In addition to speed performance, a modern car must provide a high level of comfort and efficiency. Many research centers are working on the development of power plants, and you can choose a car with a different type of engine. For the Japanese concern, the production of engines with a volume of up to 2 liters was the beginning of success in promoting the 3 Series of Mazda cars. The Z6 engine is one of the most successful developments and allows you to go through the entire service life set by the manufacturer without the need for major overhauls.
With the release of each new generation, Mazda cars provide increasingly advanced engine specifications. The number of their modifications indicates a constant process of improving power units. The Z6 engine is installed on Mazda 3 Series cars and has established itself as the most reliable gasoline engine. The manufacturer has been producing this model for more than 15 years, which serves as the best recommendation for the reliability of the Mazda Z6 power plant.
The development of more advanced engines is ongoing. The MZR Z6 engine became a replacement for the already obsolete and non-compliant B6D engine. The power unit has been almost completely redesigned. The combustion chamber has changed radically, and the transformation also affected the intake and exhaust manifolds. To operate the gas distribution mechanism in the Mazda Z6 engine, a chain is installed to replace the belt drive. Such a system increases the service life of the motor, eliminating the need for major repairs caused by the deterioration of timing mechanism parts.
Design and technical characteristics of the Mazda Z6
The classic assembly system for such a power plant is an in-line arrangement of cylinders. The engine design is based on a typical Mazda design, and the cylinder head is virtually indestructible. An engine of this type is characterized by low fuel consumption, which even in city mode does not exceed 8.5 liters. An adjustable intake manifold provides increased air flow speed, which has a positive effect on the vehicle's driving dynamics.
One of the features of the engine is the S-VT variable valve timing system, which is mounted on the intake camshaft. The installation of hydraulic compensators on the Z6 engine is not provided, which will require valve adjustment. The main technical solutions also have features that should be considered separately.
- The timing drive is a DOHC type, has 2 camshafts and ensures stable operation of the internal combustion engine in any mode. S-VT is used as additional equipment, which improves engine performance;
- The cooling system has a closed circuit and liquid circulation. This method is the most effective and is driven by the movement of the crankshaft. The coolant pump is located on the power plant and supplies it to the radiator;
- Recirculation system - guarantees more complete combustion of residual gases by returning them to the combustion chamber. This mechanism is called EGR and allows you to reduce the emissions of harmful substances, increasing the environmental friendliness of the engine;
- Lubrication system - oil is supplied to the main components and parts under pressure. Full-flow cleaning eliminates the entry of impurities, and the oil filter has a check valve to prevent drying out of the oil channels;
- The ignition system is electronically controlled, and spark plugs for the Z6 can be selected from plain, iridium or supplemented with a platinum tip. To replace them, you will need to remove the air filter unit and the electronic control box. The procedure for installing candles is not difficult and can be done with your own hands;
- The piston group has a lightweight design and is made of aluminum alloy that is not subject to thermal deformation. To increase sliding performance, the piston skirt is coated with graphite.
To ensure engine performance, it is necessary to perform service within the time limits recommended by the manufacturer. Preventive measures are necessary for all attachments, and a more complete description of engine components can be found in the service manual.
Intake manifold
The intake manifold of the Mazda 1.6 MZR engine is equipped with a mechanism for changing its length and turbulence flaps. The damper, which “switches” the length of the intake channels, is controlled by an electric motor. This entire design is reliable, and the only problem associated with it can be easily eliminated with improvised means.
Over time, when the engine is running, the intake manifold begins to knock or chirp - this is where the axis of the length change flap is knocking. Those. it slightly breaks up the seats in the plastic, which causes axial play.
The backlash must be eliminated. This is done simply: they place plastic or rubber washers under the axle gear or add a suitable spring on the side of the electric motor. This way the backlash is removed and the damper stops chirping.
You can select and buy an intake manifold for a Mazda engine in our catalog of contract spare parts.
MZR Z6 Engine Maintenance
The reliability of the engine depends not only on the driving style or the period of its operation. Carrying out all routine maintenance allows you to remove any defects in a timely manner. To find out what kind of oil to pour into the internal combustion engine, you should pay attention to the information specified in the user manual. The Z6 engine's native oil is 5W-30, but newer car models also accept 0W-30.
The power plant of the Mazda Z6, although not very susceptible to breakdowns, requires attention when the car has a high mileage. The timing mechanism has a chain drive, which is recommended to be checked after 120 thousand km. Its breakdown easily bends the valve, which occurs when the load on the internal combustion engine breaks. Wear on the power unit occurs for various reasons, and the Z6 engine may have increased oil consumption. In this case, it will be necessary to replace the valve stem seals.
Injectors
The fuel injectors of the Mazda 1.6 MZR engine are quite durable, but can cause misfire in one or more cylinders. When a misfire occurs, the corresponding error is recorded (P0300, P0301…P0304). Of course, before replacing or cleaning the injectors, owners have time to install new spark plugs and “juggle” the ignition coils. If the misfire error does not move to another cylinder, then it’s time to work on the injectors.
You can select and buy gasoline injectors and a fuel rail for a Mazda engine in our catalog of contract spare parts.
