2.2l Ecotec 2007 Malibu

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06RANGER

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Anyone have experience with this drivetrain?

I've read some owner forums and it seems the 4 cylinder is ample in the Malibu and it deliver excellent mpg.
 
It's an OK engine. It sounds like a lawnmower. I'd much rather have GM's 3.5L, VVT equipped V6 for the 2007 model year. Fuel economy is within 2 mpg, and there is much more power.
 
Some of the reviews I read about the 2.2l are unbelievable. People are talking about approaching 40 mpg hwy, and many people reported real world mileage better than the EPA esimtates, which is very rare.

If the 2.2l is adequate the 07 Malibu @ $17k is real competition for compacts, e.g. Elantra, Corolla, Civic, etc ...
 
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Some of the reviews I read about the 2.2l are unbelievable. People are talking about approaching 40 mpg hwy, and many people reported real world mileage better than the EPA esimtates, which is very rare.

If the 2.2l is adequate the 07 Malibu @ $17k is real competition for compacts, e.g. Elantra, Corolla, Civic, etc ...

Click to expand...

Not really. The group of buyers that the Malibu attracts is completely different than that of the higher priced imports.

Besides, while the Ecotec engine may be a good unit, it's fuel efficiency around town sucks. I had one for a rental and it barely got 22 around town.

In addition, the engine is rough, and noisy. The rest of the car is unexceptional as well. Dated. Those are the reasons why the Malibu (and Ecotec), regardless of it's durability, is not competitive with the premium imports. People could care less about durability, because the other engines are equally as durable and efficient, but with better refinement.
 
The V6 only gets 1mpg worse and has 50 more horsepower. I'd take the V6. For all it's potential the ecotec, in this form at least, is pretty pathetic.

-T
 
As far as I know, the ecotec 2.2 is still made in the Tonawanda NY engine plant. It's a great mass produced engine, but buying new, I'd definately go for a V6. Used? a malibu 2.2 would be a great buy.

Joel
 
I've driven an Ecotec in both the Saab (2.0L turbocharged) and GM (2.2L normally aspirated) forms for a good number of miles, and neither are rough nor noisy nor do they sound like a lawnmower (not, in the case of the Saab, even at 135MPH, which I believe is mighty close to the top speed of the Saab 93).

Both versions have balance shafts and the way Critic is talking I wonder if they (or the ignition system) were missing on the one he drove.


The Saab version of the Ecotec has a GM block with Saab-designed heads. It also has piston oil jets, and as an interesting feature, sodium-filled exhaust valves. (Sodium aids heat transfer, apparently--there are disposal instructions for the exhaust valves in the shop manual, since sodium and water react somewhat violently).

One thing the Ecotec has going for it over the V6 is you'll need not worry about coolant leaks
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I've never driven an ecotec that wasn't as smooth and quiet as could be. I would put it up against any manufacturers 4 cylinder engine anyday.
 
We have an 03 Cavalier so I have over 3 years and 65K miles actual experience with the Ecotec. Its an awesome engine. Plenty of power for acceleration and passing, good mpg (we get about 35 combined), easy oil changes with the top-mounted cartrige filter and so far totally reliable and does not use oil between drains. Most of the time it gets Havoline and I have posted a couple of very good UOA's here.
 
I have one of the more original 2.2L Ecotecs. It is in a light Pontiac Sunfire tho (2300 pounds) so the car is very zippy and does get close to 40mpg (38.7 MPG avg) at 75mph on the 210 in Los Angeles.

The "buzz" that most people talk about is in high RPMS. At 1-3k rpms the engine is hardly noticable and really smooth. Yes, the city MPG drops considerably (I got 26MPG on city only) but highway I've gotten 47MPG going 50-55mph on flat roads in Iowa.

I've tested the 0-60mph and clocked 6.9 seconds with a friend timing. Even raced (to speed limit) a friend in Scion coup and passed him pretty easily. My sisters 05 sunfire auto tranny has a 8.0 sec 0-60. ??? I've got a manual tranny, maybe thats why. So anyway, that speed comes in very handy when trying to pass people and brings a surprised look to everyone who thinks you have a 12+ sec 0-60.

Top speed is limited at 110 - the gas petal just sinks in and doesn't work until you drop to 109. (innocent look)...
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Engine temperature is 190F normally. If you sit in traffic it goes to 226+F before the fan turns on (having the AC on keeps the engine temp under 200 though).

And yes - changing oil on this thing is the best thing since sliced bread. Cartridge oil filter is hard to find and they are expensive $5-7. I suggest the Nappa Gold or the Purolator and *seriously* recommend you stay away from Fram - their oil filters for this car have cracked pieces of plastic that fall off + bad design. The oil sump for my car is 5.5 quarts so get used to buying 6 quarts. The UOAs are excellent even at 7500 miles.

This engine does not like being cold - lot of ticking and clacking on start up so let it warp up for a few seconds. A lot of 2.2L Ecotec owners have noticed more noise with lighter oils - GC or another heavier oil helps quiet that startup noise. I have not noticed much of a MPG difference between a light 5w30 and a heavy 0w30. The engine seems to high rev a little easier with a lighter oil though.

One thing I noticed - I keep getting better MPG as the car ages.
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Hope this helps - Paul
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As a matter fact I just went to lunch with a friend of mine who has a Saturn L300 with the Ecotec and he punched it and got it up to about 5500RPM, no buzz, just the noise you'd expect from an engine running that fast at WOT.

He said his '97 Del Sol makes as much noise at that engine speed, if not more.

I've gotten filters for this engine using the Pep Boys coupon specials, or from Fleet Filter or Filter1, I can't remember which...

The one in my mom's Malibu takes exactly 5 quarts.

Did not notice any startup noise when we were in Chicago last Thanksgiving, despite it being abut 15 degrees overnight..
 
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2.2 ecotec, I've got two of them. One with 32K the other 67K. Both in '04 Cavaliers. Excellent engines. The 5 spd manual always gets over 32 MPG average, and considerably better with careful driving. The auto gets around 30 MPG average in mixed driving. No noises, or oil consumption either. Lots of surprised sporty import owners though. Sorry I do have a bad attitude toward misrepresented fake "sports cars", Miata etc. You better have a blower, significantly larger engine, or a turbo buddy if you want to take on my Cavi. A 2.2 Ecotec should serve you well. Rickey.
 
I truly drive like an old lady. Durability and fuel economy are much more important to me than performance.

If I can get the 2.2l in the Malibu and save $$$ and still end up with a reliable vehicle with a nice ride, I may very well go that route.
 
I just noticed a place around here selling 2006 Malibus. They have a couple LT models with the Ecotec and 20-30k miles and are asking only $11999. If they came with a manual transmission I would buy one. It's still tempting.

I like bang for the buck, durability, and economy as well. I could give a rats rear end about "refinement" and slalom times.
 
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