When it comes to modern turbocharged engines from Europe, we shouldn’t forget about the TCe series from Renault. I’ve already told you about several other engines in the series – you may have a look at 0.9 TCe, 1.0 TCe older-gen, 1.0 TCe newer-gen, and also 1.3 TCe.
The 1.6 TCe was born in 2013 as the purely sports-oriented engine in the Clio RS model. After several years, Renault decided to install it in the Megane, Talisman, and also Espace for various markets.
This is a sibling of the MR16DDT engine by Nissan that you may know thanks to a pretty popular Nissan Juke.
What should you know about the 1.6 TCe engine?
While the engine looks more or less simple now, it was one of the revolutionary units for the company more than a decade ago. With its small displacement and only 4 cylinders, it could beat a lot of V6 powerplants in terms of power and torque.
And although it’s not the best engine in the TCe series, it’s still worth knowing about. If you asked me which small turbo engine you should choose in the market of used cars, I would point you to this 1.6 TCe machine. Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2018.
Here are several important facts to consider:
- the 1.6 TCe M5Mt engine is a 4-cylinder 16-valve all-aluminum motor producing 150-220 horsepower;
- the maximum torque of 280 Nm is impressive given the size is quite small;
- the engine is turbocharged, it uses a Mitsubishi turbo which is not that efficient but quite reliable;
- the direct injection system adds to the efficiency but leads to carbon buildup on intake valves over time;
- the camshafts are driven by the chain and it’s not perfect in terms of durability;
- both camshafts come with phasers, so the variable valve system is quite efficient and modern;
- there are no lifters, so you will need to adjust the valves regularly.
The construction of the performance-oriented Clio RS 1.6 TCe engine was experimental and had several weak links in it. The calmer engines in other vehicles are considered to be more durable. But everything depends on the maintenance and driving styles.
Driving the 1.6 TCe is fun – it delivers a lot of torque very early and the power is available from low RPMs. Even if you own a 150-horsepower version of this engine, it’s still very good to drive.
How long will the M5Mt engine last?
This motor can last between 150,000 and 220,000 miles (220,000-340,000 kilometers) depending on the driving style. If you forget to change oil and do other maintenance, it may die much earlier than stated above, as almost any other internal combustion engine.
But I’ve also seen these engines covering more miles just with several repairs. If you want to drive it past 300,000 kilometers or 200,000 miles, you will need to know several tricks on what fails in this machine and at what mileage.
Forums are very helpful in identifying the most common problems of the engine, so later in this article, I will tell you more about them.
But first, I want to warn you about the transmissions. While the manual transmissions were perfect, some cars got a DCT transmission with this engine. If you own or are going to buy such a vehicle, be ready for expensive clutch replacement and issues with the transmission control unit. These transmissions are not the most durable ones.
What are the common problems with the 1.6 TCe?
Knowing the common problems associated with this engine is important for proper use and maintenance. If you rely on the statement that the timing belt lasts forever (as Renault proudly claims), you will most likely lose the engine at about 100,000 miles or 150,000 kilometers.
So, let’s see what you should know about:
1) 1.6 TCe is afraid of cold weather
These engines are known to be helpless when it’s freezing outside. First, the crankcase ventilation system may freeze and you will see huge oil leaks including oil coming out of the dipstick hole.
There is no proper fix for that. Try warming up the engine properly before you start driving and use good recommended oil.
Also, the freezing weather may be the reason for throttle problems. The throttle flap may freeze and you will lose power. This usually happens when driving on the highway for a long time when it’s really cold.
2) Timing chain problems
While in low-power versions the chain may actually last long, any engines stronger than 200 horsepower kill the chain fast enough. At about 60,000 miles (100,000 kilometers), you may hear first rattling sounds. At 100K miles (160,000 kilometers) the chains are usually dead and require replacement.
This doesn’t sound that bad – just replace the chain. But at this mileage, the expensive phasers may also require replacement and this will take the costs up to abnormal figures.
If the chain isn’t replaced on time and brakes, it will most likely kill the engine – the pistons will hit the valves.
3) Uneven idling and loss of power
There are two common things that lead to such consequences: the contaminated throttle and the carbon buildup on intake valves. Since the engine has a direct injection system, it’s pretty obvious the valves gather a lot of carbon and will require cleaning from time to time.
The throttle is not perfect, too. Fortunately, you can clean it easily with a high-quality throttle cleaner and this usually helps for some time.
If you ignore the problem, the valves will soon become fatally clogged and you will lose all the power. In this case, only professional cleaning of the valves with removing the engine head is possible.
4) Weak sensors
After approximately three years of problem-free driving, all owners reported issues with sensors. The weakest ones are the turbocharger boost sensor and also the mass airflow sensor. But other electronic devices aren’t too durable either.
Fortunately, replacing these sensors is not a hard task and the sensors themselves won’t cost you a fortune.
How can you drive the 1.6 TCe engine longer?
Prolonging the life of any Renault engine is not a simple task. You will need to know more about the common problems described above and read forums to learn what maintenance tasks are important for the engine.
First of all, you may try doing the following:
- warm up the engine, especially in winter months;
- avoid aggressive driving till the engine is fully warmed up;
- replace the timing chain once it rattles or at about 100,000 miles (160,000 km);
- clean the throttle once every year or so;
- clean the intake valves with high-quality cleaners;
- adjust the valves at about 60,000 miles (100,000 km);
- use only high-octane petrol for this engine.
If you own a 150-hp version of the 1.6 TCe, remember that it’s not performance-oriented. If you try driving it aggressively, its lifespan will be reduced significantly.
Do you have experience with the 1.6 TCe? Please write your opinion in the comments below!
