04 Chevy Colorado 3.5L I-5, Mobil 1 5w-30, 5000 miles

[inline5]

Had a Delco oil filter (PF-61) and a stock replacement K&N air filter in the airbox. Driving is 50/50 city/highway mix. This oil was in the engine from approximately 2,000 to 7,000 on the odometer. Wish there were other Chevy I-5 engines to compare the results with.

 

[buster]

Typical break in report. Silicon is high though. Watch the K&N with that. Report is good. Metals should come down in time.

 

[mikemc]

I was just thinking yesterday that I'd like to see a UOA on the Colorado I-5. On paper it looks like a neat motor. How do you like it? How would you compare the power to a 4.0 or 4.3 V6? Are you getting advertised gas mileage? Sorry so many ???'s but I am very interested in this engine. I noticed that Chevy put the oil filter in a very easy to reach place and its vertical so you can fill it full of oil before installing.

 

[Brons2]

bearing wear looks great! 1 ppm lead in 5000 miles, that's hard to beat. High iron and copper from break in probably. this engine seems to like this oil.

 

[inline5]

Thanks guys.
The OEM air filter is a "round straight" style as seen here (the filter on the left).
http://www.knfilters.com/images/PowerSports/PSAirFiltersl.jpg
I replaced it with the K&N at 2,260 miles so the oil in this analysis had most of its mileage with the K&N in place. I've read a few posts here that suggest K&N filters cause high silicon numbers. Is this because the filter isn't filtering or is it from the oil on the filter?

I like the I-5. I have the extended cab 2WD with automatic trans and 3.42 rear. It revs like a big four. The low end torque can't compare with the old 4.3 V-6 or Ford's 4.0 (I've owned both - 1 Ranger, 1 Astro) but it'll rev to 6,000 rpms with no problem. I'm disappointed in the mpg. Chevy lists the mpg as 18 city/23 highway. The lifetime average is 19.7mpg with a 50/50 mix of city and highway. With the addition of a tonneau cover, synthetic oil and a K&N air filter I thought I'd have gotten at least 22mpg with the engine.
The filter is easy to reach but the oil drains down onto a sort-of funnel shaped diverter that is mounted on top of a crossmember with plastic push in fasteners. These 2 fasteners aren't sealed very well (I've got to get a gob of silicome on there next time) so the oil ends up where ever gravity leads it.

Don't get me wrong, after puncturing the filter there isn't much oil flowing out of there when I remove the filter but the little bit that does pour out does make a mess. I miss changing the oil on my BMW where the filter was installed into a canister on the top of the engine.

 

[Motorbike]

Are these engines using aluminum rod and main bearings ?

 

[inline5]

According to http://media.gm.com/division/2005_prodinfo/powertrain/specs/05_truck_engine_specs.html#l52

Type: 3.5L I-5 (L52)
Displacement: 3460cc (211 ci)
Compression ratio: 10.0:1
Valve configuration: dual overhead cam (4 valves per cylinder)
Assembly site: Tonawanda, NY
Valve lifters: roller followers with stationary hydraulic lash adjusters
Firing order: 1 - 3 - 5 - 4 - 2
Bore x stroke: 93 x 102 mm
Fuel system: multipoint sequential fuel injection
Horsepower: 220 hp (164 kw) @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 225 lb-ft (305 Nm) @ 2800 rpm
Fuel shut off: 6300 rpm
Emissions controls: evaporative system
close-coupled and underfloor catalytic converters

APPLICATIONS
Chevrolet Colorado (option)
GMC Canyon (option)


MATERIALS
Block: lost foam cast aluminum
Cylinder head: lost foam cast aluminum
Intake manifold: composite
Exhaust manifold: high silicon molybdenum
cast nodular iron
Main bearing caps: forged powder metal
Crankshaft: cast nodular iron
Camshaft: cast nodular iron
Connecting rods: forged powder metal

Unfortunately, I don't know what most of that means...

 

[MikeR]

I'll be interested to hear what people have to say about that I-5 in the long term. Seems to me that any mileage gains would be offset by the amount you have to rev it. Odd decision on GM's part imo.

M

 

[inline5]

MikeR - Don't get me wrong....you don't have to rev it like an Integra to get power out of it. With the automatic trans I think I'm turning about 2,100 rpm at 65mph.

 

[kdeatrick]

Here is my thread with the same engine.

 

[pajim17057]

I think they are crazy. Dropping a great engine like the 4.3l.

 

[kdeatrick]

That was my original thought. Then I drove one!
This has more power than my 91 S10 with a 4.3 liter. I only hope it will make it the same distance. I had 285k on the S10 when I sold it for the Colorado. I owned the S10 from new.