GM 2.4L Ecotec LAF/LEA - Any known problems?

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AdmiralYoda

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My wife's 2016 Mazda CX-5 got hit and I'm preparing for the next vehicle in case it gets totaled. The 2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox's look like a good choice for us. Not very exciting but a solid platform and they are pretty affordable.

That said...the Equinox's that we are looking at come with the 2.4L Ecotec LEA engine.

The 2.4L LEA debuted in 2012 is a flex-fuel capable version of the 2.4L LAF which came out in 2010. Both are considered 2nd generation Ecotec engines. 182hp@6700, 172lb-ft@4900. 11.2:1 Compression and it is a GDI direct injection engine.

The 2.4L LAF and LEA were produced until 2018 when the 3rd generation 2.5L LCV Ecotec engine came out and ran until 2024.

Any known issues with the 2.4L LAF/LEA engines? Google says there are some oil burners and timing chain issues, but it seems more related to poor maintenance. Any thoughts? Thanks!
 
I think by then the piston ring problems were corrected, I had a 2013 that was an oil burner. There was a TSB for updated piston rings to fix the oil burning, but the dealer refused to admit that was the problem, insisting it was the PCV port that was known to clog up (it wasn't). Apparently ours was a California vehicle because it had the secondary air injection system that was known to clog up the injection ports and set CELs. Don't know if the exhaust manifolds were ever improved, but they were known to crack (ours did). The only thing we didn't get to experience was the breather line clogging up with ice that makes the crank seal blow out, but there's a vented oil filler cap available that can avoid that problem.

The water pump is chain driven, and if it leaks, you're in a world of hurt because it leaks into the engine oil. If you catch it soon enough you're OK, but I gather replacing it involves a tool to hold the chain in place.
 
Dave Sherman said:
I think by then the piston ring problems were corrected, I had a 2013 that was an oil burner. There was a TSB for updated piston rings to fix the oil burning, but the dealer refused to admit that was the problem, insisting it was the PCV port that was known to clog up (it wasn't). Apparently ours was a California vehicle because it had the secondary air injection system that was known to clog up the injection ports and set CELs. Don't know if the exhaust manifolds were ever improved, but they were known to crack (ours did). The only thing we didn't get to experience was the breather line clogging up with ice that makes the crank seal blow out, but there's a vented oil filler cap available that can avoid that problem.

The water pump is chain driven, and if it leaks, you're in a world of hurt because it leaks into the engine oil. If you catch it soon enough you're OK, but I gather replacing it involves a tool to hold the chain in place.
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Run!
 
Well known timing chain issues, GM says it's been corrected but my wifes 2016 would disagree. We were good about maintenance and oil changes, jumped time and bent up the valves. Had it fixed and it started making new noises a couple months later, got rid of it as fast as we could after that. Only had 63,000 on it when the timing chain went.
 
dishdude said:
Get a V6 or one of the newer 2.0Ts
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Her 2016 Mazda is paid off and we really don't want a car payment. Trying to keep the cost <$11k and <100k miles if possible. The 2016-2017 refreshed 2nd generation Chevy Equinox looked like a good option but they come with the 2.4L Ecotec LEA.

Another option is a 2013-2016 GMC Acadia. Starting to look like a better option. Can get one for around $11k and 103k miles. Comes with the 3.6L LLT.

The 3.6L LLT had some timing chain issues too, but it seams like GM solved that in 2012 (supposedly). The LLT was the predecessor to the LFX, which then evolved to the LGX/LGZ.
 
I've just never been a fan of the Ecotec 2.4L. We couldn't even wholesale anything equipped with the 2.4L to CarMart because they had a "Do not buy" on anything with that engine.
 
supton said:
On youtube I believe Watch Wes Work has been having "fun" with a GM 2.4L. Not sure if it's this engine? Oh, just looked, it's a 2013.

Part 2:
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Lol, I knew he was in for a time when he started that project. I'm still baffled how the tone ring spun on the camshaft.......
 
