The 2.0-liter Opel X20XEV or Ecotec L34 engine was assembled from 1994 to 2000 in Germany and was installed on the vast majority of mid-size models of the concern of its time. After a major update in 1998, a new ECU and balancer shafts appeared in the engines.
The X20 series also includes engines: X20SE, X22SE, X22XE, X25XE and X30XE.
The engine was installed on:
- Opel Astra F (T92) in 1996 – 2000; Astra G (T98) in 1998 – 2000;
- Opel Calibra A (C89) in 1994 – 1997;
- Opel Omega B (V94) in 1994 – 1999;
- Opel Vectra A (J89) in 1994 – 1995; Vectra B (J96) in 1995 – 2000.
Specifications
| Production years | 1994-2000 |
| Displacement, cc | 1998 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 136 |
| Torque output, Nm | 185 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 86 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 86 |
| Compression ratio | 10.8 |
| Features | VIS |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 4.25 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 2 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Opel Omega 1998) — city — highway — combined |
13.5 7.4 8.5 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~350 000 |
| Weight, kg | 140 |
Disadvantages of the X20XEV engine
- A simple and reliable engine rarely breaks down, but is repaired inexpensively;
- From floating speed, cleaning either the idle speed controller or the crankcase ventilation system helps;
- Sometimes the exhaust manifold cracks;
- Relatively often, the camshaft position sensor fails here;
- Monitor the condition of the timing belt, its resource is 60 thousand km, and when it breaks, the valves bend.
The X20XEV is a horrible engine! Very unreliable and down on power in comparison to the older, but more sophisticated and more powerful C20XE “Red Top” engine.