Eric, would love you to do a video listing engines to stay away from. What is common knowledge to you (the 2.4 burns/leaks oil) is unknown to most of us. It would be a real service. Follow it up with a list of good engines. Obviously, it would be your opinion but a lot of us would value your experienced, opinion over a used car salesman's assurances (quite the high bar you surpassed).
The engines are a disaster they have 4 major internal flaws with oil and you can only ever fix 2 easily. It blows thru oil and then the low oil sensor often fails too. Avoid these engines at all cost. A coworker even says it's often impossible to read the dipstick either. One day is fine, next day it's dry.
I've got a 2.4 in my 2010 Malibu, and at almost 200k, it only uses one quart between oil changes. No leaks at all yet. I'm a bit obsessive with maintenance, so I'm sure that helped. Synthetic oil changes every 5-6k.
@@Jw20000 it's the scene where scrooge is in the pub eating grub I know it has absolutely nothing to do with the subject at hand but oh you silly Brits.....
Over the Thanksgiving weekend,my daughter drove her Cobalt from KY to FL. Engine check light came on about halfway south. She checked the oil and pressed on. Once she arrived, I checked the car over. Walmart recently did an oil change, and left the oil cap loose, and the drain plug loose. It took 3.5 quarts of oil to get it to the normal range. I fixed the two issues, and cleaned the engine bay. No issues on the return trip.
This is the only job that I have done in the last 5 years that was actually a pleasure to do. No muss, no fuss and not a single shout of anger to my maker. I wish all jobs would be so easy.
Cam solenoid valves are very common on those. Most of them fail due to low oil level caused by excessive consumption from stuck piston rings. Low oil level usually causes damage to the timing chain guides as well. If you remove the solenoid valve, check the screens for debris. My advice to my customers with this engine is to check the oil regularly and change it more frequently than what the oil life monitor calculates. A word of advice, if you cold start this engine and you hear a rattle for a few seconds, the oil level is most likely low. The noise comes from the cam actuators having to prime up with oil. I have 135k miles on mine and I change the oil every 2,500 - 3,000 miles, and that's after I've replaced the pistons. At that interval, I expect the oil to be about 1 quart low. GM spec for expected oil consumption is about 1 quart for every 2,000 miles, and that's for all of their vehicles.
Eric I have officially adopted the term The Peoples Republic of New York. As a downstate businessman I can't think of a term that most perfectly Identifies our state.
You can buy cheap 12V heated tape and install it around the PCV pipe and use the vented ACDelco FC 219 vented cap as cheap insurance for the 2.4 freezing PCV/rear main seal/engine killer "issue".
Good tip. I was curious if a workaround has been created for the PCV systems on these. Wondering also if they get fully warmed up every time they are driven in the winter if that helps as well.
@@lukem7203I drive a 2015 an hour on the highway everyday to and from work. Has had the snot in the cap and dipstick since new every time the temps dip below freezing. Other than its appetite for oil from bad rings its pushing almost 200,000 miles very soon. No leaks yet, just a fouled converter and oil smell out the exhaust.
@@danfarris135 Ahh well then definitely engineering issue. Too bad though because I do hear about troubles with oil consumption but also people putting a lot of miles on them. I know someone who had a HHR with the 2.4 as a business vehicle drove it nearly 400,000 hwy miles without many issues other than a quart or two between oil changes.
@@lukem7203 I think the biggest issue that causes the oil rings to fail is the distance between the ring land and the top of the piston. These are technically what us old guys called a stroker motor. With the longer rod the pin location has to be moved closer to the top of the piston which means the rings have to be moved up also. Closer to the heat zone of compression which causes the rings to lose tension. This allows more oil by to get “cooked” and cause carbon build up in the lands and it just gets worst from there! I would recommend 5,000 mile interval oil changes before it happens at the usual 60,000- 100,000 mile range and maybe it will buy some time. I have been told that Jasper is drilling the oil lands for better drain back on their rebuilds to help mitigate the problem.
Our Equinox was a victim of the old PCV freeze up. Prior to her demise, it was actually 121,000 miles of trouble free driving. Only routine items and the above repair. Some of them had issues with the high pressure fuel pump as well but ours didn't. Love the channel!
My daughter has a 2012 that had that problem plus a bad timing belt all fixed just 2 months short of 2 years ago. It started giving her trouble again a few weeks ago & the timing belt is bad again. I don't know much about cars but have never heard of a timing belt going bad twice on the same car let alone one that was replaced less than 2 years ago. Dealer said it wasn't covered under any part or repair work warranty. She refused to pay to replace it again & I agree. She bought a different car & is going to try to sell the Equinox as is. Anyone have any other advice for us? We actually are good friends of the family with 1 of the main mechanics at this particular Chevy dealership & trust him, but it just doesn't seem right. We know/found out after the 1st time that the '11s & 12's had infamous problems with timing belts, but shouldn't them replacing it & fixing things have lasted much longer than 2 years???
I have a 2009 Malibu with 2.4 liter and have 432,000 miles on it. The only oil leak I battled was after I changed the CAT/Manifold and shortly after the head cracked. That caused a big oil leak. I had to install a new head. Other than that, it was just general maintenance and also a couple of Cam Solenoids. 2009's were not oil burners, that started with 2010 with direct injection where GM also installed lower radial pressure Piston Rings to reduce drag to improve MPG. It was a dumb idea and there was a TSB for it but they wouldn't stand behind it and recall it. That caused the oil burning problem, particularly at around 100,000 miles. As always, the huge key to success is using full synthetic oil and changing it every 3500 miles. Frequent Oil changes are cheaper and less troublesome than needing to replace an engine. Most people don't seem to grasp this truth along with that they never check the oil level and keep up with it.
The simplest things and the simplest suggestions and tests you make are ABSOLUTELY the most valuable. I always enjoy your videos, even when they seem to you to be the "routine"; because you are putting out accurate information about how the system works and what to look for. Moreover, you're devotion to doing a good job everyday Eric, is greatly appreciated more than meets ones eye; so keep up the good work man and God bless 🙌 🙏
I had a 2015 Equinox with 108,000 miles on the 2.4L and never had any of the problems with it that Eric talks about. Check engine light never came on. It still had the original brake pads on it from the factory! Just did the regular oil changes at 10,000 miles, full synthetic, air filters, a headlight and new tires. That's it.
