The Big Problem with 4 Cylinder Car Engines
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Date: 2019-05-28
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Comments and reviews: 9
Mocha Johnson
The reason inline 4s vibrate is not simply because they dont have enough cylinders. Its because its not possible to balance all of the forces that result from the piston motion in that particular configuration. Boxer 4s dont have that problem. 90 degree v8s can only balance all of these forces if they use a cross plane crankshaft. Using flat plane cranks will result in the same imbalance problem that the inline 4s have. If the engine displacement is small enough, the vibrations arent too detrimental, but in larger engines the vibrations become too big to ignore. This is why inline 4s smaller than about 2 liters rarely include balance shafts but larger ones often do. This is also why Ferraris can can get away with flat plane cranks but Ford/Chevy cannot. Also why v6s almost always use 60 degree v-angles, and v8s 90. Inline 6s can balance all of the primary forces AND their harmonics, hence why they are so smooth. Same for v12s (basically 2 inline 6s.
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The reason inline 4s vibrate is not simply because they dont have enough cylinders. Its because its not possible to balance all of the forces that result from the piston motion in that particular configuration. Boxer 4s dont have that problem. 90 degree v8s can only balance all of these forces if they use a cross plane crankshaft. Using flat plane cranks will result in the same imbalance problem that the inline 4s have. If the engine displacement is small enough, the vibrations arent too detrimental, but in larger engines the vibrations become too big to ignore. This is why inline 4s smaller than about 2 liters rarely include balance shafts but larger ones often do. This is also why Ferraris can can get away with flat plane cranks but Ford/Chevy cannot. Also why v6s almost always use 60 degree v-angles, and v8s 90. Inline 6s can balance all of the primary forces AND their harmonics, hence why they are so smooth. Same for v12s (basically 2 inline 6s.
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Simon Coles
FRS/GT86/BRZ - whatever flavor you get, theyre very reliable cars (statistically the most reliable Toyota/Subaru you can buy right now apparently) - people complain that they havent got enough power, but I think thats mostly because people have got used to turbocharged engines in sporty cars that have very strong mid-range pickup but nothing much going on at the top end. The naturally aspirated four cylinder in the BRZ etc hasnt got midrange or low end, it likes to be revved, and if you drive the car properly it has more than enough power. Just never get an automatic - it defeats the entire purpose of a small, rear wheel drive sports car, and the unit used on the BRZ is a particularly poor automatic transmission. Always get the standard.
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FRS/GT86/BRZ - whatever flavor you get, theyre very reliable cars (statistically the most reliable Toyota/Subaru you can buy right now apparently) - people complain that they havent got enough power, but I think thats mostly because people have got used to turbocharged engines in sporty cars that have very strong mid-range pickup but nothing much going on at the top end. The naturally aspirated four cylinder in the BRZ etc hasnt got midrange or low end, it likes to be revved, and if you drive the car properly it has more than enough power. Just never get an automatic - it defeats the entire purpose of a small, rear wheel drive sports car, and the unit used on the BRZ is a particularly poor automatic transmission. Always get the standard.
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Satsui Nohado
You know, Ive watched many of your videos. Some of the things I already knew, others I didnt. I just finished paying my Kia Forte in 2018. Youre absolutely right and I wish I knew that back then, new cars lose 10, 000 dollars worth of value withing the first couple years. Not worth it. Ive replaced head gaskets, radiators, distributor caps, alternators, water pumps, power windows motors and pretty much any component on a typical car except transmissions. Now I know the value in buying a good, used car and saving on insurance, interest and monthly payments. If you know a little bit about cars like myself, its smarter to go used. Thank you for your videos, theyre entertaining and informative. Cheers
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You know, Ive watched many of your videos. Some of the things I already knew, others I didnt. I just finished paying my Kia Forte in 2018. Youre absolutely right and I wish I knew that back then, new cars lose 10, 000 dollars worth of value withing the first couple years. Not worth it. Ive replaced head gaskets, radiators, distributor caps, alternators, water pumps, power windows motors and pretty much any component on a typical car except transmissions. Now I know the value in buying a good, used car and saving on insurance, interest and monthly payments. If you know a little bit about cars like myself, its smarter to go used. Thank you for your videos, theyre entertaining and informative. Cheers
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Laurie Harper
Scotty. You said that Toyota were never into sports cars. Did they ever sell the MR2 in the US? Perhaps it was only available in Europe. A very nice little mid-engine convertible - similar to the Mazda Miata/MX5. Ive recently discovered your channel and really appreciate your style and your advice. Totally agree about the quality of Japanese cars. I used to run Saabs, but they were never quite the same after GM took over and now theyve gone. Have switched to Mazda - currently have a 6 - and find them excellent. All the best from England.
