Colorado engine failure

Son-in-law called asking about "milky" oil in his Colorado 4 cyl. engine. I told him could be head gasket or cracked head; but to get it to a garage asap. Garage found lots of metal filings in oil and filter and have now ordered a rebuilt engine to replace the orig. one. truck has approx. 75k miles. Any know problems w/ this engine ? Any recourse against GM ? Thanks

I looked, there aren't any recalls on the engines on those.

You can search for TSB's here http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/tsbs/tsbsearch.cfm

Your only recourse is gonna be IF its still under warrenty AND you have reciepts for all of your oil changes and such.

Most of the engine problems were isolated to the 5cyl, IME. Even then, those problems were maintenance related or lack thereof....

Ranger50 wrote: Most of the engine problems were isolated to the 5cyl, IME. Even then, those problems were maintenance related or lack thereof....

This, rarely heard of any problems from those engines. Recourse against GM, if there isn't a recall, its either a parts or maintence problem......which isn't GM's fault unless under warranty.

Thanks for the quick replys. Out of warranty and doubt if it's had an easy life. I'll try to keep an eye on the "new" engine for the son-in-law.

Apparently there were problems with the original 2.8L I-4 -- "For 2007, Colorado/Canyon was facelifted and offered new engines, which include the 2.9 L (177 cu in) LLV I4 and 3.7 L (226 cu in) LLR I5 which were both introduced due to numerous head problems...."

The GMC dealer down the street always seemed to have the new inline engines sitting around with holes where they shouldn't be. It was kinda like going to visit George at the Subaru dealer 10 years ago...could hardly make it to his hoist for all the shortblocks stacked around him.

I know the I6 engines had a problem with the liners cracking around the top and the rings trying to snatch the liner down into the crankcase.

MichaelYount wrote: Apparently there were problems with the original 2.8L I-4 -- "For 2007, Colorado/Canyon was facelifted and offered new engines, which include the 2.9 L (177 cu in) LLV I4 and 3.7 L (226 cu in) LLR I5 which were both introduced due to numerous head problems...."

BS

There were problems with the valve seats in all the Atlas inline motors through 06. The warranty was extended, and most of the ones with problems showed up early. The new ones are the same motor with a 2.5 mm bore increase. They are VERY stout.

Well it sounds like it's time for an LS engine. They drop in pretty easily, in fact I think you can get them that way from the factory.

frenchy wrote: Well it sounds like it's time for an LS engine. They drop in pretty easily, in fact I think you can get them that way from the factory.

its true. is a 5.3. From my understanding its just a difference in mounts. ill look at some part diagrams.

I feel like a stripper model colorado with a 5.3 would be entertaining

the Colorado never got a factory installed V8. i think the Colorado engine bay is physically smaller than the Trailblazer that is on a similar chassis, but if you can put a V8 in an old S10 truck without too much effort, then one should fit in a slightly bigger Colorado, too...

keep in mind that you will be buying a new transmission- or at least finding a V8 bellhousing- and that nothing that hooks to the engine (fuel lines, wiring, coolant hoses, etc) will hook up..

In reply to novaderrik:

You can buy a Colorado new with a 5.3

Zomby Woof wrote: In reply to novaderrik: You can buy a Colorado new with a 5.3

really? since when? last i paid attention (which was admittedly a long time ago) the biggest engine was the I5..

I considered buying one, but there's no manual, and the extra $$ killed it for me. I believe it's 300 hp.

2009, and it doesn't have to be an SS

I think the v8 was around the time the H3 came out on the collie platform and the I-5 H3's were getting like 9 mpg because the driver had to keep the pedal to the metal just to get them out of harms way. The I-5 is a terrible motor, imo. My best friend had one... sounded bad, didn't make very good power, crappy mpg for what it was. GM decided the H3 needed an ls, and iirc thats when the collie got one too.

I've never heard of the 4 cyl's having any problems. But you know, it only takes the oil pump to go bad for a really reliable engine to turn into a boat anchor in a hurry.

Same motor, just add or subtract a cylinder. I'm impressed with the power my 4 cylinder makes, and the fuel economy is great for a truck that size. My son drives a Sidekick with a 1.6. My motor is almost double the size, makes 100 hp more, and gets 50% better fuel economy. I think that's pretty good.

novaderrik wrote:

Zomby Woof wrote: In reply to novaderrik: You can buy a Colorado new with a 5.3

really? since when? last i paid attention (which was admittedly a long time ago) the biggest engine was the I5..

A quick search reveals a bunch of them, but most of those are ext cab/crew cab 4x4's. produced from '09-12.

"There were problems with the valve seats in all the Atlas inline motors through 06." Uh - I think that would the 'head problems' referred to in multiple articles I found.

But - it should come as no surprise. GM has a LONG history of being unable to successfully build/market/sell small engines or small vehicles.

MichaelYount wrote: But - it should come as no surprise. GM has a LONG history of being unable to successfully build/market/sell small engines or small vehicles.

He's just trying to create a distraction from the thread where he posted the BS.

also, since when is a 2.8+ liter engine "small"?

gm selling millions upon millions of small cars that will never die - see "cavalier"

gm selling millions upon millions of small trucks that will never die - see "s-10"