You're living on the edge doing 10k oil changes. That's fine as long as you're regularly checking the level. The real with these cars is soccer Moms don't check oil as often as they should and run them dry.
Been watching your videos for some time and really enjoy and admire your approach. You have the mindset to find the root problems and succeed when others fail. I bet you've heard it many times, but all shops should be run by someone with your skill and attitude. Also enjoy that you include your family. Good luck in the future.
I have the '12 Equinox with the big 2.4 in it and had the same oil usage issue but there was a recall on it and they did a top end rebuild on the car, then on the way home a couple of sensors failed, probably the ones you just replaced, but we took it back and made GM pay for the sensors and has been pretty good since then. No oil usage issues, and has been running good ever since. I think the only thing I've gotten codes for were O2 sensors which was simple enough. I have to thank you for using Autel diag computers, because of you I bought one, and I need to go plug it into my 98 ford truck, but it has been a great help to have on our older cars so I don't have to pay for the updates which are crazy expensive. I have 2 cars in the family that have that engine is why I bought mine. It isn't as fancy as yours but still pretty high end, probably about what you were using several years ago.
Mrs 0 is such a perfect partner to have, you said something and then said correct and she agreed. If only mine ever agreed to anything. Eric, you are absolutely a blessed man! May 2023 bring you continued success, good health and happiness.
I had two Chevy equinox. Both needed these parts, both had the engines rebuilt for burning oil and 1 right before we sold it blew the rear seal...Those cars were junk so glad I got rid of them.
My mother's Equinox was having a solenoid code. She's 2,000 miles away from me in Las Vegas. I told her to take it to a Pep Boys, request OEM parts, and bypass the serious wallet assault of the dealer. After all, it is such a simple job. But, Pep Boys quoted her $550 in labor alone to change the two. Boy did I rip into the service writer upon hearing that estimate. I ended up driving out there for visiting and correcting the issue. With a couple of ACDelco replacements, I had mom watch over my shoulder from the moment I opened the hood to the start of the test drive -- 15 minutes. She goes, "Is that all there is to it? Boy, they really are trying to rip people off." Yep.
Thats almost dealer pricing. The problem is the "book time" is 1.5 for each solenoid. Which makes no sense for something this fast. Basically paying for 3 hours to do a 10 minute job.
@@zeuscarver3112 Yeah, and this was on top of the one-hour diagnostic fee... And you're right, they calculated book time X2. Utter BS. You're already in there for the one. Scumbags, trying to clean out an 80 year old woman...
I had to change those out on my wife's '16 Equinox a couple of years ago. I regularly check the oil and I must say it's always good. It's got over 80,000 miles on it, and it doesn't burn oil, not yet anyway. I've heard some horror stories, but, as I said, it's been good so far.
If you, instead of tapping the screen, hold your finger for a tiny bit longer, it is much more likely to register your input. They have a delay time to help stop accidental touch. Great vid.
Thank you for checking the oil level, most garages do not do this and it should be a mandatory requirement, because car owners do not check and you saved the customer some grief if engine fails.
No, a garage should not be responsible for performing basic maintenance checks unless the owners asks them, and pays them, to do so. If we want to make something mandatory, it should be to require that people pass a basic auto IQ test before they are allowed to buy a car or get a driver’s license.
Checking the oil is nice…but owner’s don’t get a pass for lack of personal responsibility (although it is being lost as our society moves “forward”). Routinely checking oil level is mandatory for the owner…as stated in the owner’s manual.
Maybe CYA. Pulling the dipstick is cheap insurance. You know the customer would blame EO if engine shat the bed a few weeks later. It was in your shop, you touched my car last...you owe me a free repair, pay for my rental and missed work. 🤷♂️😏
@@LTVoyager I agree completely that to get a driver's license a person should have to prove that they know how to do basic maintenance checks, inspections, and services on their vehicle. I recently taught my son's girlfriend to drive and while we did a lot of road work we also covered checking all fluid levels, how to change a tire, how to change engine oil, how to check and correct tire pressures, how to inspect tires for wear and damage and a whole pile of other similar things. I firmly believe that basic knowledge of how a car works and how to preform basic maintenance makes a person a safer driver. (Yes, she passed her driver's license road test on her first try with a near perfect score!)
Was cross border shopping just b4 Christmas to Port Huron , about an hour from London Ontario,where I live. Im retired mechanic but still work on some friends cars. So , while I was shopping, this guy with his 2017 equinox called about light on and rough running after buying cheap fuel from Indian reserve. Since I didn’t answer cause Im cheap to pay $12 /day roaming he took it to dealer. They recommended both sensors like you but only had the P0010 , $500 Canadian later ! Thank you Finch Chevrolet. ….. I have also found when had time to gain more knowledge, looked closely at those sensors and found filings and crud on the screen
Working for a GM supplier I found that they only cared about failures that happened in the first year. Common failures that occurred at say three years were ignored. And when fixes were proposed they were always rejected.
Good info to know for me Eric, my ex has one of these mistakes, and I told her to check the oil every gas stop. She is just drawn to cars with issues, go figure.🤣 Thanks Eric.
@@ReachOutToWilliam I have a 96 Blazer with almost 220,000 on the clock, all fluid check at gas ups. Oil starts to get dirty, it's gone. 5 qts high mileage and a Wix filter.😁
I keep a pair of OE solenoids on hand as it is such a common failure! The OEM ones aren’t very expensive at all. Also have had a few with some drivability issues and stalling issues when the intake solenoid fails. Great video as always Eric, enjoy your content and honesty!
Yes mine went bad and the car would buck and sometimes stall at low speeds. The car was still under warranty so I took it to the dealer and they knew immediately what it was, and had 2 more in for the same issue.
I replaced these same parts on my wife's 14 Equinox back at around 90k miles. We are around 123k miles now. What's the life span on these parts? I had no idea about the "engine killer". Hers is garage kept all year round so hopefully that helps from anything freezing. The problems we have had with our Equinox was these parts, a battery, and tires. The tires got us over 100k miles out of them and we used the best one from the original bunch as a spare tire. The tires are Michelin. It's crazy how people don't check oil. Thanks for the videos. Keep them coming. Subscribed a long time ago.
