Originally Posted by eyeofthetiger
Originally Posted by 14Accent
The PCV system issue is no secret on the 2.4... it either clogs or freezes and blows the rear main.
You know what other engine LOVES to do the exact same thing? The 2.0 TSFI VW engine, specifically the EA888. And I've seen FAR more of those with blown rear mains than 2.4's. However, the 2.4 in the Equinox will eat the timing chain for lunch if it gets the chance. It doesn't seem to happen as much in any other platform, just the Equinox. My boss has bought 2 of them off customers in the last year due to blown engines and an $8k bill to replace. We won't put used engines in those, too risky. I've gotten so good at doing the engines that I can have a crate motor in and running in about 6 hours. I don't even take the front wheels off to swap the engine.
I see more Malibus with timing chain problems, but maybe I just work on more Malibus, period. They also like to melt the passenger headlight connector.
Almost every 2.4 that I see has a chain rattle on a cold start, and large metal flakes come out when I drain the oil. And the VVT solenoids are usually malfunctioning.
I've gotten pretty good at replacing 2.4 timing sets, but I do take off the right front wheel.
Definitely with you on the Malibu's. Don't you love that you have to take the bumper off just to replace a headlight harness? Good lord what were they thinking?
I don't even bother doing the chains on the 2.4. With all the other engine issues, at 100k it just makes more sense to replace it with something that has a solid warranty.