Japanese passenger cars produced by the auto giant Toyota are very popular in our country. They deserve it with their affordable price and high performance. The properties of any vehicle largely depend on the smooth operation of the “heart” of the car. For a number of models of the Japanese corporation, the 4A-FE engine has been a constant attribute for many years.
The Toyota 4A-FE was first released in 1987 and did not leave the assembly line until 1998. The first two characters in its name indicate that this is the fourth modification in the “A” series of engines produced by the company. The series began ten years earlier, when the company's engineers set out to create a new engine for the Toyota Tercel, which would provide more economical fuel consumption and better technical performance. As a result, four-cylinder engines with a power of 85-165 hp were created. (volume 1398-1796 cm3). The engine housing was made of cast iron with aluminum heads. In addition, DOHC gas distribution mechanism was used for the first time.
Engine 4A-FE
Engine history
In Russia and around the world, Japanese cars from the Toyota concern enjoy deserved popularity due to their reliability, excellent technical characteristics and relative affordability. Japanese engines, the heart of the concern's cars, played a significant role in this recognition. For several years, a number of products from the Japanese automaker were equipped with the 4A FE engine, the technical characteristics of which still look good to this day.
Appearance:
Its production began in 1987 and continued for more than 10 years - until 1998. The number 4 in the name indicates the serial number of the engine in the “A” series of Toyota power units. The series itself appeared even earlier, in 1977, when the company's engineers faced the task of creating an economical engine with acceptable technical performance. The development was intended for the B-class car (subcompact according to the American classification) Toyota Tercel.
The result of engineering research was four-cylinder engines with power from 85 to 165 horsepower and volume from 1.4 to 1.8 liters. The units were equipped with a DOHC gas distribution mechanism, a cast iron body and aluminum heads. Their heir was the 4th generation, discussed in this article.
Interesting: The A-series is still produced at the joint venture Tianjin FAW Xiali and Toyota: 8A-FE and 5A-FE engines are produced there.
History of generations:
- 1A – years of production 1978-80;
- 2A - from 1979 to 1989;
- 3A – from 1979 to 1989;
- 4A - from 1980 to 1998.
Modifications
There are a lot of modifications in the 4A motor series. The very first carburetor modification is “4A-C”. Its power is 90 hp. Toyota has developed versions for both European and Australian buyers. They had the following markings: "4A-L", "4A-LC", "4A-E", "4A-ELU" and "4A-F". The number of horsepower varied from 78 to 100. Of course, the changes do not end there. Over time, more and more modifications appeared, for example injection modifications:
- The first model, labeled "4A-FE Gen 1", had electronic fuel injection (injector). Power was 100 hp. Produced from 1987 to 1993;
- In the second model “4A-FE Gen 2” the connecting rod and piston group was changed to a more modern one. Minor design changes have been made to the camshaft. Horsepower rose to 110;
- The third modification with the prefix Gen 3 was not much different from the previous one. Power increased by only 5 hp (115 hp);
- Next, the “4A-FHE” engine was produced, with improved design units.
- Toyota together with Yamaha have developed a new modification “4A-GE”. And during production, the model was improved five times:
| Marking | Power (hp) |
| 4A-GE Gen 1 | 124 |
| 4A-GE Gen 2 | 125 |
| 4A-GE Gen 3 | 128 |
| 4A-GE Gen 4 | 160 |
| 4A-GE Gen 5 | 165 |
Specifications 4A-FE
Let's take a closer look at the engine markings:
- number 4 - indicates the number in the series, as mentioned above;
- A – engine series index, indicating that it was developed and began production before 1990;
- F – talks about technical details: four-cylinder, 16-valve unboosted engine driven by a single camshaft;
- E – indicates the presence of a multi-point fuel injection system.
In 1990, the power units in the series were modernized to enable operation on low-octane gasoline. For this purpose, a special power system for leaning the mixture, LeadBurn, was introduced into the design.
System illustration:
Let us now consider what characteristics the 4A FE engine has. Basic engine data:
| Parameter | Meaning |
| Volume | 1.6 l. |
| Developed power | 110 hp |
| Engine weight | 154 kg. |
| Engine compression ratio | 9.5-10 |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Location | Row |
| Fuel supply | Injector |
| Ignition | Distributor |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| BC building | Cast iron |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminium alloy |
| Fuel | Unleaded gasoline 92, 95 |
| Environmental Compliance | Euro 4 |
| Consumption | 7.9 l. – on the highway, 10.5 – in city mode. |
Maintenance schedule 4A FE 1.6 l/110 l. With.