I had to replace a vvt solenoid early on in my 2010 Malibu. Same engine. Only aftermarket choice at that time was Dorman. It's still working fine at almost 200K. I've had no issues at all with this engine. Just minor oil consumption. Even the water pump is original. I guess I'm a lucky s.o.b.
Good morning Eric!! I'm glad you mentioned the NAPA solutions issue. I ran into the same thing when I replace the transfer case motor on an Explorer. That's when I finally found out that the "solutions" line of NAPA parts are actually Dorman! Fingers crossed. I went ahead and installed it and it worked fine but it's always a crap shoot when it comes to Dorman electrical parts. I enjoy your videos every week!! We keep doing what we're doing because we love what we're doing!!
Hi Eric. Just one tip I've picked up from doing hundreds of those. When removing, notice there is a little space under the solenoid bracket - You can use a 90° pick and pop them straight out, bolt still sitting in bracket 👌 thanks for the great videos 🍺 cheers
Routine diagnosis and repair are the mainstay of a shop. Also, I find it interesting. Just keep doing what has gotten this far and you'll be just fine.
Without this type of work & general services are your bread & butter so to speak that pay the bills & keep the business in the black .Cheers Eric keep the vids coming you do all we viewers a great service.
There was an interesting case about ten or so years ago where a Cessna 337 Skymaster twin engine light plane was being flown across the Atlantic by jumps, Canada, Greenland etc. Both engines failed withing a few minutes of each other and put the two pilots into the water near an ice flow. They had survival suits so they lived but the plane sank. The speculation was just as you describe with the frozen PCV forcing an oil seal failure.
Common problem on the 2.4. Once upon a time GM had a TSB on certain years of the 2.4 for piston and ring replacement for oil consumption. I used to keep a used piston on my desk as a paperweight😂
@@mph5896 unfortunately GM considers that normal😂. They went with low tension oil control rings to improve fuel mileage and all it did was screw the customers due to massive oil consumption.
Hey Eric, those screens work better if you get oil from your face (a swipe on the side of the nose with your thumb does the trick). Better conductivity or something, I don’t know I’m not a scientist.
I did my nephews equinox a year back and his problem was extensive but the cause of the problem was low oil level. That is what started everything else to go bad. What caused the Low oil level though?? It was the pcv system. That small hole in the intake 1/16" gets clogged up and then the oil gets pushed up into the intake baffle (oil was dripping out)? Thru the breather hose and back into the cylinders to be burned off in the engine. So, the oil consumption is greatly increased (I say that because it still consumes oil like crazy). I cleaned out the hole and all it's passages and drilled out the hole to 1/8". Changed the timing chain, gears, guides, VVT solenoids, etc ... Anyways, the low oil level prevented the VVT solenoids from working properly which set the timing off causing misfires, rattle, broken guides, worn gears, etc... I told him to keep an eye on his oil level. Well, he didn't and now it was doing same thing so we replaced the VVT solenoids and everything was back to normal for about two trips. I go back and change out the exhaust solenoid (only code I got for solenoids). But before starting the truck I told him to check oil and guess what?? It was pretty much bone dry. I told him that was probably why the other solenoid wasn't working properly. So, he added about 3-4 qts. Now the engine runs good. No misfires and no rattle. Now has fuel pressure issue which I wonder if it was caused by same thing----- LOW OIL LEVEL. *******CHECK OIL LEVEL AND FILL TO THE MAX******* NEVER LET THESE ENGINES RUN MORE THAN 2QTS LOW***** CHECK OIL LEVEL ONCE EVRY TWO WEEKS*****
I bought a 2012 GMC Terrain with those issues after 80k. I installed a oil caught can, and no more freezing pvc valve or real loss of oil. At every 3,000 mile oil change, I only loss 1/2 a quart of oil. Would suggest this method to not blow rear main seal. 160,000 miles later still runs like a champ. Only replace those 2 sensors once
Thanks for the video, I know you feel that some of them are monotonous but I enjoy watching and they are informative. I feel half way informed when people say I have this problem - I am like I know a guy! He says if he can do it you can do it!!! Haha. Either way love the videos keep them coming.
Older cadillacs had that blower down in the wheel well on the drivers side for emissions. It had a big hose up to the engine and it would fill up with water then rust out the blower motor. What a great invention.
Aha Mrs. O has a past as a school teacher. Explains your choice of rolling carts in the shop! I rescued three of these from the dumpster at my wife's school. My wife was a teacher as well.
I have put 3 of these on my sons car. An oreilly last 2 years ago. Clogged again. An Amazon pair cheapie failed and got Oem good so far. I wound up replacing the 2 camshaft sensors for recurring mil and they are NOT easy to access. Miserable job! One of those failures I blame on him using regular not synthetic oil. Light went on Again recently and he was not checking oil. Topped it off and self cleared. And the wiper transmission needed replacement. I later saw a recall and filled out the form to be reimbursed by gm and crickets. And replaced the muffler that rusted out. I’m in Ct. they use salt. I told him next car: Toyota Honda, Subie Hope he listens. Thanks for great vids. Long time viewer Charles.
"At that point you just put a filter on it and call it a day!" I'm wearing headphones so when I laugh out loud it is totally without context to the others in the room. Thank you for sharing and stay safe! I'll send you a postcard from the home. Is it a coincidence that my family coat of arms has sleeves that tie in the back?
How weird is this? p0013 a few minutes ago. 2011 Equinox LT 2.4L FWD. Now I know exactly what to do! Thanks Mr. O! Now let's test if I can really do it! Stay safe up there in the PRNY! HA Ha ha!
Thanks Mr O, talk about good timing. Over in Scotland guess who’s Vauxhall Astra with the 2L variant of this engine threw a P0013 today 😅 Thank you sir for the personal video 😂
Hey Slasher, they used to sell Vauxhall here in Canada. In fact my first car was a 1965 Vauxhall Victor. It was a real piece of junk, could barely do 60 mph, but I loved it 🤣🤣
My old Renault Master van I used to top the oil up 500ml every 3000 miles, was the same from new until it was replaced at 120k miles. Had the big 2.8D Sofim engine, would be slow by todays standards but back in 1998 115hp was a flying machine!
