13 Most Reliable Diesel Engine Ever Made

The ongoing campaign against diesel engines does not mean that diesel engines do not deserve attention. On the contrary, even among the new turbo diesel engines, you can find durable, reliable and very economical engine.

For nearly 30 years, we have witnessed the dynamic development of diesel engines. At the turn of the 1980s and 1990s, diesels began to be massively equipped with turbocharging and direct injection.

Diesel Engine Reviews

The turbo significantly improved the performance, while the direct injection of fuel into the cylinders reduced combustion, but – especially in the first edition – it reduced the work culture in relation to diesels with a pre-chamber.

The problem of hard and loud work concerned, in particular, with engine injectors promoted by the Volkswagen group, which deliver fuel under great pressure and in single doses.

In 1991, when the 1.9 TDI engine with injection pump made its debut, the share of diesel engines in new car sales in the European market did not exceed 15%.

When Common Rail debuted in 1997, they won about 25% of the market. After 2006, diesel engines became more popular than gasoline engine and remained in the lead into 2015.

In 2017, its share of sales decreased to less than 45%. The aftermath of Volkswagen’s diesel troubles caused their interest to gradually decline.

Used cars – due to drivers’ fears of the announced ban – are starting to depreciate more quickly, which importers from Central and Eastern Europe use with caution.

Despite the problems of the image and ecology of diesel engines, drivers are “afraid” of diesel engines for another reason – the need for expensive investments for a mileage exceeding 200,000 km.

Granted, modern turbo diesel engines have a lot to break, but many components (diesel particulate filters, injectors, multiple mass flywheels) can be reproduced, and some models are easy to get cheap replacements.

In addition, the after-sales market is full of many engine of this type which is quite a successful design: predictable in operation or with a rich supply of spare parts.

13 Most Reliable Diesel Engine Of All Time

We have successfully selected 13 Most Reliable Diesel Engine.

1. BMW M57 Engine
2. Fiat 1.9 JTD Engine
3. Fiat 2.0 JTD Engine
4. Hyundai / Kia 1.6 CRDi Engine
5. Honda 2.2 CTDi Engine
6. Mercedes 2.1 OM611 Engine
7. PSA-Ford 1.4 / 1.6 HDi (8 / 16V) Engine
8. PSA-Ford 2.0 HDi (8 / 16V) Engine
9. Toyota 1.4 D-4D Engine
10. Volkswagen 1.9 TDI VP Engine
11. Volkswagen 1.9 TDI PD Engine
12. Volkswagen 1.6 TDI CR Engine
13. Volvo 2.4 D5 Diesel Engine

Let’s take a closer look.

1. BMW M57 Engine

The BMW M57 six-cylinder diesel engine is a very successful engine, sounds fun and can be modified. Suffice it to say that it even appeared in the Dakar rally car, where it developed 320 HP and 800 Nm. In public cars, you can count on 150 HP, 300 Nm to 286 HP, 580 Nm.

The M57 engine family consists of a engine with three different displacements and a variety of equipment – including a dual turbocharger and a diesel particulate filter.

That doesn’t change the fact that the engines from the M57 family are extremely durable, and compared to BMW’s two-liter diesel engines, they are perfect.

However, they should not be approached uncritically. Many used cars already require a lot of investment. The version with a capacity of 2.9 liters is considered the most stable.

Durability:

• 600,000 km

Production Year:

• 1998-2010

Contruction:

• Capacity: 2,497 / 2,926 / 2,993 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch injector
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Time chain
• 24 valve head
• Presence of DPF filter depending on version and year

Installed:

• BMW X3 (E83)
• BMW X5 (E53)
• BMW X5 (E70)
• BMW X6 (E71)
• BMW 3 Series (E46)
• BMW 3 Series (E90)
• BMW 5 Series (E39)
• BMW 5 Series (E60)
• BMW 6 Series (E63)
• BMW 7 Series (E38)
• BMW 7 Series (E65)
• Opel Omega B FL (C)
• Land Rover Range Rover III (L322)

2. Fiat 1.9 JTD Engine

The first common rail engine also turned out to be one of the most successful diesel engines in history. Some even say that it is unfortunate that Fiat does not produce cars that are as good.