The 4A FE inline petrol engine must be serviced within the following periods:
- The engine oil life is 10,000 km, then the lubricant and filter need to be replaced;
- the fuel filter must be replaced after 40,000 miles, the air filter twice as often;
- The service life of the battery is set by the manufacturer, on average 50 - 70 thousand km;
- spark plugs should be changed every 30,000 km and checked annually;
- crankcase ventilation and adjustment of thermal clearances of valves are carried out at the turn of 30,000 vehicle mileage;
- Antifreeze is replaced after 50,000 km; hoses and radiator must be inspected constantly;
- the exhaust manifold can burn out after 100,000 km.
Replacing the timing belt
The initially simple design of the internal combustion engine allows you to carry out maintenance and repairs on your own in the garage.
Device Features
Design features of 4A FE:
- in-line cylinders, bored directly into the cylinder block itself without the use of liners;
- gas distribution - DOHC, with two overhead camshafts, controlled by 16 valves;
- one camshaft is driven by a belt, the second camshaft receives torque from the first through a gear;
- the injection phases of the air-fuel mixture are regulated by the VVTi clutch; the valve control uses a design without hydraulic compensators;
- the ignition is distributed from one coil by a distributor (but there is a later modification of the LB, where there were two coils - one for each pair of cylinders);
- the model with the LB index, designed to work with low-octane fuel, has reduced power and reduced torque to 105 horsepower.
Interesting: if the timing belt breaks, the engine does not bend the valves, which adds to its reliability and attractiveness from the consumer.
Service interval
The Toyota 4A-FE engine requires the following maintenance intervals:
- changing the oil and oil filter every 10 thousand kilometers;
- after 40 thousand km, the fuel filter should be changed;
- The air filter is changed every 20 thousand kilometers;
- for every 30 thousand km of distance traveled, the spark plugs have to be replaced and the valve clearances adjusted, with the crankcase ventilation being checked for functionality;
- constant monitoring of the tightness of the cooling system, with replacement of antifreeze every 50 thousand km;
- At one hundred thousand kilometers it is necessary to check the condition of the exhaust manifold.
Version history 4A-FE
During its life cycle, the motor went through several stages of development:
Gen 1 (first generation) - from 1987 to 1993.
- Engine with electronic injection, power from 100 to 102 horsepower.
Gen 2 – rolled off production lines from 1993 to 1998.
- The power varied from 100 to 110 horsepower, the connecting rod and piston group and injection were changed, and the configuration of the intake manifold was changed. The cylinder head was also modified to work with new camshafts, and the valve cover received fins.
Gen 3 – produced in limited quantities from 1997 to 2001, exclusively for the Japanese market.
- This engine had increased power to 115 “horses”, achieved by changing the geometry of the intake and exhaust manifolds.
Tuning
Tuning a 4A-FE internal combustion engine is quite problematic and is not a rational solution. But you can do it if you want. In this case, you will need to replace almost everything except the cylinder block. The following items must be replaced: the crankshaft, valves, injectors, cylinder head and connecting rod-piston group. A turbo kit is installed on the power unit, which is accompanied by an increase in engine power to 140 horsepower.
The 4A-GE engine brand lends itself much better to tuning.
Pros and cons of the 4A-FE engine
The main advantage of the 4A-FE is its successful design, in which, in the event of a timing belt break, the piston does not bend the valve, avoiding expensive overhauls. Other benefits include:
- availability of spare parts and their availability;
- relatively low operating costs;
- good resource;
- the engine can be repaired and serviced independently, since the design is quite simple, and attachments do not interfere with access to various elements;
- The VVTi clutch and crankshaft are very reliable.
Interesting: when production of the Toyota Carina E began in the UK in 1994, the first 4A FE internal combustion engines were equipped with a control unit from Bosh, which had flexible settings. This became a lure for tuners because the engine could be re-tuned to extract more power while reducing emissions.
