Reconditioned Opel Meriva Turbo

Which turbo for an Opel Meriva diesel or petrol, and how do you avoid making the wrong choice?

The answer depends on the engine code stamped on the block, not simply on the engine capacity shown. On the Meriva, four families of turbocharged engines coexist — three diesel and one petrol — and several of them share the same capacity whilst receiving different turbos depending on the power output or generation.

1.7 DTI / 1.7 CDTI and 1.6 CDTI: two diesel families, clearly distinct references

The Y17DT, Z17DT and Z17DTH blocks (1.7 DTI and 1.7 CDTI 75 to 100 hp) use fixed-geometry turbos with a wastegate, identifiable by Opel references such as 8973000921 à 8973000926 or 49131-06005 / 49131-06007. Do not confuse these with the 1.6 CDTI blocks (B16DTC, B16DTE, B16DTL, B16DTN), which are more recent and fitted with variable-geometry turbos whose manufacturer references form a distinct series: 55565353, 55574901, 781504-5014S among others. The 1.6 CDTI comes in two power outputs (95 and 110 hp) that do not necessarily share the same turbo reference: checking the exact power output is essential.

1.4 Turbo petrol: codes A14NET, A14NEL, B14NEL and their specific features

The 1.4 Turbo petrol engine in the Meriva B is available in 120 and 140 hp outputs, covered by the codes A14NET, A14NEL and B14NEL. These blocks use a fixed-geometry turbo with a wastegate and pneumatic actuator; the manufacturer references 814697-5002S, 814697-5004S, 55577705 or 55497868 are specific to each power output. Mixing up 120 and 140 hp results in an incompatible turbo. Common symptoms on these petrol engines include: whistling at mid-range revs, loss of boost pressure, or blue smoke on start-up — all signs of worn stem seals or CHRA bearings. Before any replacement, the condition of the oil circuit (quality, pressure, absence of coking) must be checked: a new turbo fitted to a contaminated circuit will develop the same fault. All turbos in this collection are supplied new.