Mazda MZR/L3-VE 2.3L Engine Specs, Problems, and Reliability. The Mazda L3-VE engine is a member of the Mazda’s L-series. It is 2.3-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine that produced from 2001 to 2010. The L3-VE is likewise called as MZR engine. The engine is based on smaller sized 2.0-liter variation – the LF-DE engine.
The L3-VE engine has an aluminum alloy cylinder block with cast-iron cylinder sleeves cast directly into the engine block. The 2.3-liter engine shares the bore size with the LF-DE while the stroke was increased by 10.9 mm as much as 94.0 mm (3.70 in). There is a two-piece housing with 2 stabilizing shafts inside at the bottom of the block. It is a cassette type balancer unit driven by a gear attached to the crankshaft that turned at two times the speed of the crankshaft to offset the secondary inertia force. The engine has an iron crankshaft with eight counterweights and a torsional damper, sinter-forged connecting rods, aluminum pistons with graphite-coated skirts.
The cylinder heads are also made from aluminum-silicon alloy. There are 2 double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The intake and exhaust camshafts are driven by the timing chain. The chain is maintenance-free and equipped with the chain tensioner which ran immediately using an oil pressure of the engine. The intake and exhaust valves have the angle of 39 degrees. They are activated by strong bucket tappets (periodical modification is needed). The valvetrain was equipped with Mazda’s variable valve timing – ‘Consecutive Valve Timing’ (S-VT) system.
The intake system includes the plastic variable length intake manifold with variable induction system (VIS). There is likewise the Mazda’s Variable Duct (VAD) which operated as a 2nd consumption duct beyond 4,500 rpm. The L3-VE has sequential, multi-point electronic injection system and specific direct ignition coils. Exhaust gases go through the stainless-steel exhaust manifold with heat-insulating layer and the catalytic converter.
Mazda also produced the turbocharged version of this engine – the 2.3 L DISI Turbo also referred to as the L3-VDT engine.
Table of Contents
2.3 l MZR/ L3-VE Engine Problems and Reliability
The stock cartridge filter housings tend to leak. To assist the longevity of that L3-VE/ MZR 2.3 L is to replace the oil filter real estate with a spin-on system housing. Otherwise, you’ll run it empty. Utilize a quality filter and examine your oil routinely.
The L3-VE has the oil burning issue. Most cars with the oil burning problem are 2004-2005 production cars. There is no clear answer to the question what triggers high oil usage. But Mazda has made some modifications in the ins 2015 of production which made 2.3 L engines less prone to the oil burning.
In the rest, the engine is long lasting and quite dependable. The longevity of the engine efficiently reaches 150,000 miles (250,000 km).
you must see more engine detail in here: Engine – US Cars News or you can see on wiki here
Mazda MZR/L3-VE 2.3L Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Production years | 2001-2010 |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection |
| Configuration | Inline |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Valvetrain layout | DOHC |
| Bore, mm | 87.5 (3.44 in) |
| Stroke, mm | 94.0 (3.70 in) |
| Displacement, cc | 2,260 cc (138 cu in) |
| Type of internal combustion engine | Four-stroke, naturally aspirated |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6:1 9.7:1 |
| Power, hp | 164 hp (122 kW)/6,500 154 hp (115 kW)/5,750 |
| Torque, lb ft | 144 lb-ft (195 Nm)/4,000-4,500 154 lb-ft (209 Nm)/4,000-4,500 |
| Engine weight | ~395 lbs (180 kg) |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Engine oil weight | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 4.4 (4.65 qt) |
| Oil change interval, mile | 10,000 (15,000 km) /12 month |
| Applications | Mazda Axela / Mazda3, Mazda Atenza / Mazda6, Mazda MPV, Mazda Premacy / Mazda5, Mazda B2300 |