The main disadvantage is considered to be the above-mentioned LeadBurn system. Despite the obvious efficiency (which led to the widespread use of LB in the Japanese car market), it is extremely sensitive to the quality of gasoline and in Russian conditions demonstrates a serious drawdown in power at medium speeds. The condition of other components is also important - armored wires, spark plugs, and the quality of the engine oil is critical.
Review of faults and methods for repairing them
Due to its design features, the 4A FE motor is susceptible to the following “diseases”:
| Knock inside the engine | 1) with high mileage, wear of the piston pins 2) with a slight violation of the thermal clearances of the valves | 1) replacing fingers 2) adjusting gaps |
| Increased oil consumption | production of valve stem seals or rings | diagnostics and replacement of consumables |
| The engine starts and stalls | fuel system malfunction | cleaning injectors, distributor, fuel pump, replacing the fuel filter |
| Floating speed | clogging of crankcase ventilation, throttle valve, injectors, wear of the IAC | cleaning and replacing spark plugs, injectors, idle air control |
| Increased vibration | clogged injectors or spark plugs | replacing injectors, spark plugs |
Repair 4A-FE
Gaps with idle speed and engine start occur after the sensors have exhausted their service life or are damaged. Due to a burnt-out lambda probe, fuel consumption may increase and carbon deposits may form on the spark plugs. Some Toyota cars were equipped with engines with the Lean Burn system. Owners can fill with gasoline with a low octane number, but the turnaround time is reduced by 30 - 50%.
Where was the 4A FE placed?
The engine was equipped exclusively with Toyota cars:
- Carina – modifications of the 5th generation 1988-1992 (sedan in the T170 body, before and after restyling), 6th generation 1992-1996 in the T190 body;
- Celica – 5th generation coupe in 1989-1993 (T180 body);
- Corolla for the European and US markets in various trim levels from 1987 to 1997, for Japan - from 1989 to 2001;
- Corolla Ceres generation 1 – from 1992 to 1999;
- Corolla FX – generation 3 hatchback;
- Corolla Spacio – 1st generation minivan in the 110th body from 1997 to 2001;
- Corolla Levin - from 1991 to 2000, in E100 bodies;
- Corona – generations 9, 10 from 1987 to 1996, T190 and T170 bodies;
- Sprinter Trueno - from 1991 to 2000;
- Sprinter Marino - from 1992 to 1997;
- Sprinter – from 1989 to 2000, in different bodies;
- Premio sedan – from 1996 to 2001, T210 body;
- Caldina;
- Avensis;
- MR2.
Characteristics
Toyota 4A 1.6 power units (exact volume 1587 cc) were produced from 1982 to 2002. They used a cast iron cylinder block. Power indicators for different modifications of 4A series engines vary from 78 to 170 horsepower, with a torque value from 117 to 206 N*m. The compression ratio, depending on the modification of the power unit, ranges from 8 to 11. The injection system also depends on the engine version, whether a carburetor or an injector is used.
For 4A-FE engines it was allowed to use the following brands of gasoline: AI 92 and AI 95. The volume of oil poured into the engine is from 3 to 3.7 liters. What kind of oil to pour into the engine is decided depending on climatic conditions. The following brands can be used: 5W-30, 10W-30, 15W-40, 20W-50. The characteristics of the 4A-FE engine allow a maximum oil consumption of up to one liter per thousand kilometers.
4A-FE motors with the specified factory technical characteristics have a service life of 300,000 km.
Consumption
The fuel consumption rate depends on the vehicle on which the 4A-FE engine was installed. Below are gas mileage data for specific car models:
- Toyota Avensis in the T220 body with a five-speed manual transmission: in urban mode 10.6 l/100 km, in country mode – 6.1 l/100 km;
- Toyota Corolla with a four-speed automatic transmission: when driving in populated areas 10.3 l/100 km, on the highway – 6.4 l/100 km.
Modifications
The choice of 4A series engine versions is quite wide. The first to be developed in 1983 was a 4A-C carburetor power unit with eight valves and a capacity of ninety horsepower. Analogue versions were also developed for the European and Australian markets. They were marked: 4A-L, -LC, -E, -ELU, -F. Their power ranged from 78 to 100 horsepower. Over time, the engine has undergone quite serious changes. The following variations of the 4A series engines were developed:
- Injection version 4A-FE, which had several generations. Among them:
Block 4A-FE
- The 4A-FE Gen 1 was first equipped with fuel injection in 1987. Model of the power unit with a capacity of 100-102 hp. produced until 1993;
- the modernized 4A-FE Gen 2 used a new connecting rod and piston group, changed the design of the camshaft and fuel supply system, and also increased the maximum power to 110 hp;
- The latest version of the engine was 4A-FE Gen 3. It differed slightly from the second generation engine. Power increased to 115 horsepower.
