Ford Zetec engine
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Ford Motor Company used the Zetec name on a variety of 4-cylinder automobile engines. It was originally coined to replace "Zeta" on a range of 1.6 L to 2.0 L multi-valve engines introduced in 1991. The company used the name widely in European advertising, and later introduced it to the North American market with the Contour.
The Zetec name was so recognized that Ford decided to apply it to other high-tech four-cylinder engines. Today, it is used across many engine types in Europe, even though the original Zeta design ended production in 2004.
A Formula One engine, produced for Ford by Cosworth, was also badged as a Ford Zetec, although this was technologically entirely unrelated. This engine (a 3.5 litre V8) was used by the Benetton team in 1994, and powered Michael Schumacher to his first World Championship title.
Contents |
[edit] Engine reference
The Zetec name has been used on many different engines:
| Name | Family | Displacements | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zetec/Zetec-E | Zeta | 1.6 L (1598 cc) 1.8 L (1796 cc) 2.0 L (1998 cc) |
1992–1998 | DOHC |
| Zetec-R | Zeta | 1.6 L (1598 cc) 1.8 L (1796 cc) 2.0 L (1989 cc) |
1998–2004 | DOHC |
| Zetec-SE | Sigma | 1.25 L (1242 cc) 1.4 L (1388 cc) 1.6 L (1596 cc) 1.7 L (1679 cc) |
1995–present | DOHC |
| Zetec-Rocam | Sigma | 1.0 L (999 cc) 1.3 L (1299 cc) 1.6 L (1597 cc) |
2000–present | SOHC |
| Zetec TDCi | Duratorq | 1.4 L (1399 cc) 1.6 L (1560 cc) 1.8 L (1753 cc) 2.0 L (1998 cc) 2.2 L (2198 cc) 2.4 L (2402 cc) |
2000–present | Diesel |
[edit] Zeta
- Main article: Ford Zeta engine
The first Zetec-branded engine was the Zeta family, introduced for the 1992 model year powering the fourth generation of the European Ford Escort and Orion. The "Zeta" name was dropped in favour of "Zetec" when Italian car maker Lancia threatened to sue Ford for trademark infringement.
Early versions of the engine had a problem with sticking valves - far more evident in the UK, where a driving style with early upchanges is more common than on the Continent - unless a special Ford formulation of oil was used. After small changes to fix this problem the engine was known as the Zetec-E.
The Zetec had another redesign in 1998, this version is known as the Zetec-R, the main differences being a two-piece crankcase which helped damp out noise and vibration, and conventional tappets with shims rather than hydraulic ones.
The Zetec can be identified by having a silver cam cover with DOHC16v on the botom left, the Zetec-E has a silver cover and ZETEC16v on the botom left and the Zetec-R has a black plastic cam cover.
Production of the Zeta family lasted from September, 1991 through December, 2004. Displacement ranged from 1.6 L to 2.0 L. It was replaced in most applications by the Mazda MZR-based Duratec 20, though some Zetec-SE engines were used as replacements on the lower end. Ford Power Products sells the Zeta in 1.8 L and 2.0 L versions as the MVH.
[edit] Sigma
- Main article: Ford Sigma engine
The advanced Zetec-SE was developed in collaboration of Yamaha and Mazda, under the Sigma codename. It ranges in size from 1.25 L (1249 cc) to 1.7 L (1700 cc). It is very different from the Zeta engine - the intake and exhaust are even on opposite sides.
This engine is sold under the Sigma name in some regions, while Mazda uses the MZI name. It is also sold as a crate engine by Ford Power Products as the ZSG. Rather confusingly, this engine has been renamed "Duratec" for use in the Mk II Ford Focus for Europe, being available in 1.4 L and 1.6 L versions. This incarnation also spawned a 1.6 L derivative with variable valve timing, known by Ford as "Ti-VCT" (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing).
In 2000, Ford of Brazil developed a cheaper version of the Zetec-SE engine, to compete with the classic VW AP engines. This Zetec-Rocam is an 8-valve SOHC instead of 16-valve DOHC design and the block is made of iron instead of aluminum. Also, the camshaft is driven by a chain instead of a belt. As a result, this engine exhibits rougher behaviour, producing more vibration and noise.
On the other hand, it has a superb torque output thanks to the addition of the Rocam (rollerfinger camshaft) feature. It is also a much smaller engine than the SE version, which allowed it to be installed in the Ford Ka, replacing the Endura-E which was considered underpowered and outdated.
In 2003, the Zetec-Rocam engine was introduced in Europe, but labeled as Duratec 8v, for the SportKa and StreetKa models. Later a 1.3 L version was also released as an option for the standard model, but the European versions of the engine are produced in the South Africa plant.
In October/2004 a newer bi-fuel version was introduced labeled "1.6 L Flex", capable of running on both petrol and ethanol, even mixed at any proportion. This version also featured "Compound High Turbulence" chambers, as used on the CHT engine.
[edit] Duratec
- Main article: Ford Duratec engine
The Zetec was superseded by the Duratec series of engines, originally called RoFlow Zetec. These are based on the Mazda MZR engines.
[edit] Zetec TDCi
- Main article: Ford Duratorq engine
Ford of Europe also uses the Zetec name on many Diesel-engined cars. These vehicles generally use the Ford/PSA Duratorq family of engines. These engines range in size from 1.4 L to 2.4 L. The more upscale models usually carry the Zetec name, with little relation to engine output or features. TDCI stands for TURBO DIESEL COMMONRAIL INJECTION.
[edit] Sources
- Howard, Geoffry P. "Ford launches Zeta engine family in Europe," Ward's Auto World December, 1991.
