The 1.6-liter Opel Z16XE or Ecotec L91 engine was produced from 2000 to 2005 in Hungary and was installed on the most popular concern models of its time, such as Astra, Vectra, Zafira. The power unit is essentially just an updated version of the famous X16XEL motor.
The Z15 family also includes engines: Z16SE, Z16XEP, Z16XER, Z18XE and Z18XER.
The engine was installed on:
- Opel Astra G (T98) in 2000 – 2005;
- Opel Meriva A (X03) in 2003 – 2005;
- Opel Vectra B (J96) in 2000 – 2002; Vectra C (Z02) in 2004 – 2005;
- Opel Zafira A (T98) in 2000 – 2005.
Specifications
| Production years | 2000-2005 |
| Displacement, cc | 1598 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 101 |
| Torque output, Nm | 150 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 79 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 81.5 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Features | no |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | belt |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | no |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 3.5 |
| Fuel type | petrol |
| Euro standards | EURO 4 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Opel Astra 2004) — city — highway — combined |
9.5 5.5 7.0 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~320 000 |
| Weight, kg | 120 |
Disadvantages of the Z16XE engine
- Most often, owners complain about the oil burner and decarbonization does not always help here;
- The reason for the oil consumption is usually in valve stem seals that have come off the guides;
- The culprit for the loss of traction and floating engine speed is a clogged EGR valve;
- According to the regulations, the timing belt changes every 60,000 km or, if it breaks, it will bend the valves;
- Electrical problems regularly arise due to weak wiring or ECU glitches.
