2020 GM 1.5T engine tear down

[JTK]

I found this video kind of interesting given I haven't seen a 2018+ LFV / LXY version of this engine torn all the way down. I know melted pistons was a problem on earlier GM 1.X turbos. What do you guys think caused this. Lean condition? Carbon build up hot spots? Too much boost seems crazy given the tiny turbos on these things and the milk jug thin plastic charge air piping.

Another thing I found interesting was no balance shaft, or is it a cassette type balancer build into the oil pump?

Like his videos or not, they can be entertaining in many ways.

 

[Jetronic]

too much oil leaking into the cylinders. I guess it used enough oil that the owner felt it never needed replacing....

small 4 cylinders have no need for a balance shaft, they are only beneficial from about 2 litres of displacement.

 

[JTK]

too much oil leaking into the cylinders. I guess it used enough oil that the owner felt it never needed replacing....

small 4 cylinders have no need for a balance shaft, they are only beneficial from about 2 litres of displacement.

I can see this as being a problem. I had a thread here some time back on how the PCV system functions on this series of engines. Much of the crankcase vapors are forced straight through the turbo, only to condense and collect in the charge air cooler. From there it's straight through the throttle body and into the combustion chamber.

I don't know that I've seen a (inline) 4-banger without a balance shaft, small displacement or not.

 

[Jetronic]

3.3% Noack oil going in mine...

 

[daves87rs]

Extended oil changes I see…..not a good thing…..

 

[TomYoung]

On one hand, these are weak motors. Conversely, guys, change your oil.

 

[Jetronic]

On one hand, these are weak motors. Conversely, guys, change your oil.

I don't see anything particularly weak on these actually. Can't see how good the pistons are of course. But there's more going on with that one, possibly had a tune aswell as turbo engines respond so well to tunes.

 

[road_rascal]

Currently have 70,000 miles on my wife's 2018 Equinox 1.5 (I think it's the same engine?) but I change the oil every 5,000 miles regardless what the oil monitor says, using 0w/20 full synthetic. Doesn't burn any oil between changes and still gets about 34 mpg on the highway.

 

[JTK]

Currently have 70,000 miles on my wife's 2018 Equinox 1.5 (I think it's the same engine?) but I change the oil every 5,000 miles regardless what the oil monitor says, using 0w/20 full synthetic. Doesn't burn any oil between changes and still gets about 34 mpg on the highway.

I'm not sure what the differences are between the LFV version in this video and the LYX used in the 2018-2022 Equinox. The Equinox LYX has a bit more power. Regardless, there's so many on the roads today that some major failure rate would be noted by now. I believe the fate of most of these small GM GDI turbo engines is user neglect. Mainly because of the vehicle's segment. Drive the heck out of it w/ little/no maintenance.

I love my 2021 Equinox 1.5T. Like you, I haven't gotten less than 34mpg average out of a tank. I find it to have decent power and is just overall excellent to drive for me.

 

[Deamos]

On one hand, these are weak motors. Conversely, guys, change your oil.

I don't know if you're a regular viewer, but that's the overriding theme of the "I do cars" teardowns. It isn't always the case, but I'd say it's the majority. Also: "Check your oil once in a while."

 

[TomYoung]

I don't know if you're a regular viewer, but that's the overriding theme of the "I do cars" teardowns. It isn't always the case, but I'd say it's the majority. Also: "Check your oil once in a while."

The Car Care Nut also takes this position, and speaks with some authority. But in the Crazytown neighborhood in BITOG City, there are are some folks pushing for 20,000 mile oil changes... and not just HPL people. Frequent changes are never a problem.