I continue to tell about the internal combustion engines. And I love to tell about not clear engines for a simple alignment, for example, from Volkswagen. Today, no less interesting engine, which is also installed on a narrow circle of cars. It will be about the opposite engine. Mostly now such aggregates use Subaru, as well as Volkswagen Group Corporation, in its cars. So what kind of engine is this? Read on ...

- An internal combustion engine in which the pistons are horizontally (or at an angle of 180 degrees), unlike the internal combustion engine, which has pistons vertically. That is, simple words - you can call a horizontal engine. Pistons of such an aggregate are located - two on the right and two left. During operation, the pistons converge and diverge in the horizontal plane. Since the pistons are divided, each group of pistons has (two on the right and two on the left), two camshafts. That is, on the right two camshafts - 8 valves and the same on the left. Gas distribution mechanisms in the opposite engine (distribution shafts and valves) are vertically, unlike the row classical engine, where they are horizontally. Here is a small scheme.

The first opposite engines appeared in 1938, they were installed on Volkswagen Käfer cars (in the package of Volkswagen Beetle). It is the company Volkswagen for the first time developed a horizontal opposite engine. Some modern cars included in the Volkswagen Group are now completed with such engines (for example, Porsche 997, Porsche Boxster, etc.). Also in the 40s of the past, Subaru has led its independent development of its engine. To this day, Subaru completes its cars with horizontally - opposite engines.

What was the opposite engine for?

It was created to reduce the center of gravity of the car. Probably everyone knows that the lower the center of gravity, the better the driving characteristics of the car, on the corners of the car rolls will be less.

Pluses of the opposite engine

1) As I wrote above, it was created to reduce the center of gravity of the car, which is very well affected by the running characteristics.

2) Another plus is the location of the cylinders. When moving to each other in the horizontal plane, extraneous vibrations are much stronger. Therefore, this engine is considered much quieter of its row or V - shaped fellow.

3) Also from the pros, I want to note a large resource of this type of engine. For example, Subaru engines have a resource of about 1,000,000 kilometers, with proper use and timely replacement of consumables.

Cons of the opposite engine

1) The first and most significant minus is the complex repair of such an engine.

2) a complex structure, and therefore, the expensive price of this engine.

3) Complex maintenance.

This unit is durable, but complex in structure. Its dynamic characteristics are similar to a row gasoline engine. Power and consumption. And now a small video.

Supposition engine Subaru video

On this, let me finish, I think it has become a little clear what it is and how it works.

After creating the world's first internal combustion engine, it was necessary to improve it and increase power. When a solution in the form of an increase in the number of cylinders has exhausted itself, the search began with the optimal location of cylinders in the power unit. One of the most successful options was their horizontal location, and the engine of this design began to be called the opposite.

The device and principle of operation of the opposite engine

The main distinguishing feature of the opposite engine is the location of the pistons, the angle between which is 180 o. That is, the movement in it pairs of pistons occurs in the horizontal plane. Each pair has its gas distribution shaft, which, together with the valves, is unlike the usual row engine, is located horizontally. This type of motor is widely used on VOLKSWAGEN GROUP and Subaru manufacturers, they were equipped with Soviet Motorcycles Ural and Dnipro, Ikarus bus.

The horizontal layout of cylinders reduces vibrations, mutually compensating them, and achieve a smoother course. As a result, the engine has the ability to smoothly increase the power without noticeable jerks, while not so quickly wear out. The opposite engine is in a car near the chassis, which moves the center of gravity below, thereby increasing the stability and controllability of the vehicle.

Opposite engines are available in gasoline and diesel execution. In modern versions of such power units to achieve, economical fuel consumption and environmental friendliness, the following technical solutions are used:

1. The reduced volume of the combustion chamber, which enhancing the degree of compression.
2. Applying forging technology in the manufacture of parts of a piston group, which reduces their weight.
3. Application of technologies for changing gas distribution phases.
4. Using a new type of oil pump, thanks to which the engine lubricant is performed better.
5. Structurally new cooling system, having 2 contours: a separate circuit of the cylinder block and its heads.