The 2.4 Ecotec is installed in the Solstice and Sky. They are pretty much bullet proof in that application. There are many Solstices running around with 200k and 300k miles are still going strong.
I got one for ya. .Somebody just gave me a 97 honda accord. And it has little to no rust on the under carriage. Besides the bolts n some brackets. The subframes and major components are mint. Just some surface rust. Located in Albany NY. How idk, but I was mind blown because it sat for 8 years.
What was the exorcist noise in the backround when you were ohming out the old sensors? Was a pretty scary noise lol. Sounded like either a jaguar growling or someone possessed letting the demons out lol.
Hello Eric, my family has a 20 16 and a 17 equinox and a GMC terrain all bought new, all three have had the solenoids done both intake and exhaust. And all three of them have had the cam sensors replaced both cam sensors on each motor. The terrain had the rear main seal blowout, it was caught did not wreck the motor, last winter right after a cold spell and it was covered under warranty 7-hour repair at the GM dealer. Now so funny you would make a video about this and post it today as yesterday the sisters 2017 equinox has 62,459 mi, in the rear main seal blew out. Luckily I was there when it happened and we did not wreck the motor. Calling the dealer on Monday because it has a 5 year 60,000mi warranty. Here's the crossing my fingers and hoping GM fixes it.
If I didn't know it was a Chevy, I would have thought you had a Subaru in there with the "oil leaks"...LOL...Friend just bought a Subaru and I was joking with him and said "so...did they throw in a bunch of oil for when it starts leaking?". He said "Huh?"...I said "Look it up...". He was "Nah, can't be". Well, 20K miles and the leaks have started...dealership is all "this is normal".
Actually, it is. My brother's impreza was going through oil pretty badly. Turns out many manufacturers are increasing the tolerances inside the engine to increase fuel efficiency by reducing friction. Have to keep up on coolant changes and add some seafoam every once in awhile.
I’ve done one of these. Girlfriends car, when it failed it didn’t go OC, I think the valve got sticky because once the engine was warm / came out of cold startit would die when you came to a stop. Real fun when it happens in the city. Had to rescue her one morning, gave her my car to get to work. Tried to diag on a busy street in a turning lane. Couldn’t. Just revved or restarted at every light to get it to a store to get the code read. It’s got the Dorman… only one, been OK for a few years now. Other than the quart of oil every 3k miles of course. Is it good, no, but it is a p erfectly adequate car to run into the ground.
Eric, would love you to do a video listing engines to stay away from. What is common knowledge to you (the 2.4 burns/leaks oil) is unknown to most of us. It would be a real service. Follow it up with a list of good engines. Obviously, it would be your opinion but a lot of us would value your experienced, opinion over a used car salesman's assurances (quite the high bar you surpassed).
This would make a great video, I’m sure he has a lot of knowledge on what to avoid and ones to consider
Agree, although not the engine, the Nissan CVT reputation has me on the fence about getting one, curious if they got more reliable.
The engines are a disaster they have 4 major internal flaws with oil and you can only ever fix 2 easily. It blows thru oil and then the low oil sensor often fails too. Avoid these engines at all cost. A coworker even says it's often impossible to read the dipstick either. One day is fine, next day it's dry.
I've got a 2.4 in my 2010 Malibu, and at almost 200k, it only uses one quart between oil changes. No leaks at all yet. I'm a bit obsessive with maintenance, so I'm sure that helped. Synthetic oil changes every 5-6k.
Viewers should notice what Eric works on and what he drives
You're spoiling us with these regular uploads, may they continue. Respect from England.
More bread!! That'll be a haypenny sir....no more bread!...
@@soxplayer3907 what are you going on about mate? 🤷♂️😂
@@Jw20000 it's the scene where scrooge is in the pub eating grub I know it has absolutely nothing to do with the subject at hand but oh you silly Brits.....
@@soxplayer3907 oh I see, I'm not familiar with that particular line myself 😂
Thanks my friend you helped me and showed me what i have to do on my Chevy equinox thanks so much 😁
Is it safe to drive to the shop to see if it is the problem
Over the Thanksgiving weekend,my daughter drove her Cobalt from KY to FL. Engine check light came on about halfway south. She checked the oil and pressed on. Once she arrived, I checked the car over. Walmart recently did an oil change, and left the oil cap loose, and the drain plug loose. It took 3.5 quarts of oil to get it to the normal range. I fixed the two issues, and cleaned the engine bay. No issues on the return trip.
Hmmmm, frozen PVC drains engine oil - good thing it never gets cold anywhere in GM's market areas, right? Nice work
Hey Eric! Thanks for the shoutout❤. Great vid, as always👍
You need to be rewarded with an easy one now and then
This is the only job that I have done in the last 5 years that was actually a pleasure to do. No muss, no fuss and not a single shout of anger to my maker. I wish all jobs would be so easy.
Cam solenoid valves are very common on those. Most of them fail due to low oil level caused by excessive consumption from stuck piston rings. Low oil level usually causes damage to the timing chain guides as well. If you remove the solenoid valve, check the screens for debris. My advice to my customers with this engine is to check the oil regularly and change it more frequently than what the oil life monitor calculates. A word of advice, if you cold start this engine and you hear a rattle for a few seconds, the oil level is most likely low. The noise comes from the cam actuators having to prime up with oil. I have 135k miles on mine and I change the oil every 2,500 - 3,000 miles, and that's after I've replaced the pistons. At that interval, I expect the oil to be about 1 quart low. GM spec for expected oil consumption is about 1 quart for every 2,000 miles, and that's for all of their vehicles.
Eric I have officially adopted the term The Peoples Republic of New York. As a downstate businessman I can't think of a
term that most perfectly Identifies our state.
Thanks for always giving the shoutouts to other channels. Classy and respectful.