With the minimum service required (oil change, timing belt and accessory belt replaced), the engine proves to be practically reliable.

The first version of the engine with an 8-valve head (105-131 hp) was the most “armored”. The 1.9 JTD engine with a 16 valve head has a shutoff in the intake system, which starts to jam and then snaps at higher mileage. Keep changing the collector or removing the cap.

Durability:

• 500,000 km

Production Year:

• 1997-2010

Construction:

• Capacity: 1910 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch injectors
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Timing belt
• The availability of the DPF filter depends on the version and year

Installed:

• Alfa Romeo 145
• Alfa Romeo 146
• Alfa Romeo 156
• Alfa Romeo 159
• Alfa Romeo GT
• Fiat Punto II
• Fiat Grande Punto
• Fiat Punto Evo
• Fiat Bravo
• Fiat Brava
• Fiat Croma
• Fiat Stilo
• Fiat Sedici
• Fiat Marea
• Fiat Doblo
• Lancia Delta III
• Lancia Lybra
• Opel Astra H
• Opel Vectra C
• Opel Signum
• Opel Zafira B
• Saab 9-3
• Saab 9-5
• Suzuki SX4

3. Fiat 2.0 JTD

The successor to the 1.9 JTD diesel, favored for its characteristics and durability, turned out to be durable. Of course, there is no longer any question of a completely maintenance-free engine, one that won’t be troublesome to operate and will “outlive” the rest of the vehicle.

The presence of, for example, sooty filters or injectors operating at high pressure are more sensitive to malfunctions and negligence.

The weakest element of the 2.0 JTD engine turned out to be a cheap oil dragon gasket. The material from which it is made degrades after a distance of about 150 thousand km.

The warning signal is that the oil pressure light turns off only a few seconds after starting the engine. If the packing is not changed in time, the lubrication will deteriorate and the engine will jam the bushing.

Durability:

• 500,000 km.

Production year:

• From 2008.

Construction:

• Capacity: 1956 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch injectors
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Timing belt
• 16 valve cylinder head
• DPF filter

Installed:

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta
• Alfa Romeo 159
• Alfa Romeo Brera
• Fiat Bravo
• Fiat Doblo
• Fiat Sedici
• Fiat Freemont
• Lancia Delta
• Opel Astra J
• Opel Insignia A
• Opel Zafira C
• Saab 9-5 II
• Suzuki SX4

4. Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDi Engine

The engine developed by Korean concern proves that a modern diesel engine can be a very successful and trouble-free construction.

1.6 CRDi is not only economical but also without expensive components (double wheel mass, turbocharger with variable geometry DPF-u for lifting).

While it doesn’t deliver great performance, it is appreciated by the aftermarket for its simplicity. The U-family diesel engine also has a solid timing chain and a trouble-free Bosch injection system.

Durability:

• 500,000 km.

Production year:

• From 2007

Design:

• Capacity: 1582 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch injectors
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Time chain
• 16 valve cylinder head
• DPF filter depending on the year (introduced after 2009)

Installed:

• Hyundai i20
• Hyundai i30
• Hyundai Accent
• Kia Cerato
• Kia Venga
• Kia Soul
• Kia cee’d
• Kia Sportage

5. Honda 2.2 CTDi Engine

Many Japanese companies don’t make their own diesel engines (you can’t sell a car with a diesel engine in Japan), but buy engines from European companies.

This is Honda’s way of ordering a diesel engine from its Rover partner. In 2003 the situation changed – the Japanese began producing cars with their own N22A1 diesel, available under the trade name 2.2 CTDi.

It quickly turned out to be right on target. The engine performs well, is quite powerful (140 HP, 340 Nm) and is very durable.

With proper care of service random failures practically do not occur. After 2010, Honda began introducing the equally successful 2.2 i-DTEC (2,199 cc, 150 hp, 350 Nm).

Failures of both engines are rare, but when it comes to them, the bill for parts is higher than with the more popular engines.

Durability:

• 600,000 km.

Production year:

• 2003-2010.