Types of opposite engines

The opposite engine from the moment of creation was improved over 70 years, which led to the appearance of its following modifications:

1. Boxer - Subaru's branded development. It is distinguished by equal displacement of the pistons from each other: when one is located in the VMT, the second is located in the lower one.

2. Oros. For a long period, it was not claimed, but recently the engine is installed on cars and improves. One crankshaft is applied in the design, and 2 pistons operating towards each other works in each cylinder.

3. Tank TDF. Used on tanks developed in the USSR. This is a two-stroke engine applied only on military equipment.

Opposite Engine: Pros and Cons

The main advantages of the opposite engine:

1. Balanced work and high efficiency. This is due to the location of the pistons horizontally, when they provide counterweights each other. The most effective model of such an engine in terms of controllability and balance is the opposite six.
2. Low center of gravity in a car that increases its stability. This advantage is not too useful to the city car, but very necessary sports cars for which resistance at high speed is vital.
3. High reliability and durability. Most of the opposite motors are able to work to overhaul 500 thousand km, which is much higher than the resource of the engines of many budget cars, including Volkswagen.
4. Compliance with high standards of passive safety. In the event of a frontal collision, such an engine is shifted down, without harming the passengers and the driver.

Weaknesses of Opposites:

1. The design features of the unit making repair too expensive. To maintain such an engine, high professionalism of the master is required, as well as the use of special equipment.
2. Large engine dimensions allow it to be installed only in the longitudinal direction.
3. due to the complexity of the design.

Difficulties in the repair and maintenance of the opposite engine

All the advantages of the opposite engine are completely disclosed in a six-cylinder version of its execution. Units with a smaller number of cylinders according to the characteristics almost such as traditional. The main problem of the owner of the car with the opposite will be the complexity of the service, due to the horizontal position of the cylinder and small for this reason free space under the hood.

The driver independently can replace oil in it, and the rest of the work can only be done in the auto center. Thus, the simple replacement of the candles should be carried out by a qualified specialist, and the newbie, performing this operation independently, is able to damage the head of the cylinder block. In case of malfunction, repairing such an engine should also be produced on a specialized service station.

The only thing that can be successfully spent independently, it fights on the details of the piston group and the combustion chamber, which is formed when using poor-quality fuels, dried without load and on a cold engine. For this purpose, a nagar removal technique is applied, referred to as a cutoff, which is divided into soft and rigid. With a rigid hole from the twisted candle, a softening liquid that destroys the naigue is poured from the twisted candle.

For the opposite engine, this method is not suitable, since the tweaks in it in it - the procedure is quite problematic, requires the skills and availability of a special tool. But you can apply a soft cleaning in the form of a special cleansing additive to oil. Mileage 200 km will be enough for its action, after which the oil in the power unit must be replaced.

If on your Subaru, it does not always foreshadow costly repairs.

Prospects for the use of opposite engines

The most famous automakers using the Opposite Engine in the issued models are Porsche and Subaru. The first is experiencing a heyday, and the second is not the best times. This is due to product aims for different target audience: in the first case, Porsche cars are positioned as elite products that imply high manufacturability and service costs, and in the second - mid-class machines for lovers have racing technologies on a regular car.

For Porsche customers are ready to give enough large amounts of money, but a car with an engine, slightly exceeding 100 liters. p., After running 130 thousand km. It will take expensive repairs, especially if it is a turbocharged, only the most dedicated customers can give preference. But given the fact that many funds and developers are engaged in the improvement of opposites, as well as the fact that they are applied in the motorcycle, it allows you to maintain confidence that opposite engines will be relevant for a long time.

They differ from each other not only by type of fuel consumed, but also according to constructive features. For example, a large variety of cylinders. Each option has its strengths and weaknesses. In this case, the pros and cons of the opposite engine will be considered.

