Toyota 8AR-FTS 2.0T Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability. The 8AR-FTS engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injected gasoline engine of the four-cylinder AR engine household. It debuted in 2015 in the Lexus NX 200t and became the first Toyota’s turbocharged power unit in a series of new engines with significantly improved thermal and fuel performance by utilizing direct injection, cylinder head with the incorporated exhaust manifold, and advanced turbocharger control. The engine itself is really comparable to the naturally aspirated direct-injection 6AR-FSE engine but however has distinct features and differences.
The 8AR-FTS engine has an open-deck, midi-skirt aluminum cylinder block with ‘spiny type’ cast iron cylinder liners cast in the block material. The engine block is equipped with a twin gear-driven counter-rotating balance shafts, totally well balanced forged steel crankshaft, high-strength steel connecting rods, and light-weight aluminum pistons. Pistons are cooled by piston-cooling oil jets managed by the ECM depending on external conditions to improve durability. There is a variable discharge oil pump increasing engine performance also.
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Toyota 8AR-FTS 2.0T Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability
The cylinder head style of the 8AR-FTS includes an integrated four-into-two exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold has two different exhaust ports: one is for cylinders 2 and 3, second – for cylinders 1 and 4. The brand-new aluminum cylinder head likewise has 16 valves and two overhead camshafts (DOHC) driven by a roller timing chain. The valvetrain got roller rocker arms and hydraulic lash adjusters for constant zero valve clearance. While the exhaust timing is adjusted by VVT-i, the intake camshaft rotation is controlled by Toyota’s ‘Variable Valve Timing – Smart Wide’ (VVT-iW).
The combination of the VVT-i and VVT-iW allows the engine to operate in 2 different cycles – Otto and Atkinson cycles. According to engine speed, the engine switches in between them for maximum fuel performance and power. The intake camshaft has additional 4-lobe web cam driving a high-pressure fuel pump mounted on top of the cylinder head. The exhaust camshaft also does an additional task – it drives an air pump.
Electronic Throttle Control System – smart’ (ETCS-i)
The 2.0 T 8AR-FTS engine has a twin-scroll turbocharger created by Lexus (Miyoshi plant). Exhaust gases are provided to the turbine wheel via two different channels at various angles, supplying the capability to get rid of a variable geometry mechanism, at the same time likewise a small increase in performance. The maximum boost pressure is around 1.17 bar (17 psi). An air-to-liquid intercooler is mounted directly to the engine before the intake manifold.
The engine speed is managed by ‘Electronic Throttle Control System – smart’ (ETCS-i). Like the 6AR engine, the 8AR-FTS has combined fuel injection – direct injection into the cylinders and traditional port injection. The Lexus calls it as ESTEC D-4ST (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion Direct injection 4-stroke with Turbo). Depending on engine speed, the system utilizes both kinds of injectors or direct injectors only.
As discussed above, the 8AR-FTS is the very first new gasoline turbo engine, released after a long period since the production of the 3S-GTE and the 1JZ-GTE. The maker didn’t stop on it and continued that series by a small turbocharged engine – the 1.2 T 8NR-FTS.
Toyota 8AR-FTS 2.0T Engine Problems and Reliability
The brand-new 2.0 L turbo engine with direct injection integrates the reliable and effective options used in similar powertrains, which have actually been produced by other manufacturers for past 5-10 years. An integrated exhaust manifold decreases the temperature level of the exhaust gases and, as an outcome, the heat load and wear of the turbocharger. The existence of the additional fuel injection in intake ports effectively battles against a carbon accumulation on the intake valves and walls of the intake channels.
But do not mark down the fact that the engine has a rather complex design with a lot of electronics. A striking example of that is that the engine has not 1 and not 2 but 3 thermostats. And as you understand, the more electronic devices and parts – the less reliability in general.
Some Lexus 200t owners are faced with a tough to detect issue associated with a failure to respond to the accelerator pedal after numerous fast velocities. In many cases, the issue was fixed by full resetting of the software or totally replacing the engine control unit. The turbine bypass valve might release sounds. It is likewise the reason for unsteady engine operation at high speeds triggering dips in power. This issue relates to the engines of the very first 2 years of production (the manufacturer already has actually changed this valve with a brand-new smaller one).
Summing it up, we can state that the reliability of the 8AR-FTS engine is comparable with the newest 2.0 TSI GEN 3 from the Volkswagen. Engine life has to do with 150-200k miles (mainly restricted by engine block longevity).
you must see more engine detail in here: Engine – US Cars News or you can see on wiki here
Toyota 8AR-FTS 2.0T Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Toyota Kyushu plant |
| Production years | 2015-present |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Fuel system | Direct and port fuel injection |
| Configuration | Inline |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Valvetrain layout | DOHC |
| Bore, mm | 86.0 mm (3.38 in) |
| Stroke, mm | 86.0 mm (3.38 in) |
| Displacement, cc | 1,998 cc (121.9 cu in) |
| Type of internal combustion engine | Four-stroke, turbocharged |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Power, hp | 235-241 hp (175-180 kW)/4,800-5,600 |
| Torque, lb ft | 258 lb-ft (350 Nm)/1,650-4,000 |
| Engine weight | 352.7 lbs (160 kg) |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Engine oil weight | SAE 0W-20 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 5.0 (5.2 qt) |
| Oil change interval, mile | 10,000 (15,000 km) or 12 month |
| Applications | Lexus NX 200t, Lexus IS 200t, Lexus GS 200t, Lexus RX 200t, Lexus RC 200t, Toyota Crown, Toyota Highlander (China), Toyota Harrier Turbo |