These days, new car engines cost anywhere from $2,500-$4,000.

Because an engine is such a vital part of the car, it’s important to understand how they work and how to care for them. Otherwise, it’s expensive to replace them.

If you’re buying a new car, take time to research the track record of your potential car’s engine as well as the PA lemon law and NJ lemon law. Are you wanting to buy a car with a GM 2.4L Ecotec Engine? Proceed with caution.

Below is a guide on common Ecotec engine problems to keep an eye out for. Make sure to keep reading if your car contains this engine type.

Extreme Oil Usage

One of the biggest complaints regarding the GM 2.4L Ecotec engine is the way it burns through large amounts of oil, especially in cars such as the Chevy Equinox. This 4-cylinder engine took several quarts of oil every month or so for some consumers.

Many lawsuits regarding oil consumption have been ignored by GM due to them claiming it’s traced back to issues with design, not manufacturing. Only manufacturing defects are covered under the GM warranty.

Failures With the Timing Chain

The purpose of the timing chain in a car is to synchronize the rotation of the camshaft and crankshaft. This is to guarantee the car’s valves open and close at the correct time.

While timing chain issues affect many cars, it’s apparently a little too common with General Motors. The specific issue with Ecotec timing chains is the upper bolt or the tensioners.

If your timing chain is failing, you may notice loud rattling sounds, poor vehicle operation, or misfires. Take your car to a mechanic if you detect any of these symptoms.

High Carbon Build-Up

While this issue may not be bad enough to establish a class action lawsuit, it is a major issue with these GM engines. In the 2.4L Ecotec engines, carbon buildups are common because the fuel is sprayed directly into the cylinder.

This differs from other engines that spray the fuel into intake ports. In these ports, oil deposits are washed away to prevent major build-up.

The problem may never become so serious that you’ll have to see a professional mechanic, but it could cause drivability issues. Pieces of the carbon could even break off and damage other parts of the engine.

A great time to start checking for carbon build-up is around 100,000 miles. Whether you’re worried about build-up or not, perform routine check-ups on your engine to guarantee things are running smoothly.

Watch Out for These Common Ecotec Engine Problems

If you’re the owner of a car with a GM engine, make sure to keep an eye out for these common GM 2.4L Ecotec engine problems.

Common issues with this type of engine include high oil usage, failure with the timing chain, and extreme carbon build-up. Take your car to a mechanic if something doesn’t feel right.

Are you driving an unsafe and/or unsatisfactory car? Make sure to check out the rest of our site, and contact us for help with your PA lemon law or NJ lemon law claim. We offer free Lemon Law help.