Renault F-type any good?

[Lukas]

Hi!
 

A friend of mine wants to buy a Volvo S40 (the Mitsubishi Charisma-one) with a 1.9 TD engine and 90 hp. He said it´s the "F8Q"-engine, what ever that means.

 

Is this engine any good? More reliable and less prone for cost-expensive repairs than the modern diesel-engines seem to be?

 

Thanks alot!

 

Lukas

[bub2006]

I think that's the dt,earlier model to the Renault dci. Mine is f9q and mine is a 51 plate scenic dci with 105 bhp

[bub2006]

Not sure about reliability but if its early enough model it won't have all the electronics on it

[bub2006]

Little bit of research shows the f8q is the 94 bhp dt engine without an intercooler. If it has a intercooler it is the f9 with 98 bhp. Hope this helps

[Lukas]

It´s an indirect injection engine without any high-pressure-pumps or commonrail-rails or something like that. So should be reliable if not raced to death.

[Sigmund Fraud]

I've got one of them F8Qs in my Megane, mine is the '622' version which means naturally aspirated. Four cylinder SOHC, essentially a dieselised version of the Renault F-type engine.

 

They're a typical, old-fashioned diesel engine with not much to go wrong. With routine servicing and cambelt changes, it should last a fair bit. However, if neglected they can be troublesome - I've read they like to snap camshafts.

 

Also, the gearboxes they come with are made of soft cheese and good second hand ones are hard to find. So gentle gear changes and frequent gear oil changes are essential.

[bub2006]

See. That's why I love this forum. A fountain of knowledge from all over!

[Lukas]

What bub2006 said! Thanks a lot!!!

[Albert Ross]

F8Q saw service in the R19 and R21 IIRC....

[bub2006]

That far back? So same basis/platform as the n/a diesel in the clio then?

[bub2006]

I think the 21 td was 2.1 though?

[bub2006]

I think the 21 td was 2.1 though?

[Sigmund Fraud]

The F8Q is a pretty old engine, came out in the mid-80s IIRC and was used in most Renault models including 19s, 21s, Clios.

 

R21s also came with the 2.1l engine, which is based on the ancient 'Douvrin' block. Those are meant to be properly indestructible.

[bub2006]

But like a lot of egines over time evolved into electronic machines withtoo much computers for the average mechanic.

[Lukas]

As said before here, the Renault-gearbox seems to be a problem and it´s weak point. Mitsubishi Charisma 1.9 TD-drivers seem to have some stories to tell...

[jbz2079]

I had a R 21 2.1 TD.

That engine looked like the Reunault Traffic van engine, while not actually unburstable it was a good motor.

It made 220000 miles and the gearbox broke, the only problem I had with the motor was it needed a camshaft and followers, very very expensive at the time.

But I'd put that down to neglected oil changes in it's earlier life.

It was an old style engine, simple Bosch pump, it had the oi filter remotely mounted on the inner wing, and the fuel filter right beside it.

 

It was a fast car to travel long distances in as it hardly ever noticed a hill, it just kept pulling, you used to think why has every one slowed on the motorway, it was because you had just came up Shap or Lancaster Bank, but you never noticed in the R21.

It was comfortable too and like a tardis inside, made the Sierra feel claustaphobic.

Appart from the prices of Pieces D' Orgine! I loved that old motor.

[Albert Ross]

The 2068 was a fragile thing. Like you say, oil changes were key, as was fresh coolant every 2 years. Wet linered aluminium block with aluminium head..... shudder.