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Scotty. You said that Toyota were never into sports cars. Did they ever sell the MR2 in the US? Perhaps it was only available in Europe. A very nice little mid-engine convertible - similar to the Mazda Miata/MX5. Ive recently discovered your channel and really appreciate your style and your advice. Totally agree about the quality of Japanese cars. I used to run Saabs, but they were never quite the same after GM took over and now theyve gone. Have switched to Mazda - currently have a 6 - and find them excellent. All the best from England.
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rozay601
Scotty does not know what the hell he is talking about. This guy loves to hear himself talk. Granted Nissans quality has declined some, the whole auto industry has -- even Toyotas are no where near reliable has its earlier years. I have personally owned all 3 Nissan, Honda, and Toyota and I can contest that all 3 manufacturers reliability is equally as good And no this isnt based on the durability of any 1 model but several different models and several 1, 000 of miles. Regular service can take you a mighty long way
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Scotty does not know what the hell he is talking about. This guy loves to hear himself talk. Granted Nissans quality has declined some, the whole auto industry has -- even Toyotas are no where near reliable has its earlier years. I have personally owned all 3 Nissan, Honda, and Toyota and I can contest that all 3 manufacturers reliability is equally as good And no this isnt based on the durability of any 1 model but several different models and several 1, 000 of miles. Regular service can take you a mighty long way
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Mark DiSilvestro
Well, my 98 Altima is my first car to make it over 200K miles without engine or tranny problems. Is it because 98 was before the Renault merger, or did I just get lucky? More power and better suspension than my 96 Camry too. Also, while in drive, my 4-cyl Camry vibrates like crazy at idle. The original oil-filled engine mounts are shot, replacements from Toyota are real expensive, and the aftermarket ones are junk. OH well, at least it smooths out some if I shift to neutral at traffic lights
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Well, my 98 Altima is my first car to make it over 200K miles without engine or tranny problems. Is it because 98 was before the Renault merger, or did I just get lucky? More power and better suspension than my 96 Camry too. Also, while in drive, my 4-cyl Camry vibrates like crazy at idle. The original oil-filled engine mounts are shot, replacements from Toyota are real expensive, and the aftermarket ones are junk. OH well, at least it smooths out some if I shift to neutral at traffic lights
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R. David Poehner
Scotty: Why do you always say that Toyota was never into sports cars when in fact they built one of the best sports cars ever sold in the U. S. Im referring to the MR2. Im 75 years old and Ive had several Toyotas over the years. I liked them all. But my favorite will always be my 1987 MR2. It was one of the very best sports cars ever built. Especially if youre not rich. Ive always valued and enjoyed listening to your talks about cars. Thank you for sharing your experience.
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Scotty: Why do you always say that Toyota was never into sports cars when in fact they built one of the best sports cars ever sold in the U. S. Im referring to the MR2. Im 75 years old and Ive had several Toyotas over the years. I liked them all. But my favorite will always be my 1987 MR2. It was one of the very best sports cars ever built. Especially if youre not rich. Ive always valued and enjoyed listening to your talks about cars. Thank you for sharing your experience.
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Anthony But
Get your facts right. The 01 Altima is a Very reliable car. It had the same drivetrain as the 1st gen Altima that was introduced In 93. The Auto transmission backing that KA24DE was also a good reliable 4 speed unit. Great cars that were definitely as good as Toyota And Honda. Nissan being near bankruptcy is old news. That was 1999. They have been profitable since then. Yeah Renault didnt do everything right with them but they arent all trash like you lead people to believe.
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Get your facts right. The 01 Altima is a Very reliable car. It had the same drivetrain as the 1st gen Altima that was introduced In 93. The Auto transmission backing that KA24DE was also a good reliable 4 speed unit. Great cars that were definitely as good as Toyota And Honda. Nissan being near bankruptcy is old news. That was 1999. They have been profitable since then. Yeah Renault didnt do everything right with them but they arent all trash like you lead people to believe.
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WD Fourty
Nissans are trash now. We use them at my work delivering auto parts. Brand new NV200 Vans, brand new Versas and brand new frontiers. every one of them are garbage. CVT issues in the vans and versas. Frontiers are just trash all around. They drive worse than my stepdads 86 Chevy all beat to hell. Steering is all loose, everything rattles and knocks. yuck I do not reccomend Nissans to ANYONE Mind you, we are talking about vehicles with under 50k miles on them 2016 and newer.
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Nissans are trash now. We use them at my work delivering auto parts. Brand new NV200 Vans, brand new Versas and brand new frontiers. every one of them are garbage. CVT issues in the vans and versas. Frontiers are just trash all around. They drive worse than my stepdads 86 Chevy all beat to hell. Steering is all loose, everything rattles and knocks. yuck I do not reccomend Nissans to ANYONE Mind you, we are talking about vehicles with under 50k miles on them 2016 and newer.
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