Opel X20XEV engine characteristics
The X20XEV engine, produced at the Opel plant in Kaiserslautern from 1994 to 2000, is one of the popular gasoline engines, which was installed in various models of Opel cars. This engine is characterized by reliability and durability, as well as good performance characteristics, which makes it in demand among car enthusiasts.
Design and configuration
The X20XEV engine is an inline four-cylinder motor with a cast iron cylinder block, which gives it high strength and resistance to loads. The engine is equipped with an injector feed system to ensure efficient combustion. Each cylinder has four valves, which improves air intake and exhaust processes, increasing overall engine performance. The piston stroke and cylinder bore are each 86 mm, which, combined with a compression ratio of 10.8, allows for optimum power and torque characteristics.
Performance
The X20XEV engine has a displacement of 1998cc and is capable of producing 136 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. The torque varies depending on the modification and is 185 Nm at 4000 rpm or 188 Nm at 3200 rpm. These characteristics provide Opel cars with good dynamic qualities and good driveability.
Economy and environmental regulations
The X20XEV engine meets Euro 2 environmental standards, making it relatively environmentally friendly by the standards of its time. Fuel consumption for Opel Astra G with this engine is about 12.0 liters per 100 km in city mode, 6.6 liters per 100 km on the highway and 8.6 liters per 100 km in mixed cycle. The engine runs on AI-95 gasoline.
Oil and maintenance
To ensure reliable engine operation it is recommended to use quality engine oil with different viscosities, including 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40, 10W-40 and 15W-40. The engine oil capacity is 4.25 liters and oil changes are recommended every 15000 km, although it is better to perform them every 7500 km for maximum reliability. Oil consumption can reach up to 750 grams per 1000 km.
Longevity and tuning
The factory resource of the X20XEV engine is more than 300 thousand kilometers, but in practice this figure is often exceeded, which confirms the high quality and reliability of the unit. The potential for tuning allows you to increase the engine output to 200+ horsepower without significant loss of resource, which makes it attractive for enthusiasts and fans of improving the performance of their cars.
Application
The X20XEV engine has been installed in a variety of Opel vehicle models, including:
- Opel/Vauxhall Astra G
- Opel/Vauxhall Calibra
- Opel/Vauxhall Omega B
- Opel/Vauxhall Vectra B
These cars are known for their reliability and good performance, which makes them popular among car enthusiasts.
Opel X20XEV engine troubleshooting and repair
In 1994, a new 2-liter 4-cylinder motor was launched, which was intended to replace the C20XE. The cylinder block on the X20XEV is different, but it is extremely close to the C20XE, with a new crankshaft, other connecting rods and pistons fitted inside. Compression height of pistons is 30.4 mm, compression ratio increased to 10.8.
The X20XEV cylinder head is completely new, with 16 valves. Diameter of inlet valves is 32 mm, exhaust valves 29 mm, valve stem thickness is 6 mm. The camshaft characteristics are as follows: phase 240/240, lift 10.0/10.0 mm.
This motor uses timing belt drive. The timing belt should be replaced after every 60 thousand kilometers. You should not skip this procedure otherwise, in case of belt breakage, your X20XEV will bend valves.
There is no need to adjust the valves here – hydrocompensators are installed.
On the inlet there is a manifold with variable geometry VIS. Performance of standard injectors on X20XEV is 204 cc.
To meet Euro-2 standards, X20XEV engines were equipped with EGR valve, for re-combustion of part of the exhaust gases.
Since 1998, restyled engines with balancer shafts and SIMTEC 70 control unit instead of SIMTEC 56.5 (before 1996 was SIMTEC 56.1) were used.
On the basis of X20XEV was developed and produced in limited edition (3000 units) slightly more evil atmospheric engine X20XER. It differed camshafts with a phase 265 and lift 10.6, valve springs, crankshaft with flywheel, connecting rods, pistons, oil cooler, intake and exhaust systems, control unit SIMTEC 70. There are also no balancer shafts on the X20XER. This resulted in 160 hp at 6,500 rpm and 188 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm.
Also on the basis of X20XEV produced turbo version Z20LET, 1.8-liter X18XE and X22XE.
In 2000, production of the X20XEV engine was discontinued and the 2.2-liter Z22SE began to be installed instead.
Problems and disadvantages of X20XEV engines
- Motor stalls, revs float. See the idle speed regulator, it needs to be cleaned or replaced periodically. Also need to clean the crankcase gas ventilation.
- High fuel consumption, floating rpm. It is necessary to check the exhaust manifold, most likely there is a crack in it. This is a common problem on your engine. Welding the crack in most cases is pointless, you just need to buy a new manifold or a whole used one.
In addition, on the X20XEV periodically dies DPRV, which entails dullness of the car at low speeds with a burning check and cutoff at 4500 rpm. The problem is solved by replacing the sensor with a normal original one.
All other problems and diseases of this 2-liter motor are caused by old age and wear and tear.
Opel X20XEV engine tuning
X20XEV turbo
The space for tuning the X20XEV is quite wide:
- Buying a car with a Z20LET.
- Swap a Z20LET.
- Conversion to a Z20LET. This makes sense if there is a free donor turbo motor available.
To realize the last option you need pistons, oil cooler, all intake and exhaust, turbo and all electronics with wiring from Z20LET. You also need to do the oil feed to the turbo and oil drain.
It makes no sense to build an atmospheric based on an X20XEV when there are factory components to build a turbo motor. Nevertheless, if the desire to waste money sticks around, then you can go the route of atmospheric tuning of the C20XE.
MOTOR RATING: 4