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Renault F-Type engine

From Alfawiki
Renault F engine
Company typeEngine family
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedEarly 1980s
FounderRenault
ProductsInline-four petrol and diesel engines
ParentRenault

F Renault engine (with "F" standing for fonte, the French term for cast iron) is a four-stroke, inline-four powerplant engineered by Renault during the early 1980s. It incorporates a cast iron engine block paired with an aluminum cylinder head and operates via an overhead camshaft powered by a timing belt. This engine family includes both petrol and diesel versions, available with either 8 or 16 valves, and made its first appearance in the Renault 9 and 11 models.

History

Renault unveiled the diesel variant, known as the "F8M," in December 1982 for the Renault 9, a design led by engineer George Douin. This engine featured a cast iron block without removable cylinder liners, utilized advanced metallurgy to minimize wear, and employed an overhead camshaft that drove both the cam and diesel injection pump through toothed belts. Its aluminum cylinder head contained Ricardo Comet prechambers. Installed transversely with a 12° backward tilt, the F8M was subsequently introduced to the Renault 11 hatchback in late 1983.

In the same autumn, the petrol-powered F2N engine was launched, sharing the F8M block but incorporating combustion chambers within the piston crowns to allow for an increased bore size. Initially equipped with carburetors, this engine powered vehicles such as the Renault 11 GTX and TXE, and from February 1984 onward, it was fitted to the Renault 9 GTX and TXE. Volvo referred to this engine as B172.

The F8M diesel was also installed in other models like the Renault 5 Express and Volvo’s 300 series. Meanwhile, the F2N petrol engine found use across various Renault cars—including the 21, 5, 19, and Clio—as well as Volvo’s 340/360 and 440/460 series (where it was designated B18KP). An early single-barrel carburetor variant named F1N powered initial versions of the Renault Trafic and R21. Additionally, a multi-point fuel-injected iteration called F3N was employed in U.S.-market Renault 9/11 (Alliance/Encore) models and certain European GTE trims of the Renault 5 and 11 to comply with emissions regulations.

Volvo developed turbocharged versions of the F2N equipped with multipoint fuel injection (designated "B18FT") for its 480 Turbo, 440 Turbo, and 460 Turbo vehicles; these engines have since become popular performance upgrades for Renault turbocharged models such as the R5 GT Turbo, R9 Turbo, and R11 Turbo.

Manufacturing continues at Renault’s Cléon plant near Rouen in Normandy.

Diesel variants

Beginning in 1987, the second-generation F8M diesel (1.6D) underwent modifications aimed at reducing noise levels but encountered issues with weakened cylinder heads and gasket failures linked to diminished asbestos content. Visually, these later F8M engines featured valve covers fastened by smaller screws and injection pump housings left unpainted—contrasting with first-generation versions that used closed nuts and fully black-painted casings.

In 1988, with the introduction of the Renault 19 replacing the Renault 9 and 11, the diesel powerplant was upgraded from a 1.6D (F8M producing 55 bhp) to a more powerful 1.9D (F8Q delivering 65 bhp) to accommodate the heavier vehicle weight. This 1.9D unit was subsequently fitted to various models including Clio 1, Renault 21, Kangoo, Mégane 1, and Trafic 1. During the 1990s, a detuned version offering 55 PS was also available. Nevertheless, second-generation F8Q engines exhibited reliability problems related to cylinder heads and gaskets.

By late 1988, a turbocharged edition labeled F8QT emerged, generating 95 bhp for use in the R19; this variant later appeared in Renault Mégane 1 as well as several Volvo models (440, 460, S40, V40) and Mitsubishi Carisma vehicles.

Renault’s first direct injection diesel engine—the 1.9 dTi (F9Q)—was introduced in autumn of 1997. It powered multiple cars including Mégane 1, Scénic 1, Laguna 1, Kangoo 1, Clio 2 alongside Mitsubishi Carisma and Volvo S40/V40 models.

In July of 1999, Renault advanced to common rail injection technology with an upgraded F9Q engine—marking their initial dCi unit—widely utilized across Laguna, Mégane, Scénic, Espace, Trafic, Master series plus various Volvo and Mitsubishi automobiles.

Gasoline variants

Renault introduced the Renault 21 in 1986, equipped with a 2.0L engine available in both carbureted F2R and fuel-injected F3R configurations; notably, the F3R engine powered the North American Renault Alliance GTA.