- Subsequently, the 4A-FHE (110 hp) internal combustion engine model was produced. It involved improving the design of the 4A-FE engine;
- After this, Toyota and Yamaha jointly developed a version of the 4A-GE engine. During its existence, it has undergone five generations. Engine brands were distinguished by increased power, which amounted to:
- 124 hp – 4A-GE Gen 1;
- 125 hp – 4A-GE Gen 2;
- 128 hp – 4A-GE Gen 3;
- 160 hp – 4A-GE Gen 4;
- 165 hp – 4A-GE Gen 5.
Karina E
What models was it installed on?
The 4A-FE modification engine was used for the following car models:
- Avensis T220 from 1997 to 2000;
- Carina AT171/175 from 1988 to 1992 and AT190 from 1984 to 1996;
- Carina II AT171 from 1987 to 1992;
- Carina E AT190 from 1992 to 1997;
- Geo Prizm based on Toyota AE92 from 1989 to 1997;
- Corolla/Conquest AE92/AE111 from 1993 to 2002;
- Celica AT180 from 1989 to 1993;
Toyota Celica T200
- Corolla AE92/95 from 1988 to 1997, AE101/104/109 from 1991 to 2002, AE111/114 from 1995 to 2002;
- Corolla Ceres AE101 from 1992 to 1998;
- Corolla Spacio AE111 from 1997 to 2001;
- Sprinter AE95 from 1989 to 1991, AE101/104/109 from 1992 to 2002, AE111/114 from 1995 to 1998;
- Corona AT175 from 1988 to 1992, AT190 from 1992 to 1996, AT210 from 1996 to 2001;
- Sprinter Carib AE95 from 1988 to 1990, AE111/114 from 1996 to 2001
Other engines in the series
4A
The basic model that replaced the 3A series. The engines created on its basis were equipped with SOHC and DOHC mechanisms, up to 20 valves, and the “fork” of output power ranged from 70 to 168 forces on the “charged” turbocharged GZE.
4A-GE
This is a 1.6-liter engine, structurally similar to the FE. The characteristics of the 4A GE engine are also largely identical. But there are also differences:
- GE has a larger angle between the intake and exhaust valves - 50 degrees, in contrast to 22.3 for FE;
- The camshafts of the 4A GE engine are rotated by a single timing belt.
Speaking about the technical characteristics of the 4A GE engine, we cannot mention the power: it is slightly more powerful than the FE and develops up to 128 hp with equal volumes.
Interesting: a 20-valve 4A-GE was also produced, with an updated cylinder head and 5 valves per cylinder. It developed power up to 160 forces.
4A-FHE
This is an analogue of the FE with a modified intake, camshafts and a number of additional settings. They gave the engine greater performance.
4A-GZE
This unit is a modification of the sixteen-valve GE, equipped with a mechanical air pressurization system. 4A-GZE was produced in 1986-1995. The cylinder block and cylinder head have not undergone any changes; an air supercharger driven by the crankshaft has been added to the design. The first samples produced a pressure of 0.6 bar, and the engine developed power up to 145 horsepower.
In addition to supercharging, engineers reduced the compression ratio and introduced forged, convex pistons into the design.
In 1990, the 4A GZE engine was updated and began to develop power up to 168-170 horsepower. The compression ratio has increased, and the geometry of the intake manifold has changed. The supercharger produced a pressure of 0.7 bar, and the MAP D-Jetronic mass air flow sensor was included in the engine design.
The GZE is popular with tuners because it allows the installation of a compressor and other modifications without major engine conversions.
4A-F
It was the carburetor predecessor of the FE and developed up to 95 horsepower.
4A GEU
The 4A-GEU engine, a subtype of GE, developed power up to 130 horsepower. Motors with this marking were developed before 1988.
