Need help identifying diesels - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

bradjensen68 · 02-04-2011, 11:11 AM

Hi all!

I am looking for some diesel experts who might also have some experience with European models. I just bought three diesel engines from the University of Michigan's research lab. Two were listed as "Opel diesels" and these are the ones that I am looking for help on. My research so far indicates that these might be Isuzu models produced in Poland for the Opel Astra and the Honda Civic, but that is just a guess. Any advice on which US models these might work in would be much appreciated:

Engine1

Engine 2

euromodder · 02-04-2011, 05:28 PM

Tough to tell from just the pics.
Is there no identification label on them at all ?

At least there should be an engine number.
If that was run through the system by an Opel or Honda dealer, it should turn up the type of engine, and the car it went into.

The Civic had a 1.7 CTDi engine - went in around 2000-2006 .
The older 2.0L diesel came from Rover - up to about 2000.

Is there anyone with a European Opel on ecomodder ?

bradjensen68 · 02-04-2011, 05:54 PM

I just purchased these so I will post more details and pictures as I get them. I don't think these were run through a dealer since they came from a research lab, but I could be wrong. More to come...

Thanks!

Arragonis · 02-05-2011, 05:19 AM

Could you post up pics of the cylinder heads, I've had a couple of Cavaliers before with the 1.7 Isuzu but I never took one out.

ColonelK has a Cav 1.7 which I assume is Diesel as there was never a 1.7 Petrol. You can search for a car here. Try using both Opel (mainland Europe and elsewhere) and Vauxhall (UK only).

Here is a top image of a 1.7 TD (Opel).

Varn · 02-05-2011, 12:59 PM

I can't verify what you have but I did rent an Opel with a diesel in 2001 when I was in spain. It was one nice running car. Had it 100mph on the interstate. I didn't realize it was a diesel until I had to gas it up. No noise or smoke. I wish I had one.

bradjensen68 · 02-07-2011, 06:55 PM

Ok, I am still working on get these home from where I bought them, but today I got some more pictures and info:

https://picasaweb.google.com/bradjensen68/Diesel#

A quick Google search seems to show that this engine was in a 1997 Opel Vectra. The US model closest to the Vectra seems to be the Saturn L-class.

Arragonis · 02-08-2011, 05:47 AM

Googling the engine number also suggests it may be a 2.0 Di (DTL). This is a non-intercoolled Di 16v unit.

Not that powerful - about 82hp - but very smooth compared to the older 1.7 IDI and loads of mid-range torque, capable of mega miles and very economical too

More info here.

If you get it fitted then you won't be racing anyone from the stop lights but you will be able to 'smoke' the odd tailgater with ease which is always great fun in a TD.

What did they use it for ?

bradjensen68 · 02-08-2011, 09:56 AM

I was just told it was from a "research lab". The University of Michigan has a large Automotive Engineering department. They couldn't tell me much other than that. There was a sticker on one that said 500 hrs. and some writing that said "new pump".

bradjensen68 · 02-09-2011, 06:45 PM

It looks like I have two different engines. The second one has a turbocharger and the cylinder head is labelled R90573940. I believe it is from a 1998 vectra.

Arragonis · 02-10-2011, 03:24 AM

Some general research seems to suggest its the same unit - DTL.

The Vectra "facelift" came in 1999 so its probably a later version of the same engine. There was a DTI version which had more power (120hp I think) but I'm not sure if that was the same unit with an intercooller and bigger turbo, or an early version of the later. CDTI.

What are your plans ?