The Hyundai i30 is still one of the most popular compact cars in Europe and in the US. The vehicle is offered with several engine types but I will focus on the popular diesel option – the 1.6 CRDI.
All i30 models starting with the first generation and up to the 2023 model year have been equipped with the U-Series 1.6 CRDI engine. But in 2017, this engine changed its generation and, unfortunately, became much less reliable. I will focus exactly on the newer engine that was installed in the third-gen Hyundai i30 after 2017.
In short, this is a good and reliable engine but its overall lifespan is reduced due to extra emission control equipment, issues with AdBlue, and some common problems with tricky maintenance that no one actually cares about.
Here’s what I will cover in this article:
- Features of the new 1.6 CRDI engine in the i30 you may want to know.
- How many miles or kilometers will it run?
- What are the common problems with the engine?
- What should you do to prolong its life?
What should you know about Hyundai’s 1.6 CRDI?
Well, in 2017, the company updated its legendary 1.6 CRDI (which still wasn’t flawless) and tried to make it more modern, especially in terms of emissions. The new engine got complicated emission control systems, updated the block which became aluminum, installed the timing belt instead of the chain, etc.
If you compare the pre-2017 1.6 CRDI engine with the new one, you will find hundreds of major and minor differences that basically make them different engines. And I should fairly say that the older one (codenamed D4FB) was much better and more durable.
Here are some key facts about the new 1.6L diesel engine in the i30:
- this is a simple 4-cylinder diesel engine with an aluminum block and head offering 116-136 horsepower and up to 320 Nm of torque;
- the injection system is good old Common Rail which is good news for those who want to drive a lot of miles;
- the engine has been installed in different models – i30, Tucson, Kona, i40, and also several Kia models;
- of course, it’s turbocharged, it uses a Garett turbocharger that basically doesn’t make any serious problems;
- the engine doesn’t have phasers and it has hydraulic lifters, so you won’t need to adjust the valves regularly;
- in different markets, it was equipped with different transmissions, and the manual was OK, but the 7-speed DCT is not on my recommendation list;
- the engine is super economical offering about 5 liters per 100 km consumption, on average which is great.
The Hyundai i30 is no longer offered with the 1.6 CRDI in the UK. Now it only comes with 1-liter or 1.5-liter gas engines and this is a discouraging factor. But you may find a lot of these cars on the market of used vehicles.
One of the serious upgrades in comparison with the previous generation of this diesel engine was the introduction of the timing belt instead of the chain. We all know that Hyundai’s chains are a serious object of criticism, so they decided to make it a little bit more expensive to maintain but more reliable.
And they failed because the chain is one of the top points on the list of common problems with this engine. Keep reading to find out more!
How long will you be able to drive the 1.6 CRDI i30?
So, the overall durability of this engine is about 155,000 miles or 250,000 kilometers. I wouldn’t recommend buying the i30 or any other Hyundai/Kia model powered with this diesel engine when it comes close to that milestone.
Why? Because a lot of extremely expensive things may fail at this mileage and it may eventually be cheaper for you to replace the engine instead of repairing it. Unfortunately, getting the new engine is almost impossible in Europe now, and even if you find a way to do that, the engine will cost you a fortune.
Please note that I’m talking about the average mileage, so some Hyundais will be able to go more while some others will fail earlier. This depends on the maintenance and overall care.
I wouldn’t recommend buying a used i30 with the 1.6L diesel engine and the 7-speed automatic transmission. Although it may be cool to drive and good in terms of fuel economy, this transmission is unpredictable and very expensive to own, especially, when the vehicle’s mileage is high.
What are the common problems with the 1.6L CRDI in the i30?
The post-2017 engines are full of surprises. Hyundai added a lot of eco-saving technologies making this engine qualify for the Euro 6d emission category. But everything comes at a price and the emission reduction will eventually be paid for from the pocket of the owner.
So, here are the problems I can clearly outline for the 1.6 CRDI by Hyundai:
1) The timing belt breaks earlier than expected
There are two different belts in these engines. The first one drives the camshafts and the crankshaft while the second one is aimed to drive the oil pump. And they both require to be replaced more often. The manual says you should change the belts and the water pump at 60,000 miles or once every 7 years. That’s too long.
I would change the timing belt along with the tensioner, pulley, and pump once every 45,000 miles. Also, I would only use Hyundai’s OEM belt. Otherwise, the interval should be even shorter. Once the belt is broken, this engine is minced and there is nothing to repair.
2) Drive belt issues
Although there are no certain intervals of drive belt change, in these engines it’s important to change it along with the timing belt. The problem is that the drive belt may damage the timing belt if broken. So, add the reminder to include that on the list of things you should do when the next maintenance is due.
3) EGR and DPF
Once you hit about 100,000 miles or 160,000 kilometers, you will start getting issues with the emission control systems. The EGR sends unburnt gases back to the engine to burn them. But its cooling is not that durable and may start leaking coolant directly into the intake. Also, the EGR tends to get clogged in these engines faster than you may expect.
The DPF may also start annoying you at this mileage mark. Cleaning or any other procedures won’t help and the replacement filter will cost you a lot. So, a lot of wise Hyundai i30 owners will trade in their vehicles before they see those Christmas lights on the dash.
4) The AdBlue system is faulty
This problem started bothering Hyundai owners even when the engines were all new and low-mileage. Now, Hyundai mechanics just know it’s a standard problem for the 1.6L CRDI engine. AdBlue injectors may stop working or may wrongly atomize the fluid, so the vehicle will throw a code and ask for service.
5) Overall weak construction
While its predecessor had an iron block and could be repaired after some mishaps, the new 1.6 CRDI engine is all-aluminum and isn’t ready to run for a long time. It’s overall longevity is estimated to be about 100,000 kilometers lower than the previous generation of this engine. And this is quite a disappointing factor.
Also, many minor problems will randomly appear and require your attention. It’s right to say they will cost you some money to be solved.
How can you prolong the life of this engine?
I don’t want you to think that I advertise some other types of engines or cars. I’ve driven the i30 with the 1.6 CRDI engine and I like it. The only important thing is to understand what exactly you need to do to avoid the major problems and prolong the lifespan of this engine.
Here are some basic things:
- use only OEM products for regular maintenance;
- replace the timing belt kit more often than stated by the manual;
- have the EGR system cleaned and checked regularly;
- forget about any bad and cheap fuel – this is the death for this engine;
- avoid aggressive driving – the 1.6 CRDI loves lower RPMs;
- if you need towing something, better choose another engine that suits your goals;
- after 100,000 miles, change oil more often;
- don’t ignore minor problems, solve them promptly.
Final thoughts
It’s important to pay attention to the overall condition of your engine. If you see a warning light that may be related to the engine, it’s quite important to solve the issue immediately. Also, avoid overloading it with towing. This is a great engine for everyday driving with low fuel consumption and good power and torque.
But it will hate any issues with regular maintenance and will not thank you for any kind of economy on fuel or oil. Change full-synthetic oil once every year or once every 15,000 km (10,000 miles).
If you fail to care about this engine properly, it’s very possible that you will need to buy a used one when yours fails.
