Opel X16XEL engine
Content
Motors with the designation X16XEL were widely used for Opel cars in the 90s and were installed on the Astra F, G, Vectra B, Zafira A models. The engine was produced in 2 versions, which differed in the design of the intake manifold. Despite some differences in nodes in different models, the powertrain control system was the same for everyone, with the name "Multec-S".
Engine description
The engine marked X16XEL or Z16XE is a line of units for the Opel brand with a displacement of 1,6 liters. The first release of the power plant was in 1994, which became the replacement for the old C16XE model. In the new version, the cylinder block remained the same as the X16SZR engines.
Compared to single-shaft units, the described model used a head with 16 valves and 2 camshafts. Each cylinder had 4 valves. Since 1999, the manufacturer has finalized the heart of the car, the main changes were the shortening of the intake manifold and the change in the ignition module.
The X16XEL model was very popular and in demand in its time, but its potential was not fully revealed as a result of the head. Because of this, the concern made a full-fledged engine marked X16XE. It features camshafts, enlarged intake ports, as well as manifolds and control modules.
Since 2000, the unit has been discontinued, it was replaced by the Z16XE model, which differed in the location of the DPKV directly in the block, the throttle became electronic.
2 lambdas were installed on the cars, the rest of the features did not change, so many experts consider both models to be almost the same.
The entire series of engines has a belt drive, and a scheduled replacement of the timing should be carried out regularly after 60000 km. If this is not done, when the belt breaks, the valves begin to bend and further overhaul of the motor or its replacement. It was the X16XEL that became the basis for the creation of other engines with a displacement of 1,4 and 1,8 liters.
Technical specifications
The main technical characteristics for the X16XEL motor are presented in the table:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| The volume of the power plant, cu. cm. | 1598 |
| Power, hp | 101 |
| Torque, Nm at rpm | 148/3500 |
| 150/3200 | |
| 150/3600 | |
| Fuel | Gasoline A92 and A95 |
| Fuel consumption, l / 100 km. | 5,9-10,2 |
| Motor type | Inline for 4 cylinders |
| Additional information about the motor | Distributed fuel injection type |
| CO2 emission, g / km | 202 |
| Bore | 79 |
| Valves per cylinder, pcs. | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 81.5 |
The average resource of such a unit is about 250 thousand km, but with proper care, the owners manage to ride it much more. You can find the engine number a little above the oil dipstick. It is located in a vertical position at the junction of the engine and gearbox.
Reliability, weaknesses, maintainability
Like other engine models, the X16XEL has a number of features, disadvantages and a few weak points. Main problems:
- Valve seals often fly off the guides, but this defect is only on early versions.
- At a certain mileage, the car begins to consume oil, but for repairs, many stations recommend decarbonizing, which does not give a positive effect. This is a common reason for this type of internal combustion engine, but it does not indicate the need for major repairs, the manufacturer has set a consumption rate of about 600 ml per 1000 km.
- The timing belt can be considered a weak point, it must be carefully monitored and changed in a timely manner, otherwise the valves will bend when it breaks, and the owner will face expensive repairs.
- Often there is a problem with instability of revolutions or loss of traction; to solve the problem, it is necessary to clean the USR valves.
- The seals under the nozzles often dry out.
Otherwise, there are no more problems and weaknesses. The ICE model can be attributed to the average, and if you fill in high-quality oil and constantly monitor the unit with scheduled maintenance, then the service life will be many times longer than stated by the manufacturer.
As for maintenance, it is recommended to do diagnostics every 15000 km, but the factory advises to monitor the condition and carry out scheduled work after 10000 km of run. Main service card:
- Oil and filter change is done after 1500 km of run. This rule must be used after a major overhaul, because a new internal combustion engine can no longer be found. The procedure helps to get used to new parts.
- The second MOT is done after 10000 km, with a second oil change and all filters. The internal combustion engine pressure is immediately checked, the valves are adjusted.
- The next service will be at 20000 km. The oil and filter are changed as standard, the performance of all engine systems is checked.
- At 30000 km, maintenance consists only in changing oils and filters.
The X16XEL unit is very reliable with a long resource, but for this the owner must ensure proper care and maintenance.
List of cars on which this engine was installed
X16XEL motors were installed on Opel of various models. The main ones are:
- Astra G 2nd generation until 2004 hatchback.
- Astra G 2nd generation until 2009 sedan and station wagon.
- Astra F 1 generation after restyling from 1994 to 1998 in any body type.
- Vectra V 2 generations after restyling from 1999 to 2002 for any body type.
- Vectra B from 1995-1998 sedan and hatchback.
- Zafira A from 1999-2000
To service the internal combustion engine, you need to know the basic parameters for changing the oil:
- The volume of oil entering the engine is 3,25 liters.
- For replacement, ACEA type A3/B3/GM-LL-A-025 must be used.
At the moment, owners use synthetic or semi-synthetic oil.
Possibility of tuning
As for tuning, it is easiest and cheapest to install:
- Cold entry.
- 4-1 exhaust manifold with catalytic converter removed.
- Replace the standard exhaust with a straight-through one.
- Make the firmware of the control unit.