In early 1989, a sportier Renault 19 model was launched, featuring the multi-valve F7P engine (1764 cc, 140 PS), which replaced previous turbocharged carburetor engines. This powerplant was also implemented in the Clio 16S from 1991 onward and was later fitted with catalytic converters to comply with emission regulations.

The Renault Clio Williams made its debut in 1993 as a homologation special for Group A motorsport. It housed an enlarged F7R engine (1998 cc, 150 PS), developed from the F7P block with increased bore and stroke dimensions to enhance torque output (175 Nm). This F7R engine also powered models such as the first-generation Mégane and the Renault Spider.

Starting January 1993, all models transitioned to fuel injection systems combined with catalytic converters. The F2N engine's displacement increased to 1794 cc, identified as "F3P" in Clio/19 models and "B18U" in Volvo vehicles, whereas older Renault engines maintained slightly smaller displacements but adopted injection technology. Volvo offered a petrol variant closely matching the diesel F8M’s displacement.

The F7R variant producing 115 PS was utilized in Laguna I and Mégane/Scenic models under various designations ("F3R" for Renault and "B20F" for Volvo). This updated F3R engine superseded an earlier version by featuring greater displacement.

Introduced in 1998, the F4P engine (1783 cc) powered Phase 2 versions of Laguna and Mégane Scénic; simultaneously, the larger F4R (1998 cc) was employed across Laguna and Espace generations as well as several Mégane trims. Both engines shared a common 16-valve cylinder head architecture reminiscent of Renault’s K-Type engines.

Renault unveiled its first French petrol direct injection unit—the F5R—in 1999, which was installed in Mégane coupé/convertible and Laguna II models.

That same year, the Clio 2 RS featured a Mecachrome-enhanced F4R engine (1998 cc, initially rated at 172 PS), incorporating variable valve timing and refined exhaust systems. Subsequent enhancements pushed power output up to 203 PS during Phase 2 of the third-generation Clio RS.

The turbocharged variant of this engine, known as the F4Rt, powered multiple models including various Mégane RS editions with outputs ranging from 225 bhp to a limited-run RS Trophy delivering 275 PS.

The Mégane RS3 was introduced in March 2009 equipped with a turbocharged F4Rt producing 250 PS; this figure was later increased to versions generating up to 275 PS by the mid-2010s.

Cylinder capacities

Engine types Displacement Bore x stroke
Diesel
F8M 1,596 cc (1.6 L) 78 mm × 83.5 mm (3.07 in × 3.29 in)
F8Q — F8QT — F9Q 1,870 cc (1.9 L) 80 mm × 93 mm (3.15 in × 3.66 in)
Gasoline
B16F 1,596 cc (1.6 L) 78 mm × 83.5 mm (3.07 in × 3.29 in)
F1N — F2N — F3N — B18KP — B18E — B18EP — B18F — B18FT 1,721 cc (1.7 L) 81 mm × 83.5 mm (3.19 in × 3.29 in)
F7P 1,764 cc (1.8 L) 82 mm × 83.5 mm (3.23 in × 3.29 in)
F4P 1,783 cc (1.8 L) 82.7 mm × 83 mm (3.26 in × 3.27 in)
F3P — B18U 1,794 cc (1.8 L) 82.7 mm × 83.5 mm (3.26 in × 3.29 in)
F2R — F3R 1,965 cc (2.0 L) 82 mm × 93 mm (3.23 in × 3.66 in)
F3R — F7R — F5R — F4R — F4RT — B20F 1,998 cc (2.0 L) 82.7 mm × 93 mm (3.26 in × 3.66 in)


F1x

The F1x engine had a displacement of 1721 cc, featuring a parallel valve configuration and a single-barrel carburetor.

Applications:

  • F1N , bore x stroke: .
    • 1984–1997 Renault Trafic

F2x

The F2x consists of an eight-valve SOHC design equipped with a double-barrel carburetor.

Applications:

  • F2N , bore x stroke: .
    • 1983–1989 Renault R11
    • 1984–1989 Renault R9
    • 1986–1995 Renault R21
    • 1988–1996 Renault R19
    • 1990–1997 Renault Clio
    • 1985–1990 Renault Super 5
    • 1987–1990 Volvo 340/360
  • F2R , bore x stroke: .
    • 1986–1993 Renault R21 (power output varies depending on source)

F3x

The F3x shares its mechanical foundation with the F2x but employs monopoint EFI, with later models upgrading to multi-point fuel injection. A turbocharged version designed by Porsche was available for the Volvo 400 series.

