DIY 5e fe engine repair

In detail: do-it-yourself 5e fe engine repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

The 5E engine family is not as large and widespread as the A series or other small displacement units. They are often confused in terms of technology, but in reality, the engines are different, they have different technologies. The 5E-FHE version differs from the more popular 5E-FE by variable intake manifold geometry in order to increase power. The technology was called ACIS, its echoes are used to this day on various engines.

Image - DIY 5e fe engine repair


In these engines, Toyota tested many innovations in terms of ignition, methods of increasing power. But there were not many modifications in the history of the development of the motor. The problem is that Toyota did not allocate very big money for these developments, the installations served for inexpensive budget cars. But in the end it turned out to be an advantage, since the power units are reliable, simple and serve excellently.

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ICE data can hardly be called very technological. A simple injection system, few complex environmental technologies and a successful set of sensors create important advantages for these engines. The manufacturer has tried and created a practical setup without significant drawbacks for its time of release.

There are several important characteristics to look out for:

FHE: 110 HP at 6600 rpm

FHE: 135 Nm @ 4000 rpm

A simple circuit diagram of the electrical system contributes to a more or less reliable service of the unit, even nowadays after many years of operation.

The FE engine was used on Toyota Kaldina (1992-2002), as well as on Toyota Corolla (1991-2002). FHE was used on early versions of the second generation Corolla - 1990-1994.

FE and FHE motors are practically the same, they do not have significant childhood illnesses to fight with. They must be repaired, since the block is made of cast iron. Most parts are expensive, but they last a long time. The design of the power plant is simple, there are no complex electronics, various environmental sensors and other unreliable equipment.

Video (click to play).

The following advantages of the units are also noted:

  • attachments work perfectly, the starter and generator will not have to be repaired or changed;
  • the cooling system does not fail, the thermostat rarely fails, the standard radiator works for a long time;
  • the ignition coil in later versions is the simplest, does not need to be replaced, but an original one is needed if repair is required;
  • valve clearances are manually adjusted, on the FHE it is more difficult, but there are no expansion joints that are difficult to maintain;
  • the injectors are simple, the entire injector works well and does not require excessive attention in operation.
  • both the automatic and the mechanics work well, there were quite a few cars with automatic transmissions, there are no problems with them.

Image - DIY 5e fe engine repair


Adjusting the valves can cause problems for the inexperienced technician. There are not so many manuals, original books are not widespread in Russia, and they were not published at all in Russian. It is interesting that the labels in the units are different, so that the timing and maintenance should be done by professionals. Self-diagnosis is available, many problems can be identified by simply connecting the diagnostic connector to the computer at the service.

Caldina owners leave a lot of reviews, recommend a lot of tricks in the service. For example, on Russian forums, you can find dozens of recommendations for pouring oil, and these recommendations differ slightly from the factory requirements. If the antifreeze is not changed in time, the engine can overheat and get a lot of unexpected problems. It is worth keeping an eye on the regular service.

Among the problems, such troubles with motors are noted:

  1. The revolutions are floating.Fuel injectors may be the culprit, as well as the quality of gasoline, for which the 5E has increased requirements.
  2. The unit stalls or does not start. Ignition problems are common on early power plants. They are treated by replacing candles, coils.
  3. Dips at idle speed and at start. The problem is that the throttle valve is not the best, it needs to be cleaned regularly.
  4. Water pump. The pump breaks down at 90 thousand mileage, replacement is most often done along with a timing kit.
  5. Oil pump. This element in engines is not very reliable, and its repair or replacement will become problematic due to the cost of services for the service.
  6. Regular service. Banal replacement of valve stem seals turns out to be expensive, spare parts are not so easy to find, their cost is high.
  7. Overhaul problems. It is not easy to buy repair kits, gaskets, an original oil pump and other important parts.

The not very reliable design of the crankshaft, its pulley and fasteners will still not allow you to get huge power from this engine. The installation of the turbine will not bring any special changes, since the stock design has only 1.5 liters of volume. For the engine of those times, the 5E-FE produced good power even without any pressurization.


Attempts to increase the torque threshold or cut-off revs will cause only one effect - the premature death of the unit. If you're looking to tinker with garage tuning, consider looking at an A-line motor, which is much easier to find as a contract unit.

Buying a reliable engine of this category makes sense if you plan to use it in stock condition until the end of the resource. Up to 300,000 km can be driven by a car with such a unit, if you use the recommended oils and carry out high-quality regular service.

As a basis for tuning, this low-volume motor has no particular prospects. Moreover, in the FHE version, factory tuning was already carried out by changing the design of the intake manifold. Even more of this volume and age will not work.

Motors have their own childhood problems and illnesses, but they are solved with rather modest budgets. Look at the photo with reports on overhaul that garage craftsmen performed with their own hands without a specialized tool. This distinguishes this unit from its competitors.

The 5E FE engine was created inside the E series of the Toyota manufacturer, therefore, it initially has a cast-iron block and a camshaft belt drive, an injector and a displacement within 1.5 liters. During the existence of the motor, the manufacturer made changes to the design:

  • there was one ignition coil with a distributor, then two coils for a pair of cylinders according to the DID-2 scheme;
  • first the classic piston shape, then flat modifications;
  • a thin 0.26 mm cylinder head gasket since 1995 to increase the compression ratio;
  • revision of connecting rods since 1996 and installation of a CO temperature sensor.

Conventionally, a modification of this internal combustion engine can be considered a 5E-FHE with a variable geometry of the intake manifold and aggressive camshafts, reinforced connecting rods and a compression ratio increased to 9.8.

As is customary for Toyota, the engine power varies for a specific car model and for the market to which it is supplied. For example, Corollas, Kaldins, Passers and Sprinters for Europe had a capacity within 100 liters. With. in accordance with the legal framework of these countries. For the market of Japan, Asia, the Middle East, the cars were equipped with motors up to 110 liters. With.

To provide characteristics 123 - 140 Nm and 93 - 110 liters. With. the engine layout corresponded to the "in-line four" injection type with a DOHC gas distribution mechanism - two overhead camshafts inside the cylinder head.

During the existence of the 5E-FE engines 1990 - 1998. their modernization was planned as follows:

  • change in the compression ratio due to the thin cylinder head gasket;
  • completion of the ignition system by installing a second coil;
  • changing the shape of the piston and the use of two-electrode plugs and connecting rods of a different shape;
  • installation of an exhaust temperature sensor.

Then it was required to additionally increase the power, the 5E-FHE version was created, in which force was actually made due to the use of camshafts with an aggressive cam profile.

The technical characteristics of the 5E FE correspond to the following table values:

combined cycle 6.5 l / 100 km

Toyota 90913-02090 intake

Toyota 90913-02088 exhaust

bearing cover - 60 Nm (main) and 40 Nm (connecting rod)

cylinder head - three stages 30 Nm, 45 Nm + 90 °