My Cavalier has a 2.2 Ecotec.... it has the chain-driven water pump. I got around 170k out of the first water pump... I put an aftermarket one on it then and it didn't last a super long time before it started leaking from the weep hole. I have a factory one on there again now. I've never had an issue with coolant leaking into and contaminating the engine oil. It does indeed require a special tool that makes it fairly easy to replace (just be careful not to drop bolts into the engine!). Mine of course does not have direct injection and I've heard that DI has introduced some potential negatives in those Ecotecs. With that said, if you get one I would keep your favorite synthetic in there and try not to let it go beyond 3,000 miles. Make it shorter if you have short drives in cold weather IMO.

You brought up the Acadia with the LLT.... I have a 2011 Traverse with the LLT. I love the power and the transmission is always willing to downshift quickly and smoothly. The biggest disappointment for me is the efficiency.... overall it doesn't do much better than my truck and sometimes it might actually do worse. I stay on top of oil changes (3,000 miles with synthetic). It uses a little bit of oil on extended highway runs.... not tons. It seems that the Mobil 1 HM 5w-30 that I'm currently running burns off less compared to others so far. I'm guessing that the majority of people that have timing chain issues follow the OLM a bit too much.
 
Skip them both. 2.4 is junk, 3.6 is junk, 6T40/6T50 (doesn't really matter, they're trash too).
 
I've 2 2016 Equinox's in the family. Mine and the DIL's. Both 3.6 AWD. Both over 100k miles on them. Mine bought as a CPO with 12k on it.
Zero engine issues in both. Mine has had only normal maintenance work and serviced via severe schedule, at 114k miles now.
Run away from the 2.4, they are dogs. The 3.6 are out there, just have to do a lot of searching. Took me a month to find one for my DIL 3 years ago. LFX is a solid motor if maintained properly.
As a side note I took a '09 2.4 Malibu from a used buy at 75k miles to 220k miles and sold it running fine with the OEM drivetrain intact.
Only a couple sensors replaced in that timeframe outside of brakes and hubs.
 
repairman54 said:
I've 2 2016 Equinox's in the family. Mine and the DIL's. Both 3.6 AWD. Both over 100k miles on them. Mine bought as a CPO with 12k on it.
Zero engine issues in both. Mine has had only normal maintenance work and serviced via severe schedule, at 114k miles now.
Run away from the 2.4, they are dogs. The 3.6 are out there, just have to do a lot of searching. Took me a month to find one for my DIL 3 years ago. LFX is a solid motor if maintained properly.
As a side note I took a '09 2.4 Malibu from a used buy at 75k miles to 220k miles and sold it running fine with the OEM drivetrain intact.
Only a couple sensors replaced in that timeframe outside of brakes and hubs.
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For the 2nd Generation Equinox (2010-2017), there was a re-fresh for the 2016-2017 years. The 2010-2015 got the 3.6L LLT (Trash) or the 2.4L Ecotec LEA (Trash). The 2016-2017's got the 3.6L LFX engine, which is good! The 2.4L LEA (Trash) carried over through 2017 as well.

For the 2018+ Equinox's they came with the 1.5L LYX Turbo or the 2.0l LTG Turbo. The 1.5L LYX (Trash) has tons of reliability problems and the 2.0L LTG is a great motor.

So I've narrowed it down to the following:
  1. 2016-2017 Equinox with the 3.6L LFX. $11k, 3.6L LFX, 100k miles
  2. 2018 Equinox with the 2.0L LTG only. $12k, 2.0L LTG, 110k miles
  3. 2017 GMC Acadia with the 3.6L LGX. $13k, 3.6L LGX, 100k miles.
If (when) the 2016 Mazda CX-5 gets totaled it will depend on the payout on what we pick. Less money.... 2016-2017 Equinox, more money...2017 GMC Acadia.

KBB has a dealer fair purchase price of $9,650 and private party price of $8,600. Browsing on CarFax, any 2016 with close to my mileage (145k) and no accidents is listing for $10k+. We will see.

I'm sure insurance is going to start out around $2k lol.
 
ctechbob said:
Lol, I knew he was in for a time when he started that project. I'm still baffled how the tone ring spun on the camshaft.......
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Yeah, that's odd. There's no forces on it! well some magnetic forces from the sensor, but sheesh. If had gotten hot (loss of coolant?) I'd think other damage would have been seen.

Makes me appreciate more when a mechanic wants to do a full engine swap rather than open it up. In this case, maybe there's not suitable replacements, but still--no end to what he is finding.

Hopefully his videos help fund this repair job. Sheesh.
 
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