Design:

• Capacity: 2204 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch injectors
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Time chain
• 16 valve cylinder head
• DPF filter (starting 2007)

Installed:

• Honda Civic
• Honda Accord
• Honda FR-V
• Honda CR-V

6. Mercedes 2.1 OM611 Engine

Armored and capable of burning almost any fuel, the OM615 and OM616 diesel engines made the Mercedes W123 famous. The popular “barrel” traveled over a million kilometers without major problems.

Modern Mercedes diesel engines are not very good anymore, but OM611 engines rarely suffer major damage, even with the presence of a diesel particulate filter and a double-mass flywheel. The engine also has permanent chain gears and a Bosch Common Rail system.

Problems with starting occurring at high mileage indicate that the injection system is suitable for repair – the pump or injector is worn out.

Durability:

• 600,000 km.

Production year:

• 1997-2006.

Design:

• Capacity: 2,151 / 2,148 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch injectors
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Time chain
• 16 valve cylinder head
• DPF filter depending on the year

Installed:

• Mercedes C-class (W202)
• Mercedes E-class
• Mercedes Sprinter
• Mercedes Vito

7. PSA-Ford 1.4 & 1.6 HDi (8 / 16V) Engine

The small diesel engine was developed by the PSA and Ford companies. They belong to the same family – the French company uses the designation DV, Ford – DLD.

In principle, the 1.4-liter HDi / TDCi is simplified to the maximum – it doesn’t even have an intercooler, and in most versions only an 8 valve cylinder head and a turbocharger with a fixed geometry.

The 1.6 HDi / TDCi engine is more complex, although from 2011 it is also available with an 8 valve cylinder head.

Such engines are available in many versions, differing in parameters and equipment. If treated, they can cover more than 300,000 kilometers without repair.

Spare parts are cheap, and any repair shop can handle repairs (the popularity of the machine pays off). The DPF filter was introduced in 2006. The double-mass flywheel has only the more powerful version (over 100 HP).

A recurring problem is the loss of tightness of the washer under the injector through which the exhaust gases enter. The 1.6 HDi engine also has a problem with losing the flow of the oil supply line to the turbine. The problem was finally resolved by removing the clogged filter.

Durability:

• 400,000 km.

Production year:

• 2001-2015 (1.4 HDI)
• 2004-2018 (1.6 HDI)

Construction:

• Capacity: 1398/1560 cc
• Common rail injection
• Bosch / Siemens / Dephi injectors (depending on the version) –
• Jednomasowe flywheel (double mass in the version over 100 hp) –
• Turbocharger with variable geometry (1.4 16V and 1.6)
• Timing belt
• The presence of a DPF filter depends on the year

Installed:

1.4 HDi / TDCi

• Citroen C1
• Citroen C2
• Citroen C3
• Citroen Xsara
• Peugeot 107
• Peugeot 1007
• Peugeot 206
• Peugeot 207
• Peugeot 208
• Ford Fiesta
• Ford Fusion
• Mazda 2
• Suzuki Liana
• Toyota Aygo

1.6 HDi / TDCi

• Citroen C2
• Citroen DS3
• Citroen C3
• Citroen C3 Picasso
• Citroen C4
• Citroen C4 Picasso
• Citroen C5
• Citroen Berlingo
• Citroen Xsara
• Citroen Xsara Picasso
• Peugeot 206
• Peugeot 207
• Peugeot 208
• Peugeot 307
• Peugeot 308
• Peugeot 3008
• Peugeot 407
• Peugeot 508
• Ford Fiesta
• Ford Fusion
• Ford Focus
• Ford C-Max
• Mazda 2
• Mazda 3
• Mazda 5
• Suzuki SX4
• Mini Cooper DVolvo C30
• Volvo S40
• Volvo V40
• Volvo V50
• Volvo S60
• Volvo V60
• Volvo V70
• Volvo S80

8. PSA-Ford 2.0 HDi (8 / 16V) Engine

Like the smaller diesel engines, the 2.0 HDi / TDCi is also commonly found in PSA and Ford cars (note – this does not apply to the Mondeo III, which received an unreliable Ford engine!).

With France in charge of design and production. Despite the wide variety of versions or power levels, the diesel turned out to be almost trouble free – problems with the injector or other accessories were due to high mileage, but not accidental faults.

