MajorCommonEngine

Hyundai ix35: Nu Engine G4KD/G4NA Excessive Oil Consumption

Nu Engine G4KD/G4NA Excessive Oil Consumption is a common engine fault on the Hyundai ix35 on the 2009–2020 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $8,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 41 documented faults on the Hyundai ix35.

Vehicle: Hyundai ix35
Engine: 2.0L
Years: 2009–2020
Fuel: petrol
System: Engine

This page covers the Hyundai ix35 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Hyundai ix35 faults41 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the PCV / oil separator yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The 2.0L Nu-series petrol engines (G4KD MPI in LM, G4NA GDI in TL) are documented to consume engine oil above acceptable manufacturer tolerances due to piston ring and valve stem seal wear. Oil enters the combustion chamber and is burned, reducing the oil level between services without any visible external leak. Running low on oil without awareness causes accelerated bearing and upper engine wear. In GDI variants, oil vapour recirculation through the PCV system also contributes to intake valve carbon deposits compounding performance issues.

What you would notice

Blue or grey exhaust smoke on cold start or acceleration
Oil level dropping noticeably between scheduled services
Fouled or oily spark plugs on inspection
Oily residue visible around PCV breather and intake

How to check it

Where to look. Engine internal — piston rings, valve stem seals, PCV system

Check the oil dipstick — if near minimum despite recent service, oil consumption is occurring.
Ask specifically how often the owner tops up oil.
During a cold start, observe the exhaust pipe for a sustained puff of blue smoke.
Remove one spark plug if accessible and inspect the electrode for oil fouling.
Review any Hyundai oil consumption test results if previously carried out under warranty.

Parts involved: PCV / oil separator.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $8,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“How often do you need to top up the engine oil between services?”
“Has the engine ever produced blue smoke, especially on startup?”
“Has a Hyundai oil consumption test been performed?”

Now check the Hyundai ix35 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Hyundai ix35 buyer questions

Is nu engine g4kd/g4na excessive oil consumption serious on a Hyundai ix35?

We rate it major and common on the Hyundai ix35. The 2.0L Nu-series petrol engines (G4KD MPI in LM, G4NA GDI in TL) are documented to consume engine oil above acceptable manufacturer tolerances due to piston ring and valve stem seal wear. Oil enters the combustion chamber and is burned, reducing the oil level between services without any visible external leak. Running low on oil without awareness causes accelerated bearing and upper engine wear. In GDI variants, oil vapour recirculation through the PCV system also contributes to intake valve carbon deposits compounding performance issues.

How much does it cost to fix on a Hyundai ix35?

$2,500 to $8,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Hyundai ix35 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2009–2020 Hyundai ix35. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check the oil dipstick — if near minimum despite recent service, oil consumption is occurring. Ask specifically how often the owner tops up oil. During a cold start, observe the exhaust pipe for a sustained puff of blue smoke. Remove one spark plug if accessible and inspect the electrode for oil fouling. Review any Hyundai oil consumption test results if previously carried out under warranty. Look here: Engine internal — piston rings, valve stem seals, PCV system