Such additions help increase power to about 15 hp. This is quite enough to increase the dynamics, as well as change the sound of the internal combustion engine. With a strong desire to make a faster car, it is recommended to buy a Dbilas dynamic 262 camshaft, 10 mm lift and replace the intake manifold of a similar manufacturer, as well as adjust the control unit for new parts.
You can also introduce a turbine, but this procedure is very expensive and it is much easier to make a swap on a 2 liter engine with a turbine or completely replace a car with the desired engine.
The possibility of replacing the engine with another (SWAP)
Often, the replacement of the X16XEL power unit with another is rarely done, but some owners install the X20XEV or C20XE. To simplify the replacement procedure, it is best to buy a finished car and use not only the internal combustion engine, but also the gearbox and other components. This makes wiring easier.
For SWAPO using the C20XE motor as an example, you will need:
- DVS itself. it is better to use a donor from which the necessary nodes will be removed. In addition, this will make it possible to understand that the unit itself is working even before the start of disassembly. If you buy an internal combustion engine separately, you need to consider that you should immediately take an oil cooler to it.
- Crankshaft pulley for V-ribbed belt of additional units. The motor model before restyling has a pulley for a V-belt.
- Control unit and motor wiring for internal combustion engines. If there is a donor, it is recommended to remove it completely from the terminals to the brains. The wiring to the generator and starter can be left from the old car.
- Supports for internal combustion engines and gearboxes. When using the f20 model shift box, it is necessary to use 2 manual transmission supports from Vectra for a volume of 2 liters, front and rear are used. The unit itself is placed on supporting parts from the X20XEV or X18XE type without air conditioning. If you want to install an air conditioner, it is important to supplement the car with a compressor and change the bearings in it, but the supports for the system add a lot of complexity.
- Attachments can be left old, this includes a generator and power steering. All that is required is to install fasteners under X20XEV or X18XE.
- Hoses that will connect the coolant tank and manifold.
- Internal stitches. They will be required to connect a manual transmission with 4-bolt hubs.
- Gearbox elements in the form of a pedal, a helicopter and other things, if the car had an automatic transmission earlier.
To do the job, you need a tool, lubricants and oils, coolant. If there is little experience and knowledge, it is recommended to entrust the matter to professionals, especially with wiring, since it changes even in the cabin.
Purchase of a contract engine
Contract motors are a great alternative to overhaul, which turns out to be a little cheaper. The internal combustion engines themselves and other parts were in use, but outside of Russia and the CIS countries. Finding a good option that does not require additional repairs after installation is not always easy and fast. More often, sellers offer already serviceable and proven engines, and the approximate price will be 30-40 thousand rubles. Of course, there are cheaper and more expensive options.
When buying, payment is made by cash or bank transfer. Many sellers at the checkpoint and internal combustion engine provide the opportunity to check, since it is precisely such nodes that are difficult to check without mounting on a car. Often the test period for which you can check the performance is 2 weeks from the date of receipt of the motor from the carrier.
A return is possible only if during the test period there are obvious defects that make it impossible to use the transport and there are supporting papers from the service station for this. A refund for a broken motor is possible only if the seller has nothing to replace the goods and after receiving it from the delivery service. Refusal of the goods due to minor defects in the form of scratches, small dents is not a reason for a return. They do not affect performance.
Refusal to exchange or return appears in several situations:
- The buyer does not install the motor during the test time.
- The seller's seals or warranty marks are broken.
- There is no documentary evidence of a breakdown from the service station.
- Strong deformations, short circuits and other defects appeared on the motor.
- The report was made incorrectly or it is not available at all at the time of shipment of the internal combustion engine.
If the owners decide to replace the motor with a contract one, it is immediately necessary to prepare several additional consumables:
- Oil - 4l.
- New coolant 7 l.
- All possible gaskets, including for the exhaust system and others.
- Filter.
- Power Steering Fluid.
- Fasteners.
Often, contract engines from proven companies are equipped with an additional package of documents and they have a customs declaration, which indicates the import of internal combustion engines from other countries.
When choosing, it is recommended to look for suppliers who attach a video on the operation of the motor.
Feedback from owners of different Opel models on which the X16XEL was installed is more often positive. Motorists note low fuel consumption, which was achieved more than 15 years ago. In the city, the average consumption of gasoline is about 8-9 l / 100 km, on the highway you can get 5,5-6 liters. Although there is little power, the car is quite dynamic, especially with an unloaded interior and trunk.
In maintenance, the motor is not whimsical, the main thing is to monitor the timing and other components in a timely manner. Most often you can meet X16XEL on Vectra and Astra. It is on such cars that taxi drivers like to ride and their internal combustion engines pass over more than 500 thousand km. without a single major overhaul. Of course, under severe operating conditions, oil consumption and other problems begin. Negative reviews associated with the engine almost never appear, more often than not, Opels of those times had a problem with corrosion resistance, so motorists complain more about rot and corrosion.
The X16XEL is an engine suitable for city driving and people who don't want to race on the road. The main characteristics of the internal combustion engine are quite enough that it is comfortable to move around, and there is a power reserve on the track that helps to overtake.