You can buy cheap 12V heated tape and install it around the PCV pipe and use the vented ACDelco FC 219 vented cap as cheap insurance for the 2.4 freezing PCV/rear main seal/engine killer "issue".
Good tip. I was curious if a workaround has been created for the PCV systems on these. Wondering also if they get fully warmed up every time they are driven in the winter if that helps as well.
@@lukem7203I drive a 2015 an hour on the highway everyday to and from work. Has had the snot in the cap and dipstick since new every time the temps dip below freezing. Other than its appetite for oil from bad rings its pushing almost 200,000 miles very soon. No leaks yet, just a fouled converter and oil smell out the exhaust.
@@danfarris135 Ahh well then definitely engineering issue. Too bad though because I do hear about troubles with oil consumption but also people putting a lot of miles on them. I know someone who had a HHR with the 2.4 as a business vehicle drove it nearly 400,000 hwy miles without many issues other than a quart or two between oil changes.
@Luke M hhr is a different 2.4 pretty similar but not gdi and doesnt seem to suffer from the same issues the equinox 2.4 does.
@@lukem7203 I think the biggest issue that causes the oil rings to fail is the distance between the ring land and the top of the piston. These are technically what us old guys called a stroker motor. With the longer rod the pin location has to be moved closer to the top of the piston which means the rings have to be moved up also. Closer to the heat zone of compression which causes the rings to lose tension. This allows more oil by to get “cooked” and cause carbon build up in the lands and it just gets worst from there! I would recommend 5,000 mile interval oil changes before it happens at the usual 60,000- 100,000 mile range and maybe it will buy some time. I have been told that Jasper is drilling the oil lands for better drain back on their rebuilds to help mitigate the problem.
Our Equinox was a victim of the old PCV freeze up. Prior to her demise, it was actually 121,000 miles of trouble free driving. Only routine items and the above repair. Some of them had issues with the high pressure fuel pump as well but ours didn't. Love the channel!
My daughter has a 2012 that had that problem plus a bad timing belt all fixed just 2 months short of 2 years ago. It started giving her trouble again a few weeks ago & the timing belt is bad again. I don't know much about cars but have never heard of a timing belt going bad twice on the same car let alone one that was replaced less than 2 years ago. Dealer said it wasn't covered under any part or repair work warranty. She refused to pay to replace it again & I agree. She bought a different car & is going to try to sell the Equinox as is. Anyone have any other advice for us? We actually are good friends of the family with 1 of the main mechanics at this particular Chevy dealership & trust him, but it just doesn't seem right. We know/found out after the 1st time that the '11s & 12's had infamous problems with timing belts, but shouldn't them replacing it & fixing things have lasted much longer than 2 years???
I have a 2009 Malibu with 2.4 liter and have 432,000 miles on it. The only oil leak I battled was after I changed the CAT/Manifold and shortly after the head cracked. That caused a big oil leak. I had to install a new head. Other than that, it was just general maintenance and also a couple of Cam Solenoids. 2009's were not oil burners, that started with 2010 with direct injection where GM also installed lower radial pressure Piston Rings to reduce drag to improve MPG. It was a dumb idea and there was a TSB for it but they wouldn't stand behind it and recall it. That caused the oil burning problem, particularly at around 100,000 miles. As always, the huge key to success is using full synthetic oil and changing it every 3500 miles. Frequent Oil changes are cheaper and less troublesome than needing to replace an engine. Most people don't seem to grasp this truth along with that they never check the oil level and keep up with it.
The simplest things and the simplest suggestions and tests you make are ABSOLUTELY the most valuable. I always enjoy your videos, even when they seem to you to be the "routine"; because you are putting out accurate information about how the system works and what to look for.
Moreover, you're devotion to doing a good job everyday Eric, is greatly appreciated more than meets ones eye; so keep up the good work man and God bless 🙌 🙏
I had a 2015 Equinox with 108,000 miles on the 2.4L and never had any of the problems with it that Eric talks about. Check engine light never came on. It still had the original brake pads on it from the factory! Just did the regular oil changes at 10,000 miles, full synthetic, air filters, a headlight and new tires. That's it.
You're living on the edge doing 10k oil changes. That's fine as long as you're regularly checking the level. The real with these cars is soccer Moms don't check oil as often as they should and run them dry.
I'm a master certified mechanic down in Tennessee. I enjoy watching your jobs brother! Keep up the good work
Hose pliers like the one you used to pull the solenoid off. Bought a set of three with different sizes. One of my favorite tools now.
Been watching your videos for some time and really enjoy and admire your approach. You have the mindset to find the root problems and succeed when others fail. I bet you've heard it many times, but all shops should be run by someone with your skill and attitude. Also enjoy that you include your family. Good luck in the future.
I have the '12 Equinox with the big 2.4 in it and had the same oil usage issue but there was a recall on it and they did a top end rebuild on the car, then on the way home a couple of sensors failed, probably the ones you just replaced, but we took it back and made GM pay for the sensors and has been pretty good since then. No oil usage issues, and has been running good ever since. I think the only thing I've gotten codes for were O2 sensors which was simple enough. I have to thank you for using Autel diag computers, because of you I bought one, and I need to go plug it into my 98 ford truck, but it has been a great help to have on our older cars so I don't have to pay for the updates which are crazy expensive. I have 2 cars in the family that have that engine is why I bought mine. It isn't as fancy as yours but still pretty high end, probably about what you were using several years ago.
Mrs 0 is such a perfect partner to have, you said something and then said correct and she agreed. If only mine ever agreed to anything. Eric, you are absolutely a blessed man!
May 2023 bring you continued success, good health and happiness.
I had two Chevy equinox. Both needed these parts, both had the engines rebuilt for burning oil and 1 right before we sold it blew the rear seal...Those cars were junk so glad I got rid of them.
My mother's Equinox was having a solenoid code. She's 2,000 miles away from me in Las Vegas. I told her to take it to a Pep Boys, request OEM parts, and bypass the serious wallet assault of the dealer. After all, it is such a simple job.
But, Pep Boys quoted her $550 in labor alone to change the two. Boy did I rip into the service writer upon hearing that estimate.
I ended up driving out there for visiting and correcting the issue. With a couple of ACDelco replacements, I had mom watch over my shoulder from the moment I opened the hood to the start of the test drive -- 15 minutes.
