G4FC Engine Dead? The 1.6 Hyundai/Kia Replacement Guide That Doesn't Lie
G4FC engine failed? Factory-new 1.6L Hyundai/Kia engines from €2,290. Fits i30, Ceed, Soul, Rio, Veloster. 12-month warranty. In stock now.
The Sound Your Engine Made Right Before It Died
It probably started months ago. A slight rattle on cold starts. Maybe some ticking that "went away when warm." Perhaps a gentle oil consumption increase that you attributed to age.
Then the rattle didn't go away. The ticking became knocking. And now you're reading this at some unholy hour because your 1.6 Hyundai or Kia is either dead or dying.
The G4FC engine powered some of the best-selling cars in Europe. It also has a timing chain system that eventually fails. Your mechanic's phone call wasn't a surprise—it was a scheduled appointment the engine made years ago.
Translating Your Mechanic's Words Into Money
"Timing chain has let go" = The chain that keeps everything synchronized skipped teeth. Valves and pistons met. They weren't supposed to meet. Multiple bent valves, possibly damaged pistons. Rebuild cost exceeds engine value.
"Spun bearing" = The protective layer between rotating parts disappeared. Metal touched metal at 3,000 RPM. The damage spreads faster than you can say "oil change." Internal engine components now require replacement.
"Excessive blow-by" = Piston rings are gone. Combustion gases are entering the crankcase. Oil is burning. The engine will continue to run—poorly, smokily—until something more catastrophic happens.
"Catastrophic failure" = Something broke inside and took other things with it. The technical diagnosis is "beyond economic repair." The human translation is "new engine required."
Cost translation: €2,817 for a factory-new G4FC. That's the number. Not "starting from," not "approximately," not "contact us for a quote." €2,817 including VAT. The dealer wants €4,500-€6,000 for the engine alone—49% more for identical specifications.
The Three Paths Forward (With Real Numbers)
Path 1: The Rebuilt G4FC
The pitch: Reconditioned engine, €1,781-€2,843 (based on 393 listings tracked on Motorinsel.eu and Autoparts-24.com).
The reality: Your G4FC's block, head, and rotating assembly get new gaskets, maybe new bearings, probably new piston rings. The timing chain system—the component that likely caused the original failure—gets "inspected" or "replaced" with parts of varying quality.
The warranty: 90 days. Sometimes 6 months if you're lucky. Never covers "consequential damage" which is corporate speak for "the thing that will actually break."
The hidden mathematics: If rebuilt engines worked reliably, the rebuilt engine industry wouldn't exist. Every rebuilt G4FC was rebuilt because the previous one failed. Think about that.
True cost projection: €2,300 installed now + €2,300 in 10 months when it fails again + towing + rental car + lost work = €5,000+ and two breakdowns.
Path 2: The Dealer Route
The pitch: Genuine Hyundai/Kia factory engine with full manufacturer warranty.
The reality: It's the exact same factory-new G4FC we sell. Same casting numbers. Same factory. Same specifications. Different invoice.
The price: €4,500-€6,000 for the engine (industry estimates—dealers rarely publish parts pricing). Installation €1,000-€1,680 at dealer labour rates (€100-€140/hour for 10-12 hours).
The warranty: 24 months with dealer. But read the fine print—it requires dealer servicing, dealer installation, dealer everything. Miss one scheduled service and watch that warranty evaporate.
The mathematics: €5,500-€7,700 total to drive again. For comparison, that's 49-65% more than our factory-new solution.
Path 3: The Majestic Route
The pitch: Factory-new G4FC engine, €2,817 including VAT, 12-month warranty, in stock.
The reality: That's exactly what it is. No pitch required. The engine arrives in a crate, your mechanic installs it, you drive away.
The warranty: 12 months. One page. Readable by humans. Engine fails, we handle it. No asterisks, no "contact your dealer," no claim denied letters written by lawyers.
The mathematics: €2,817 + €800 installation = €3,617 driving. Once.
Path 4: Used G4FC Engine
The market reality (from eBay Europe, Spanish/German suppliers):
- Under 80,000 km: €1,700-€2,200
- 80,000-150,000 km: €1,100-€1,700
- Over 150,000 km: €900-€1,300
The warranty: 30-90 days. Enough to install it. Not enough to know if it'll last.
When it makes sense: If your car is worth under €2,500 and you're selling soon. Otherwise, you're paying for someone else's timing chain wear.
