German concern Opel introduced in 2005, 2 power units at once. The engines Z18XER and Z16XER had a volume of 1.8 and 1.6 liters, respectively, and were identical in their design. Reliability, wear resistance, excellent technical characteristics are inherent in both motors.
Owners of Opel cars of different models appreciated the capabilities of power units.
Technical characteristics of the engine Opel Z18XER 1.8 Ecotec
| Characteristics | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | row |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Number of valves | 16 |
| Definite displacement | 1796 cm³ |
| Cylinder diameter | 80.5 mm |
| Piston stroke | 88.2 mm |
| Power system | distributed injection |
| Power | 140 hp |
| Torque | 175 Nm |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Environmental regulations | Euro 4 |
| Engine weight | 120 kg |
Opel Z18XER 1.8L engine service regulations
Oil service
| Operation | Periodicity |
|---|---|
| Oil change | every 15,000 km |
| Oil volume in the engine | 5.0 liter |
| Requires to change | about 4.5 liters |
| Recommended oil | 5W-30 GM Dexos2 |
Gas distribution mechanism
| Characteristics | Reference |
|---|---|
| Type of timing drive | belt |
| Declared timing life | 120,000 km |
| Practical timing life | 120,000 km |
| In case of breakage/slip | bends valves |
| Valve thermal clearances | |
| Adjustment | every 100,000 km |
| Principle of adjustment | pusher selection |
| Gaps (inlet) | 0.21 – 0.29 mm |
| Gaps (exhaust) | 0.27 – 0.35 mm |
Changing consumables
| Consumables | Replacement intervals |
|---|---|
| Oil filter | 15 thousand km |
| Air filter | 30 thousand km |
| Fuel filter | 30 thousand km |
| Spark plugs | 30 thousand km |
| Auxiliary belt | 90 thousand km |
| Coolant | 3 years or 45 thousand km |
Installation of 1.8 and 1.6 liter motors was relevant in the assembly of cars Opel Astra, Vectra, Insignia, Mokka, Zafira and other modifications. The power unit was also used by other vehicle manufacturers. The motor of this type was installed on Chevrolet Cruz, Orlando, Epica. The engine was purchased by Fiat and Alfa Romeo. In addition to the popular engine Z18XER, a modification A18XER was produced for a long time. Due to the work of the control system, this engine met the requirements of Euro-5 standard.
By design, the power unit was simple enough and not capricious. From the features of the engine it is possible to note the presence of a mechanism for changing the distribution phases. An original design of the intake manifold was introduced for the 1.8-liter engine. The system of changing the length of the manifold includes a drum. The unit has no other features, is a typical atmospheric motor, high-quality and reliable.
It was on the Z16XER and Z18XER units that phase adjusters first appeared on Opel motors
The powertrain comes with a timing drive with a toothed belt. The manufacturer recommends changing the belt at least every 150 thousand kilometers of mileage. In Russian conditions it is required to perform such operation 2 times more often. If these recommendations are followed, there are no claims to the timing drive.
From the beginning of production up to 2008, the Z18XER power unit was equipped with a mass air flow sensor. This element was installed on the intake pipe of the intake manifold. Since 2008, a modernized version of the motor was installed on cars. Instead of DMRV, the manufacturer installed pressure sensors on the motors. This node is located under the control unit. The design of the valve system does not include hydrocompensators. The interval between adjustments of clearances is not more than 100 thousand kilometers of mileage.
“Adjust the valves” on the Opel 1.8 Z18XER motor should be every 100,000 kilometers.
The pistons of the Opel 1.8 Z18XER motor received shortened skirts.
Features of the intake manifold of the Z18XER engine
A rotating drum built into the intake manifold is one of the features of the Z18XER motor. The drum comes complete with a servo motor. This assembly rotates around its axis. The windows located on the drum change position relative to the blank walls. As a result, the volume and velocity of the air flow changes.
If the power unit operates at idle speed, the air supply is carried out along the long contour. When the load increases, the air masses arrive along a short path. Motors of previous generations had a different scheme of operation. the intensity of air supply was regulated by throttle flaps.
The engine Opel 1.8 Z18XER exclusively received an intake manifold with a “drum” mechanism for controlling the intake channels.
Main problems of the Z18XER powertrain
Despite the reliability, wear resistance, excellent technical characteristics, the motors of this brand have some problems. If you do not comply with the manufacturer’s requirements, skip scheduled preventive maintenance and servicing, do not pay attention to unpleasant symptoms in operation, the motor can fail. In some cases, expensive repairs may be required.
Problems with the ignition module of the Z18XER engine
Scheduled replacement of the ignition module is carried out every 70 thousand kilometers of mileage. For power units with a volume of 1.8 liters, this module is a consumable item. When the block fails, the engine begins to trottle, power and dynamics are lost. Most often, the Z18XER motor breaks down in the cold season, winter or fall.
The ignition module fails when using poor-quality spark plugs or untimely replacement. Also module breakdowns occur when moisture gets into the spark plug channels, condensation formation with a sharp change in temperature. With module defects, breakdowns in the wiring are most often recorded. To exclude such situations, various methods are used, such as insulation with epoxy resin or heat shrink tubing.
The ignition module of the Opel 1.8 Z18XER engine is a consumable. Usually it does not go more than 70,000 km. In case of insulation breakdown, it can be restored with heat shrink tubing.
Typical breakdowns of the phase regulator
The Z18XER motor is equipped with hydraulic phase shifters, which are responsible for changing the phases of the power unit. The valves installed in the system are sensitive to the quality of lubrication. If the oil is not changed in time or if low-quality compositions are used, the valves fail, which leads to failure of the phase shifters. The power unit begins to knock. In tone and intensity, extraneous noises are similar to the work of a diesel engine.
