Reconditioned Opel Gearbox

Same engine code Z19DTH or F9Q, manual or Easytronic: what the transmission choice means on an Opel

With Opel, the engine code stamped on the block is often the most reliable starting point for identifying the correct gearbox. A Z19DTH (1.9 CDTi) did not receive the same transmission depending on whether it was fitted to an Astra H, a Zafira B or a Meriva: the axle ratio, number of gears and torque range all differ. The same logic applies to the codes F9Q 750, F9Q 760, F9Q 762 and F9Q 772 of the 1.9 CDTi Vivaro/Movano, derived from the Renault-Nissan platform, which each require a gearbox specific to their torque rating. Using only the label "1.9 CDTi" without the engine code is a common source of error.

Diesel engine codes: the G9U, M9R, M9T families and the native Opel CDTi units

The Vivaro and Movano account for the bulk of diesel volume, with three distinct engine families. The codes G9U 630, G9U 632, G9U 650 and G9U 730 correspond to the 2.5 CDTi; the codes M9R 692, M9R 780 and M9R 782 to the 2.0 CDTi Vivaro; and the codes M9T 870 and M9T 878 to the 2.3 CDTi Movano. These Renault blocks sometimes share a similar gearbox architecture, but the ratios and shafts are not identical from one code to the next. On the Opel-architecture CDTi side, the 1.7 CDTi covers the codes Z17DTH, Z17DTL, Z17DTR, A17DTC, A17DTE, A17DTJ, A17DTR and A17DTS, found notably on the Astra, Meriva, Combo and Zafira between 2004 and 2014. The more recent 1.6 CDTi carries the codes A16FDH, A16FDL, B16DTC, B16DTH, B16DTL, R9M 408, R9M 450 and R9M 452 — a mix of Opel and Renault blocks depending on the year and model, with the Mokka and Astra J/K leading the way.

Manual, Easytronic and Tecshift: three transmissions not to be confused

The range covers four types of gearbox: five- or six-speed manuals, Easytronic and Tecshift. The Easytronic is an automated manual gearbox — fitted to the Corsa, Meriva and Agila — and is sold without the actuator robot, which must be supplied or ordered separately. The Tecshift, introduced on the Vivaro and Movano, follows the same principle. These automated gearboxes have well-documented actuator failures; the mechanical gearbox itself is rarely at fault. On petrol 1.4 Turbo models (codes A14NEL, A14NET, B14NEH, B14NEJ, B14NEL, B14NET) fitted to the Astra J, Mokka and Cascada, the transmission is exclusively a six-speed manual. The more recent 1.2 Turbo units (codes B12XHL, D12XHT, EB2ADTS, EB2DT, F12XHL, F12XHT, HN05) are fitted to the Corsa F, Crossland and Grandland, and reconditioned gearboxes are available on an exchange basis. The range covers model years 1998 to 2024 across sixteen models, from the Corsa to the Movano.