Read in this article

What is the features of the opposite engine

In the piston engines of internal combustion (and there are also rotary), the placement of cylinders can be different in relation to each other: under an acute angle, in one row, star-like and so on. In the case of opposite cylinders are located in the same plane and placed one opposite the other at an angle of 180 degrees. Unlike many row engines, the opposite unit often has two, as well as a vertical distribution. There are several types of opposite engines. Among them are most famous:

• Boxer ("Boxer"). It is distinguished by the fact that pistons located in front of each other are moving like boxers in the ring. That is, when one of them is at an extreme top point, the second occupies an extremely lower position. They are equally removed from each other all the time;
• Oros - Opposed Piston Opposed Cylinder. The principle of operation in this case is that the pistons are pairwise in the same cylinder (upper and lower piston). They move towards each other, rotating the crankshaft.
• 5 TDF. This is a two-stroke tank engine of Soviet production, which was used on T-64 and T-72 tanks. An interesting feature of this unit consists in its multi-fiction. The main fuel for him is solard. However, using a special switch on a high-pressure fuel pump, it was possible to start the operating mode on gasoline or a mixture of gasoline with kerosene and diesel fuel, as well as the engine could operate on reactive fuel. True, it was also required to adjust the ignition angle (timing injection).

Many companies were actively engaged in the development of power units. For example, Volkswagen paid attention to this type of aggregates from the mid-30s of the last century. It was not just experiments, but the desire to develop their own opposite motor, reduce the level of vibrations that occur during the operation of the traditional V-shaped or row engine, etc. By the way, Volkswagen engineers applied their development in the legendary Volkswagen Beetle car. And since the 60s, opposite engines have become actively used by the Japanese company Subaru, which was engaged in developments in parallel with the Germans.

Advantages of Opposite DVS

By and large, the operation of the opposite engine does not differ from the principle of action of aggregates of other structures. However, such a layout of cylinders has its own advantages, as well as disadvantages.

• The most noticeable advantage of the underlying power plants is considered almost a complete lack of vibration during operation. Such an effect is achieved due to the location that balable each other. This not only adds comfort, but also significantly increases the service life. From here there is a second "plus";
• An impressive resource of the opposite engine. There is evidence that quite often mileage until the first overhaul was at least 500 thousand kilometers. Of course, driving manner makes its substantial adjustments. And, nevertheless, the frequency period is quite large. However, the allegations of specialists and motorists can be found right and nearby, that 800-900 thousand to the first is nothing more than a beautiful fairy tale;
• Motors considered in this design article provide cars low gravity center. Especially this quality is valued in powerful sports cars. After all, passing the turns at high speeds, it is very important to maintain stability;
• It is also impossible not to mention saving space under the hood. Although many this item will seem controversial, because winning in height, you need to make the hood wider or longer.

Here, perhaps, all the essential advantages of oppositors. Now you need to consider the disadvantages, which, unfortunately, is somewhat more.

The main differences, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of 8-valve engines compared to 16 and valve engines. What a power unit is better to choose.

Opposite Engine - A special type of power plant resembling a traditional internal combustion engine in which the cylinders have a special location - horizontal. In the people, such aggregates are known called "Boxers". Such a nickname Motor received due to the fact that the pistons move either from each other or towards each other. In this case, the pair of pistons is in the same position, for example, from below.

The very first sample appeared in 1938 due to the efforts of the Volkswagen automotive company. Then the unit was a 4-cylinder oppositor, the volume of which was 2 liters. The limiting power of the power plant reached 150 horsepower.

The opposite motor was widely widespread. Today, such famous car concerns are engaged in the production and installation of the unit as Subaru and Porsche. Previously, it was possible to detect the engine and models from Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, Ferrari. Such installations are used in motorcycles, Ikarus buses and some military equipment (for example, tanks).

Principle of operation of the opposite engine and its device

To fully understand what is an opposite engine, you need to get acquainted with its structure. As it was already noted above, it is an internal combustion in a special structure - a pair of pistons moves in a horizontal plane (not down-up, and from left to right). The second, adjacent, is in the same position.

