The MR20DE engine, also known as the M4R in the Renault range, was introduced in 2005 and is still in active use on various Nissan and Renault car models. This powertrain is an important part of the Nissan-Renault alliance’s strategy to create economical and reliable engines for mid-range cars.
Main technical features:
- Manufacture: Yokohama Plant, Japan and Busan Plant, South Korea
- Engine make: MR20DE / M4R
- Years of production: 2005 – present
- Cylinder Block Material: Aluminum
- Engine type: In-line, 4-cylinder
- Compartments per cylinder: 4
- Piston stroke: 90.1 mm
- Cylinder bore: 84 mm
- Compression ratio: 10.2
- Engine displacement: 1997 cc
- Power: 133 to 147 hp depending on model and settings
- Torque: 191 to 210 Nm
- Environmental standards: Euro 4
Performance characteristics:
The MR20DE engine is characterized by good fuel efficiency, especially for SUV models such as the Nissan X-Trail. Average fuel consumption figures for the X-Trail:
- City: 11.1 l/100 km
- Passenger: 7.3 l/100 km
- Mixed cycle: 8.7 l/100 km
Recommended oils:
The manufacturer recommends using oils with viscosity 0W-30, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-30, 10W-40 and others depending on climatic conditions and driving style. The volume of oil in the engine is 4.4 liters, and replacement should be done every 15,000 km, although many car owners recommend an interval of 7,500 km for better durability.
Resource and Reliability
The factory engine life is not officially stated, but in practice, the MR20DE demonstrates excellent reliability and often goes over 300,000 km without major overhaul with proper maintenance. However, there is a tendency to oil consumption, which can reach 500 g per 1000 km, which should also be taken into account during regular oil level checks.
Tuning and Potential
The MR20DE engine has a good potential for tuning. Without loss of resource, the power can be increased to 140-150 hp, but significant modifications can negatively affect the life of the unit.
Application of the engine:
This engine was installed on a wide range of Nissan and Renault models, such as:
- Nissan: X-Trail, Teana, Qashqai, Sentra, Serena, Bluebird Sylphy, NV200.
- Renault: Samsung SM3, SM5, Clio, Laguna, Koleos, Mégane, Fluence, Latitude, Safrane, Scénic
Missing and repair of MR20DE M4R engine
The Nissan MR20DE engine replaced the QR20DE, it is a longer and more tractive motor with a timing chain. It is used by Nissan on popular cars, Teana, Qashqai, X-Trail, as well as used by friendly automaker Renault on its Megane, Fluence, Clio 3 and many other popular cars. The resource of MR20DE/M4R engine is high, mileage over 300 thousand kilometers is not rare.
The motor is equipped with a system of changing the timing on the intake shaft, but there are no hydrocompensators on the MR20DE/M4R, having heard the engine knock, most likely, you need to go to adjust the valves. They are regulated by washers and these works are performed as necessary. Otherwise, the motor is simple and does not have any new and outstanding technologies. Let’s talk about faults and their repair:
- High oil consumption. Not an uncommon problem and a sign of fouling in the cylinder, death of oil rings and others. The problem is solved by a trip to the service with subsequent diagnosis and repair.
- Stretching of the timing chain. Signs: uneven idling, dips, loss of power. The solution is simple, change the chain and everything will be normalized.
- Whistling engine. Squealing on cold many haunt, irritate and frighten, in fact, the generator belt whistles. The belt can be tightened or replaced if it is noticeably worn out.
- RPMs floating MR20DE/M4R. The problem of revs has already tormented everyone, but it is solved by ordinary cleaning of the throttle valve.
Of other faults and features, it is worth highlighting the problem with cracking of the cylinder head, when replacing the candles it is important not to twist them, otherwise there will be cracks in the thread, the motor will start to trojan and trojan will be progressive, there will be gurgling in the expansion tank, opening the hood, you will see a lot of antifreeze in the candle well, usually in the first. These troubles are eliminated by replacing the cylinder-head, the price of measures is high … To avoid such happiness, you need to change the plugs on a cold engine and pull with a torque wrench (15-20Hm).
To summarize, MR20DE/M4R is quite an ordinary motor, with its advantages and disadvantages, with careful and quiet operation will serve you faithfully and faithfully, not one hundred thousand kilometers. There is a smaller version of it, with a working volume of 1.6 liters – HR16DE.
Tuning engine MR20DE M4R
Chip tuning. Atmo
This motor is probably the worst choice for tuning, the iron on the engine can not be found neither in the CIS, nor abroad, so forget about sports intake, exhaust, shafts and other joys. As a consolation, you can go to tuners for a firmware, but it is simply impossible to feel an increase of as much as 5 hp.
Turbine/Compressor
If to put a turbine on QR20DE engine was expensive and not too rational, then turbocharging of MR20DE/M4R is for the most ardent fans of Kashkay/X-Trail and other cars with this engine. There are no turbo kits for this engine and you will have to do everything from scratch, buy a turbine with an intercooler, weld a manifold for it, collect piping, look for a reinforced forged sprag, put a powerful gasoline pump, injectors with 440cc performance, exhaust on a 2.5 inch pipe, a number of other small things and all properly calibrate. Similar projects exist and give out more than 300 hp, but it is more suitable for ardent fans, rather than the common man.
As for the compressor, here is easier, order a supercharger, intercooler, put on a standard engine, the exhaust will change to a pipe 2.5″, injectors 440ss and blow 0.5-0.7 bar with an intercooler, up to 200 hp motor will withstand, not long truth))). Further, we change the spline on forged with a reduced compression ratio, a gasoline pump and put a more powerful compressor. This approach is easier, cheaper, as a consequence, the payoff is lower, further decide you.
ENGINE RATING: 4-