Opel X16XEL and Z16XE 1.6 engine

Opel X16XEL/X16XE/Z16XE engine characteristics

The X16XEL, X16XE, Z16XE and Y16XE engines were produced at the Szentgotthard engine plant from 1994 to 2005. These engines were used in various Opel models including Astra F/G/H, Corsa B, Meriva, Vectra B/C, Zafira A and Tigra A.

Design and materials

The cylinder block of these engines is made of cast iron for strength and durability. These engines have an in-line configuration with four cylinders and four valves per cylinder. The cylinder diameter is 79 mm and the piston stroke is 81.5 mm. The total displacement of the engine is 1598cc. The compression ratio is 10.5, which contributes to efficient combustion and optimum power.

Power and torque

The engines have several power and torque variations:

• Power: 101 hp at 6200 rpm, 101 hp at 6000 rpm and 106 hp at 6000 rpm
• Torque: 148 Nm at 3500 rpm, 150 Nm at 3600 rpm and 148 Nm at 4000 rpm.

Power system and fuel

All engines are equipped with an injection system and run on 95 octane gasoline. Environmental compliance varies from model to model: X16XEL and X16XE are Euro 2, Y16XE is Euro 3 and Z16XE is Euro 4.

Performance characteristics

Fuel consumption for the Opel Vectra B model is 10.2 liters per 100 km in the city, 5.9 liters on the highway and 7.5 liters in the mixed cycle. The permissible oil consumption is up to 600 grams per 1000 km. It is recommended to use oils of the following types: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 and 10W-40. The volume of oil in the engine is 3.5 liters, and oil change should be carried out every 15000 km, although the optimal interval is 7500 km to keep the engine in the best condition.

Engine life and tuning

There is no official information about the engine resource, but in practice the engines are able to overcome more than 300 thousand kilometers. The possibility of tuning is available, but exact data on the potential and allowable parameters without loss of resource is not provided.

Application in cars

These engines were installed on various models of Opel cars, including the popular Astra, Corsa, Meriva, Vectra, Zafira and Tigra. Due to their reliability and efficiency, the X16XEL, X16XE, Z16XE, and Y16XE engines continue to be popular among car owners and car enthusiasts.

Opel X16XEL/Z16XE engine troubleshooting and repair

This motor was released in 1994 and replaced the C16XE. The X16XEL cylinder block is the same as the X16SZR 8-valve motors with a crankshaft with a stroke of 81.5 mm, with connecting rods of 129.75 mm, with other pistons still the same height of 28.2 mm.

Unlike the single-shaft motors, the X16XEL has a 16-valve head with twin camshafts, 4 valves per cylinder. The intake valves are 31mm in diameter, the exhaust valves are 27.5mm, and the stem thickness is 6mm. The characteristics of the X16XEL camshafts are as follows: phase 241/233, lift 8.5/8.0 mm. This head is similar to the one on the X14XE.
In 1999, the engine Opel X16XEL was finalized, from the main innovations note the short intake manifold and ignition module.

In addition to the popular X16XEL, which was smothered with a head from the low-volume fellow, there was also a full-fledged X16XE. These engines differ camshafts, large intake ports, intake and exhaust manifolds, and the brain. Characteristics of camshafts on the X16XE: phase 241/241, lift 8.5/8.5 mm.
From its predecessor C16XE, the X16XE engine differs from its predecessor C16XE by having an EGR valve installed to meet Euro-2 standards, an intake manifold, and a DAD.

In 2000, the X16XEL engine was removed from production, and instead of it began to produce Z16XE. The main differences between X16XEL and Z16XE are in the location of the DPKV, which is now in the block, in the electronic throttle, in two lambda probes, in general, it is the same motor.

There was also a Y16XE version, which differs from the Z16XE by one lambda-probe and compliance with Euro-3 environmental standards.

The timing drive on X16XEL, X16XE, Z16XE and Y16XE is belt-driven, the timing belt replacement is required after every 60 thousand kilometers. Otherwise, in case of its breakage, the motor bends valves. Unlike the 8-valve X16SZR, these 16-valve motors use normal distributed fuel injection.

The analog of the Z16XE engine – F16D3 – was put on Chevrolet and Daewoo cars.

On the basis of X16XEL there was a 1.4-liter version X14XE and a larger motor X18XE1, with a working volume of 1.8 liters.

Produced Z16XE until 2005, then it was replaced by a 16-valve Z16XEP.

Problems and disadvantages of Opel X16XEL and Z16XE engines

1. Oil burn on the X16XEL. This engine has a problem with oil caps, which tend to fly off and to fix this problem you need to change the valve guides.
   On other engines, if there are signs of oil consumption, it is very likely that the rings are lodged and it is necessary to do a complete overhaul, raskoksovki here will not help.
2. EGR problems. Over time, this miracle device is clogged, and you have problems like engine dullness, floating revs and other unpleasant things. You have to either clean it regularly or plug the EGR.

Otherwise, all these motors are average and with good oil (not fake), regular and quality maintenance, with quality gasoline they can go long enough.

Tuning the engine X16XEL and Z16XE

The cheapest option is to put a cold intake, exhaust manifold 4-1 without a catalytic converter, straight-through exhaust system and flash the control unit. This will give an increase of about 10-15 hp. Well, you don’t need to go further, you will have sound and a small increase in power, but if you really want to feed the camshaft manufacturers, then buy Dbilas dynamic 262, lift 10.0 mm, take another intake manifold from the same manufacturer, do porting of the cylinder head with channel alignment and don’t forget to customize the control unit for the new iron.

To turbocharge this motor the way it should be done is very expensive and it is easier to weld a 2 liter turbo motor or buy a car with it.

MOTOR RATING: 4