GM Winds Down Production Of 2.4 Liter Ecotec LE5
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After 13 years, the last 2.4 liter 4-cylinder Ecotec engine rolled off the line last week at General Motors Tonawanda Engine Plant in Buffalo, New York. In total, 4,149,000 copies of the engine have been built, with the last unit destined to serve duty in a (last-gen) 2012 Chevy Malibu. The 2.4L carried two GM RPO codes – LE5 and LE9 (for the E85-capable version).
The 2.4L engine, which was also available in a 2.2L form, was the precursor to the direct-injected 2.4 liter (RPO code) LEA unit that itself is about to be replaced by the 2.5 liter (RPO code LCV). In the 2012 Malibu that it will call home, the LE5 made 169 hp (126 kW) and 160 lb.-ft (217 Nm) of torque, while also having been available in the Chevrolet HHR and Cobalt as well as the Saturn Ion.
Completing the final production run of the 2.4L last Wednesday was a crew of 13 employees who remained to build the last batch while their colleagues were busy ramping up production of two new engine lines — the next-gen 2.5L/2.0L turbo Ecotecs and GM’s fifth-generation V8.
“Each person on the 2.4L team took on additional responsibility for performing several jobs daily as they built one part of the engine in the morning, and then moved down the line to finish them in the afternoon,” said UAW Local 774 Shop Chairman Bob Coleman. “When you’re starting up two new product lines and building out two lines, you do what it takes to have them all be successful.”
According to GM, the 2.4L had the lowest warranty costs in all of GM.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” said Plant Manager Steve Finch. “They sacrificed going to the new businesses with other team members so they could be a part of this final build out. And they did it perfectly, with zero quality issues from our direct customer, the Fairfax Assembly plant.”
The plant, which currently employs 1,018 hourly and salaried workers, is planning to add an additional 40 employees to help staff the two new product lines who will transfer from GM’s Component Holdings plant in Lockport on October 1. Tonawanda will continue building blocks, heads, and cranks for the discontinued 2.4L for export to China through the first quarter of 2013. The plant opened in 1938 and is responsible for building more than 70 million engines.
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“…while also having been available in the Chevrolet HHR, Impala, and Cobalt as well as the Saturn Ion.”
Wait. What? What Impala came with the 2.4? 00-05 had either the 3400 or 3800. 06-11 came with either the 3.5, 3.9 or 5.3. 12 has the 3.6.
You’re absolutely correct, my mistake. Fixed!
they also put the le5/9 in the Polaris sling shot ( 3 wheeler)till 2019 with the same trans they put on it in the Pontiac solstice and saturn skys. if biden had not stolen$ 528 million from the energy dept to build his electric cars that were never built but he needed a facility for the scam back in 2010. they would still be making those cars witch were hand assembled and one of the best cars gm had produced in many years. thousand of jobs lost to joe biden. his cars were never built and he kept the $528 million.
Alex, does this mean 2.5 is coming for the Verano?
Farewell 2.4… Welcome the 2.5!
(BTW, what’s up with the old pic of pre-LS series V-8 Blocks?)
Looks like I used the wrong image; fixed.
Our 06 HHR has an LE5. Been reliable, sporty, and very fuel efficient. GM did it right on this one.
Alex,
Thanks for the news. Does this mean new Equinox’s and Terrains will start getting the 5th Gen. Ecotec?
Wait, what? They make this sound like its an amazing engine or something? What did I miss? My wife’s equinox had an engine tear down and rebuild at 22,000 miles due to a timing chain tensioner failure. It’s in the shop today as of 3/21 about one year after the engine teardown.. I was just told by the service man that it most likely will need a replacement engine put in… Pretty scary considering this car is 3 years old and only has 32,000 miles on it. Eff ecotech
Hmmmmm , A bad one. 1. You are the minority.