Malfunctions of Z6 series motors
The successful design of the engine allows you to avoid most typical breakdowns. But some of the manufacturer’s shortcomings also occur in this engine. The EGR system received the greatest number of complaints from drivers. Its presence does not provide any advantages to the power plant and is only necessary to reduce the emission of combustion products into the atmosphere. The appearance of carbon deposits on the EGR valve is caused by the use of low-quality fuel and its loose fit leads to loss of power. Such problems are solved by installing a plug, after which the engine operates normally.
The appearance of noise or other extraneous sounds when the engine is running is not uncommon for a car with high mileage. The reason may be the need to adjust the engine mount or indicate more serious problems. It is best to have valve clearances adjusted or compression checked at a service center. You can do simple things like replacing the air filter or servicing the battery yourself.
Throttle valve
The throttle valve on the Mazda 1.6 MZR engine usually does not cause any trouble. There are rare cases of air leaking through its gasket, which is why the idle speed floats or becomes elevated.
This throttle valve is equipped with antifreeze heating - a tube is laid to it. In rare cases, antifreeze may leak through a channel in the damper body. In this case, you will either have to buy a used damper or patch the crack. In warm climates, you can simply plug the antifreeze channel in the throttle and connect the tube through an adapter at its break.
You can select and buy a throttle valve for a Mazda engine in our catalog of contract spare parts.
Tuning the MZR Z6 engine
The Z6 engine, although a fairly powerful unit, has precisely calculated parameters. Its capabilities are quite enough for driving around the city or on the highway, but racing a car with this engine will not be fun. To increase power, you can use chip tuning. This optimization of the ECU allows you to get about 115 hp. The actual increase may be much smaller and most fast driving enthusiasts prefer atmospheric tuning.
The intake system is upgraded with a cone filter. Next, you can add a direct-flow exhaust system and install a lightweight crankshaft. More complex modifications will require major changes to the piston group and a complete modernization of the cylinder head. Such operations make it possible to obtain an almost forced engine with a power of 160 hp. With. It should be noted that such operations have a high cost and are designed for enthusiasts. It will be much easier for a simple car enthusiast to switch to a more powerful car.
Adjustment of valves
According to the old Japanese tradition, the Mazda 1.6 MZR engine is not equipped with hydraulic compensators. The valves are adjusted in the most inconvenient way: by selecting pusher cups. To do this, you need to remove the timing chain and raise the camshafts.
In practice, this engine does not require valve adjustment for 200,000 km. But this is in the case of operation on gasoline. But when operating on gas, the thermal clearances of the exhaust valves “go away” every 60,000 - 80,000 km.
Those. The exhaust valve seats wear out, causing the clearances to decrease and the valves to be pressed against the exhaust camshaft cams. In this case, the exhaust valves remain open for a longer period of time and may not adhere well to the seats, which reduces compression in the cylinders and misfires occur. Those. The engine is unstable, jerks and does not produce full power. In the future, the exhaust valves overheat and burn out locally.
Vehicles with MZR Z6 engine
The installation of the Z6 engine in Mazda cars began in 2001, and over the past period, this power unit has become native to the entire third series of cars of the Japanese concern. The engine itself is produced at the Hiroshima Plant facilities, like the rest of the power plants for Mazda cars. Over the past time, it was possible to eliminate almost all the shortcomings and MZR Z6 engines are successfully produced to this day.
The model range on which the Z6 is installed is represented by the Mazda 3 and Mazda 323. The third series of Mazda has become a mass car, known throughout the world. This popularity is partly due to the power plant of the MZR Z6, thanks to which the car rarely requires repairs and behaves confidently on any road.
Phase shifter
The Mazda 1.6 MZR engine is equipped with a phase shifter mounted on the intake camshaft. Believe it or not, this phase shifter does not cause any complaints at all. There are practically no complaints about him. Although it is fundamentally designed like most hydraulic phase shifters.
You can select and buy a phase shifter (phase regulator) for a Mazda engine in our catalog of contract spare parts.
Characteristics of the Mazda Z6 power plant
The developers of the MZR Z6 engine achieved their goal by creating a power unit whose performance met the desires of many motorists. Its characteristics adequately represent the Mazda 3, distinguishing it from its competitors.
| Production | Hiroshima Plant |
| Engine make | MZR Z6 |
| Years of manufacture | 2001 — … |
| Cylinder block material | cast iron |
| Supply system | injector |
| Type | in-line |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 83,6 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 78 |
| Compression ratio | 10 |
| Engine capacity, cc | 1598 |
| Engine power, hp/rpm | 105/6000 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 145/4000 |
| Fuel | gasoline A95 |
| Environmental standards | Euro IV |
| Engine weight, kg | 140 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | 5,3 — 8,5 |
| Type of gas distribution mechanism | DOHC |
| Engine oil | 5W-30 |
| 0W-30 | |
| How much oil is in the engine, l | 4,2 |
| Cylinder operating order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Coolant, capacity, l | 6,0 |
| Oil change carried out, km | 10000 is better than 7000 |
| Oil consumption, ml/100km | 300-800 |
| Engine life, thousand km | |
| - according to the plant | |
| - on practice | 250+ |
| Tuning | |
| — potential | + |
| - without loss of resource | n.d. |
| The engine was installed | Mazda 3 |
| Mazda 323 |
The parameters of the MZR Z6 engine are considered one of the best even today. A car equipped with such an engine evokes a feeling of reliability and confidence on any road. Minimal maintenance requirements and long engine life make the Z6 a model that will be in demand for a long time.
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