She goes, "Is that all there is to it? Boy, they really are trying to rip people off."
Yep.
Thats almost dealer pricing. The problem is the "book time" is 1.5 for each solenoid. Which makes no sense for something this fast. Basically paying for 3 hours to do a 10 minute job.
@@zeuscarver3112 Yeah, and this was on top of the one-hour diagnostic fee... And you're right, they calculated book time X2. Utter BS. You're already in there for the one.
Scumbags, trying to clean out an 80 year old woman...
I had to change those out on my wife's '16 Equinox a couple of years ago. I regularly check the oil and I must say it's always good. It's got over 80,000 miles on it, and it doesn't burn oil, not yet anyway. I've heard some horror stories, but, as I said, it's been good so far.
Great video Eric O. as always, everyone have a great weekend.
My sister has an Equinox with the big 2.4 in Florida. Pcv got clogged up and it puked the seals and gaskets and then the oil! Love your videos Eric!
If you, instead of tapping the screen, hold your finger for a tiny bit longer, it is much more likely to register your input. They have a delay time to help stop accidental touch. Great vid.
luv even the simplest fixes, shows that u dont have to go down a rabbit hole on every fix, thanks for posting
Thank you for checking the oil level, most garages do not do this and it should be a mandatory requirement, because car owners do not check and you saved the customer some grief if engine fails.
I disagree, he is paid for certain jobs. this one was also an inspection so the owner would pay for it there.
No, a garage should not be responsible for performing basic maintenance checks unless the owners asks them, and pays them, to do so. If we want to make something mandatory, it should be to require that people pass a basic auto IQ test before they are allowed to buy a car or get a driver’s license.
Checking the oil is nice…but owner’s don’t get a pass for lack of personal responsibility (although it is being lost as our society moves “forward”). Routinely checking oil level is mandatory for the owner…as stated in the owner’s manual.
Maybe CYA. Pulling the dipstick is cheap insurance. You know the customer would blame EO if engine shat the bed a few weeks later. It was in your shop, you touched my car last...you owe me a free repair, pay for my rental and missed work. 🤷♂️😏
@@LTVoyager I agree completely that to get a driver's license a person should have to prove that they know how to do basic maintenance checks, inspections, and services on their vehicle. I recently taught my son's girlfriend to drive and while we did a lot of road work we also covered checking all fluid levels, how to change a tire, how to change engine oil, how to check and correct tire pressures, how to inspect tires for wear and damage and a whole pile of other similar things. I firmly believe that basic knowledge of how a car works and how to preform basic maintenance makes a person a safer driver. (Yes, she passed her driver's license road test on her first try with a near perfect score!)
I've had good luck with NGK branded solenoids as well. I replaced them both in my HHR and they've lasted over 100k miles so far with no problems.
Was cross border shopping just b4 Christmas to Port Huron , about an hour from London Ontario,where I live. Im retired mechanic but still work on some friends cars. So , while I was shopping, this guy with his 2017 equinox called about light on and rough running after buying cheap fuel from Indian reserve. Since I didn’t answer cause Im cheap to pay $12 /day roaming he took it to dealer. They recommended both sensors like you but only had the P0010 , $500 Canadian later ! Thank you Finch Chevrolet. ….. I have also found when had time to gain more knowledge, looked closely at those sensors and found filings and crud on the screen
Thanks Eric for the "click" fix. It's been tough with Rainman tearing his building apart.
Love the unsolicited commentary on the GM 2.4. That's why I own a Toyota.
You're a lifesaver, and you gained a subscriber. Thank you.
Good ol GM engine quality at its finest 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I remember a day when GM engines were good. That was a long time ago.
Am I the only one who wonders why people still buy GM products?
Working for a GM supplier I found that they only cared about failures that happened in the first year. Common failures that occurred at say three years were ignored. And when fixes were proposed they were always rejected.
@@TheOtherBill If everyone drove Toyotas and Hondas auto repair guys would get pretty bored for sure😉
Good info to know for me Eric, my ex has one of these mistakes, and I told her to check the oil every gas stop. She is just drawn to cars with issues, go figure.🤣 Thanks Eric.
Actually, checking oil and coolant at every gas stop is a best practice. That way you know when you last checked the oil and coolant.
@@ReachOutToWilliam I have a 96 Blazer with almost 220,000 on the clock, all fluid check at gas ups. Oil starts to get dirty, it's gone. 5 qts high mileage and a Wix filter.😁
I keep a pair of OE solenoids on hand as it is such a common failure! The OEM ones aren’t very expensive at all. Also have had a few with some drivability issues and stalling issues when the intake solenoid fails.
Great video as always Eric, enjoy your content and honesty!
Yes mine went bad and the car would buck and sometimes stall at low speeds. The car was still under warranty so I took it to the dealer and they knew immediately what it was, and had 2 more in for the same issue.
I put an AC Delco FC219 oil fill cap on my 2.4. It has a pressure relief valve in it that bleeds off excess crankcase pressure.
Oh we are blessed to hear the boss, Mrs. O
I replaced these same parts on my wife's 14 Equinox back at around 90k miles. We are around 123k miles now. What's the life span on these parts? I had no idea about the "engine killer". Hers is garage kept all year round so hopefully that helps from anything freezing. The problems we have had with our Equinox was these parts, a battery, and tires. The tires got us over 100k miles out of them and we used the best one from the original bunch as a spare tire. The tires are Michelin. It's crazy how people don't check oil. Thanks for the videos. Keep them coming. Subscribed a long time ago.
Frozen PCV line and all the oil goes away. GM just does not know how to NOT SUCK! 😱 Great video on the Equinox Mr. O! Thanks!
P0014 for the exhaust. Had one last year. Here in the PRMA, emissions components are under a 10 year warranty. Got it fixed for free.
Fix them and get paid. The wire whisperer. He can find a broken wire better than anyone I have ever known. The man knows his job.
I had to replace a vvt solenoid early on in my 2010 Malibu. Same engine. Only aftermarket choice at that time was Dorman. It's still working fine at almost 200K. I've had no issues at all with this engine. Just minor oil consumption. Even the water pump is original. I guess I'm a lucky s.o.b.