Minority??? I have hear of a lot of issues in the 2.4 in the Equinox. I for one have a 2011 with 84,000 miles on it and have had nothing but oil leaking from the valve cover for the past 30,000 miles and GM will do nothing to fix the problem other than keep putting valve cover gaskets on until 100,000 mile warranty runs out then it will be my problem. And that is what I was told at the dealer!! Pretty scary and pretty messed up on GM’s part. Will definitely be looking at buying a Toyota or Honda from here on out!
Ok, So there’s two of you.
Then why does a search for “2.4 Ecotec timing chain” net 3,130 search results on youtube?
I personally know of three 2.4 Ecotecs with failed timing chain tensioners and guides. Most recently a 2012 with 32,000 miles.
How much does GM pay you?
Using the amount of search results (on YouTube, no less) as a barometer for issues related to an engine isn’t the most empirical way to go about things., wouldn’t you say?
Ultimately, all engines have issues but it is interesting that the issues you have had are all related to the timing chain.
Trust me you do not want a Honda because they are making very cheap quality cars now besides the Accord, Toyota has a different recall at least every other month. My grandma has a 2011 Terrain with a 2.4L I4 with only 23,000 miles and it has been awesome, very powerful for a 4 banger. Also, you have the “LAF” Ecotec 2.4L, this article is clearly talking about the “LE5” Ecotec 2.4L. GM has change the “LAF” to an updated version called the “LEA” which are very great engines that will last a long time. I am sorry for the case you are in, but stick with GM! I have owned all GM cars and when I drive or even ride a/in Toyota or Honda I hate it, I wanna go drive it into a river thats how much I hate it. All my cars have lasted well over 300K miles without major issues (the most I had to spend was just over 1k for a complete tune up.
I’ve got a 2006 Cobalt with a 2.4 with 298,000 miles on the clock. The engine is all original and has never needed a repair in all this time. I keep Mobil 1 in it and change it when the computer says. It does not burn any oil and had never leaked a drop. Plus I have towed a 1,700lb camper over 40,000 miles with her. She currently gets around 32 MPG combined. But to be fair, I have full bolt-ons and I’ve had the ECM/TCM dyno tuned (I’ve taken it to the track a couple times too). I guess I got a good one.
Chip
Steve, so sorry to hear about your ongoing issues.. I am extremely happy to report that I sold the vehicle back to the dealer less than two weeks ago. I never wound up with the engine because the dealership stated that due to no longer making these engines they would have to put a used rebuilt engine in prone to the same issues. Pretty scary when they say that. Needless to say, had the high pressure fuel pump replaced as it was forcing too much fuel into the engine diluting the oil causing a consumption of one full quart every 1,000 miles per their consumption test . Also had the pistons and rings replaced. I will never purchase a Chevy again, wasn’t a fan to begin with, this terrible vehicle was a present for the wife who was a Chevy fan who I think finally came to her senses after this. I’ll stick with my 94 bronco with 189,000 miles on it. The only thing that burns is gas. Which obviously is one of the most affordable things money can buy.. Ha… Ha
You had the “LAF” Ecotec 2.4L. Due to the reoccurring problems with the “LAF”, GM has updated it to a version called the “LEA” which are very great engines that will last a long time. Notice how I am not saying Chevrolet? It’s because the “LAF” engine was also used in GMC and Buick. . It’s not just a Chevy thing, so you come to your senses. . . .
Minority or not, it’s pretty sad when we purchase my fathers 2003 mercury sable and consider it an upgrade, Craig. I am certain that had you been a member of the “minority” you would have a different perspective on the issue. Or, would you just say “well, I’m in the minority, even though I have a 400.00 per month payment for the next 5 years, I guess that’s okay that my vehicle has had engine issue after engine issue…
I’m not bashing on Chevy here or anything. My father in law who is a retired Chevy mechanic, my uncle who is a current Chevy mechanic and finally my cousin in law who is a Chevy loyalist/mechanic all asked me what I was thinking when I purchased a car with THIS engine in it and all claimed it was sh*t.
