Renault internal combustion engines are now all about small turbocharged units. And I should say that they are better than you may expect them to be. I’ve already told you about the 0.9L TCe and also the 1.3 TCe engines.
Today, I will tell you about the 1.0 TCe turbocharged petrol engine that is used in many Dacia, Renault, and even several Nissan models in various markets.
I will cover its best sides and also common problems, discuss the estimated longevity, and give some tips on how you can prolong the lifespan of the engine.
Please keep in mind that this article covers the H4Dt (the first generation) engine. I will most likely write another article for the H5Dt that powers the new Megane because it has several serious differences.
What should you know about the H4Dt 1-liter turbo engine?
First of all, this is a massively exploited engine in the current Dacia lineup. It was initially used in the Clio, then in the Captur and Kiger. However, the company saw a lot of potential money-saving in introducing this engine to cheaper Dacia models.
So, Duster, Logan, Logan MCV, Sandero, Sadero Stepway, and Jogger got this engine in some markets. And I would say this was real progress for Romanian vehicles – they got an efficient and modern engine at a fair price.
But let’s look at the technical side of the H4Dt engine first:
- this is the 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine with 3 cylinders and 4 valves per cylinder;
- the engine, on average, is set to produce about 100 horsepower and 160 Nm of torque which is not bad at all;
- the 1.0 TCe offers port injection – this is unusual but very good for durability and longevity;
- the camshafts are driven by the chain – it’s claimed to last as long as the engine, but this is not entirely correct;
- the phasers are only used on the intake camshaft;
- there are no hydraulic lifters, so the valves will need to be adjusted from time to time;
- the engine will require 5w30 oil – you will need about 3.3 liters for regular change.
As the Clio is probably one of the most common vehicles with the powerplant under the hood, I took the average specs from it. It says that the 1.0 TCe couple with a manual transmission will offer about 5.4 L/100 km in the city and 3.8 L/100 km on highways (52-74 MPG UK).
Also, the H4Dt engine is thought to be pretty simple in design. The most complicated part is the tiny turbocharger. But after a quick look at some Dacia and Renault forums, I can confirm it has little to no common issues.
How many miles will the 1.0 TCe last?
So, this engine is pretty simple, has no significant high-tech units in its construction, it was engineered in 2018, and has been used in myriads of cars since then. So, we know almost everything about it.
Based on what we already know, I can say that this engine is good to go about 250,000 kilometers or 155,000 miles. This is the average lifespan of the 1.0 TCe (H4Dt). Sorry, I need to concentrate on the serial number of this engine constantly because it is the second generation and it’s different.
155K miles for such a small 3-cylinder turbo engine is magic! And it’s not just claimed lifespan but the figure that is confirmed by owners. There are hundreds of engines that easily improve this estimated mileage.
If you get the Renault car with the 7-speed DCT transmission, the gearbox will affect the overall longevity of your vehicle. The transmission will require significant repairs or replacement before the engine fails.
Also, LPG versions are a little less durable. I will discuss this later in the article.
What are the common problems with the 1.0 TCe engine?
So, if you are the owner of the H4Dt engine by Renault, there are no extremely unexpected and expensive problems that should be waiting for you anytime soon. This is a reliable engine with good engineering and simple technologies behind it.
Here’s what you should know about some of the common problems:
1) Poor software for first years
2018-2019 engines were known for some power-loss cases and owners tried hard to find the solution. Renault issues an update with some software upgrades and this problem seems now to be completely solved.
If you own an older 1.0 TCe engine that hasn’t been upgraded, go to the dealership and ask about available software upgrades for your vehicle.
2) Timing chain issues
This is a far more serious problem that deserves attention. The thin chain is only capable of going about 120,000-150,000 kilometers (up to 90,000 miles) and it can eventually break. This will lead to expensive engine damage (sometimes even death).
To avoid this, replace the timing chain kit at about 120,000 kilometers (75,000 miles) This is just about the half lifespan and this will prevent the chain from failing and killing the valves.
3) Intake phaser is not eternal
As I’ve already told you, this engine, fortunately, has just one phaser – on the intake camshaft. But it doesn’t save it from problems. The phaser will start crackling at about 150,000 kilometers or 90,000 miles and will require replacement.
The good news – it’s not that hard to replace and it’s a great time to replace it along with the timing chain to save some money on labor costs.
4) No lifters
This engine has no hydraulic lifters, so you will need to adjust the valves once every 60,000 kilometers (40K miles). This is not a serious problem but it will require some extra maintenance and will take some money out of your pocket.
If you don’t adjust the valves on time, the engine will lose power and efficiency. After some time, it will work harshly and may not start quickly.
5) Oil leaks
One of the common spots for leaking oil is the head cover seal. But I’ve seen many other complaints. The problem is that the oil pressure is pretty high and the gaskets and seals may not hold it perfectly well for a long time.
If your engine starts leaking oil, be careful and often check the oil level. This engine has just a little more than 3 liters of oil in it, so a small leak will easily set it to the conditions when the oil pressure may drop.
How can you prolong the life of the engine?
Your 1.0 TCe is a pretty decent small engine with not that much of modern technologies being implemented in it. Its turbocharger is more or less eternal, the block and head never cause serious problems if maintained well.
Here’s what you may need to do to drive it even longer than average:
- change oil much more often than the manufacturer recommends – at least once every 10,000 miles or 15,000 kilometers or once a year;
- use OEM oil and filters – they are just a little more expensive than aftermarket ones;
- change the chain kit along with the phaser at about 75,000 miles or 120,000 kilometers;
- adjust the valves once every 60,000 kilometers or 40,000 miles;
- don’t use any low-octane fuel types, this will kill the engine;
- prefer driving on petrol rather than on LPG if you have this option.
What about LPG in these engines?
If the engine had hydraulic lifters, LPG would be more or less OK. But I believe it just can’t work well on liquid petroleum gas. Although you won’t notice any significant difference, the overall longevity of the engine will be compromised.
Given the engine burns so little petrol, it makes sense to drive it on petrol all the time without using LPG even if you have this equipment in the vehicle.
Other names for the 1.0 TCe
This engine is not only used in Renault and Dacia cars. Nissan also uses it for small vehicles, mainly Almera, Micra, and Magnite, for some markets. But Nissan calls this engine HR10DET basically making you believe this is a Nissan-engineered engine. But it’s not.
This is exactly the same 1.0 TCe that is used in Renault cars without any changes but the plastic cover on top of the machine.
Do you have experience with the 1.0 TCe engine in Renault or Dacia cars? Please share your opinion about them in the comments section below.
