AVOID These Car ENGINES!

Summary

In this video, the presenter warns viewers about several unreliable car engines to avoid when shopping in the used market. The engines discussed include the Jaguar Land Rover 2.0 Ingenium diesel, Ford's 1.0 EcoBoost, the Stellantis 1.2 PureTech, and Mazda's Skyactiv diesel. Each engine is critiqued for serious issues like oil dilution, timing chain failures, and oil starvation, which can lead to costly repairs. The presenter advises against buying cars with these engines and offers tips for conducting proper vehicle checks before purchase.

Takeaways

• 😀 Avoid the Jaguar Land Rover 2L Ingenium Diesel engine due to widespread oil dilution issues and timing chain problems.
• 😀 The 1L Ford EcoBoost engine, particularly the older 'Fox' version, is prone to rubber timing belt failure, which causes oil contamination and engine damage.
• 😀 Later versions of the EcoBoost engine have a timing chain, but still use a wet belt to run the oil pump, which may cause problems over time.
• 😀 You can visually distinguish between the older 'Fox' EcoBoost engine and the newer one by the position of the turbo (front for Fox, back for newer versions).
• 😀 The 1.2 PureTech engine, found in Stellantis vehicles, suffers from similar wet belt issues as the EcoBoost, leading to oil contamination and engine failures.
• 😀 The 1.2 PureTech engine's wet belt is more accessible than the EcoBoost's, which allows third-party companies to offer conversion kits that replace the wet belt with a timing chain.
• 😀 Despite the availability of chain conversion kits, it's better for manufacturers to address these issues through recalls or better engineering.
• 😀 The Mazda Skyactiv diesel engine (2010-2014) is problematic due to oil pickup pipe blockages and issues with the turbo and timing chain.
• 😀 While Mazda engines are generally reliable, the Skyactiv diesel engine from 2010-2014 has significant weaknesses that can lead to terminal engine failures.
• 😀 Regardless of the engine you're considering, always perform an HPI check to assess the car's history, including any accidents, finance, or hidden issues.

Q & A

Why is the Jaguar Land Rover 2L Ingenium Diesel engine considered unreliable?

The Jaguar Land Rover 2L Ingenium Diesel engine suffers from oil dilution problems, where extra diesel fuel introduced during the DPF regeneration process leaks into the engine sump, diluting the oil and causing catastrophic engine damage. It also has issues with the timing chain and tensioner, where the chain stretches and the tensioner can break, leading to blockages in oil feeds and further damage.

What are the potential risks associated with the timing chain and tensioner issues in the Ingenium engine?

The stretching of the timing chain and breakage of the tensioner can result in blockages within the oil pipes, restricting oil flow. This blockage leads to oil starvation, which can severely damage the engine, potentially causing catastrophic failure.

How can the timing chain and tensioner issues in the Ingenium engine be addressed?

While there are third-party companies offering solutions to replace the timing chain and tensioner with more robust parts, this doesn't fully resolve the inherent design flaws of the engine. The broader recommendation is to avoid purchasing cars with this engine altogether.

What distinguishes the older Ford EcoBoost engines from the newer ones?

The older EcoBoost engines, known as the 'Fox' engine, use a rubber timing belt that runs through hot engine oil, leading to oil contamination and engine damage. Newer EcoBoost engines, while still using a wet belt to run the oil pump, have eliminated the problematic rubber timing belt, which improves reliability, but issues still persist with the wet belt system.

Why are Ford's EcoBoost engines prone to oil starvation?

The EcoBoost engines have a timing belt made of rubber that runs through the engine oil. Over time, the rubber breaks down and pieces of it contaminate the oil, clogging the oil pickups and causing oil starvation, which can result in severe engine damage.

What are the advantages of the newer EcoBoost engines over the older Fox versions?

The newer EcoBoost engines are fitted with a more conventional timing chain, which is more durable than the previous rubber timing belt. However, these newer engines still use a wet belt for running the oil pump, which introduces a potential for problems over time, though they are less problematic than the earlier Fox engines.

What is the problem with the 1.2 PureTech engine, and which cars are affected?

The 1.2 PureTech engine, produced by Stellantis, suffers from similar issues to the Ford EcoBoost, including a wet belt running through hot engine oil. The wet belt breaks down over time, causing oil starvation and internal engine damage. This engine is found in cars from brands like Peugeot, Citroen, and Vauxhall.

How is the PureTech engine different from the EcoBoost in terms of maintenance?

One key difference is that the wet belt in the PureTech engine is more accessible compared to the EcoBoost's rubber belt, making it easier to inspect and replace. Additionally, third-party companies have developed a chain conversion kit for the PureTech engine, which eliminates the wet belt problem altogether.

What is the suggested fix for the PureTech engine's timing belt issue?

A third-party company has developed a timing chain conversion kit for the PureTech engine, which replaces the problematic wet belt with a more reliable timing chain. This fix eliminates the risk of oil starvation caused by belt degradation.

What issues did the Mazda Skyactiv diesel engine face, and why should buyers avoid it?

The Mazda Skyactiv diesel engine, specifically from 2010 to 2014, suffered from problems with the oil pickup pipe, leading to blockages and oil starvation. The engine also had turbo and timing chain issues, making it unreliable. Buyers are advised to avoid this engine, especially in models from this period, as these issues can lead to costly repairs.