Each side has a story, just because the MAJORITY thinks everything is just peaches and cream, doesn’t mean that it necessarily is. The majority of people in this country shop at wal Mart and eat at McDonald’s, does that mean that both of these places produce top quality product?
Don’t mean to sound so defensive or offensive for that matter, don’t believe in arguing, let alone online and I certainly hope I am not coming off that way… All I am saying is every coin has two sides
And….I just flipped 103,000ish miles on my Ecotec 2.4 and the only part I’ve replaced due to”failure”is the thermostat…I’ve also added a turbocharger kit at ~86,000 miles and this wonderful engine runs great…proper maintenance and they’ll stay together…thought I’d provide an update: )
Is GM gonna get rid of the 2.4L I4 as a whole and replace it with the 2.5L I4? Like in the Terrain and Equinox? I think they should, it has more power and is much better on gas than the 2.4L. It could get up to 34 mpg Hwy.
A 2.5L I4 iVLC (eAssist, regen. braking and start/stop optional) with 202HP and 191TQ. 25 mpg City / 38 mpg Hwy (ECO) or 23 mpg City / 34 mpg Hwy
A 2.0L Turbo I4 with 272HP and 300TQ. 20 mpg City / 29 mpg Hwy
A 2.8L Twin Turbo High Feature V6 VVT, SIDI, AFM and DOHC with 385HP and 373TQ. 18 mpg City / 26 mpg Hwy
A Hybrid Plug In/2-Mode Transmission/Regen. Braking/Start-Stop 2.1L Turbo Diesel I4 163HP/278TQ. 35 mpg City / 47 mpg Hwy and 52 mpg City / 64 mpg Hwy for up to 30 miles
Is GM gonna get rid of the 2.4L I4 as a whole and replace it with the 2.5L I4? Like in the Terrain and Equinox? I think they should, it has more power and I think is better on gas than the 2.4L so therefore, it would actually get up to 32 mpg like the EPA says for the Equinox/Terrain that only gets up to 24 mpg for me. . . .
This is an interesting question. While the 2.4 LE5 has been discontinued, the 2.4 LEA is still available in the Equinox and Terrain. The 2.5 LCV should replace the LEA, which can’t happen soon enough… but it looks like the CUVs will ride into the sunset with the 2.4 LEA.
Some more info here:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/
I’m pretty upset myself. I have a 2011 Buick Regal (which I love) with the base 2.4 (which I hate), and it has been nothing but trouble at 31,000. Water pump chain and tensioners needed replacing because the engine, for a year, was making a percolating noise like a coffee maker on crack. The cam phasers had to be replaced because at start up I was getting a loud clattering sound. Then a couple of tensioners on the engine needed replacing because of a rattling noise. Now there is a buzzing noise when the engine is under load and the gas pedal is pressed about 1/8th of the way, and it sounds almost like a bicycle chain rubbing against a a metal guard. This too has been going on for a year and the dealer can’t find the problem. It’s driving me insane! To compound the problem, the engine gets mediocre mileage and the performance is lackluster. I recently drove a 2013 Malibu with the 2.5 (given to me as a loaner while my car was yet again in the shop for the noise issues) and the engine was as smooth as silk. Reminded me of the old 3800 V6–quiet, powerful, decent mileage. I’m beside myself with all of this nonsense with the 2.4.
I’m pretty upset myself. I have a 2011 Buick Regal (which I love) with the base 2.4 (which I hate), and it has been nothing but trouble at 31,000. Water pump chain and tensioners needed replacing because the engine, for a year, was making a percolating noise like a coffee maker on crack. The cam phasers had to be replaced because at start up I was getting a loud clattering sound. Then a couple of tensioners on the engine needed replacing because of a rattling noise. Now there is a buzzing noise when the engine is under load and the gas pedal is pressed about 1/8th of the way, and it sounds almost like a bicycle chain rubbing against a a metal guard. This too has been going on for a year and the dealer can’t find the problem. It’s driving me insane! To compound the problem, the engine gets mediocre mileage and the performance is lackluster. I recently drove a 2013 Malibu with the 2.5 (given to me as a loaner while my car was yet again in the shop for the noise issues) and the engine was as smooth as silk. Reminded me of the old 3800 V6–quiet, powerful, decent mileage.