G4FC Specifications (What You're Actually Buying)
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine Code | G4FC |
| Displacement | 1,591 cc (1.6L) |
| Configuration | Inline 4-cylinder |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 16-valve |
| Technology | CVVT / MPI |
| Power Range | 77 kW (105 PS) – 97 kW (132 PS) |
| Fuel Type | Petrol |
| Type | Aftermarket (factory-new specification) |
| Price | €2,290 ex VAT / €2,817 inc VAT |
| Majestic vs OEM | 49% below dealer pricing |
Compatible Vehicles:
- Hyundai: Accent IV, i20, i30, i30 Coupe, ix20, Veloster
- Kia: Carens III MPV, Ceed, Cerato, Pro Ceed, Rio III, Soul, Venga
The Oil Change Conversation We Need to Have
Your G4FC died for a reason. Understanding that reason helps you not repeat the same mistake with the new engine.
What Hyundai says: Oil change interval 15,000 km or 12 months.
What your engine needs: Oil change every 10,000 km maximum. 7,500 km if you do lots of short trips.
Why the disconnect exists: Manufacturer service intervals are designed to make ownership cost look low on paper. They're not designed to make engines last 300,000 km. They're designed to last through the warranty period plus a comfortable margin.
What kills G4FC engines: Extended oil change intervals lead to timing chain wear. Worn timing chains jump teeth. Jumped timing bends valves. Bent valves destroy engines.
The €50 you save annually on "one less oil change" costs €2,817 when the timing chain finally objects.
Real Stories From Real Breakdowns
The Kia Soul in Cork
The situation: Rattling at startup, ignored for four months because "it goes away when warm."
The outcome: It went away permanently at 156,000 km. On the M8. In rush hour. With the timing chain wrapped around the water pump.
The cost: Towing €180. Diagnosis €120. Rebuilt engine €2,400 (mid-range reconditioned). Rebuild failure at month 4: warranty claim denied ("timing chain not covered"). Eventually factory-new from Majestic: €2,817.
Final total: €5,517 and two years of engine anxiety.
The lesson learned: Early symptoms are cheap warnings. Ignoring them is expensive.
The Hyundai i30 in Rotterdam
The situation: Check engine light, rough idle, "probably just a sensor."
The outcome: The sensor was accurately reporting that the engine was burning a litre of oil every 1,000 km. Owner continued adding oil. Engine continued dying slowly. Final failure at 143,000 km.
The solution: Factory-new G4FC from Majestic. Ordered Tuesday, delivered Thursday, installed Monday.
Final cost: €2,817 + €850 installation (Netherlands independent rate: €61-€95/hour) = €3,667. Once. Still running 18 months later.
The lesson learned: Check engine lights exist for reasons. Expensive reasons.
The Comparison That Matters
Forget comparing engine prices. Compare total ownership costs over the next 5 years:
Scenario A: Rebuilt Engine
- Year 1: €2,900 installed (mid-range reconditioned)
- Year 2: 30% chance of failure, second engine: €2,900
- Year 3-5: Third engine or sell car at massive loss
- Expected 5-year cost: €4,200-€8,000
Scenario B: Dealer Engine
- Year 1: €6,200 installed (engine + dealer labour)
- Year 2-5: Running fine, same as any new engine
- 5-year cost: €6,200
Scenario C: Majestic Engine
- Year 1: €3,617 installed
- Year 2-5: Running fine, same as any new engine
- 5-year cost: €3,617
The rebuilt engine gamble only pays off if you're selling the car immediately. If you're keeping it, factory-new costs less over time.
When to Replace Your G4FC (And When to Walk)
Replace if:
- Car body and chassis in good condition
- Transmission working properly
- Car value with working engine exceeds €4,000
- You know the car's history
- No major rust issues
Consider alternatives if:
- Multiple systems failing (transmission, suspension, electrics)
- Structural rust present
- Car value below €3,000 even with working engine
- You've been looking for an excuse to upgrade
The G4FC replacement makes financial sense for most Hyundai and Kia owners up to about 200,000 km on the body.
Your Next Steps
Your G4FC is either dead or dying. Pretending otherwise costs more than accepting reality.
Step 1: Confirm the engine code with your mechanic. It's stamped on the engine and listed in your documentation.
Step 2: Get our pricing. €2,817 including VAT for the G4FC. In stock. Ships in 2-3 business days.
Step 3: Have your mechanic install it. 10-12 hours for a competent technician.
Step 4: Drive away. Maintain it properly this time. Change the oil at 10,000 km, not 15,000.
The engine that killed your commute costs €2,817 to replace. The dealer charges €4,500-€6,000 for the engine alone—that's 49% more for identical specifications. The rebuilt costs €1,800-€2,800 and offers 90 days of hope.
We sell boring engines that work. You're welcome.
Factory-new. 12-month warranty. In stock. Shipping to Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France, and Spain.