Does a D-4 engine have any problems?
A D-4 engine in a Toyota Corolla Altis. Despite some claims that this engine is not good, it will only perform well if maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Unfortunately, some Toyota owners fail this strict maintenance regime and blame the engine. NET PHOTO
Thank you for your educative articles and features in the magazine. Please elaborate on the following types of engines, showing their pros and cons:
1. Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
2. D-4 or GDI
3. Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVTI)
I once owned a Toyota RAV 4 (2003 model) D-4 for three years. I did not have any problem with it. And it had very dynamic performance and fuel economy. But when I was selling it, car dealers said it does not attract buyers. They told me buyers prefer VVTI. Anyway, I eventually sold it at a good price. Now I have a Toyota RAV 4 (2007 model) with VVTI. But why were dealers claiming that a D-4 engine has problems. I await your advice.
Godfrey Buyondo Kisirinya
The EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection), D-4 (Direct Injection four cylinders - for Toyota) and GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection - for Mitsubishi) have one thing in common, they use an engine computer controlled system to electronically synchronize delivery of the fuel and spark in a manner that enhances performance and fuel economy in petrol engines. The big difference between the three engine types is the generation of the technology and the way the fuel is injected into the engine.
In the earlier EFI system, fuel is injected into the inlet manifold to mix with the air prior to entering the combustion chamber. In the D4 and GDI engines, fuel is injected under very high pressure into the combustion chamber itself (direct injection).
During the combustion process, air is compressed and at a very precise moment fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. This allows the engine to produce fewer emissions while enhancing performance and fuel economy.
VVTI (Variable Valve Timing Intelligent) is a new innovation across the board in most modern electronic fuel injection engines. It is designed to improve performance by optimising timing and angle of engine inlet valve lift using a computer aided electro- hydraulic system.
In theory the D4 and GDI engines are very good especially when coupled with the VVTI system. However, poor maintenance of these engines by failing to renew oil, fuel and air filters or the use of adulterated leaded fuel and poor quality engine oil leads to poor performance, engine surging, rough idle and engine stutter.
The good news is you no longer need to throw or run away from these engines because the parts availability and improved technical know-how have improved in Uganda today.
Car dealers and buyers ought to understand that this engine technology is here to stay so we need to adjust our car maintenance culture bearing in mind that you recoup what you invest in maintenance when you enjoy good performance and greater fuel economy.
I plan to buy my very first car in December, and would like to get me an SUV type of vehicle. Not the very large ones but the compact ones like the three door Pajero. I think it is a short chassis or something. I don’t know much about cars. Could you have any suggestions for me considering that I intend to spend Shs40,000 on fuel (diesel engine).
Kristofer Kato
From your description you are looking for a three door short chassis Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) within the Shs40m budget cap. There are two categories of popular used three-door medium SUV vehicles in the 2000-2002 range: the smaller medium SUVs such as Pajero iO, Toyota RAV4, Suzuki Vitara /Escudo.
The pros: these three are easier to park, tough with all-wheel drive (Pajero io and Escudo have 4WD option), reliable, comfortable and trendy. The cons: tight rear passenger leg room and load space, high speed cornering maneouverability and road dynamics are limited by their size, they feel light when driving on the highway.
The small medium SUVs cost between Shs30-35m Uganda shillings. Parts are available at their respective authorised dealers or independent sellers downtown. The popular bigger three -oor medium SUVs in your Shs40m budget range are the 1999-2000 Pajero and Prado. They have a good parts support from the authorised dealerships and independent outlets in town. The bigger medium SUVs pros: better road holding and handling for highway and off-road up country terrain, these two are tough four wheel drive vehicles, better rear passenger legroom and loading space. They also have a good resale value. You have a choice between the Pajero and Prado.
I own a Nadia (2001 model) which I bought in 2011. Recently, as I was driving past Shell Nakawa, my car suddenly lost power and had to be pushed off the road. Some shabby “mechanics” around the Nakawa flyover pretended to have solved the problem, and I managed to drive off and reach home safely. After about two days, it happened again, and when I branched to some fuel station, on checking, I was told that my fuel gauge was faulty, although it was indicating almost a quarter tank. How do I solve this problem once and for all? I am now scared of driving at night.
I would like to see the repair history of your car or the defect and repair report from the mechanics at Nakawa where your Nadia was repaired. It would be useful to know whether the cause of your first breakdown had something to do with the fuel pump. If so then removal of the fuel pump in the tank may have affected operation of the fuel gauge which is attached to the pump.
You may have to replace the fuel gauge or sender unit as it is often not easily repairable. This should restore your confidence and peace of mind.
I am Joab and I live in Mbarara. I need to replace engine mountings for a GDi Pajero io model H76W with manual transmission. Please recommend a genuine supplier for second hand original parts.
There is one I know, that I will recommend and you compare what he offers with what the official dealer, Victoria Motors quotes just in case the price of new mountings is close to that of the old ones. In which case you would buy the new ones of course.