Applications:

  • F3N , bore x stroke: .
    • 1985–1989 Renault R11, R9
    • 1986–1995 Renault R21
    • 1988–2000 Renault R19
    • 1985–1993 Renault Super 5
    • 1985–1987 Renault Alliance/Encore (USA & Canada TBI only)
    • 1986–1992 Volvo 440/460, Volvo 480
  • F3P , bore x stroke: .
    • 1988–2000 Renault R19
    • 1992–1997 Renault Clio RSi
    • 1994–1999 Renault Laguna I
    • 1993–1996 Volvo 440/460
  • F3R , bore x stroke: .
    • 1987 Renault Alliance GTA (USA)
    • 1993–1996 Volvo 440/460, Volvo 480
    • 1994–2001 Renault Laguna I
    • 1996–2000 Renault Espace III
    • 1996–2002 Renault Mégane
    • 1998–2002 Moskvitch 214145 "Svyatogor" (Russia only)

F5x

The F5x engine shares many mechanical features with the F4x, including sixteen indirectly actuated valves and DOHC architecture, but distinguishes itself by utilizing a direct injection IDE fuel system. This engine was exclusively available in a two-liter capacity.

Applications:

  • F5R , bore x stroke: .
    • 1999–2003 Renault Mégane
    • 2001–2003 Renault Laguna II

F7x

The F7x marked the introduction of the first F-type engine with a sixteen-valve DOHC setup, employing hydraulic tappets for valve actuation. Both the 1.8 and two-liter versions used multi-point fuel injection.

Applications:

  • F7P , bore x stroke: .
    • 1988–1997 Renault R19
    • 1991–1996 Renault Clio
  • F7R , bore x stroke: .
    • 1993–1996 Renault Clio Williams
    • 1996–1999 Renault Mégane
    • 1995–1999 Renault Sport Spider
    • 1999–2001 Moskvitch 214242 "Ivan Kalita" (Russia only)

F8x

The F8x is an eight-valve SOHC Diesel engine with indirect injection, utilizing precombustion chambers to facilitate air-fuel mixing.

Applications:

  • F8M , bore x stroke: .
    • 1982–1989 Renault R9
    • 1983–1989 Renault R11
    • 1985–1996 Renault Super 5
    • 1986–1994 Renault Express
    • 1984–1990 Volvo 300 Series ("Volvo D16")
  • F8Q , bore x stroke: .
    • 1991–2000 Renault Express
    • 1988–2000 Renault R19
    • 1990–1995 Renault R21
    • 1991–2001 Renault Clio
    • 1995–2002 Renault Mégane
    • 1996–2003 Renault Scénic
    • 1997–2001 Renault Trafic
    • 2002–2006 Dacia Pick-Up
    • 2003–2005 Dacia Solenza
    • 1994–1998 Mitsubishi Carisma
    • 2001–2004 Suzuki Samurai (manufactured by Santana)
    • 1994–1996 Volvo 440/460
    • 1995–2000 Volvo S40/V40

F9x

The F9x is a direct-injection Diesel engine characterized by an 8-valve SOHC configuration, incorporating swirl-inducing intake ports and uniquely shaped piston bowls designed to enhance the mixing of air and fuel. Fuel is supplied via either mechanical injection pumps (dTi) or modern common rail systems (dCi).

Usage examples:

  • F9Q , B x S: .
    • 1995–2012 Renault Mégane
    • 1999–2002 Renault Espace III
    • 1996–2003 Renault Scénic I
    • 1997–2010 Renault Master
    • 1997–2001 Renault Laguna I
    • 1998–2004 Mitsubishi Carisma and Spacestar
    • 2000–2004 Volvo S40/V40
    • 2001–2005 Renault Laguna II
    • 2000–2002 Renault Clio
    • 2001–2006 Renault Trafic II / Vauxhall Vivaro / Opel Vivaro / Nissan Interstar X70 / Nissan Primastar
    • 2002–2008 Nissan Primera P12
    • 2003–2009 Renault Scénic II
    • 2005–2015 Suzuki Vitara
    • 2009–2011 Renault Scénic III

F4x

The F4x series features a DOHC layout with 16 valves and indirect actuation through rocker arms, paired with a multi-point fuel injection system.


References

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