Engine Opel Z16SE

The 1.6-liter Opel Z16SE or L55 engine was assembled from 2000 to 2004 at a plant in Hungary and installed on a number of popular models of its time, such as Astra, Corsa, Meriva. This unit, in fact, was only an upgraded version of the famous X16SZR motor.

The Z15 family also includes engines: Z16XE, Z16XEP, Z16XER, Z18XE and Z18XER.

Compared to its predecessor, the Z16SE has a completely different intake manifold, a changed cylinder head, a new valve cover gasket, completely different pistons and a completely changed cylinder-piston group. The environmental standards of the engine have been brought up to Euro-4 indicators. The 8-valve engine was produced until 2004, after which it was replaced with a 16-valve analogue. Decoding of marking Z16SE:

  • Z – Euro 4 engine;
  • 16 – 1.6 liters;
  • S – Compression ratio 9.5-10.0: 1;
  • E – multiport fuel injection system.

The engine was installed on:

  • Opel Astra G (T98) in 2000 – 2004;
  • Opel Corsa C (X01) in 2001 – 2004;
  • Opel Combo C (F06) in 2002 – 2004;
  • Opel Meriva A (X03) in 2003 – 2004.

Specifications

Production years 2000-2004
Displacement, cc 1598
Fuel system distributed injection
Power output, hp 84
Torque output, Nm 138
Cylinder block cast iron R4
Block head aluminum 8v
Cylinder bore, mm 79
Piston stroke, mm 81.5
Compression ratio 9.6
Features no
Hydraulic lifters yes
Timing drive belt
Phase regulator no
Turbocharging no
Recommended engine oil 5W-30
Engine oil capacity, liter 3.25
Fuel type petrol
Euro standards EURO 4
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Opel Astra 2001)
— city
— highway
— combined
9.8
5.8
7.3
Engine lifespan, km ~350 000
Weight, kg 100

Disadvantages of the Z16SE engine

  • The main problem of this motor is in the oil burner and decoking does not help it for a long time;
  • This issue can be radically solved only with the help of a full overhaul;
  • The catalyst is destroyed very quickly, and its dust is sometimes sucked into the cylinders;
  • The timing belt runs quietly up to 100 – 120 thousand km and when it breaks, the valves do not bend.

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