Opel Insignia engines

Opel Insignia is a middle class car from the German manufacturer Adam Opel AG. Start of production – 2009. It is produced in three body modifications 4-door sedan, 5-door hatchback and 5-door station wagon and full or front wheel drive configuration. Model name Insignia – means “emblem” in translation. In 2017, a new generation of the machine was introduced. Since 2011, the car began to be assembled at the Kaliningrad plant in Russia – Avtokor.

The Opel Insignia was offered with 11 engines between 2008 and 2017 (10 petrol, 1 diesel). Displacement ranges from 1.4 to 2.8 liters, power output from 115 to 280 hp. 5 use a timing chain and 6 a timing belt. 7 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Opel A28NET (about 350,000 km).

Opel Insignia engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Opel Insignia A (G09) 2008–2017
Opel A16LET2008–20131.6 L R4180 hppetrol, turbobelt4.5 L~200,000 km
Opel Z18XER2008–20101.8 L R4140 hppetrolbelt4.5 L~350,000 km
Opel A16XER2008–20121.6 L R4115 hppetrolbelt4.5 L~300,000 km
Opel A20DTH2008–20142.0 L R4160–170 hpdiesel, turbobelt4.5 L~250,000 km
Opel Z16XER2008–20101.6 L R4115 hppetrolbelt4.5 L~350,000 km
Opel A28NET2008–20132.8 L V6260 hppetrol, turbochain6.3 L~350,000 km
Opel A20NHT2008–20132.0 L R4220 hppetrol, turbochain6 L~220,000 km
Opel A18XER2008–20131.8 L R4140 hppetrolbelt4.45 L~320,000 km
Opel A14NET/NEL2011–20171.4 L R4140 hppetrol, turbochain4 L~300,000 km
Opel A20NFT2013–20172.0 L R4250–280 hppetrol, turbochain6.05 L~250,000 km
Opel A16XHT2013–20171.6 L R4170 hppetrol, turbochain4.55 L~275,000 km

Opel Insignia engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Opel Insignia?

Opel Insignia A (G09) (2008–2017): Opel A16LET, Opel Z18XER, Opel A16XER, Opel A20DTH, Opel Z16XER, Opel A28NET, Opel A20NHT, Opel A18XER, Opel A14NET/NEL, Opel A20NFT and Opel A16XHT.

Which Opel Insignia engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Opel Insignia engines are: Opel A28NET — about 350,000 km; Opel Z16XER — about 350,000 km; Opel Z18XER — about 350,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Opel Insignia engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Opel A14NET/NEL — 4 L (5W-30); Opel A16LET — 4.5 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Opel A16XER — 4.5 L (5W-30); Opel A16XHT — 4.55 L (5W-30); Opel A18XER — 4.45 L (5W-30); Opel A20DTH — 4.5 L (5W-30); Opel A20NFT — 6.05 L (5W-30); Opel A20NHT — 6 L (5W-30); Opel A28NET — 6.3 L (5W-30); Opel Z16XER — 4.5 L (5W-30); Opel Z18XER — 4.5 L (5W-30 / 5W-40 / 0W-30 / 0W-40).

Does the Opel Insignia have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Opel A14NET/NEL, Opel A16XHT, Opel A20NFT, Opel A20NHT and Opel A28NET; timing belt: Opel A16LET, Opel A16XER, Opel A18XER, Opel A20DTH, Opel Z16XER and Opel Z18XER. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Opel Insignia available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Opel A20DTH.

Engine details

Opel Z18XER

Opel Z18XER

2005–2010 · 1.8 L R4 · petrol · 140 hp · belt

In the engines of the first years of production, there was a massive marriage in camshafts and phase regulators, but they have…

Opel Z16XER

Opel Z16XER

2006–2010 · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 115 hp · belt

The first power units of this line were equipped with defective phase regulators, but they were replaced under warranty a long time…

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 A16XER

Opel A16XER

2008–present · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 115 hp · belt

Most often, there are ignition problems and the weak point here is the coil module.

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 A20DTH

Opel A20DTH

2008–2015 · 2.0 L R4 · diesel · 160–170 hp · belt

Power units until 2013 often wedged when driving at high speed.

Opel A20NHT

Opel A20NHT

2008–2013 · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 220 hp · chain

In the early years of production, owners often encountered sudden traction failures.

Opel A28NET

Opel A28NET

2008–2013 · 2.8 L V6 · petrol · 260 hp · chain

This turbo engine overheats quickly, so keep an eye on the cooling system.

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.

Opel A20NFT

Opel A20NFT

2012–present · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 250–280 hp · chain

This engine is more reliable than its predecessor, but still delivers a lot of trouble.

Opel A16XHT

Opel A16XHT

2013–present · 1.6 L R4 · petrol · 170 hp · chain

This engine often annoys with excessive noise, whistling and vibrations in operation.

Models with the same engines

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