Suzuki J20A 2.0 Engine

Technical Specifications Suzuki J20A

Mounted on models

• Suzuki Aerio 1 (ER): 2001-2007
• Suzuki SX4 1 (GY): 2006-2010
• Suzuki Escudo 2 (FT): 1998-2005
• Suzuki Escudo 3 (JT): 2005-2017
• Suzuki Grand Vitara 1 (FT): 1998-2005
• Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 (JT): 2005 to present

Reliability and repair of the J20A engine

This powerplant was first used in 1998 on the Suzuki Grand Vitara, which previously used a 2.0-liter V6 H20A and it was decided to replace it with a more compact inline four. The J20A has an open aluminum cylinder block with fairly thick cast iron liners, and inside it is a crankshaft with a 90mm piston stroke. The connecting rods are 143mm long, the pistons are 84mm long and 29.4mm high. The pistons themselves are big and weighty with a deep puddle for a compression ratio of 9.3. For the Grand Vitara 2nd generation (from 2005), the motors came with other pistons, with greater height and compression ratio of 10.5. In both cases we have 2 liters with 4 cylinders.

On top of the block is an aluminum 16-valve head with two cast-iron camshafts without any phase change systems. Inlet valves are 33mm in diameter, exhaust valves 28mm, stem thickness 6mm. There are no hydrocompensators, the need to adjust the valves should be checked every 30 thousand kilometers.

Valve clearances on cold: intake 0.18-0.22 mm, exhaust 0.28-0.32 mm; on hot: intake 0.21-0.27 mm, exhaust 0.30-0.36 mm.
The camshafts are rotated by two single-row timing chains with two tensioners. The quality and reliability of the chains are not impressive, the mechanism is weak – goes around 150 thousand kilometers, then the noises begin and that’s it, you’re there.

The first version of these engines has 128 hp at 6000 rpm and torque of 182 Nm at 3000 rpm. The second modification went from 2005 and has differences on the head, camshafts and intake. This allowed to raise the power to 140 hp at 6000 rpm, torque 189 Nm at 3500 rpm.

In the period from 2010 to 2014, the motor J20B for Suzuki SX4 was produced, which has its own block, the same design as the J20A, but its own, other pistons, head with VVT system and new camshafts, with its own valves, another intake manifold, plugs, wiring, ECU, exhaust and many more details – despite the similar designation, these motors are very different. Such J20B is closer to J24B than to J20A.

In addition to this motor, the Suzuki J engine family included the J18, J23 and J24.

In 2015, the J20 was removed from production and on the new Vitara and SX4 its place was taken by the turbocharged 1.4-liter K14C and its hybrid counterpart K14D.

Maintenance Schedule

Changing consumables

J20A engine problems and reliability

• Oil burn + loss of power. It is highly probable that the oil caps have already done their job and are burning oil, clogging the catalytic converter. The oil caps should be replaced and everything will be normal.
• Large oil consumption + high mileage (300+ thousand kilometers). It is necessary to look and check the condition of cylinders, most often requires overhaul with boring of the block for repair pistons. Without boring the problem does not go away completely. It can not be called a design flaw – just old age and what the owner of an old Suzuki will face.
• Oil leaks. Usually leaks the front or rear oil seal closer to 100 thousand kilometers. Establishing the cause and replacing the right oil seal will solve the issue.

The motor is extremely demanding to the oil, it must be of high quality, it must be changed once every 7500 km (without allowing the appearance of deposits that clog the tensioners), and the oil level must be monitored regularly without allowing its strong decrease. Failure to comply with these conditions leads to numerous problems, the first of which is the early failure of the timing chain, further will check the liners. Keep an eye on the cooling system, wash the radiator, check the thermostat and radiator cap. The engine must not be overheated, otherwise the cylinder-head will rot. Otherwise, the motor is quite good, reliable and drives normally, the main thing is attention, regular and quality service. Engine resource, if all conditions are met, can exceed 300-350 thousand kilometers.

Tuning engine J20A

Atmo

Serious atmospheric approach for this engine is not practiced, and bare chip-tuning will not give a big increase. You can weld a good 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, direct exhaust, buy a cold intake, adjust the control unit for this and your J20A at 128 hp will be able to reach +\- 140 hp, and the 140 hp version will be able to reach 150+ hp. You can go further and saw the cylinder head, reshape your camshafts, adapt the throttle, increase the compression ratio… put tons of money into an engine not designed for this, but this is not a Honda K20A, the result will not be particularly impressive anyway. Such tuning is more expensive than adding and buying a Grand Vitara 2.4, 2.7 or 3.2 liter.

Turbo

This motor few people turbocharged and there are no ready-made kits on sale, here only building a customized project for a lot of money.

As an option you can take a few basic parts such as:

1. TD04HL turbine
2. collector for it (make your own)
3. front intercooler
4. blow-off
5. organize oil drain and oil supply to the turbine
6. oil cooler
7. exhaust on 2.5” pipe (make it yourself)
8. fuel rail + 440+ cc injectors + fuel regulator
9. pump like a Walbro 255
10. wideband lambda
11. boost controller
12. piping 63mm

You have to do something with the connecting rods, they are pretty weak, the pistons are ok, but if the compression ratio is 10.5, then you need to lower or blow quite a bit. For tuning you can choose AEM FIC or something more familiar. You can blow well over 200hp this way, and on a turbo like a Garrett GT2860R or so, you can get away with 300-350hp.

ENGINE RATING: 4