The 2.0 HDi 90 HP engine from the first years of production is still appreciated in the secondary market. They don’t deliver spectacular performance, but thanks to their ease of work or simple accessories (including no double-mass flywheel or intercooler) the solid makes the engine easy to repair.

Durability:

• 500,000 km

Production year:

• From 2002

Construction:

• Capacity: 1997 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch / Siemens / Dephi injectors (depending on the version)
• Multiple mass flywheels
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Timing belt
• The DPF filter depends on the year and version of the car

Installed:

• Most of the models of the PSA group after 2002
• Ford Focus II / III
• Ford C-Max
• Ford S-Max
• Ford Galaxy
• Ford Mondeo IV
• 4-cylinder diesel engines in Volvo models

9. Toyota 1.4 D-4D Engine

The powerful 2.0 / 2.2 AD family diesel engine tarnished Toyota’s image. But ironically, this Japanese concern has also succeeded in creating one of the best diesel engines in recent years. I am talking about 1.4 D-4D, appearing under the designation 1ND-TV.

The newer the engine version, the more expensive the repair costs will be. After 2008, the 1.4 D-4D diesel received an electric turbocharger controller, electric injector and a soot filter. That doesn’t change the fact that it’s Toyota’s best diesel ever.

Durability:

• 450,000 km

Production year:

• From 2002

Construction:

• Capacity: 1364 cc
• Common rail injection
• Denso or Bosch injector (depending on model)
• The flywheel is stiff
• Turbocharger with variable geometry
• Time chain
• 8 valve head
• The presence of the DPF depends on age (installed after 2008)

Installed:

• Toyota iQ
• Toyota Yaris (I / II / III)
• Toyota Auris (I / II)
• Toyota Corolla (IX, X, XI)
• Toyota Urban Cruiser
• Toyota Verso-S
• Mini One D (R50)

10. Volkswagen 1.9 TDI VP Engine

The first edition of the 1.9 TDI turbo diesel, renowned for its durability, has an injection pump marked VP (from the German Verteiler Pumpe).

The engine is impressed by its incredible durability – especially in the 90 HP version with the simplest accessories (the version marked with the 1Z symbol doesn’t even have a dual bulk flywheel). The advantages of the 1.9 TDI VP engine are also the ease of repair and resistance to fuel quality.

To this day, engines are appreciated by the aftermarket. There is a choice of versions that develop 90 hp and 210 Nm or 110 hp and 235 Nm.

They burn nearly the same amount of fuel, but the engines become more powerful and are much more agile. It has durability similar to that of the 90 HP 1.9 TDI, but due to more complex equipment, repairs are more expensive.

Durability:

• 750,000 km

Production year:

• 1991-2004

Construction:

• Capacity: 1896 cm³
• Direct injection
• Bosch injectors
• Double mass flywheel (1Z rigid version)
• Turbocharger with variable geometry (90 hp solid version)
• Timing belt
• 8 valve head
• Lack of DPF

Installed:

• Audi A3 I
• Audi A4 B5
• Audi A6 C5
• Skoda Octavia I
• Seat Ibiza II
• Seat Cordoba
• Seat Leon I
• Seat Toledo I / II
• Seat Alhambra
• Volkswagen Golf III / IV
• Volkswagen Vento
• Volkswagen Bora
• Volkswagen Passat B5
• Volkswagen Sharan I

11. Volkswagen 1.9 TDI PD Engine

Successful development of a 1.9 TDI VP engine with the same capacity, stroke and piston diameter, but with slightly reduced compression ratio and injector engine, i.e. a device that integrates a camshaft driven injector and injection pump.

The operation of the injector engine (PD, Pumpe Düse) requires the use of a high quality oil that meets the VW 505.01 standard.

Most modern lubricants meet the requirements of the 1.9 TDI PD engine, but it is necessary to check whether a record of these parameters is on the oil package.

Even though 1.9 TDI has a flawless reputation, this doesn’t mean it’s perfect. 105hp, tagged with BXE code, prone to crashes. Increased oil consumption can indicate problems with valve guides and seals. The sealant can be changed without removing the head.

