1.5-liter gasoline engine Suzuki M15A was produced in Japan from 2000 to 2014 and installed on such popular models as the Liana, Swift, Ignis and its clone Subaru Justice. The modification of this motor for the Indonesian version of the crossover СХ4 is still produced.
Characteristics of the Suzuki M15A engine
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | Sagara Plant |
| Engine make | M15A |
| Years of production | 2001-present |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum |
| Power system | Injector |
| Type | Ready |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 78 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 78 |
| Compression ratio | 9.5 / 10.3 / 11.0 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 1490 |
| Engine power, hp/rpm | 100/5900, 109/6000, 111/6400 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 133/4100, 138/4400, 142/4100 |
| How much oil in the engine, l | 3.9 |
| Oil change is carried out, km | 7500 – 15000 |
| Engine operating temperature, °C | – |
| Engine life, thou. km | In practice 300+ |
Engine application
| Model | Years of manufacture |
|---|---|
| Suzuki Ignis 1 (FH) | 2000 – 2006 |
| Ignis 2 (MH) | 2003 – 2008 |
| Liana 1 (ER) | 2001 – 2007 |
| SX4 1 (GY) | 2006 – 2009 |
| Swift 3 (MZ) | 2004 – 2010 |
| Subaru Justy 3 (MHY) | 2003 – 2007 |
Service Manual for Suzuki M15A 1.5 Engine
| Maintenance type | Periodicity | Replacement volume |
|---|---|---|
| Oil service | Every 15,000 kilometers | 4.2 liters out of 5.0 liters |
| Oil type | – | 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| Type of timing drive | Chain | – |
| Transmission timing life | Not limited | In practice 280,000 km |
| Valve clearances | Every 30,000 km | Inlet: 0.18 – 0.22 mm; Exhaust: 0.28 – 0.32 mm |
| Valve adjustment | Selection of washers | – |
| Oil filter | 15,000 kilometers | – |
| Air filter | 30,000 km | – |
| Fuel filter | 90,000 km | – |
| Spark plugs | 30,000 km | – |
| Auxiliary belt | 90,000 km | – |
| Coolant | 3 years or 45,000 km | – |
Design and repair of the M15A engine
The power plant called M15A appeared in 2001, along with a 1.6-liter fellow M16A. This motor was to replace the old G15A. This engine has an aluminum cylinder block as on the M16A, inside it is a crankshaft with a stroke of 78 mm, connecting rods are 138 mm long, the cylinder size is 78 mm, and the height of the pistons is 30 mm.
All this goodness gives us 1.5 liters of working volume.
This block is covered with an aluminum 16-valve head with VVT intake timing system. Valve diameter on the intake is 30 mm, on the exhaust 25 mm, valve stem diameter is 5.5 mm.
There are no hydrocompensators here and every 30k miles you are instructed to check if the valves need adjusting. Valve clearances on a cold engine here are as follows: intake – 0.18 – 0.22 mm, exhaust 0.28 – 0.32 mm.
The timing system uses a chain, which is quite good and serves 250+ thousand kilometers.
In general, we have the same M16A, but with a shorter piston stroke.
In addition to the above-mentioned M-series motors, this family is formed by: M13A and 1.8-liter M18A.
In 2015, this engine was replaced by the hybrid K12C and K12D, as well as the 1.4-liter K14B, but for the Indonesian market it is still put today.
Problems and disadvantages of M15A engines
Oil consumption
The only serious problem of the engine is oil consumption at high mileage, and not only the rings are to blame, but also the wear of the seats or valve guides.
Gbc gasket failure
This aluminum motor does not tolerate overheating and often has a head gasket blowout. After 200,000 km, the situation worsens due to the sagging of the liners in the aluminum block.
Floating revs
Another common problem with this unit is floating revolutions at idle. The reason is usually in the contamination of the throttle or the EGR valve, it also quickly clogs.
Electrical failures
A lot of troubles to owners cause unreliable sensors and especially DPKV and DPRV. Modest resource is characterized by ignition coils, sometimes they go no more than candles.
Other disadvantages
Also, the catalytic converter quickly falls apart here, oil often leaks through the pressure sensor, the supports of the power unit do not go very far, and the valves require adjustment every 30 000 km.
The manufacturer stated the resource of the M15A engine at 200 000 km, but it serves up to 350 000 km.
This is a very reliable and durable engine like its 1.6-liter counterpart M16A. Usually nothing happens to it if you do regular maintenance and use quality materials and working fluids. Naturally, the engine should not be overheated and it is desirable to clean the radiator from time to time.
Tuning the M15A engine
This motor has a wide range of tuning possibilities: you can replace the exhaust manifold with 4-2-1, put a good exhaust, flash the control unit and get about 5-6 hp to your 110 hp. If you add a 4 throttle intake and tune it all up, then the power will be +\- 125hp on the motor. With 248 degree camshafts, ported head and big injectors you can get 135-140 hp on the shaft. The next step is to convert your M15A to M16A by installing a crankshaft + pistons + connecting rods from M16A. On a larger volume you can approach the power of 150 hp. Or as an option to consider 1.8-liter block M18A. Another option is boring of its block for 85th piston and with 83 mm crankshaft it will give 1.9 liter. On the above configuration and 1.9-liter volume you will get 170+ hp and ~200 Nm of torque.
You can put even wider shafts, completely rework the cylinder head, put bigger valves, stiffer springs, solid pushrods, guides, put bigger injectors, straight exhaust and tune, it will give in the neighborhood of 200 hp.
On sale there are cheap Chinese turbo kits for M15A on a small turbine promising 150+ hp on standard piston and closer to 200 hp on forging. How reliable it is and how such a turbo motor will behave in operation is difficult to say, do at your own risk.
MOTOR RATING: 5-