Renault/Nissan 1.2 TCe and DIG-T (H5Ft, HRA2DDT): common problems by mileage
The 1.2 TCe is a four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with direct injection and a timing chain, developed by Renault and Nissan and used from 2012 in the Clio, Captur, Megane, Kadjar, Dacia Duster and Nissan Qashqai and Juke (as the 1.2 DIG-T). Engines built up to about 2016 became known for oil consumption, which in turn damages the timing chain. Renault and Nissan extended cover in many countries.
Updated · written by ipacen from documented workshop experience
- Engine codes
- Renault H5Ft (H5F), Nissan HRA2DDT
- Displacement
- 1,197 cc
- Power
- 85–96 kW (115–130 hp)
- Built
- 2012–2018
- Timing drive
- Chain
- Fuel system
- Direct injection, turbo
Problems at a glance
| Problem | Typical mileage |
|---|---|
| High oil consumption high severity | 40,000–120,000 km 25,000–75,000 miles |
| Timing chain stretch after running low on oil high severity | 60,000–140,000 km 35,000–85,000 miles |
High oil consumption
Symptoms
- Oil level dropping by a litre or more every 1,000–2,000 km
- Oil warning only when the level is already very low
- Misfire, fouled plugs, blue smoke
- Timing chain rattle as the oil gets low
Fault codes
Why it happens
Piston rings and valve stem seals let oil into the combustion chambers on many engines built up to about 2016. Running low on oil then wears the timing chain and the bearings.
How to confirm it
- Oil consumption test: fill to max, mark, re-check after 1,000 km.
- Compression and leak-down tests; borescope the pistons for carbon.
- Check whether the ECU software update and the manufacturer's programme apply to the VIN.
The fix
New pistons, rings and valve stem seals or a short engine, plus the ECU software update. Often covered by the manufacturers' extended cover, depending on age and service history.
Timing chain stretch after running low on oil
Symptoms
- Chain rattle on a cold start
- Camshaft/crankshaft correlation fault
- Rough running and loss of power
- If it jumps: no start and valve damage
Fault codes
Why it happens
The chain and tensioner depend on oil pressure. Repeated low oil level and diluted oil stretch the chain until it rattles or jumps.
How to confirm it
- Listen on a cold start.
- Read camshaft phasing deviation in live data.
- With the timing cover off, check chain wear and tensioner extension.
The fix
Chain kit (chain, tensioner, guides, sprockets), and fix the oil consumption, or the new chain wears out the same way.
Known-good values
Add readings from a healthy 1.2 TCeReadings from 1.2 TCe engines that run correctly, reported by mechanics on ipacen. Each member counts once; the median shows from 3 members up, with the middle half of the readings as the range. No readings yet: be the first.
See the values you can report and the typical guide
| Value | Typical guide | Measured by members |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||
| Idle speed, warm (rpm) | Usually about 650–900 rpm | — |
| Coolant temperature, fully warm (°C) | About 85–105 °C | — |
| Oil pressure, hot idle (bar) | Typically above about 1.0 bar | — |
| Oil pressure, hot, 2,000 rpm (bar) | Typically above about 2.5 bar | — |
| Compression, typical cylinder (bar) | Petrol about 11–15 bar, diesel about 25–35 bar | — |
| Air and fuel | ||
| Air mass, warm idle (g/s) | Petrol: roughly 1 g/s per litre of engine size | — |
| Total fuel trim, warm idle (%) | Within about ±10 % | — |
| Total fuel trim, 2,500 rpm (%) | Within about ±10 % | — |
| Manifold pressure, warm idle (kPa) | Naturally aspirated: about 25–40 kPa | — |
| Boost at full load (absolute) (mbar) | Turbo engines: compare with specified boost | — |
| Fuel system | ||
| Injector pulse width, warm idle (ms) | Port injection: often about 2–4 ms | — |
| Fuel pressure, low-pressure side, idle (bar) | Check the specification for the system | — |
| Rail pressure, warm idle (bar) | Diesel common rail: typically about 250–400 bar | — |
| Electrical | ||
| Charging voltage, 2,000 rpm (V) | About 13.8–14.7 V | — |
| Lowest battery voltage while cranking (V) | Above about 9.6 V | — |
| Crankshaft sensor resistance (inductive type) (Ω) | About 200–2,000 Ω | — |
| Injector resistance (petrol port injection) (Ω) | High-impedance: about 11–18 Ω | — |
The guide is ipacen's typical range, not manufacturer data. Member values are what colleagues measured on healthy cars; always compare with the specification for the engine.
Which cars have the 1.2 TCe
- Renault: Clio IV, Captur, Megane III and IV, Scenic III and IV, Kadjar, Kangoo
- Dacia: Duster, Lodgy, Dokker (1.2 TCe 115/125)
- Nissan: Qashqai (J11), Juke, Pulsar (1.2 DIG-T)
- Mercedes-Benz: Citan 1.2 petrol
Cases with this engine
Share yoursNo published cases matched to this engine yet. Fixed one of these problems? Share the case with the measurements that proved it.
1.2 TCe: questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1.2 TCe?
The most reported are high oil consumption; timing chain stretch after running low on oil. Each one is described below with its symptoms, fault codes, how to confirm it and the usual fix.
At what mileage does the 1.2 TCe have high oil consumption?
Typically between 40,000–120,000 km (25,000–75,000 miles), depending on use and maintenance. Piston rings and valve stem seals let oil into the combustion chambers on many engines built up to about 2016. Running low on oil then wears the timing chain and the bearings.
At what mileage does the 1.2 TCe have timing chain stretch after running low on oil?
Typically between 60,000–140,000 km (35,000–85,000 miles), depending on use and maintenance. The chain and tensioner depend on oil pressure. Repeated low oil level and diluted oil stretch the chain until it rattles or jumps.
Which cars have the 1.2 TCe engine?
Renault: Clio IV, Captur, Megane III and IV, Scenic III and IV, Kadjar, Kangoo. Dacia: Duster, Lodgy, Dokker (1.2 TCe 115/125). Nissan: Qashqai (J11), Juke, Pulsar (1.2 DIG-T). Mercedes-Benz: Citan 1.2 petrol.
Mileage windows are typical workshop experience, not manufacturer data. Engines vary by version, use and maintenance; always follow the service information for the vehicle.