Opel Z16XE engine
Content
The Z16XE gasoline engine was installed in Opel Astra (between 1998 and 2009) and Opel Vectra (between 2002 and 2005). Over the years of operation, this motor has established itself as a reliable unit with a long service life. Affordable pricing policy for engine repair and its technical characteristics made the Opel Astra and Opel Vectra models one of the best-selling ones.
A bit of history
The Z16XE engine belongs to the ECOTEC family, a company that is part of the world famous General Motors. The main requirement of ECOTEC for manufactured units is a high level of environmental standards. High environmental performance is observed both on gasoline and diesel engines.
The required environmental level was achieved by changing the intake manifold structure and a number of other innovations. ECOTEC also made a bias towards practicality, for example, for a long time the general characteristics of the engines of the family did not change. This made it possible to reduce the cost of mass production of units.
It should be recalled that ECOTEC is a British manufacturer, so there is no doubt about the quality of parts and assembly of components.
By achieving high environmental standards and minimizing production costs, the company has set itself the goal of reducing fuel consumption. For this, an electronic exhaust gas recycling system was developed and installed. Part of the exhaust was sent to the cylinders, where it was mixed with a new portion of fuel.
Engines of the ECOTEC family are reliable and inexpensive units that can “pass” up to 300000 km without any serious malfunctions. The overhaul of these motors is within the average pricing policy.
Specifications Z16XE
The Z16XE is a replacement for the older model, the X16XEL, which was produced from 1994 to 2000. Small differences were in the crankshaft position sensor, otherwise the engine was no different from its counterpart.
The main problem with the Z16XE internal combustion engine is its actual fuel consumption, which for the city is 9.5 liters. With a mixed driving option - no more than 7 liters. The cylinder block is made of high-quality cast iron, produced almost flawlessly, with the exception of a few units. The head of the engine block was made of aluminum.
Specifications Z16XE:
| Technical specifications | A22DM |
|---|---|
| Engine capacity | 1598 cm 3 |
| Maximum power | 100-101 h.p. |
| 74 kW at 6000 rpm. | |
| Maximum torque | 150 Nm at 3600 rpm. |
| Consumption | 7.9-8.2 liters per 100 km |
| Compression ratio | 10.05.2019 |
| Bore | from 79 to 81.5 mm |
| Piston stroke | from 79 to 81.5 mm |
| CO2 emission | from 173 to 197 g/km |
The total number of valves is 16 pieces, 4 per cylinder.
Recommended oil types
The average mileage of the Z16XE unit before overhaul is 300000 km. Subject to timely maintenance with oil and filter changes.
According to the Opel Astra and Opel Vectra owner's manual, the oil should be changed at least once every 15000 km. A later replacement leads to a decrease in the operating life of the motor. In practice, many owners of these cars advise changing the oil more often - every 7500 km.
Recommended oils:
- 0W-30;
- 0W-40;
- 5W-30;
- 5W-40;
- 10W-40.
Oil should only be changed when the engine is warm. The replacement sequence is as follows:
- Warm up the engine to its operating temperature.
- Carefully unscrew the sump drain bolt and drain the used oil.
- Clean the magnetic side of the drain bolt of debris, screw it back in and fill in special engine cleaning oil.
- Start the engine and let it idle for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain the flushing oil, replace the oil filter and refill with the recommended one.
To change the oil will require at least 3.5 liters.
Maintenance
Maintenance must be carried out without fail in accordance with the vehicle operation manual. This will help keep the main components of the car in constant readiness for departure.
List of mandatory maintenance items:
- Changing oil and oil filter. As mentioned above, it is best to change the oil every 7500 km. When performing all operations, you must be sure that the car is securely fixed (fixing it on jacks), as well as that the auxiliary tool is in good condition. Waste oil should be disposed of, it is strictly forbidden to drain it into the ground.
- Fuel filter replacement. On the advice of many motorists, the fuel filter on Z16XE engines should be replaced at the same time as the oil is changed (every 7500 km). This will help save not only the life of the engine, but also the EGR valve.
- Every 60000 km, spark plugs and high-voltage wires should be replaced. Spark plug wear leads to excessive fuel consumption, as well as a decrease in engine power and CPG resource.
- Every 30000 km, check the amount of exhaust gases in the exhaust at a service center or service station. It is not possible to perform such an operation on your own; special equipment is required.
