The Vauxhall 17 TD is a 1,698 cc, inline‑four naturally aspirated diesel engine produced between 1983 and 1991. It features an indirect injection (IDI) design with a pre-chamber combustion system, a cast‑iron block and head, and a mechanically governed Bosch injection pump. In standard tune it delivered 42 kW (57 PS) at 4,600 rpm and 103 Nm of torque at 2,500 rpm, providing durable, fuel-efficient performance suited to light commercial and passenger vehicle applications.
Fitted to models such as the Vauxhall Astra Mk2, Cavalier Mk2, and Bedford Astravan, the 17 TD was engineered for longevity and low running costs rather than performance. Emissions controls were minimal by modern standards, with no exhaust gas recirculation or catalytic converter; compliance aligned with pre‑Euro UK national standards under the 1980 Clean Air provisions.
One documented concern is injector nozzle coking and pre-chamber carbon buildup, highlighted in Vauxhall Engineering Bulletin EB‑85‑09. This issue arises from prolonged low-load operation and poor fuel atomisation in the pre-chamber design, leading to hard starting and misfire. From 1987, Vauxhall revised injector calibration and pre-chamber geometry to improve cold-start reliability.
Production years 1983–1991 predate EU emissions directives; compliance follows UK national standards of the era (VCA UK Type Approval #VCA/VEH/6605).
The Vauxhall 17 TD Diesel is a 1,698 cc inline‑four indirect injection engine engineered for compact and light commercial vehicles (1983–1991). It combines a mechanically controlled Bosch injection pump with a robust cast‑iron architecture to deliver predictable low‑rpm torque and exceptional durability. Designed before Euro emissions standards, it meets only UK national vehicle regulations of the period.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,698 cc | |
| Fuel type | Diesel (EN 590) | |
| Configuration | Inline‑4, OHV, 8‑valve | |
| Aspiration | Naturally aspirated | |
| Bore × stroke | 82.0 mm × 80.0 mm | |
| Power output | 42 kW (57 PS) @ 4,600 rpm | |
| Torque | 103 Nm @ 2,500 rpm | |
| Fuel system | Bosch VE mechanical injection pump with indirect injection (pre-chamber) | |
| Emissions standard | Pre‑Euro (UK national standards) | |
| Compression ratio | 22.0:1 | |
| Cooling system | Water‑cooled | |
| Turbocharger | None | |
| Timing system | Gear‑driven camshaft (front‑mounted) | |
| Oil type | SAE 15W‑40 mineral diesel oil (API CC/CD) | |
| Dry weight | 142 kg |
The indirect injection design prioritises durability over refinement but requires regular high-load operation to prevent carbon buildup in pre-chambers and injector nozzles. SAE 15W‑40 mineral diesel oil meeting API CC/CD is essential for bearing and cam life due to the absence of modern detergent packages. The Bosch VE pump demands clean, water-free diesel and periodic calibration to maintain driveability. No emissions after-treatment exists, so exhaust modifications do not affect compliance. Cold starts below 0°C may require glow plug system verification per Vauxhall EB‑85‑09.
Oil Specs: Requires SAE 15W-40 mineral diesel oil meeting API CC/CD (Vauxhall Owner’s Handbook 1984). Modern low-SAPS oils are not recommended.
Emissions: Pre-Euro emissions apply to all 1983–1991 models (VCA Type Approval #VCA/VEH/6605). No catalytic converter or EGR fitted.
Power Ratings: Measured under BS AU 14 standards. Output verified on dynamometer per Vauxhall PT‑1986.
Vauxhall Technical Information System (TIS): Docs V1698‑83, A2‑1985, EB‑85‑09
VCA Type Approval Database (VCA/VEH/6605)
British Standards Institution: BS AU 14 Engine Power Testing
The Vauxhall 17 TD Diesel was used across Vauxhall's Astra Mk2, Cavalier Mk2, and Bedford Astravan platforms with longitudinal front-engine mounting and no external licensing. This engine received platform-specific adaptations—revised engine mounts in the Cavalier and modified cooling ducting in the Astravan—and from 1987 the introduction of updated injector nozzles and pre-chamber geometry for improved cold starts, creating interchange limits. All adaptations are documented in OEM technical bulletins.
Locate the engine code stamped on the left-hand side of the block near the injection pump mount (Vauxhall TIS V1698‑83). The full engine number begins with '17TD' followed by a sequential build code. Pre-1987 units use early-spec Bosch injectors (part #0 432 100 001) and unmodified pre-chambers; post-1987 engines feature revised nozzles (part #0 432 100 015) and smoother pre-chamber contours. Critical differentiation from petrol 18E: 17 TD has cast-iron head (not alloy), injection pump (not carburettor), and higher compression ratio. Cylinder head casting number '17TD' confirms identity.
The 17 TD's primary reliability risk is pre-chamber carbon fouling and injector nozzle coking, with elevated incidence in vehicles used for short urban trips. Vauxhall internal durability reports from 1986 noted significant cold-start degradation after 60,000 km in low-load duty cycles, while UK DVSA historical data shows high failure rates in preserved vans due to infrequent high-RPM operation. Extended oil change intervals and poor fuel quality accelerate wear in the Bosch VE pump, making correct maintenance critical.
Analysis derived from Vauxhall technical bulletins (1983–1991) and UK DVSA historical failure statistics (1985–1995). Repair procedures should follow manufacturer guidelines.
Find answers to most commonly asked questions about VAUXHALL 17-TD.
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VAUXHALL Official Site
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EUR-Lex
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GOV.UK: Vehicle Approval & V5C
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DVLA: Engine Changes & MoT
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Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
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Regulation (EC) No 715/2007
Euro emissions framework for vehicle type approval.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151
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