Colorado 3.6 P0019 VVT and Spark Plug replacement

[buster]

The LGX/LGZ (2017-2022) V6's are known to be very reliable. This is not the V6 with timing chain issues. However there are 2 common things that go wrong with this engine - 1. VVT solenoid and 2. stuck thermostat.

If I keep the truck past the warranty (60K) it's likely going to be a job I have to do. Looks easy but annoying just to remove the engine cover. Thermostat I believe can be accessed without removing it.

What on Earth was GM thinking making it so difficult to access the engine? Absurd. The 2.7L turbo 4 is much easier to work on.

*This video is just to show how annoying it is just to take off the engine cover.

 

[D60]

Those intakes give quickie lubes and chains a fit. I work on an '18 that she had taken to some chain like Brakes Plus or Meineke or some such. Every bolt was missing and any clip was broken. It was just kind of floating on the rubber hoses.

That said, it's a dumb design. Are there aftermarket CAIs that simplify?

 

[buster]

I believe it. I don't think there are any aftermarket AFAIK.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

@buster There are a number of aftermarket CAI's. I did the best of both worlds, I wanted to get rid of the engine cover and replace the intake tube ONLY. This would clean the engine bay up (my preference) and keep the factory air box and paper filter.

True CAI's have their place but I don't like the idea of a cone filter in my engine bay sucking in hot air. The factory air box is pretty good and draws cool air from the grill or fender (I forget).

I went with Volant. I looked at their kit for the Colorado/Canyon and bought the intake tube only. I then bought some silicone adapters to connect it to the throttle body and air box. I think I also needed to block off the MAF sensor location on the air intake tube since I kept the stock air filter box and stuck with the OEM MAF location. I think I was still under $100 with all the bits and pieces.

FWIW....Volant also sells a kit for the Colorado/Canyon with a heavy duty Donaldson paper air filter! If I were going to buy a whole kit it would be that one.

 

[buster]

@buster There are a number of aftermarket CAI's. I did the best of both worlds, I wanted to get rid of the engine cover and replace the intake tube ONLY. This would clean the engine bay up (my preference) and keep the factory air box and paper filter.

True CAI's have their place but I don't like the idea of a cone filter in my engine bay sucking in hot air. The factory air box is pretty good and draws cool air from the grill or fender (I forget).

I went with Volant. I looked at their kit for the Colorado/Canyon and bought the intake tube only. I then bought some silicone adapters to connect it to the throttle body and air box. I think I also needed to block off the MAF sensor location on the air intake tube since I kept the stock air filter box and stuck with the OEM MAF location. I think I was still under $100 with all the bits and pieces.

FWIW....Volant also sells a kit for the Colorado/Canyon with a heavy duty Donaldson paper air filter! If I were going to buy a whole kit it would be that one.

https://volant.com/collections/2022-chevrolet-colorado-3-6l-v6/products/closed-box-air-intake-15438

Not bad. I'd rather get rid of engine cover.

 

[D60]

@buster There are a number of aftermarket CAI's. I did the best of both worlds, I wanted to get rid of the engine cover and replace the intake tube ONLY. This would clean the engine bay up (my preference) and keep the factory air box and paper filter.

True CAI's have their place but I don't like the idea of a cone filter in my engine bay sucking in hot air. The factory air box is pretty good and draws cool air from the grill or fender (I forget).

I went with Volant. I looked at their kit for the Colorado/Canyon and bought the intake tube only. I then bought some silicone adapters to connect it to the throttle body and air box. I think I also needed to block off the MAF sensor location on the air intake tube since I kept the stock air filter box and stuck with the OEM MAF location. I think I was still under $100 with all the bits and pieces.

FWIW....Volant also sells a kit for the Colorado/Canyon with a heavy duty Donaldson paper air filter! If I were going to buy a whole kit it would be that one.

Love it! I've always maintained CAIs or aftermarket intakes are dumb if you expect power gains, but when they clean up the engine bay and improve access to stuff I think they make perfect sense.

Truly, it's astonishing that automakers will have brake or steering problems or transmissions that don't shift right or modules that catch on fire, but they'll dedicate a metric ton of engineers to baffles that make incoming air quiet. Fear not ‐‐ your vehicle may be unreliable but when it does run you won't hear the engine pulling in air. Good thing.

 

[JTK]

That LGX/LGZ is It's a tad more labor intensive than the IM removal on the LFY 3.6L in my 2021 Traverse.

I don't keep the huge goofy plastic cover on my LFY. I like to be able to see things when I lift the hood.

I don't know what to think of that plastic intake "porting". To me, it might create weak spots that could crack. Who knows..

 

[D60]

That LGX/LGZ is It's a tad more labor intensive than the IM removal on the LFY 3.6L in my 2021 Traverse.

I don't keep the huge goofy plastic cover on my LFY. I like to be able to see things when I lift the hood.

I don't know what to think of that plastic intake "porting". To me, it might create weak spots that could crack. Who knows..

I toss all plastic covers as they just equal a mouse house.

I was also wondering about "porting" plastic for fear of cracking or weakening the structure. Interesting concept -- maybe it's fine. Of course next question is if there are verifiable, documented improvements as a result.

 

[JTK]

I toss all plastic covers as they just equal a mouse house.

100%

The only vehicle I've owned where I am hesitant to do so is on my 2021 Equinox with the 1.5T. These have a big recess down the center of the cam cover where all the ignition coils and HP fuel rail route down into. There may be drain holes to drain this space, but I fear water sitting in there. When you pull the plastic cover off these 1.5's, the next layer is a big molded foam insert that covers and seals everything on the cam cover.

 

[buster]

https://sbfilters.com/products/colorado-canyon-3-6-intake-75-5089

S&B one is decent.