The vast majority of the company’s mid-size models at the time were equipped with the 2.0-liter Opel X20XEV or Ecotec L34 engine, which was manufactured in Germany between 1994 and 2000. A new ECU and balancer shafts were added to the engines following a significant update in 1998.
The X20SE, X22SE, X22XE, X25XE, and X30XE engines are also part of the X20 series.
The engine was mounted on:
- Opel Astra F (T92) in 1996 – 2000; Astra G (T98) in 1998 – 2000;
- Opel Calibra A (C89) in 1994 – 1997;
- Opel Omega B (V94) in 1994 – 1999;
- Opel Vectra A (J89) in 1994 – 1995; Vectra B (J96) in 1995 – 2000.
Specifications
| Production years | 1994-2000 |
| Displacement, cc | 1998 |
| Fuel system | distributed injection |
| Power output, hp | 136 |
| Torque output, Nm | 185 |
| Cylinder block | cast iron R4 |
| Block head | aluminum 16v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 86 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 86 |
| Compression ratio | 10.8 |
| 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 2 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for Opel Omega 1998) — city — highway — combined |
13.5 7.4 8.5 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~350 000 |
| Weight, kg | 140 |
Disadvantages of the X20XEV engine
Cleaning the idle speed controller or the crankcase ventilation system aids from floating speed; a straightforward and dependable engine rarely breaks down but can be fixed cheaply;
The exhaust manifold may occasionally crack;
Here, the camshaft position sensor malfunctions rather frequently;
Keep an eye on the timing belt’s condition; it has a 60,000 km lifespan and bends the valves when it breaks.