The number of such cylinders varies in the range from 2 to 12 (their number is always multiple). The most common samples possess 4 and 6 cylinders. For sports cars, 8- and 12 cylinder engines were developed. Professionals note that the principle of functioning of 2 and 4-cylinder oppositors is no different from traditional diges. Its features have those that possess six cylinders.

Types of opposite engines

The principle of operation of the opposite engine also changes depending on the characteristics of its device. Even such a simple unit can have several variations of the work of the pistons. Therefore, these types of engines are distinguished:

1. Opposite boxer Often used in the production of SUBARU cars. How the opposite engine of the claimed type works: the pistons are located on a predetermined distance opposite each other, for example, if the first is fixed at a certain period from the axis of the engine, then the second will take a similar position. At the same time, they are located each in a separate cylinder. The described functioning principle resembles a boxing duel, from here and type name.
2. Oros It has a completely different principle of construction and the order of work of the piston. Similar devices are two-way. One cylinder has two pistons at once, which are attached to one crankshaft. The first is responsible for the inlet of the mixture, the other - for the timely output of combustion products. A similar design does not have a head, which is often available on the cylinder block. The advantages of the OPOS opposite engine are that the pistons function in favor of one crankshaft. This type of device has a small mass and less in size. Consequently, the scope of application has significantly expanded. In addition, the specified engine can operate on different fuel - diesel or gasoline. To top it, we will point out the main advantages:
   • the pistons pass a much smaller distance, as a result, friction force is significantly reduced, which negatively affects wear resistance;
   • efficiency increases, because malicious gases do not affect the combustion chamber, and put pressure on the pistons;
   • motor is 30-50% easier than the usual;
   • the opposite engine has a smaller number of parts (on average by 50%);
   • economy;
   • lack of valve drive system.
   • motor takes a much smaller space under the hood.
   However, it is worth remembering that OROS is at the development stage, therefore many unforeseen problems may arise during operation.
3. Tank Engine (5TDF designed specifically for T-64 and T-72). The resource of the opposite engine is designed for military equipment of large dimensions. Here the pistons divide one cylinder and they move in one direction, but each has its own separate crankshaft. A place where fuel (combustion chamber) is flammable, occurs when the gap between the pistons becomes minimal. As with OROS engines, air is admitted to the cylinders, and unnecessary gases are removed by turbocharging. The oncoming stroke of the pistons allowed us to descriptive, but a powerful unit. The power plant has a maximum number of revolutions in 2000, and with a capacity of 700 horsepower. The volume correspondively reached 6 and 13 liters.

Pluses of the opposite engine

Each element in the automotive body has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages of the opposite engine are as follows:

• reducing the center of gravity of the vehicle, which is positively reflected on its sustainability;
• the motor resource certainly increases (if operated correctly, it reaches about 1 million km);
• thanks to the special interaction of the pistons, the level of vibration and noise records is reduced.

Cons of the opposite engine

If the opposite engine has pros, then certainly there are certain disadvantages:

• costly self-service - the involvement of professionals is required;
• expensive and complex repair, because composite parts are distinguished by their increased cost;
• high cost of the power plant;
• structural complexity;
• increased oil consumption during operation.

Despite the minuses described above, many automakers equip their models with such aggregates. Developers' company are prettier weigh all the arguments for and against before using this type of motor. The main plus is great opportunities and extensive prospects.

So, all negative aspects, in fact, are reduced to expensive maintenance, which may affect the choice of most motorists not in favor of the presented aggregates. However, large manufacturers (Porsche, Subaru) believe that quality requires large investments in the service.

For example, the Japanese autoconecern is not going to return to traditional internal combustion engines, because they believe that in this case a step back in the technological plan. Since the automodels have proven themselves only well, the level of sales does not depend on the price rates.

Difficulties in the repair and maintenance of the opposite engine

It is important to note that often the positive moments of these motors are noticeable only in the power units, which have six cylinders, but 2 and 4 cylinders are not much different from the traditional DVS.

