Opel engines: What you should know about Opel engines
Opel Automobile GmbH is one of the best-known German car manufacturers. Opel was founded in 1862 and belonged to the American General Motors Company for a long time from 1931. Later, Opel became part of the PSA Group, and became part of the Stellantis automotive group from the beginning of 2021.
Opel has developed numerous engines over the years. Many Opel engines achieve high mileage without any problems, while other engine types are prone to defects. These include, for example, elongated timing chains, but also oil loss or rattling valves. However, one or the other Opel vehicle was equipped with engines from a third-party manufacturer.
For example, diesel engines from BMW were also installed in the Opel Omega. Opel in turn developed engines for Saab models, while the Swedish manufacturer belonged to GM with Opel. Since Opel was merged with other manufacturers in the PSA group, various Opel engines were also installed in Peugeot and vice versa.
Sales designations frequently used by Opel, such as Ecoflex or Ecotec, do not necessarily indicate a specific type of engine. The designations were used for different engine types and for both diesel and petrol engines. For some years now, Opel has also offered models with purely electric engines.
What you should know and these Opel engines you should know
Since model year 1987, Opel has used a new type of code system for engines. The first digit in the engine code indicates the exhaust emission standard, the second and third digits provide information about the engine size. The fourth digit indicates the compression ratio for petrol engines, diesel engines have a D in the designation. The following digits indicate the mixture system or the special version. An Opel engine with the engine code X 17 DTL is therefore a 1.7 litre diesel engine.
Opel petrol engines
- GM Family 0 engine: The Family Zero engines were developed at Opel during the brand’s time together with General Motors. They are in-line engines with three or four cylinders, which have a cast iron engine block and an aluminium cylinder head. The valve train is DOHC with two overhead camshafts, and all cylinders have four valves each. This Opel engine was used in entry-level models such as the Opel Corsa, Agila or Meriva are installed.
- GM 54° V6 engine: In order to be able to accommodate engines with six cylinders even in a rather compact vehicle or a car with front-wheel drive, the V6 engine was developed with a reduced bank angle. The installation of the engines with aluminium cylinder heads, overhead camshafts and four-valve technology was used for example in the Opel Omega, Vectra or Signum.
Opel Diesel Engines
- Opel CDTi engine: The abbreviation CDTi stands for Common-Rail Diesel Turbo Injection, and describes a range of diesel engines. The engines have a modern Common-Rail direct injection and are equipped with one or two turbochargers. The CDTi engines can be found, for example, in the Opel Astra, Zafira or Insignia.
10 modern Opel engines and drive concepts
- 1.2 L Start/Stop: Opel entry-level engine found in the Opel Corsa small car. The engine with three cylinders in a row arrangement uses petrol as fuel and is designed as a naturally aspirated engine. Opel gets an output of 75 hp with 118 Nm of torque from 1.2 litres of displacement.
- 1.2 L Direct Injection Turbo: More powerful Opel engine for the Opel Corsa model. Turbocharged three-cylinder in-line petrol engine with 1.2 litre displacement. The transversely mounted engine with manual or automatic transmission produces 100 hp and 205 Nm torque.
- 1.2i Start/Stop: naturally aspirated petrol engine with 1.2 litre displacement and multi-point injection. The Opel engine with three cylinders in a row arrangement has an engine output of 83 hp and 118 Nm torque. The engine is installed in the Opel Crossland.
- 1.2 Turbo: Modern 1.2 litre three-cylinder petrol engine with turbocharging. The in-line engine produces 130 hp with 230 Nm torque. In the Opel Astra, this engine is fitted either with a manual transmission or as an automatic version with 8-speed manual transmission.
- GSi 2.0 Direct Injection Turbo 4×4: Powerful engine as a 2 litre 4 cylinder in-line petrol engine with turbocharging. The unit with an engine output of 230 hp and 350 Nm torque is installed in the Opel Insignia Grand Sport with automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
- 1.5d Start/Stop: Modern in-line diesel engine with four cylinders and turbocharger. The diesel engine with common rail injection and a displacement of 1.5 litres is used by Opel in models such as the Opel Astra. Here, the engine produces 130 hp and 300 Nm of torque.
- 2.0d 4×4 Automatic: Powerful diesel as a four-cylinder in-line engine with turbo and common rail injection. Opel installs the engines with 174 hp engine output and 380 Nm torque coupled to an automatic transmission in the Insignia Grand Sport with all-wheel drive.
- 1.6 Turbo Plug-in Hybrid: For the modern plug-in concept, Opel uses a four-cylinder in-line petrol engine with 1.6 litres displacement, which is combined with an electric motor. The power unit with 180 hp system output and 360 Nm torque is installed in the Opel Astra Hybrid.
- 1.6i Turbo Plug-in Hybrid4 AWD: Powerful plug-in hybrid concept with 300 hp system output. Opel combines a 1.6 litre petrol engine with turbocharger and two electric motors. The plug-in all-wheel drive system is found in the Opel Grandland.
- EMR3 electric motor: This motor comes from the manufacturer Vitesco Technologies and is installed in the Opel Mokka-e B model. The electric motor has an output of 100 kW (136 hp) and 260 Nm torque and is coupled to a 1-speed transmission.
Buy used Opel engine for your vehicle upon engine damage
After an engine failure on an Opel, an alternative to expensive engine repair is the installation of a replacement engine. Used Opel engines are usually readily available, and engine replacement can also be easily carried out depending on the vehicle. One of the advantages of an engine replacement is the favourable prices for replacement engines. It is often worth installing a replacement engine to breathe new life into an Opel after engine damage.
At Autoparts24.eu you can find used engines in good condition that have been removed by car recyclers. After entering the vehicle data or the OE number, suitable replacement engines are displayed with all the important info in the overview, so that no question remains unanswered. With just a few clicks you can buy used Opel engines that will be delivered directly to you. You can also find other original car parts such as Opel OEM parts at Autoparts24.