Chevrolet Cruze engines

Chevrolet Cruze is a mid-size car and a global project of the US corporation General Motors. The first generation of the J300, produced since 2008, is produced in three five-seat body versions – a 4-door sedan, and a 5-door station wagon and hatchback. The production of the second generation Cruze J400 (hatchback and sedan) began in 2015. Initially, the Cruze, produced from 2001 to 2008, was a compact crossover for the Asian region. In Russia, the Chevrolet Cruze was manufactured at the plant in St. Petersburg and Kaliningrad.

The Chevrolet Cruze was offered with 12 engines between 2008 and 2020 (9 petrol, 3 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.4 to 2.0 liters, power output from 90 to 180 hp. 6 use a timing chain and 5 a timing belt. 7 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Chevrolet Z20S (about 380,000 km).

Chevrolet Cruze engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Chevrolet Cruze 1 (J300) 2008–2016
Chevrolet F18D42008–20161.8 L R4141 hppetrolbelt4.6 L~350,000 km
Chevrolet F16D42008–20161.6 L R4113–124 hppetrolbelt4.5 L~350,000 km
Chevrolet F16D32008–20101.6 L109 hppetrol3.75 L~350,000 km
Chevrolet Z20S2009–20102.0 L R4150 hpdiesel, turbobelt5.75 L~380,000 km
GM LUV2010–20151.4 L R4138–140 hppetrol, turbochain4 L~250,000 km
Chevrolet Z20D12011–20142.0 L R4163 hpdiesel, turbochain5.4 L~320,000 km
Chevrolet Cruze 2 (J400) 2016–2020
GM LE22016–20201.4 L R4150–155 hppetrol, turbochain4 L~250,000 km
GM LH72017–20191.6 L R4136 hpdiesel, turbochain5 L~250,000 km
Other Chevrolet Cruze engines generation not specified
Opel Z14XEP2003–20101.4 L R490 hppetrolchain3.5 L~275,000 km
Opel A16LET2008–20131.6 L R4180 hppetrol, turbobelt4.5 L~200,000 km
Opel A18XER2008–20151.8 L R4140 hppetrolbelt4.45 L~320,000 km
Opel A14NET/NEL2009–present1.4 L R4140 hppetrol, turbochain4 L~300,000 km

Chevrolet Cruze engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Chevrolet Cruze?

Chevrolet Cruze 1 (J300) (2008–2016): Chevrolet F18D4, Chevrolet F16D4, Chevrolet F16D3, Chevrolet Z20S, GM LUV and Chevrolet Z20D1; Chevrolet Cruze 2 (J400) (2016–2020): GM LE2 and GM LH7.

Which Chevrolet Cruze engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Chevrolet Cruze engines are: Chevrolet Z20S — about 380,000 km; Chevrolet F16D3 — about 350,000 km; Chevrolet F16D4 — about 350,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Chevrolet Cruze engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Chevrolet F16D3 — 3.75 L (10W-30 / 5W-30); Chevrolet F16D4 — 4.5 L (5W-30); Chevrolet F18D4 — 4.6 L (5W-30); Chevrolet Z20D1 — 5.4 L (5W-30); Chevrolet Z20S — 5.75 L (5W-30); GM LE2 — 4 L (5W-30); GM LH7 — 5 L (5W-30); GM LUV — 4 L (5W-30); Opel A14NET/NEL — 4 L (5W-30); Opel A16LET — 4.5 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Opel A18XER — 4.45 L (5W-30); Opel Z14XEP — 3.5 L (5W-30).

Does the Chevrolet Cruze have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Chevrolet Z20D1, GM LE2, GM LH7, GM LUV, Opel A14NET/NEL and Opel Z14XEP; timing belt: Chevrolet F16D4, Chevrolet F18D4, Chevrolet Z20S, Opel A16LET and Opel A18XER. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Chevrolet Cruze available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Chevrolet Z20D1, Chevrolet Z20S and GM LH7.

Engine details

Opel Z14XEP

Opel Z14XEP

2003–2010 · 1.4 L R4 · petrol · 90 hp · chain

the biggest problem here is the constantly stuck Twinport dampers.

Chevrolet F16D3

Chevrolet F16D3

2004–2013 · 1.6 L · petrol · 109 hp

In the engines of this series, the manufacturer incorrectly selected the gaps in the sleeve-valve pair and therefore their plates quickly overgrow…

Chevrolet Z20S

Chevrolet Z20S

2006–2011 · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 150 hp · belt

This engine is not considered problematic, on specialized forums it is more often praised than scolded.

Chevrolet F16D4

Chevrolet F16D4

2008–2020 · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 113–124 hp · belt

The most famous problem with this engine is the failure of the phase regulators. In the early years, they were often changed…

Chevrolet F18D4

Chevrolet F18D4

2008–2016 · 1.8 L R4 · petrol · 141 hp · belt

Dieseling of the motor indicates a breakdown of the solenoid valves of the phase regulator.

Opel A16LET

Opel A16LET

2008–2013 · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 180 hp · belt

The most famous problem with this engine is the destruction of the piston of the 4th cylinder and the reason may be…

Opel A18XER

Opel A18XER

2008–2015 · 1.8 L R4 · petrol · 140 hp · belt

The ignition system delivers the most problems, especially the module with coils.

Opel A14NET/NEL

Opel A14NET/NEL

2009–present · 1.4 L R4 · petrol · 140 hp · chain

Motors in this series are notorious for noise, clicking and whistling in operation, but this is normal.

Chevrolet Z20D1

Chevrolet Z20D1

2010–2015 · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 163 hp · chain

The unit is sensitive to the quality of diesel fuel and after 100,000 km it often starts to mope.

GM LUV

GM LUV

2010–2020 · 1.4 L R4 · petrol · 138–140 hp · chain

First of all, these turbine units are known for their reduced performance in cold weather.

GM LE2

GM LE2

2016–present · 1.4 L R4 · petrol · 150–155 hp · chain

The main problem here is the high requirements for maintenance and fuel quality.

GM LH7

GM LH7

2017–2019 · 1.6 L R4 · diesel · 136 hp · chain

This is a modern diesel engine with particulate and SCR filters, as well as urea injection.

Models with the same engines

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