Best description of the 2.4 I’ve heard in awhile 😂😂
Good morning Eric!! I'm glad you mentioned the NAPA solutions issue. I ran into the same thing when I replace the transfer case motor on an Explorer. That's when I finally found out that the "solutions" line of NAPA parts are actually Dorman! Fingers crossed. I went ahead and installed it and it worked fine but it's always a crap shoot when it comes to Dorman electrical parts. I enjoy your videos every week!! We keep doing what we're doing because we love what we're doing!!
With Dorman you either get defective or just shy of defective
Hi Eric. Just one tip I've picked up from doing hundreds of those. When removing, notice there is a little space under the solenoid bracket - You can use a 90° pick and pop them straight out, bolt still sitting in bracket 👌 thanks for the great videos 🍺 cheers
Routine diagnosis and repair are the mainstay of a shop. Also, I find it interesting. Just keep doing what has gotten this far and you'll be just fine.
Without this type of work & general services are your bread & butter so to speak that pay the bills & keep the business in the black .Cheers Eric keep the vids coming you do all we viewers a great service.
There was an interesting case about ten or so years ago where a Cessna 337 Skymaster twin engine light plane was being flown across the Atlantic by jumps, Canada, Greenland etc. Both engines failed withing a few minutes of each other and put the two pilots into the water near an ice flow. They had survival suits so they lived but the plane sank. The speculation was just as you describe with the frozen PCV forcing an oil seal failure.
Thanks for this awesome video! Just fixed my daughter’s Equinox.
Love "the routine stuff" Eric. I'm always learning something.
I love the comment to Mrs. O, "it's a2.4 Baby what do you expect!"
Common problem on the 2.4. Once upon a time GM had a TSB on certain years of the 2.4 for piston and ring replacement for oil consumption. I used to keep a used piston on my desk as a paperweight😂
Had a 2010 Malibu that drank a quart every 1k. Think they called it zebra striped cylinders. 🙃
@@mph5896 unfortunately GM considers that normal😂. They went with low tension oil control rings to improve fuel mileage and all it did was screw the customers due to massive oil consumption.
@@mikemaccracken3112 ha, well GM🤣. That car was replaced with a brand new Honda🤣
@@mph5896 I bought Toyota’s and I worked for GM 25 years😂. I like Honda’s too.
@@mikemaccracken3112 This is such a sad thing but such a true thing. There is only so much you can bear. 从 m
Your are the best. I'm trying out a new shop this week for a persistent egr issue, I pray he's as good as you.
Keep up the good work.
The old "upsell a new exhaust cam sensor for one that was still in spec" move. Pretty crafty, Eric.
I know it's Day to day, been there, Thank you. I stopped just before OBD2 became the norm. I went back to body repair.
Hey Eric, those screens work better if you get oil from your face (a swipe on the side of the nose with your thumb does the trick). Better conductivity or something, I don’t know I’m not a scientist.
Another happy 😊 customer
I owned one of these. Loved it but it was in shop and recalled so much I got rid of it. The last GM for me.
I did my nephews equinox a year back and his problem was extensive but the cause of the problem was low oil level. That is what started everything else to go bad.
What caused the Low oil level though?? It was the pcv system. That small hole in the intake 1/16" gets clogged up and then the oil gets pushed up into the intake baffle (oil was dripping out)? Thru the breather hose and back into the cylinders to be burned off in the engine. So, the oil consumption is greatly increased (I say that because it still consumes oil like crazy). I cleaned out the hole and all it's passages and drilled out the hole to 1/8". Changed the timing chain, gears, guides, VVT solenoids, etc ...
Anyways, the low oil level prevented the VVT solenoids from working properly which set the timing off causing misfires, rattle, broken guides, worn gears, etc... I told him to keep an eye on his oil level. Well, he didn't and now it was doing same thing so we replaced the VVT solenoids and everything was back to normal for about two trips. I go back and change out the exhaust solenoid (only code I got for solenoids). But before starting the truck I told him to check oil and guess what?? It was pretty much bone dry. I told him that was probably why the other solenoid wasn't working properly. So, he added about 3-4 qts. Now the engine runs good. No misfires and no rattle. Now has fuel pressure issue which I wonder if it was caused by same thing----- LOW OIL LEVEL.
*******CHECK OIL LEVEL AND FILL TO THE MAX******* NEVER LET THESE ENGINES RUN MORE THAN 2QTS LOW***** CHECK OIL LEVEL ONCE EVRY TWO WEEKS*****
Delco make a vented oil cap FC219 in case it builds pressure fro the PVC
Es PCV. Y PVC es un material plástico.
@ Bill Nolter You mean PCV not PVC.
Sometimes an easy one comes along, so just enjoy it to make up for the nightmare jobs. Happy New Year from England
I bought a 2012 GMC Terrain with those issues after 80k. I installed a oil caught can, and no more freezing pvc valve or real loss of oil. At every 3,000 mile oil change, I only loss 1/2 a quart of oil. Would suggest this method to not blow rear main seal. 160,000 miles later still runs like a champ. Only replace those 2 sensors once
Intake and Exhaust
Thanks for the video, I know you feel that some of them are monotonous but I enjoy watching and they are informative. I feel half way informed when people say I have this problem - I am like I know a guy! He says if he can do it you can do it!!! Haha. Either way love the videos keep them coming.
I didn't know, open circuit is low or high resistance, thank you
THEY BREAK OFF FLUSH WITH THE ENGINE1/2 THE TIME, HOW BOUT MAKING THAT VIDEO, THANKS FOR MAKING IT LOOK SO EASY AS I WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK.
Older cadillacs had that blower down in the wheel well on the drivers side for emissions. It had a big hose up to the engine and it would fill up with water then rust out the blower motor. What a great invention.
Aha Mrs. O has a past as a school teacher. Explains your choice of rolling carts in the shop! I rescued three of these from the dumpster at my wife's school. My wife was a teacher as well.
A master of his profession.
