He's had 1 I believe with melted pistons. I suspect a tune might be partly responsible for that particular engine.
GM 1.5L Turbo - Help Me Pick an Oil!
- Thread starter AdmiralYoda
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He's had 1 I believe with melted pistons. I suspect a tune might be partly responsible for that particular engine.
I don't do short trips like your wife, but if she does enough of them a day, the oil will eventually warm up and stay warm between trips. I mean, it looks like she does 10 or so trips per day, there can't be very much time between each of them.
timing chain and oil pump chain don't do vm any favours with regards to shearing. It'll be more prone than an engine with a timing belt.
Eric specifically stated that the early 1.5T was prone to burning pistons, but GM applied some update, yet the engine in his later teardown was likewise affected.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
Nice! I can point you to several threads elsewhere with claims of 200-300K miles on 2018+ LYX 1.5 equipped Equinoxes.
I own a 2021 Equinox with the LYX 1.5T. I bought it used last year with 30K miles. I'm currently just shy of 60K. I have run mine on 0w20, 5w20 and 5w30. No noticeable difference in fuel economy, NVH, etc. I have also run VRP 0w20 through it with 3 successive oil changes.
These engines, like most GDI, forced induction engines have kind of a complex PCV system. Lots of moisture and oil will wind up in the charge air cooler with short trips in cool/cold weather. Water build up in them can freeze and cause plugging and/or cracked CACs. There's no real way to mitigate this. GM sells lower grille covers for cold weather use to block air flow across the CAC. All you can is try to reduce short trips, or live in a climate that's warm all the time. With my usage, there is basically no short trips, so I'm lucky there.
If you haven't yet, I would do 2 back/back ATF drain/fills on your 6AT It's going to need it badly at that mileage. These 6T40's blacken the ATF in 30-40K miles. You're also going to want to drain/fill the transfer case and rear diff if it's AWD equipped (75w90 gear oil is all you need). Luckily all these fluid drain/fills are super easy on these vehicles.
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
The teardown or two he's done were on the LFV verion of the 1.5. I've yet to see him do an actual LYX. They could be identical though.
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+1
I agree on the 3k OCI's, especially with high octane (premium).
Most of those teardowns were likely on engines run hard with regular fuel - high possibility they were rental/fleet vehicles.
That's the plan. No maintenance history on Carfax but what I can see from the oil fill hole looks clean. GM's severe service for the transmission is every 45k, lifetime fill for standard service.
I plan on doing two spill and fills with some Valvoline Dexron IV to get rid of what is in there, probably the factory fill. Then I'll do a couple with HPL's ATF-Green. Bought a case for the Mazda that got totaled, lucky me it uses the same HPL Green.
I'll probably do all the fluids this weekend. I've got some Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W-90 already for the rear diff and transfer case.
Coolant and spark plugs will be next in the coming month or so.
91K miles?!
VR&P. some here say it works. Give it a couple three 3K OC. It must sorely need it.
Never had luck with Forum Favourites
BUT!
Can't doubt the ESP 0W30 looks worth a try seeing many favorable UOA/VOA and of course the certifications.
VR&P. some here say it works. Give it a couple three 3K OC. It must sorely need it.
Never had luck with Forum Favourites
BUT!
Can't doubt the ESP 0W30 looks worth a try seeing many favorable UOA/VOA and of course the certifications.
Instead of premium gasoline, he can use regular gasoline with TCW3.
Will that raise the octane rating?
No. Use both and your rings will be happy
Okay so what does a higher octane gasoline do for the rings?
Come on, man, you already know the answer...
High octane should, maybe, hopefully, reduce the piston melting problem. The OP's engine already has more than 90k miles, though. Fingers crossed for him...
I do not know the answer. Are you saying piston melting due to pre-ignition?
The melted piston problem seems to be caused by poor maintenance and poor choice of oils. The early 1.5L LYX, and other small displacement engines in this family seemed to have the potential for LSPI.
GM has a couple of TSB's on this usually to change the oil to a GM Dexos1-GenII+ low SAPS oil and to clean to run a top-tier gasoline.
As with any engine poor maintenance can lead to coked up rings and carboned pistons that can create hot spots in the combustion chamber leading to pre-ignition. Add high-ish compression, a turbo and potentially some non-approved oil and you've got a recipe for LSPI.
I think these engines can last a long time if taken care of well. But if they are severely neglected the results tend to be catastrophic. These don't become sludge motors....they will self destruct before if it gets to that point.
This is why I posted this question in the first place! I want a good oil that will handle the abuse from the mighty turbo and keep the engine clean in the process.
So far:
Mobil1 ESP 0W-30. Great additive pack, has some Ester in it.
Valvoline R&P 5W-30. Good track record at keeping engines clean.
HPL - because HPL
GM has a couple of TSB's on this usually to change the oil to a GM Dexos1-GenII+ low SAPS oil and to clean to run a top-tier gasoline.
As with any engine poor maintenance can lead to coked up rings and carboned pistons that can create hot spots in the combustion chamber leading to pre-ignition. Add high-ish compression, a turbo and potentially some non-approved oil and you've got a recipe for LSPI.
I think these engines can last a long time if taken care of well. But if they are severely neglected the results tend to be catastrophic. These don't become sludge motors....they will self destruct before if it gets to that point.
This is why I posted this question in the first place! I want a good oil that will handle the abuse from the mighty turbo and keep the engine clean in the process.
So far:
Mobil1 ESP 0W-30. Great additive pack, has some Ester in it.
Valvoline R&P 5W-30. Good track record at keeping engines clean.
HPL - because HPL
JTK
$100 Site Donor 2025
You've got the earliest LYX in your 2018. I hear you though. The earlier GM Ecotec turbo 4's did have the piston melt down or breakage problems, as well as plastic cooling system parts issues, plastic valve cover and intake manifold leaks/problems, plastic turbo oil return line leakage and cracked exhaust manifold problems.
I've not heard of a piston meltdown yet on an LYX. All the above mentioned plastic parts are metal on the LYX (with exception of the intake manifold) and they have no exhaust manifold. It's cast into the cyl head like most engines are these days.
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wemay
Site Donor 2023
During the school year (because i work from home and take/pick up my son from school) no one short trips more than i do. His school is 1.5 miles away and i have to wait in the pickup line to get him. My response? Lessen my XW20 OCI to 3000-3500. Haven't had a problem with fuel smells or oil level. I've also used 5W30.