Opel X30XE engine characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Vauxhall Ellesmere Port |
| Engine make | X30XE |
| Years of manufacture | 1994-2005 |
| Cylinder block material | cast iron |
| Power system | injector |
| Type | V-type |
| Number of cylinders | 6 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 85 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 86 |
| Compression ratio | 10.8 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 2962 |
| Engine power, hp/rpm | 211/6000 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 270/3400, 270/3600 |
| Fuel | 95 |
| Environmental standards | Euro 2 |
| Engine weight, kg | – |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | city: 14.7, highway: 7.9, mixed: 10.4 |
| Oil consumption, gr./1000 km | up to 600 |
| Engine oil | 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40, 5W-50, 10W-40, 15W-40 |
| How much oil in the engine, liters | 5.75 |
| Oil change is carried out, km | 15000 (better 7500) |
| Engine operating temperature, deg. | 90-95 |
| Engine life, thousand kilometers | Factory data: -, in practice: 300+ |
| Tuning, h.p. | potential: -, without loss of resource: – |
| Motor installed | Opel Omega B, Opel Vectra B i30, Opel Sintra, Cadillac Catera, Saturn L, Saturn Vue |
Opel X30XE engine troubleshooting and repair
In 1994, the X30XE engine was introduced, based on the 2.5-liter X25XE, which succeeded the C30SE, C30SEJ and C30NE models. The X30XE’s cylinder block height remained the same as the X25XE, but the cylinder bore was increased from 81.6 mm to 86 mm. A crankshaft with increased piston stroke to 85 mm was installed inside the block, and the connecting rods were lengthened to 148 mm. The piston compression height remained the same at 30.4 mm and the compression ratio remained at 10.8.
The engine is fitted with two DOHC cylinder heads, each with four valves per cylinder, similar to the X25XE but adapted to the modified block. The intake valves are 32 mm in diameter and the exhaust valves are 29 mm in diameter, with a valve stem thickness of 6 mm. The X30XE camshaft characteristics are: phase 252/252, lift 10.0/10.0 mm.
The camshafts are driven by a timing belt. Service life of the timing belt is 60 thousand kilometers. It is important to replace the belt in time to avoid negative consequences, such as bent valves.
On the intake is used manifold with variable geometry Multi Ram. The injectors have a capacity of 204 cc. The control unit here is Bosch Motronic M 2.8.3, except for the Omega B where Motronic M 2.8.1 is installed.
In 1998, the cylinder head intake ducts and intake manifold were improved and the ECU was tuned. This increased power to 211 hp at 6000 rpm and torque to 270 Nm at 3400 rpm.
In the same year, the X30XEI motor was released, featuring camshafts, exhaust system and ECU software. These changes increased power to 220 hp at 6,200 rpm and torque to 300 Nm at 3,600 rpm.
In North America, this engine is known as the Chevrolet L81 and was installed in the U.S.-adapted Omega B models, called the Cadillac Catera. The L81 was also used in the Saturn Vue and Saturn L. SAAB 9000 cars were equipped with the B308I engine, similar to the L81 and X30XE.
In 2001, Opel discontinued the X30XE engine in its cars, replacing it with the 3.2-liter Y32SE. The Chevrolet L81 continued to be installed in the Saturn.
Opel X30XE engine problems and disadvantages
- This motor does not like frost and there are problems with starting at low temperatures
- Lubricant here constantly oozes from under the valve cover and floods the spark plug wells
- Often the oil cooler leaks, from there the grease gets into the cooling system
- Because of the low position of the oil pan, any damage to the oil pan will block it
- Monitor the condition of the timing belt, its life is 60 thousand kilometers, and if it breaks, it bends the valves
Tuning the engine Opel X30XE
In nature there are very few available options to increase the power of this engine, it remains only to remove the catalytic converters and do chip tuning. This will add 10-15 hp, which will be almost insignificant.
MOTOR RATING: 4