Durability:

• 650,000 km

Production year:

• 1999-2010

Design:

• Capacity: 1,896 cm³
• Direct injection
• Bosch engine injectors
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Timing belt
• 8 valve cylinder head
• No DPF (option on some versions)

Installed:

• Audi A3 I / II
• Audi A4 B5 / B6 / B7
• Audi A6 C5
• Skoda Fabia I / II
• Skoda Roomster
• Skoda Octavia I / II
• Skoda Superb I / II
• Seat Ibiza III
• Seat Cordoba II
• Seat Leon I / II
• Seat Toledo II / III
• Seat Alhambra
• Volkswagen Golf IV / V
• Volkswagen Bora
• Volkswagen Passat B5 / B6
• Volkswagen Sharan I

12. Volkswagen 1.6 TDI CR Engine

The 1.6 TDI, the successor to the iconic 1.9 TDI engine, belongs to the EA189 family – the same as the famous 2.0 TDI PD engine. However, there is nothing to worry about.

Diesel 1.6 TDI is not a capricious engine injector also has a Common Rail type power supply and has basically no drawbacks. The most serious failure turned out to be the involvement of this engine in the diesel door problem.

1.6 TDI CR is not a speed demon, but thanks to its high torque (up to 250 Nm), it can even handle the Octavia II. With skillful driving on the route, 4-4.5 l / 100 km is sufficient.

Those who like and know how to drive “just drop by” can go down to 3.5 l / 100 km. Depending on the model and version, the machine offers from 75 hp and 195 Nm to 110 hp and 250 Nm.

In 2012, Volkswagen launched a new version of the 1.6 TDI CR engine from the EA288 family. It has been adapted for installation in cars based on the MQB platform.

So far, no major issues have been reported with this engine either – problems with hardware or oil burning are incidental, not serious.

Durability:

• 400,000 km

Production year:

• 2009-2015 (EA189 1.6 TDI)
• 2012 (EA288 1.6 TDI)

Construction:

• Capacity: 1598 cm³
• Common Rail injection
• Bosch injectors
• Multiple mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Timing belt
• 16 valve cylinder head
• There is a DPF filter

Installed:

• Audi A1
• Audi A3 II / III
• Skoda Fabia II
• Skoda Roomster
• Skoda Octavia II / III
• Skoda Yeti
• Skoda Superb II
• Seat Ibiza IV
• Seat Leon III
• Seat Toledo IV
• Volkswagen Golf VI / VII
• Volkswagen Jetta VI
• Volkswagen Passat B7 / B8

13. Volvo 2.4 D5 Engine

For many years, Volvo was based on diesel engines from the Volkswagen group – first the 2.4-cylinder 2.4 from the VW LT delivery truck, then the 2.5-cylinder 2.5 TDI (found in Audi and VW Transporter).

In 2001, Volvo started producing its own engine. The 2,401cc five-cylinder engine marked the beginning of the D5 family, which has only now emerged.

Please note that D5 is the designation for the machine version (there are also D3, D4, 2.4D), as well as the aforementioned series of machines, whose code starts with the character D52 (first generation machines have the code D5244T).

Over time, the design of the power engine has evolved – the second generation was presented in 2005, and the third in 2009. The first engine with a capacity of 2,401 m3, offering 163 HP and 340 Nm or 130 HP and 280 Nm, was considered the most “armored”.

With proper servicing, the machine was surprisingly durable. However for automatic transmissions give up faster. You must adhere to the timing belt and V-belt change intervals – if they break, they can often damage the timing drive.

Durability:

• 700,000 km

Production year:

• 2001-2005

Construction:

• Capacity: 2401 cm³
• Common Rail Injection
• Bosch injectors
• Double mass flywheel
• Variable geometry turbocharger
• Timing belt
• 20 valve cylinder head
• Without DPF

Installed:

• Volvo S60
• Volvo V70
• Volvo S80
• Volvo XC70
• Volvo XC90

Conclusion

Further development of the compression ignition engine balances technical feasibility and profitability. The problem of automotive users today is choosing a hybrid or pure electric drive solution, which results in measurable reductions in average carbon dioxide emissions for a variety of vehicles.

Engines that have been manufactured will function for years with proper care. Are they burdensome to the environment? Certainly. However, it should not be forgotten that low fuel demand means diesel engines emit less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere – a gas that is not toxic, but is responsible for the greenhouse effect.