Each phasoregulator is made in the form of two gears connected to each other. These elements are responsible for the work of the crankshaft and camshaft, between each other the elements are connected by special blades. A special container contains grease. Adjustment of the crankshaft and camshaft position is realized by changing the volume of oil in the container. The system works by rotating the inner gear relative to the outer gear.
If there is a problem with the lubricant, such as poor quality or insufficient volume, the gears rotate dry. Blades touch the walls of the pockets. The driver hears strong extraneous knocking noises. When starting the power unit in cold weather, such a knock can be heard often, it disappears after a few seconds of engine operation.
If after some time the extraneous noises remain at the same level or intensify, it is necessary to contact a service center and perform a diagnosis of the motor. If the lubrication system is not repaired in time, the phase regulator may fail. Determine the presence of a defect can be determined by fault codes, the detection of which is performed during the diagnosis of the car. To reduce the risk of equipment failure, it is necessary to buy only quality oil, as well as use original valve filters.
The Z18XER motor phasoregulators are relatively inexpensive and usually do not cause problems.
In no case should you save money on oil service of Z18XER motor (and other engines too): the valve screens-filters controlling phasoregulators get clogged and problems start.
Heat exchanger and oil leaks
In Opel Z18XER engines, a special heat exchanger is installed. This module is responsible for preheating the lubricant and maintaining the optimal oil temperature. The node is located below the intake manifold. In some situations, the heat exchanger begins to leak. First of all, leaks are fixed when the seals are worn out. Loss of tightness is expressed in leaks of oil, coolant, emulsion.
To avoid more serious breakdowns, it is necessary to eliminate leaks as quickly as possible. Native parts are usually replaced after 70 thousand kilometers of mileage. In the future, consumables should be changed more often. At 100 thousand kilometers, the thermostat is changed. Unscheduled oil replacement is necessary when signs of mixing grease with antifreeze are detected. Oil leaks are sometimes fixed in the support points of the camshaft. If the car is not under warranty, the breakdown is eliminated independently in the service center.
The notorious heat exchanger of the Z18XER motor: the gasket is not distinguished by durability and leaks.
Degradation of the diaphragm in the crankcase gas ventilation system
Opel Z18XER and Opel Z16XER powertrains manufactured before October 13, 2008 have a well-known problem. The crankcase gas ventilation system comes with a diaphragm made of special rubber. With prolonged use there is degradation of the rubber seal, the tightness of the system is broken. Removal of crankcase gases is carried out intermittently, air is sucked in from outside, extraneous noise appears.
The jumper on the front wall of the motor gave a leak due to poor-quality casting.
If the owner of the car hears air whistling when the engine is running, it is necessary to find the cause of the defect. To do this, it is necessary to remove the oil dipstick, the oil filler cap is removed. If the extraneous noise stops, the problem is in the loss of tightness of the diaphragm. It is also possible to determine the breakdown by error codes during engine diagnostics.
The consequences of diaphragm wear are as follows:
- air streams, bypassing the filter element, come from the engine compartment under the valve cover;
- increased gas pressure is created in the crankcase, resulting in the squeezing of oil out of the power unit,
- piston rings work with interruptions;
- loss of engine power, revolutions begin to “float”, problems with starting the engine are fixed, the ignition unit can fail
- the ignition unit may go out of order;
- immediately after starting the power unit begins to stall.
Independently disassemble the valve and replace the diaphragm is difficult. It is best to contact a service center. Experienced engineers will replace the entire valve cover or install only a new diaphragm.
Malfunctions of the linkage belt and camshaft position sensor
Opel 1.6 or 1.8 liter powertrains made between 2005 and 2008 have another typical problem. When the motor works in conjunction with an automatic transmission, noises of the poly-V-belt can be recorded. This situation happens on a cold engine. To solve the problem, it is necessary to change the pulley to a similar unit complete with overrunning clutch. After 2007, pulleys of modern type were immediately installed on most power units.
Camshaft position sensors can also cause failure of Opel powertrains. Motors 1.6 and 1.8 liters in the first years of production were equipped with not the most reliable camshafts, which periodically refused to start. At diagnostics the corresponding errors were displayed. The standard gap between the sensors and the sickle-type protrusion should not exceed 1.9 mm. If the distance between the elements is greater, the signal is not recognized by the electronic control unit. In such situations, replacement of the camshaft with a similar part helps. It is desirable to purchase nodes released after 2008.
The membrane of the crankcase gas ventilation system is not easy to “forge”. Usually people just change the entire valve cover.
Possible breakdowns of the Opel powertrain
Reliability, wear resistance and durability are the main advantages of Z18XER power units. Motors are not capricious and with timely maintenance are able to effectively work off the entire resource. The main problems of the engine are associated with the failure of the ignition unit, malfunction of the camshaft position sensor or crankcase gas exhaust system.
Masters of the service center are faced with breakdowns caused by the failure of the electronic control unit. On Opel engines sometimes burns out the ignition module. The main causes are failure of terminals or contacts, failure of the coolant sensor. When the ECU receives incorrect readings of the error in the preparation of the fuel mixture affects the power unit, in some cases the motor simply does not start. Otherwise, Z18XER engines have practically no problems. The main rule is timely maintenance and the use of quality consumables.
An unpleasant feature of early copies of the Opel Z18XER engine: the pressed sickle-shaped protrusions slipped from their places.