If it is necessary to carry out some manipulations with such a type of engine, then it will certainly be necessary to contact the specialists in the car service. You can only replace the oil yourself. Even the replacement of candles is better to entrust professionals, newcomers easily will hurt the cylinder head. Full repair is made only on special service stations.

Continue service life can timely and systematic cutter. This procedure involves cleansing the surface of the combustion chamber, valves and pistons from Nagara. Operation is carried out in the autumn season or in March, when it is also quite reasonable to check the engine oil.

In the material we looked at what the concept of "Opposite Engine" means, described the principle of functioning, possible for and against. We hope that this will help determine the choice of not only the motor, but also the future auto-making on which such a power unit can be installed.

According to the principle of operation, the subaru engine is similar to a standard row type. However, it is extremely characterized by a specific opposite position of cylinders, pistons. Piston Opposite Location is opposite each other.

Constructive Features of the SUBARU Power Unit

Subaru engine is set in a horizontal plane. Regardless of the model, these engines always have an even number of cylinders. Each piston pair is equipped with two camshafts. Increased 4 and 6-cylinder engines.

Visually opposite motorsSubaru seem more compact in comparison with other engines similar to volume and power. This effect is created, due to their flat form. In this form, the power unit evenly fills the space in the engine compartment. Structurally, it consists of a head and semi-blocks with cylinders.

The main advantages and disadvantages of opposite motors

The positive characteristics of the force aggregateSubaru are highlight it in the line of other internal combustion engines:

1. Due to the symmetrical distribution of the mass of the opposite motor at the axis, the low location of the center of gravity, as well as the lower probability of displacement, creates minimal loads on the rear wheels.
2. A long operational period (1000,000 kilometers) allows the engine overhaul is much later than the analogs.
3. Lack of vibrations, thanks to which Subaru's motors are very comfortable for passengers and drivers.

The owners of sports cars appreciated counterbalance and balance of pistons that attach increased stability of this engine and the car as a whole.

Subaru engines repair is extremely rare. This is due to the high quality of these motors and the lack of vibrations (especially in six-cylinder models).

Disadvantages:

• high cost of service activities;
• the price of spare parts;
• the need to look for highly professional masters specializing in engines of this species;
• increased consumption of lubricants.

It is categorically not recommended to repair Opposite Motors to Subaru.

Here it is necessary to use specialized tools and equipment. Many parts located horizontally and non-standard, have no free access without a qualified approach.

When carrying out repair work, it is necessary to use only original spare parts. The quality, professionally renovated, the SUBARU engine with branded details and nodes must correspond to a new power unit.

Which oil is better to use for Subaru

Many car owners are interested in the question of which oil pouring into the subaru car car. In the manufacture of cars, specific recommendations are given on the selection of lubricating products to each machine. When deviating from the requirements of automakers, malfunctions appear in the operation of power units.

The service car contains detailed information on the recommended brand of engine oil. For the Subaru motor - it is 5W-30.

If the host will fill this oil into the engine of his car, problems with the stability of work and with the launch (at ambient temperature from minus 30 ° C to plus 30 ° C) will not. These results are obtained during oil testing.

SUBARU5W-30 engine oil refers to the class of all-season synthetic materials. Experienced motorists have long been familiar with this product and its characteristics. Especially good results gives its use at the stage of the primary running in the machine. With a sufficiently low viscosity of the oil, the engine develops the maximum speed and minimally consumes fuel.

A distinctive feature of the energy-efficient lubricant material Subaru 5W-30 is its ability to significantly cool the engine elements during the operation of the car in extreme conditions. In the presence of a turbocharger in Subaru Motors, this lubricant is most preferred.

The main advantages of SUBARU 5W-30 lubricant fluid:

1. Ensuring maximum engine protection from wear and oxidation.
2. Subaru oil contributes to the increasing power of the motor.
3. Saving beneficial properties with temperature drops.
4. Good cleaning effect.
5. Confronting the formation of harmful deposits.