And a very sturdy but clumsy Barney Rubble-era one
In Europe, diesel family cars once dominated the market. At the beginning of the century, they even overtook gasoline ones. In some countries like Belgium and France – diesel vehicles accounted for almost 80% of the new car market.
Their high demand forced car manufacturers to push new engines at record speed. The competition has become fiercer than ever and new technologies such as Common Rail and Pumpe Düse appeared.
As a result of the mad race, some European-made diesel engines they turned out to be poorly made in terms of reliability and strength. Our colleague Ivo Gievski from Slashgear (yes, born in Skopje) makes his ranking of the worst performances on the subject. He argued that the mentioned diesel engines were chosen after personal experience, conversations with engineers, opinions on forums and acknowledgments of the manufacturers themselves.
The Worst Diesel Engines Made in Europe (GALLERY)
1 of 6 | The worst diesel engines made in Europe
Jaguar Land Rover 2.0 Ingenium (2015 to date)
Land Rover and Jaguar are known for producing unreliable and expensive to repair cars, so the presence of one of their engines is included in this list. The AJ200D – the 2.0-litre Ingenium , is a common rail four-cylinder diesel engine available in either turbo or twin-turbocharged form. The power varies from 150 hp. up to 240 hp, which is actually too much for such a small diesel engine. As a result, the Jaguar F-Pace equipped with it reached a hundred in 7.2 seconds with a consumption of 6.9 liters per 100.
Unfortunately, there is a high probability that the savings will be spent on repairs. This is especially true of earlier versions of the AJ200D, which were notorious for timing chain failures. This may come as a surprise to some as they are supposed to be more durable than straps. On the Ingenium this happened mainly due to tensioner failure. Prematurely worn balancer bearings were also quite common.
Oil dilution is a regular problem as it mixes with diesel fuel. This is quite dangerous, you can see why.
Like most modern diesel engines, the AJ200D also has problems with a clogged DPF filter and EGR valve, but at least they are easy to troubleshoot. JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) didn’t help much by recommending an oil change interval of 20,000 miles or two years, whichever comes first. From experience – more frequent oil changes can significantly improve the reliability of this motor.
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Alright, let’s dive into the comical chaos of diesel engines in Europe, shall we? Picture it: a sturdy but clumsy vehicle of the Barney Rubble variety, shaking and rattling down the road in a fashion that raises eyebrows—and perhaps the occasional middle finger—wherever it goes.
Now, just a few decades ago, diesel family cars were the cream of the crop. In fact, in Belgium and France, they accounted for nearly 80% of new car sales. That’s right, folks! Nearly four out of five cars rolling out of the dealerships were diesel. It’s like if everyone suddenly decided that only maroon was an acceptable car color. Meanwhile, the poor gasoline cars were left sitting in the corner, sipping their drinks and wondering where it all went wrong.
However, with great demand comes great responsibility—or rather, great irresponsibility! Car manufacturers, in their frantic race to keep up with this diesel mania, cranked out new engines quicker than you can say “fill her up.” Little did they know, some of these engines were about as reliable as my uncle’s fishing stories.
Enter Ivo Gievski from Slashgear, who has taken it upon himself to rank the worst diesel engines in Europe. You’d think such a list would require a dramatic soundtrack—perhaps something by Wagner—because the failures are downright operatic. Spoiler alert: some of these engines shouldn’t have made it past the drawing board!
Let’s take a gander at the first entry: the Jaguar Land Rover 2.0 Ingenium. Oh, the Jag—known for its beauty and… uhh… a repair bill that could make a grown man weep. It’s got a power range from 150 to 240 horsepower, which is just asking for trouble. It’s like giving a toddler a sugar rush and a chainsaw. The result? A lovely 7.2 seconds to 60 mph—only to have your wallet lighter than air when it comes time for repairs!
And what’s with the timing chain failures? I mean, chains are supposed to be durable, right? But this little beauty has a penchant for tensioner failures and balancer bearings that want to take the early retirement. Oil dilution? More like “let’s add a splash of diesel to your engine oil and hope for the best!” You can practically see the engine waving its little white flag of surrender.
But who could forget the DPF and EGR issues? They love to clog up just when you have places to be and people to see. It’s like getting stuck in traffic because a dog decided to take its sweet time crossing the street—frustrating, inconvenient, and just a bit of a nuisance.
But Jaguar Land Rover—being the ever-helpful folks they are—suggests an oil change interval of 20,000 miles or two years. Two years?! This isn’t a fine wine we’re talking about! Newsflash: the more frequently you change your oil, the happier your car will be. It’s not rocket science—though that would probably be more reliable than these diesel engines!
So, dear readers, if you’re contemplating a new diesel vehicle, perhaps pour yourself a strong cup of coffee and take a good, long think about it. Or even better, take a test drive—if only for the entertainment value! Just remember, while some engines may tick like a Swiss watch, others may be more akin to…well, Barney Rubble fumbling through a quick change in a cartoon.
In the world of diesel engines, it seems that clumsiness can be as critical as sturdiness—good luck on your automotive adventures!
