The power unit retained the cast-iron cylinder block and chain-driven timing, but there were enough changes. For example, phase shifters were installed on the camshafts, the crankshaft pulley has a damper, the outdated thermostat was replaced with a plastic one, which opens at 103 degrees (previously at 92 degrees). Also, the power has increased by 10 “horses” and amounted to 100 hp. But in addition to this in the line of motors there was a de-fortified model, which had only 69 “horses”. It was produced under the indexes A12XEL and B12XEL on Adam and Corsa E models. In addition, this motor was equipped with Chevrolet Aveo (T300).
The technical characteristics of the engine Opel A12XER
Opel A12XER is a compact and economical gasoline engine with a capacity of 1.2 liters, which was installed in small cars of Opel. It is part of the Ecotec engine family series and is popular for its reliability and moderate fuel consumption.
Main Features
- Determined displacement: 1229 cm³
- Power system: distributed fuel injection
- Maximum power: 85 hp
- Torque: 115 Nm
- Cylinder block: cast iron, 4-cylinder (R4)
- Cylinder head: aluminum with 16 valves
- Cylinder bore: 73.4 mm
- Piston stroke: 72.6 mm
- Compression ratio: 10.5
Design features
The A12XER engine features TwinPort technology, which improves fuel efficiency by optimizing airflow to the cylinders. It also helps to reduce emissions, meeting the EURO 5 environmental standard.
Phase controllers are fitted on both the intake and exhaust, improving the engine’s load response and increasing its efficiency in different operating modes. The timing chain drives the timing mechanism, ensuring reliability and reducing the need for regular servicing.
Life and Maintenance
Approximate engine life is 280,000 km, which makes it quite durable with proper operation and regular maintenance. The motor has hydrocompensators, which saves the owner from the need for periodic adjustment of the valves.
For optimal engine performance, it is recommended to use 5W-30 engine oil in the volume of 4.0 liters.
Problems and reliability
Oil leaks
This is a very common problem, but it is easy to fix:
Changing the front crankshaft oil seal.
If you notice oil leaks on the oil pressure sensor, it will also need to be replaced.
Absorber purge valve
On the intake manifold of the engine there is an absorber purge valve. And it needs constant care, otherwise it will start to loudly scratch when driving. In addition, because of the malfunction of the valve, the power unit begins to swear at insufficient enrichment of the fuel-air mixture. This happens because the valve constantly sucks air. Because of this, idle speeds begin to float, and if you unscrew the cap of the fuel tank, a loud “pish” will be heard. A working valve is not purged until the ECU gives a signal.
In any case, the valve will have to be replaced, it is inexpensive.
Throttle valve
In principle, the throttle of this motor almost does not bother, however, with severe frosts, you can sometimes notice that the power unit responds poorly to pressing the accelerator pedal. Also on the dashboard starts flashing an error that speaks about incorrect signals from the gas pedal sensor. This happens because moisture has accumulated in the sensor, and until it dries up, the error will flash. The problem can be easily solved by replacing the pedal.
Twinport flaps
From the previous model, the A12XER engine received Twinport flaps. If you are not familiar with the mechanism of their work, they block one of the intake channels of the cylinders. Thanks to this, at low speeds, the motor begins to take air as an 8-valve. Because of this, a vortex is formed in the cylinder, which allows the air to mix better with the fuel and burn better, giving more thrust.
The flap mechanism on Opel motors is made quite well, so it lasts a long time without any problems. But if the flap mechanism has serious wear, the common bar may slip off. In this case, the flaps begin to open/close arbitrarily. Good, it is easy to notice the behavior of the car: it begins to “eat” more fuel, the traction drops sharply. The bar can be repaired, but this is so-called “creative repair”.
Ignition coil
The A12XER motor is equipped with a Delfi ignition coil module (1208092). And here with it the most problems, it is not characterized by high quality and often breaks down. It is easy to realize that the coil has failed:
- The motor begins to run poorly at idle;
- The idle speed begins to “float”;
- When you press the gas pedal, the engine reacts jerkily, after which an error starts flashing on the dashboard
Also during diagnostics at the service station in the fourth cylinder, ignition misses can be seen. This occurs because the tip seal is deformed and lets moisture and dust into the well, which oxidize the tip spring and contact plate. All of this causes the spark to penetrate the tip.
This is a very common fault with this model of engine. For a short time, the market was supplied with repair kits, which included springs and lugs. But now they are not produced, so original spare parts can not be found, but there are high-quality and affordable substitutes.
What is most unpleasant, ignition skips appear even on very young motors, after 20-35 thousand. So monitor the condition of the tip of the fourth candle, the seal should not be deformed.
Antifreeze temperature sensor
This malfunction sins Opel motors on 1.2 liters, and, moreover, even with a small mileage. Failure of the coolant sensor leads to an uncertain start of the engine at minus temperatures. The lower the temperature – the more difficult it is to start the engine. But if you knock out the electrical connector of the temperature sensor, the power unit will start without problems. All this suggests that it’s time to replace the coolant sensor.
Valve cover gasket
The motor cover is made of plastic, sealed with a rubber gasket. Leakage at the junction of the cylinder head and cover appears on most motors, good, it is easy to correct the situation – just replace the gasket. This happens because the rubber “blows” and loses its elasticity, leaking oil.
Carter ventilation valve
Power units of this model were equipped with a crankcase ventilation valve, which has a spring-loaded diaphragm built into the cover. Because of what many motorists over time face the problem of cracking of the diaphragm, leading to the sucking of excess air. The engine starts to run unsteadily at idle, a poor fuel mixture is signaled on the dashboard, and the very hole for communication of the diaphragm with the atmosphere begins to hiss, as air is sucked through it. It is believed that when this problem appears, you need to replace the cap, but it is not necessary. There are now solutions to repair and replace the damaged diaphragm.
Fasoregulator
As we said at the very beginning of the article, the A12XER motor is equipped with phase shifters, the control valves of which are located right in them. In general, phasoregulators are quality and do not cause problems. Many motorists complain about their rattling. It appears because of poor-quality oil, or its pressure is not enough. Usually this happens because of a jammed drain valve in the oil filter cup.
Of course, phase regulators and solenoid control valves require special attention, you need to watch for oil leaks that may appear on the valve body. It is not difficult to deal with the leak, you need to replace the sealing ring.
Pompa
The cooling system pump is located directly on the timing cover, and in general, it is rare to encounter its breakdown. Moreover, it even hardly ever leaks. But even if the cooler does start to leak, the liquid does not flow into the sump. The pump should be replaced together with the change of the timing chain.
The timing chain
Like the previous models of motors of this series, the A12XER power unit has problems with chain stretching. Very often motorists face the fact that the engine begins to rattle and rustle. Of course, if your chain starts to rustle, you can still drive a couple thousand, but this is at your own risk. If the chain is overstretched, an error will pop up on the dashboard indicating a malfunction in the timing system.
Do not drive with a stretched chain, it must be changed, otherwise wear will form on the phase shifters, and in addition to the chain will have to buy them.
It is difficult to change the chain on the motor, because it will be necessary to dismantle the timing cover, the pump is installed on it, and the oil pump is located on the crankshaft shank. To correctly align the camshafts, you will need a special conductor, thanks to which the phases are set, and the disks of the camshaft sensors are fixed.
There are enough different timing chain repair kits for Opel on the market. But we still advise you to buy only quality, and if possible, the original, because low-quality timing chains begin to rustle literally after 35-45 thousand.