I have a 2008 Saturn Sky with coming up on 80000 miles and, I have never had a prob. Great car.
I’m glad to hear that. I hope I can even get to 80,000 miles. I’ve been to my dealer over 12 times in 12 months and all for warranty related engine issues. I also just got a letter in the mail about the timing chain being potentially faulty, and not to do anything about it now, but if it becomes a problem GM will give me a 120,000 mile warranty on the current timing chain. This is becoming outrageous. In my state, this is approaching (if it hasn’t already surpassed) Lemon Law. Hopefully once this is all straightened out I’ll have the same luck you’re having.
Stopping production, looks like they are advertising the 2.4L eco3 in the future 2015 Colorado and GMC Canyon..Whats up
Have the 2.4 DI 2010 Equinox… with 38,000 miles
… now using one quart Mobil 1 per 1,000 miles…
… even tho’ getting 30.5 mpg at 70 mph cruising to TN!!
Worse things are coming??
You should get with your local dealer so they can starting documenting your oil consumption. There have been a few that have gotten some new pistons and rings for oil use issues. It’ll still be covered by powertrain.
That Eco Tech 2.4 in the Equinox was an absolute piece of XXXT ….mine needed a balance shaft , timing chains , seals etc at only 60k miles with all scheduled maintenance performed along the way…another stick your head in the sand tactic by G.M. on this engine.
I have a 2006 Cobalt 2.4L LE5. The engine has been rock solid. It does kinda make a somebody hitting a tin can noise when it’s cold. I love the low end torque and nearly instant throttle response.
I did have to get the catalytic converter replaced. Just made it before warranty expired. Also, the key got stuck in the ignition and that was fixed also under warranty.
Ok..so…I’ve passed 100,000 miles on my LE5 and I’m happy to report that the only part I’ve replaced due to failure is ths thermostat…and it actually didn’t fail…the coolant that GM requested that we use warped the gasket and kept the thermo from opening and closing properly…and I’ve had a turbocharger on the LE5 since 86,000 miles. Couldn’t be happier…
My father has a 2012 Chevy Malibu with the 2.4 Ecotec. The tIming chain guides and tensioner are broken at 32,000 miles. 2,000 miles and three months after the factory warranty expired.
He had a 2004 Malibu Classic before that. The timing chain guides and tensioner also broke at 104,000 miles. It bent every single valve.
I also have a friend who owned a 2004 Malibu Classic and the timing chain guides and tensioner also broke at 100,000 miles.
All cars had the 2.4 Ecotec.
I am calling around for information on starting a class action lawsuit.
was the lawsuit ever started? what came of this? I have the 2.4 ecotec in my 2010 terrain and at 84k miles having entirely too many problems
Did you find a place to file? Im so mad right now…same issue! this is just crazy how many of the same issues on the same car and GM does nothing. Wants me to go to the dealer with the car – no why would I and get ripped off some more!
I have a 2010 Equinox, and by dealer reference, and other sources of info, I have the LAF 2.4 Ecotech piece of garbage. It uses oil at 1 quart per 750 miles, sensors keep going out, and one cam phaser keeps going out. Unfortunately, it is no longer under any warranty, so GM isn’t going to repair anything on it, and I didn’t receive a letter regarding oil consumption until after 100,000 miles. Had I known about all the mess with this engine, I would have bought one with the V6 engine. My sister has one, and has had no problems with it. If I get in a position to replace this vehicle, it will be one that does not have a 4 cylinder engine, no matter what make I go with. I’ll buy one that has a V8 available; but, most likely not another GM vehicle.