Engine Opel Z18XE

The 1.8-liter Opel Z18XE or 2H9 engine was assembled at a plant in Hungary from 2000 to 2009 and installed on almost all popular mid-size models of the group of its time. This power unit was essentially a modernized version of the famous X18XE1 motor.

The Z15 family also includes engines: Z16SE, Z16XE, Z16XEP, Z16XER and Z18XER.

The engine was installed on:

  • Opel Astra G (T98) in 2000 – 2005; Astra H (A04) in 2004 – 2006;
  • Opel Corsa C (X01) in 2001 – 2006;
  • Opel Meriva A (X03) in 2003 – 2009;
  • Opel Vectra B (J96) in 2000 – 2002; Vectra C (Z02) in 2002 – 2005;
  • Opel Signum A (Z03) in 2003 – 2005;
  • Opel Tigra B (X04) in 2004 – 2009;
  • Opel Zafira A (T98) in 2000 – 2005.

Specifications

Production years 2000-2009
Displacement, cc 1796
Fuel system distributed injection
Power output, hp 125
Torque output, Nm 170
Cylinder block cast iron R4
Block head aluminum 16v
Cylinder bore, mm 80.5
Piston stroke, mm 88.2
Compression ratio 10.5
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 4
Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Opel Vectra 2001)
— city
— highway
— combined
11.0
6.0
7.8
Engine lifespan, km ~300 000
Weight, kg 125

Disadvantages of the Z18XE engine

  • The unit is famous for its reliability, but it has a weak point – an unreliable ECU;
  • The engine control unit often fails due to overheating, and a new one is not cheap;
  • The timing belt changes every 60,000 km, if you miss it, then when it breaks, the valves will bend;
  • The reason for the floating engine speed is usually a dirty throttle.

2 thoughts on “Engine Opel Z18XE”

  1. In Australia the had 2 different ECU’s one is prone to malfunctions the other is fine
    In your colder climate countries the engine thrives BUT here where our driving distances are often greater and temperatures much higher the engine mortality rate much higher due to different expansion rate of the cast iron block multi layer head gasket and aluminium head, the head’s tend to fret away between the cylinders (very common problem)
    Yes they also like to be serviced at a lot shorter interval than recommended helps stop the carbon build up on top of the head around the valves
    All in all I like them, Generally a good economical engine for day to day use

  2. James Barber

    It’s Gods engine, and with oil changes every 16,000 Km will last well over 300k

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