- Every 60000 km check the condition of the timing belt. If necessary, replace with a new one.
Maintenance needs to be done more frequently if:
- The vehicle is operated in areas with high humidity or dusty areas, as well as in conditions of low or high temperatures.
- Freight is constantly transported by car.
- The car is operated not often, but with long time intervals.
Frequent malfunctions
The Z16XE motor has established itself as a reliable unit with affordable components and consumables. But over the period of operation, the owners of cars with this engine identified a number of the most common malfunctions.
List of typical faults:
- High oil consumption. After an increase in oil consumption, you should not send the unit for an expensive overhaul. A common cause is the shift of valve stem seals from their seats. As a solution to the problem, it is necessary to replace the valve guides, and adjust the valves themselves.
If the problem persists and oil consumption remains elevated, then the piston rings must be replaced. The operation is expensive and requires the involvement of an experienced minder.
- Frequent clogging of the EGR. The EGR valve helps to lower the combustion temperature of the fuel mixture, and also reduces the level of CO2 in the exhaust. EGR is installed as an environmental element. The consequence of clogging the EGR is floating engine speed and possibly a decrease in engine power. The only way to extend the life of this element is to use only high-quality and clean fuel.
- Like many 16-valve engines with two camshafts, the Z16XE unit requires special attention to the timing belt. It is recommended to change it after 60000 km, but if the product is of poor quality or defective, such an operation may be required earlier. The consequences of a broken timing belt are not very pleasant - bent valves, respectively, calling a tow truck and subsequent costly repairs.
- Many owners of cars with Z16XE engines complain about an unpleasant metallic sound that appears after 100000 km of run. The diagnosis of a low-quality service station will be the need for an overhaul, but the problem may be loose intake manifold mounts. Ignoring the problem will lead to damage to the collector. Part cost is high.
To eliminate an unpleasant sound, it is enough to remove the collector (the bolts should be unscrewed very carefully), and put fluoroplastic rings or paranitic gaskets on all places of metal contact, which you can make yourself. Joints should be additionally treated with automotive sealant.
It does not apply to the topic of engines, but many owners of Opel Astra and Opel Vectra complain about the poorly thought-out wiring of these cars.
This leads to a constant appeal to auto electricians, the cost of whose services is quite high.
Tuning
Tuning the engine is not necessarily forcing it and increasing its power to exorbitant heights. It is enough to improve several characteristics and obtain, for example, an underestimated fuel consumption, an increase in speed performance or a reliable start at any temperature.
An expensive option for tuning the Z16XE engine is its turbocharged. This is not at all easy to do, since it will require the purchase of appropriate parts and the involvement of intelligent minders. Owners of Opel Astra and Opel Vectra prefer to buy a turbocharged engine from other car models and put it on their cars. With all the work, it came out much cheaper than reworking the native unit.
But for lovers of powerful cars and rough sound, there is one option for tuning the Z16XE. Its sequence is as follows:
- Installation of a device that supplies cold air to the motor. In this case, you should get rid of the air filter, which also muffles the sound of a running engine.
- Installation of an exhaust manifold without a catalyst, for example, of the "spider" type.
- Mandatory installation of a new firmware for the control unit.
The above operations guarantee up to 15 hp. power gains.
On the one hand, not too much, but it will be felt, especially the first 1000 km. Such tuning is usually accompanied by "forward current". The result: a dull, guttural sound and a more powerful motor. Expenditures are within acceptable limits.
Pros and cons of the Z16XE
An important advantage of the Z16XE is an increased resource, since not all modern cars can drive 300000 km. But to reach such a mark is possible only if the maintenance is carried out correctly and in a timely manner.
The advantages also include affordable repairs and the purchase of necessary spare parts. The price of parts for the Z16XE is such that you don’t have to look for cheaper analogues, but it’s better to purchase a high-quality original.
But there are also disadvantages:
- Insufficient economy. Fuel prices are constantly rising, so economy is an important characteristic of a well-timed car. Z16XE does not belong to this category, its average consumption is 9.5 liters per 100 km, which is quite a lot.
- The problem of high oil consumption. Eliminating this problem will not take much time, but requires a certain investment of funds.
Otherwise, the Z16XE can be classified as a reliable and high-quality internal combustion engine, which has earned its reputation for many years of operation on various car models.
