Why GM Ecotec Engines FAIL

Here’s an in-depth look inside a GM Ecotec 4 cylinder engine and how it works!


In this video, we teardown a 2.2L Ecotec engine from a Chevrolet Cobalt that suffered catastrophic failure with the connecting rod punching a hole in the block. The GM Ecotec engines are used in many small to medium applications from the early 2000’s until today. Earlier versions did not have variable valve timing, direct injection or turbocharging like more modern applications. However, many of these engines have some weak points that can cause failure.


Oil burning has been a huge issue with 2010-2013 era 2.4L Ecotec engines, due to bad oil control rings. In the engine in this video, an issue with timing (potentially caused by a lack of oil feeding the hydraulic tensioner) caused the timing chain to skip and become loose. When the valves are no longer in relation to the piston, the piston contacts the valves at very high speed, causing the connecting rod to snap and break through the engine block. Oil burning on the 2.4L engines is exaggerated by an oil pressure warning system that isn’t aggressive enough to warn drivers before its too late and lack of oil changes, often ending up in needing an engine replacement.


Skip to section in the video:
0:00 Introduction
1:08 Engine Teardown
6:48 Component Analysis
6:49 Upper Oil Pan
7:14 Oil Pump
7:30 Engine Block
10:04 Crankshaft
10:23 Pistons
11:44 Cylinder Head
15:53 Valve Cover
16:23 Conclusion

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