2.2l Ecotec 2007 Malibu

[Blue_Goose]

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So is the base 2.2l Ecotec only offerred in the Malibu, Colbalt, and Ion?

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My 2007 HHR has the 2.2 in it. At least on the HHR the 2.4 is rated the same MPG as the 2.2 but requires 91 octane (and that is debatable according to some 2.4 HHR owners)

The HHR is put together fairly well build quality wise(built in Mexico) but I'll be the first to admit the build quality is not as good as the Toyota Matrix I owned. That being said the fun factor of the HHR is x10

Goose

 

[JustinH]

Hey Guys.

Here in buffalo, ny absolutely EVERYONE has a 2.2L ecotech powered car.

There are so many cobalts/ions/hhr's/malibu's here.

I am a long time ford guy, but I picked up a 03 ion with the 2.2L ecotech, and I've been very pleased with the drivetrain, and the getrag manual transmission.

I've been getting around 29mpg around town, and got nearly 40 on the freeway, with bald OEM firestone tires.

Out on the west coast, there aren't too many new GM cars on the road, its all toyota.

The Ion isn't a refined car, yes the engine is a little buzzy when its cold. But, you are buying a plastic car. Heck I paid 6500 for mine with 30k miles on it.

Roughly the cost of a couple high end laptops.

 

[IndyFan]

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So is the base 2.2l Ecotec only offerred in the Malibu, Colbalt, and Ion?

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My 2007 HHR has the 2.2 in it. At least on the HHR the 2.4 is rated the same MPG as the 2.2 but requires 91 octane (and that is debatable according to some 2.4 HHR owners)

The HHR is put together fairly well build quality wise(built in Mexico) but I'll be the first to admit the build quality is not as good as the Toyota Matrix I owned. That being said the fun factor of the HHR is x10

Goose

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You don't have to put 91 octane in it, if you don't want to. It will cost you a little horsepower, but Ecotec 2.4 engines are able to adjust to 87 octane just fine. I run it in my Solstice when regular unleaded goes north of 3 bucks a gallon. It runs perfectly fine on it, but loses nearly 1/2 second from 0-60.

I love my 2.4. Sounds great throughout the powerband, no strange noises, warm or cold, and loves to be driven hard. No oil consumption, and the oil filters can easily be found at Advance Auto or Wal Mart.

 

[06RANGER]

So I take it that it's not the powertrain you have to worry about in the 07 Malibu ... it's the other components.

 

[davidfarming]

I just bought a 2007 Malibu LT with the Ecotec for my daughter who is a junior in a college about 100 miles from here. Bought it used at a auction. Very well pleased so far. Do I need ramps to change the oil and where is the oil filter? I have read that this is a cartridge type of filter; but I cannot find it. I plan on using PP 5w-30 and either a NAPA or Pure One filter if I can find the things. I would appreciate any help as I do not want to spend $$ for a shop manual just to change oil. Thanks for your help.

 

[06RANGER]

I was curious about the cartridge filter too.

Someone recently started a new thread in the "oil filter" forum. I'm going to do a search there.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/s...;gonew=1#UNREAD

 

[JTK]

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I just bought a 2007 Malibu LT with the Ecotec for my daughter who is a junior in a college about 100 miles from here. Bought it used at a auction. Very well pleased so far. Do I need ramps to change the oil and where is the oil filter?

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David, it's a top mounted filter housing. You will probably need to remove the oil filler cap and lift off the black plastic engine cover to see it on the front/right corner of the block. The oil filter housing is cast into the block and has a round black plastic cap, about 3" in diameter with an 1-1/4" hex nut in the center. You need a shorty 1-1/4" socket to unthread the cap. I picked up a "Lisle" brand socket specifically for this on eBay for under $10. I think blue goose may have a pic floating around somewhere! I can do an oil change w/out ramps on my Cobalt.

Joel

 

[davidfarming]

Thanks for the quick and helpful reply JTK. I don't have an engine cover, but I now see a 3" cap that has a 1-1/4" hex nut in the center. I can't wait to change the oil/filter. The oil life monitor states that I have about 60% oil life left.
Again, thanks for your help.

 

[Blue_Goose]

You can see it in the pic with the Valvoline bottle...black cap to the right almost right under yellow funnel

Not sure if all the Ecotecs 2.2 are the same though


Goose

 

[davidfarming]

Thanks for the pictures Blue Goose. My 2.2 ecotec has no engine cover like that ; but I did identify the oil filter cartridge.

 

[JTK]

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...My 2.2 ecotec has no engine cover like that ; but I did identify the oil filter cartridge.

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David, I just noticed that. For whatever reason, GM uses the All other Ecotec equipped 2007's use the new style 'covered' engine. The Ecotecs with the black covers have a completely different ignition coil setup. 4 separate coil-overs, as opposed to (I think) 2 big modules under that small rectangular cover on the center of the cam cover. Here's the 2007 Malibu 2.2L:

Joel

 

[JustinH]

I found that odd as well.

My 2003 saturn ion has the exact same looking motor as the 2007 malibu, and the newer ions and cobalts have the plastic beauty cover on the motor.

 

[JTK]

Yep, from what I can tell, the cam covers are slightly different as well to accommodate for the different ignition system/coil overs. The other oddity is some 2007 2.2L equipped vehicles have an (electric blower) secondary air injection system and some don't. My Cobalt, 2.2 w/ AT has the air injection system, where 5spd's and different body styles do not?!?

Joel

 

[06RANGER]

2.2l available Malibus are getting slim as production of the new redesigned 2008 has begun.

 

[JTK]

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2.2l available Malibus are getting slim as production of the new redesigned 2008 has begun.

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Good point. All I can figure is, with the smaller production #'s of 2.2L Malibus, GM kept the the pre 2007 PCM and 2.2L. Just a guess.

Joel