Opel Z12XE engine
Content
The Z12XE brand internal combustion engine is very popular among fans of the German Opel car series. This motor is characterized by truly unique technical characteristics, for which it gained fame and popularity in many CIS countries. Despite the production that has long ceased, Opel Z12XE engines can still be found in Russia both on stock cars and custom projects and artisanal alterations.
A Brief History of the Opel Z12XE Engine
The beginning of the history of the Opel Z12XE engine dates back to 1994, when a version of the engine with the Euro 12 exhaust standard began to be produced under the Opel Z2XE index. Then in 2000, the Opel Z12 version was seriously redesigned by the engineers of the German concert and presented as a traditional engine in its understanding for the Opel Astra and Korsa.
Officially, the naturally aspirated 12-liter Opel Z1.2XE engine was produced at a plant in Austria from 2000 to 2004, then the engines were removed from large-scale production and produced in a limited edition until 2007 as a backup option for modernization during the future restyling of the Astra. The motor also gained wide popularity as a reliable concrete engine that successfully endured customization and low-grade repairs.
At the moment, Opel Z12XE engines are banned in many CIS countries due to too toxic exhaust, but in the Russian Federation you can still find workable samples.
Technical characteristics of the Opel Z12XE motor: briefly about the main thing
The Opel Z12XE motor has a classic layout, which was done to simplify high-volume production and unpretentious maintenance in the future. The engine with a total capacity of 1.2 liters has a distributed fuel injection and an in-line 4-cylinder layout with 4 valves per cylinder. The possibility of installing a turbocharged unit is not provided.
| The volume of the power unit, cc | 1199 |
|---|---|
| Maximum power, hp | 75 |
| Maximum torque, N * m (kg * m) at rpm. | 110 (11) to 4000 |
| engine's type | in-line, 4-cylinder |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Hydraulic compensators | Yes |
| Turbine or supercharger | no |
| Bore | 72.5 mm |
| Piston stroke | 72.6 mm |
| Compression ratio | 10.01.2019 |
The Opel Z12XE engine complies with the Euro 4 exhaust standard. In practice, the average fuel consumption is 6.2 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle, which is quite a lot for a 1.2 liter engine. The recommended fuel for refueling is AI-95 class gasoline.
For this motor, it is necessary to use 5W-30 type oil, the recommended filling volume is 3.5 liters. The approximate life of the power unit is 275 km, there is the possibility of a major overhaul to increase the production resource. The VIN number of the motor is located on the front cover of the crankcase.
Reliability and weaknesses: everything you need to know about the Opel Z12XE
The Opel Z12XE motor is relatively reliable - with timely maintenance, the engine freely nurses the service life declared by the manufacturers.
When the mark is reached in the first 100 km, the engine may experience the following malfunctions:
- Knocking during operation, reminiscent of the operation of a diesel engine - there may be 2 options. In the first case, the knock occurs when the timing chain is stretched, which is easily eliminated by replacing components, in the second, there may be malfunctions in the Twinport. If everything is in order with the timing, then it is necessary to set the Twinport dampers in the open position and turn off the system or completely replace the part itself. In any case, after the repair, you will have to adjust the electronic control unit - so repairs at home are impossible;
- The engine stops “driving”, the speed floats at idle - this problem is easily fixed, just replace the oil pressure sensor. Often, when purchasing a specific engine or car based on the Opel Z12XE in the secondary market, you can find a non-original sensor that negatively affects the life of the engine and increases fuel consumption.
In general, if you do not save on components and carry out maintenance in a timely manner, then the operating life of the Opel Z12XE engine may even exceed the service life declared by the manufacturer. However, it should be noted that the motor is whimsical as oil - you will have to spend money on technical fluids.
Tuning and customization - or why Opel Z12XE is the favorite of the "collective farmer"?
Tuning this power unit is possible, however, when trying to upgrade, a clear bar of efficiency can be traced.
By replacing components and flashing the ECU, you can achieve the dynamics of the 8-valve Lada Grant, and further refinement will be wasted money.
To increase the power of the Opel Z12XE engine, you must:
- Shut off the EGR;
- Install cold fuel injection;
- Replace the stock manifold with option 4-1;
- Reflash the electronic control unit.
When assembled, these manipulations will increase the power potential to 110-115 horsepower. However, due to its structural simplicity and cast-iron monolithic cylinders, this motor easily tolerates "handicraft" repairs and tuning on the knee.
Craftsmen, using a standard set of tools, rearranged the Opel Z12XE engine to walk-behind tractors, self-propelled carts and portable tractors used in agricultural needs. It was the ease of repair and endurance to work under increased load that won the love for Opel Z12XE engines.
In the case of purchasing a car based on the Opel Z12XE, it is important first of all to check the engine traction and the presence of oil leaks on the body.
Traces of technical fluids and floating revolutions are a clear sign of careless operation of the motor, which significantly reduces the operational life of the engine. When purchasing an Opel Astra, Aguila or Corsa, produced from 2000 to 2004, pay attention to the smoothness of revolutions and the transparency of the oil in the expansion tank.