Engine tuning Toyota 4A-GE (4A-FE, 4A-GZE)
Chip tuning. Atmo
Engines of the 4A series were born for tuning; it was on the basis of the 4A-GE that the well-known 4A-GE TRD was created, which in its naturally aspirated version produces 240 hp. and spinning up to 12,000 rpm! But for successful tuning you need to take the 4A-GE as a basis, and not the FE version. Tuning 4A-FE is a dead idea from the start and replacing the cylinder head with a 4A-GE will not help here. If your hands are itching to modify the 4A-FE, then your choice is supercharging, buy a turbo kit, install it on a standard piston, blow to 0.5 bar, get your ~140 hp. and drive until it falls apart. In order to drive happily ever after, you need to change the crankshaft, the entire CNG to a low level, bring the cylinder head to a low level, install larger valves, injectors, a pump, in other words, only the cylinder block will remain original. And only then is it rational to install the turbine and everything accompanying it? That is why a good 4AGE is always taken as a basis, everything is simpler here: for GE of the first generations, good shafts with a phase of 264 are taken, pushers are standard, a direct-flow exhaust is installed and we get around 150 hp. Few? We remove the T-VIS intake manifold, take shafts with a phase of 280+, with tuning springs and pushers, give the cylinder head for modification, for Big Port the modification includes grinding of the channels, fine-tuning of the combustion chambers, for Small Port also preliminary boring of the intake and exhaust channels with the installation of enlarged valves, spider 4-2-1, set to Abit or January 7.2, this will give up to 170 hp. Further, a forged piston with a compression ratio of 11, phase 304 shafts, a 4-throttle intake, a 4-2-1 equal-length spider and a direct-flow exhaust on a 63mm pipe, the power will rise to 210 hp. We install a dry sump, change the oil pump to another one from 1G, maximum shafts - phase 320, power will reach 240 hp. and will spin at 10,000 rpm. How we will modify the 4A-GZE compressor... We will carry out work on the cylinder head (grinding the channels and combustion chambers), 264 phase shafts, 63mm exhaust, tuning, and we will count about 20 horses as a plus. The SC14 compressor or a more efficient one will allow you to increase the power to 200 forces.
More about the engine
4a-fe - the most common A-series engine, has been produced without significant upgrades since 1988. Such a long life in production without modifications was possible due to the complete absence of serious design flaws.
In mass production, 4a-fe and 7a-fe engines were installed on cars of the Corolla family, without any changes. For installation on Corona, Carina and Caldina, they began to be equipped with a lean-burn system, or in English Lean Burn. This improvement, as the name suggests, is designed to reduce exhaust emissions and specific fuel consumption. The modernization consists of changing the shape of the cavities of the intake manifold and moving the fuel injectors to the head of the block as close as possible to the intake valves.
Due to this, the uniformity of mixing of the air-fuel mixture is improved; gasoline does not settle on the walls of the manifold and does not enter the cylinder in large drops. This leads to a reduction in fuel losses and, as a result, it becomes possible to operate the engine on a lean mixture. With a normally operating Lean Burn system, gasoline consumption can drop almost below 6 l/100 km, and the loss of power will be no more than 6 l. With.
But engines running on a lean mixture are sensitive to the condition of spark plugs, high voltage wires and the quality of the fuel. Therefore, there are frequent complaints from our owners of Japanese cars with Lean Burn about instability of idle speed and “failures” in transient conditions.
Cars on which the 4A-FE power unit was installed
| Model | Body | Years of manufacture |
| Avensis | AT220 | 1997-2000 |
| Carina | AT171/175/190 | 1984-1996 |
| Carina || | AT171 | 1987-1992 |
| Carina E | AT190 | 1992-1997 |
| Celica | AT180 | 1989-1993 |
| Corolla | AE92/95/101/104/109/111/ 114 | 1988-2002 |
| Corolla Ceres | AE101 | 1992-1998 |
| Corolla Spacio | AE111 | 1997-2001 |
| Corona | AT175/190/210 | 1988-2002 |
| Sprinter | AE95/101/104/109/111/114 | 1989-2002 |
| Sprinter Carib | AE95/111/114 | 1988-2001 |
| Sprinter Marino | AE101 | 1992-1998 |
| Conquest | AE111 | 1993-2002 |
| Geo Prism | Based on Toyota AE92 | 1989-1997 |
