GM Ecotec Diesel (1997)

GM referred to many of its diesel engines as Ecotec including the GM Medium Diesel engine (2013 onwards) and the Isuzu-derived Circle L engine. This page describes the SOHC 16 valve turbocharged engines which GM introduced in 1997. and which were used extensively in its European models.

The engines used a single chain-driven camshaft and an aluminium cylinder head with a Bosch rotary high pressure injection pump.

Variants
The 2.0 engine was available in two different power outputs, badged by Vauxhall Di and DTi, the lower powered version retaining 16 valves and a turbocharger, but lacking the intercooler. The lower powered 82 hp version was soon replaced by the smaller and unrelated 1.7 litre Circle L engine. The higher powered version produced 100 hp and 230 Nm of torque.

The 2.2 engine was introduced as a 115 hp unit, but in late 2000 was updated to 125 hp with 280 Nm of torque from just 1,500 rpm, rather than the previous 260 Nm from 1,900 rpm. The update also included changes to the camshaft and pistons, and the newer unit was smoother. This update also introduced pilot injection and a variable geometry turbocharger

These engines were replaced by the 1.9 litre GM/Fiat JTD.

Engine Codes
GM referred to these engines using a six-character code, such as Y20DTH. The first letter is X for Euro 2 engines, and Y for those meeting the Euro 3 emissions standard. The two digits are 20 for 2 litres (actually 1,995 cc), and 22 for 2.2 litres (actually 2,171 cc). The next two letters are always DT. The final letter is L if it lacks an intercooler, H if it has an intercooler, and R if it has both an intercooler and a variable geometry turbocharger.

Saab referred to the engine as a D223L, regardless of whether it was a Y22DTH or a Y22DTR.

Applications

 * Vauxhall/Opel Astra, fourth generation (2.0 only)
 * Vauxhall/Opel Frontera, second generation (2.2 only)
 * Vauxhall/Opel Omega B2
 * Vauxhall/Opel Signum (until 2004)
 * Vauxhall/Opel Sintra (2.2 only, 1999 only)
 * Vauxhall/Opel Vectra, series B, and series C until 2004
 * Vauxhall/Opel Zafira, series A (2.0 in UK, 2.2 also offered in some markets)
 * Saab 9-3, first generation (2.2 only)
 * Saab 9-3, second generation (2.2 only, until end 2004)
 * Saab 9-5, first generation (2.2 only, 2002 to 2005)