Great video! I appreciate the explanation of how the logic works on these cars
496 stroker. Krikey. Still drive it on the street?😁. My 69 malibu has a problem with the eaton posi and c clip eliminators trashing axle tube seals☹️
Ohhhhh boy we got an equinox AWD with the big money light on ohhhhh boy
I can't believe you didn't use an actual torque wrench!
-- UA-cam experts
Click! You putting up a Mustang video today🤣
I heard a click... 🙄
Scott where is our video???
I heard the click also. Too loud to miss actually.
Eric has a torque wrench built into his finger.
I used to have a Cobalt SS with the LNF ( 2.0 Turbo Ecotec.). Was a good engine for me. Did have to replace those same solenoids once though
I have put 3 of these on my sons car. An oreilly last 2 years ago. Clogged again. An Amazon pair cheapie failed and got Oem good so far. I wound up replacing the 2 camshaft sensors for recurring mil and they are NOT easy to access. Miserable job! One of those failures I blame on him using regular not synthetic oil. Light went on Again recently and he was not checking oil. Topped it off and self cleared. And the wiper transmission needed replacement. I later saw a recall and filled out the form to be reimbursed by gm and crickets. And replaced the muffler that rusted out. I’m in Ct. they use salt. I told him next car: Toyota Honda, Subie Hope he listens. Thanks for great vids. Long time viewer Charles.
Toyota, Honda, OK. No Subie.
Sittin by the wood stove watching ya Eric. Is any other mechanic as thorough as you? Love your deep trouble shooting videos. Learn lots
If people didn't buy GM vehicles, then places like South Main Auto would go out of business.
😁😀😂
I've done these super easy! 👌 like a 15 minute job tops.
"At that point you just put a filter on it and call it a day!" I'm wearing headphones so when I laugh out loud it is totally without context to the others in the room. Thank you for sharing and stay safe! I'll send you a postcard from the home. Is it a coincidence that my family coat of arms has sleeves that tie in the back?
Come on y'all. Lets share, subscribe, support and get Eric to 800,000!!! Great videos and needed information.
How weird is this? p0013 a few minutes ago. 2011 Equinox LT 2.4L FWD. Now I know exactly what to do! Thanks Mr. O! Now let's test if I can really do it! Stay safe up there in the PRNY! HA Ha ha!
Would have been sweet automotive UA-cam to finish the repair with an oil & filter change 🙌
Thanks Mr O, talk about good timing. Over in Scotland guess who’s Vauxhall Astra with the 2L variant of this engine threw a P0013 today 😅
Thank you sir for the personal video 😂
Hey Slasher, they used to sell Vauxhall here in Canada. In fact my first car was a 1965 Vauxhall Victor. It was a real piece of junk, could barely do 60 mph, but I loved it 🤣🤣
My old Renault Master van I used to top the oil up 500ml every 3000 miles, was the same from new until it was replaced at 120k miles. Had the big 2.8D Sofim engine, would be slow by todays standards but back in 1998 115hp was a flying machine!
Definitely routine for you but not so much for a lot of us, still interesting and I learned something about the big Chevy 2.4, thanks!
The 2.4 Ecotec is installed in the Solstice and Sky. They are pretty much bullet proof in that application. There are many Solstices running around with 200k and 300k miles are still going strong.
I got one for ya. .Somebody just gave me a 97 honda accord. And it has little to no rust on the under carriage. Besides the bolts n some brackets. The subframes and major components are mint. Just some surface rust. Located in Albany NY. How idk, but I was mind blown because it sat for 8 years.
Happy new year Mr O,hope you n your family had a good one 👍 wish all good health in the new year 😀
Eric embraces the metric system! Remember folks, if he can do it, you can do it!
Thank you Eric o I was able to fix my equinox and verify with a test
Great video again from SMA...thanks Eric for showing us the 2.4 boat anchor😂
What was the exorcist noise in the backround when you were ohming out the old sensors? Was a pretty scary noise lol. Sounded like either a jaguar growling or someone possessed letting the demons out lol.
Hello Eric, my family has a 20 16 and a 17 equinox and a GMC terrain all bought new, all three have had the solenoids done both intake and exhaust. And all three of them have had the cam sensors replaced both cam sensors on each motor. The terrain had the rear main seal blowout, it was caught did not wreck the motor, last winter right after a cold spell and it was covered under warranty 7-hour repair at the GM dealer. Now so funny you would make a video about this and post it today as yesterday the sisters 2017 equinox has 62,459 mi, in the rear main seal blew out. Luckily I was there when it happened and we did not wreck the motor. Calling the dealer on Monday because it has a 5 year 60,000mi warranty. Here's the crossing my fingers and hoping GM fixes it.
doesn't matter what the video is about....still interesting and informative....
If I didn't know it was a Chevy, I would have thought you had a Subaru in there with the "oil leaks"...LOL...Friend just bought a Subaru and I was joking with him and said "so...did they throw in a bunch of oil for when it starts leaking?". He said "Huh?"...I said "Look it up...". He was "Nah, can't be". Well, 20K miles and the leaks have started...dealership is all "this is normal".
Actually, it is. My brother's impreza was going through oil pretty badly. Turns out many manufacturers are increasing the tolerances inside the engine to increase fuel efficiency by reducing friction. Have to keep up on coolant changes and add some seafoam every once in awhile.
It was an easy one. But now I know how, it will be easy for me. Thanks
I’ve done one of these. Girlfriends car, when it failed it didn’t go OC, I think the valve got sticky because once the engine was warm / came out of cold startit would die when you came to a stop. Real fun when it happens in the city. Had to rescue her one morning, gave her my car to get to work. Tried to diag on a busy street in a turning lane. Couldn’t. Just revved or restarted at every light to get it to a store to get the code read. It’s got the Dorman… only one, been OK for a few years now. Other than the quart of oil every 3k miles of course. Is it good, no, but it is a p erfectly adequate car to run into the ground.
Very good fix. Hopefully another 87000 before new ones are needed again.
😂😂😂 now that's funny, expecting to get another 87k out of this engine.
" ...up here in the P.R.N.Y."🤣
Thanks Eric O for being who you are!
Nice! That thing’s originally from Banks Chevrolet in Concord NH! Weird seeing cars from my area showing up all over the country!