cylinders.
Tuning the G4KE engine
To get some extra horses to your ~180 hp you need a good 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, a straight-through exhaust and a tuned ECU. You can get it up to 190hp or even more that way. No one prevents you from going further, picking up shafts or even building a turbo, but your motor is already unreliable, it’s better not to reduce the available life.
MOTOR RATING: 4