Renault K4J / K4M 1.4 and 1.6 16vOil consumption
Oil consumption (no documented pattern on this engine) on the 1.4 and 1.6 16v
Unlike many modern turbo engines, the sources consulted for the K4J/K4M do not describe a pattern of excessive oil consumption in any of the cars or versions covered by this page.[1]
Why this rating?
Low severity: A nuisance or wear. It does not immobilise the car or damage other parts.
Frequency rare: We reviewed the reliability pages for the Clio II, Clio III, Mégane I, II and III, Scénic I and II, Laguna II, Kangoo I, Dacia Logan and Dacia Duster, and none identifies oil consumption as a notable fault of this engine: most report 0 or 1 case out of the total testimonies. The Dacia Duster source itself expressly contrasts this block with the brand's 1.2 TCe turbo, of which it says it does not have the "worrying record" of oil consumption. That is why we classify this issue as rare.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Symptoms
- Need to add oil between services; not described as a widespread problem in the sources consulted for this engine.[1]Uses oil: other faults that cause it · Garage soon
Why it happens
There is no cause to document: the reliability pages reviewed for the ten cars that use this engine do not point to oil consumption as a relevant issue.[1]
If it is not repaired: With no documented pattern, there is no consequence to describe beyond the general recommendation to monitor the oil level as in any car.[1]
Affected cars and years
No specific affected versions are identified: none of the sources consulted documents an oil consumption problem in any version of this engine.[1]
| Version | Years | Codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012) | since 1999 | K4J |
| 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020) | since 1998 | K4M |
| 1.6 16V 105-110 hp Dacia, without variable valve timing unit (K4M, 2004-2020) | since 2004 | K4M |
Models fitted with the affected versions
Dacia
- Dacia Logan I2004–2012
- Dacia Duster I2010–2017
Renault
- Renault Clio II1998–2012
- Renault Clio III2005–2012
- Renault Mégane I1995–2002
- Renault Mégane II2002–2009
- Renault Mégane III2008–2016
- Renault Scénic I1996–2003
- Renault Scénic II2003–2009
- Renault Kangoo I1997–2007
- Renault Laguna II2001–2007
- Renault Fluence2010–2016
- Renault Scénic III2009–2015
How much it costs to repair
Includes: Diagnosis and oil consumption test; replacement of parts does not apply if consumption is within normal limits.[1]
No repair cost applies unless real consumption outside the normal range is detected, a case not documented in the sources consulted for this engine.
Prices in Spain, including VAT. A workshop hour costs on average €38–66 at independent garages and €77–134 at dealerships in Spain, depending on the region and the brand. How we calculate costs
How to check for it before buying a used car
- Check the oil level during the test drive and, if you can, ask to see the oil change history, as with any car.
How to prevent it
- Keep to the manufacturer's oil change intervals and check the level regularly.
Recalls, campaigns and claims
As of 27 September 2026, we have no record of recalls, campaigns or extended manufacturer warranties for this fault. Check with an official dealer using the chassis (VIN) number: they will tell you whether the car has any outstanding campaign.
What owners say
Frequently asked questions
Does Renault's 1.6 16v engine use a lot of oil, like other small turbo engines?
Not according to the sources consulted: none of the reliability pages reviewed for the ten cars that use this engine identifies oil consumption as a notable fault.[1]
Should I worry about the oil level on this engine?
It is worth checking regularly, as with any car, but there is no pattern of excessive consumption documented in the sources consulted.[1]
Why is it compared with Dacia's 1.2 TCe?
Because the source consulted for the Dacia Duster explicitly contrasts this naturally aspirated engine, with no oil consumption problems, with the brand's 1.2 TCe turbo, which does have them documented.[1]
What can you do now?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Other 1.4 and 1.6 16v faults
- Medium severityFrequency: Very frequentIgnitionIgnition coil failureThe individual ignition coils are the most-cited fault of the K4J/K4M in the European Renault versions: they fail frequently and cause jerking, loss of power and the engine warning light coming on. It is a cheap electrical part to replace, not internal engine damage.Appears at around 30,000 km
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingTiming belt breakage or premature failureThe K4J/K4M's timing belt is a dry type (not running in oil), but several sources document breakages before high mileage is reached, including one case in the Renault Laguna II with valve-to-piston contact. Sticking to the replacement interval is the best prevention.Appears at around 89,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsCrankshaft position sensor failureThe crankshaft position sensor (capteur PMH) appears repeatedly in the reliability sources for almost every generation with this engine, with hard cold starting, stalling or the car cutting out unexpectedly. It is a cheap part, but the failure can leave you stranded.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingVariable valve timing unit failure (dephaser pulley)K4M versions with a variable valve timing unit can suffer a failure of the unit's pulley (déphaseur): unstable idle, hard cold starting and a metallic knock on start-up. It is a minority of the documented cases, but it recurs across several different generations.
More faults with oil consumption on other engines and cars
- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequent2.0/2.2 D-4DWarped cylinder head gasket and oil consumption on the 2.2 D-4DYes: the 2.2-litre block (2AD-FTV and 2AD-FHV D-CAT) has numerous documented cases of warped cylinder head gaskets and oil consumption or dilution in the Avensis, RAV4, Auris, Corolla Verso and Verso, with repairs that sometimes require replacing the engine.Appears at around 40,000 km
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 and 1.4 TSIPiston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twinchargerThe 1.4 TSI twincharger (turbo and supercharger) built up to 2012 can crack the pistons between the rings, with oil consumption, misfires and loss of compression. Volkswagen strengthened the pistons and rings on the 2012 CTHD engines.
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.2 TCeExcessive oil consumption and engine failure1.2 TCe and 1.2 DIG-T engines built from 2012 to mid-2016 can burn more than 1 litre of oil per 1,000 km because the piston rings do not seal properly; carbon damages the valves and the engine can fail. There was no recall: the dealer network reprograms and replaces rings or the engine.Repair: €5,000–€10,000
- Critical severityFrequency: Common1.33 Dual VVT-iExcessive oil consumption from piston wearYes: 1.33 Dual VVT-i (1NR-FE) units built before 2013 can use far more oil than normal because of a factory defect in the pistons, acknowledged by Toyota in a technical bulletin. In the most serious cases it ends in engine replacement. Toyota corrected it with revised parts from 2013.Appears at around 130,000 km
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.2 PureTechExcessive oil consumption from carbon on the piston rings or oil separator failureThe 2014 to 2023 1.2 PureTech turbos can use too much oil: those from 2014-2018 through carbon blocking the piston rings and those from 2018-2023 through a defective oil separator. Stellantis considers more than 0.3 l per 1,000 km abnormal and includes it in its cover.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequent1.0 PureTechExcessive oil consumption through the piston ringsYes. Stellantis acknowledges that naturally aspirated 1.0 and 1.2 EB engines built between June 2012 and November 2016 can use excessive oil because of fouling of the piston rings; depending on consumption and mileage, its network replaces the water outlet housing or the whole engine.
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Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French