LTG piston and turbo failure...anyone else?

[dmr02]

Mornin' folks,


The other week I went to grab some lunch and left my car running, I was in and out of the store within 5 minutes. When I got back in the car as soon as I threw it in reverse I seen a huge cloud of smoke in my rearview. Luckily I work at a GM dealer and literally was 2 minutes away from work so I pulled it in.


1st and 4th piston were fried and the turbo is cracked....so 4 new pistons and a new turbo for this guy. I have seen LTG powered cars and Buick Encores come in for pistons quite a few times but figured I was in the clear maybe because of my tune and running the best gas possible. That was not the case which I'm kind of glad this happened while it's under warranty because if the pistons didn't go I would have never found out about the small crack in the turbo.


Any one on here have this issue with you LTG powered Regal? If so was the problem resolved the first time? Is your car running exactly how it did before the issue and you are satisfied?

 

[rodslinger]

Any one on here have this issue with you LTG powered Regal? If so was the problem resolved the first time? Is your car running exactly how it did before the issue and you are satisfied?

Whole new motor here at about 20k miles. Actually two motors. Either something was wrong with the replacement motor or they screwed that one up during the swap but they had to replace it a second time before even giving me he car back. Seems these LTG motors aren't as good as the LHU before it and the pistons will give up life just looking at them wrong sometimes.

 

[Drive XR7]

How many miles did you have when you had an issue?

 

[dmr02]

Whole new motor here at about 20k miles. Actually two motors. Either something was wrong with the replacement motor or they screwed that one up during the swap but they had to replace it a second time before even giving me he car back. Seems these LTG motors aren't as good as the LHU before it and the pistons will give up life just looking at them wrong sometimes.

Sorry to hear about that, sounds very frustrating hopefully your up and running and enjoying the car. I like the LTG aside from the lack of support from the aftermarket...and you are correct about the pistons, I've seen elderly ladies bringing their Regal in for pistons LOL

How many miles did you have when you had an issue?

79,000 Kilometers so about 50,000 miles

 

[stoopid]

The piston issue is one reason I decided to bail sooner than later on my LTG Regal. Failures can get magnified online, but at this point between the ATS and now Regal complaints it's certainly elevated to at least a 'problem' that cannot simply be ignored or shrugged off as an isolated issue.

How are the Camaro's making out with the same engine?

 

[dmr02]

The piston issue is one reason I decided to bail sooner than later on my LTG Regal. Failures can get magnified online, but at this point between the ATS and now Regal complaints it's certainly elevated to at least a 'problem' that cannot simply be ignored or shrugged off as an isolated issue.

How are the Camaro's making out with the same engine?

I have not heard anything about the Camaro LTG's although I work at a Buick GMC store and the techs here say a couple of their buddy's at the Chevrolet Cadillac store that they are putting pistons in LTG's all the time...didn't get into the specifics of which vehicles, ATS obviously.

Just drove mine now, feels fine to me doesn't seem any different from before the issue happened. I will still keep it though as I still have lots of warranty and cant break even on it until about another year and a half or so which I am fine with.

 

[Drive XR7]

There is a flood of ATS owners talking about LTG piston failures. ATS has a more aggressive tune too. I haven't seen much, other than this thread, about Regal LTG or Malibu LTG piston failures. I'd run 93 octane just to be safe.

 

[luke1333]

Mornin' folks,


The other week I went to grab some lunch and left my car running, I was in and out of the store within 5 minutes. When I got back in the car as soon as I threw it in reverse I seen a huge cloud of smoke in my rearview. Luckily I work at a GM dealer and literally was 2 minutes away from work so I pulled it in.


1st and 4th piston were fried and the turbo is cracked....so 4 new pistons and a new turbo for this guy. I have seen LTG powered cars and Buick Encores come in for pistons quite a few times but figured I was in the clear maybe because of my tune and running the best gas possible. That was not the case which I'm kind of glad this happened while it's under warranty because if the pistons didn't go I would have never found out about the small crack in the turbo.


Any one on here have this issue with you LTG powered Regal? If so was the problem resolved the first time? Is your car running exactly how it did before the issue and you are satisfied?

Encore didnt have LTG

 

[stoopid]

I will still keep it though as I still have lots of warranty and cant break even on it until about another year and a half or so which I am fine with.

$5,000 private offer from Buick and steep dealer discount were my only means 'out'. 😉

 

[dmr02]

Encore didnt have LTG

I am aware, just stating their engine are having the same issue

$5,000 private offer from Buick and steep dealer discount were my only means 'out'. 😉

hmmmm that might be enough to get me out of mine but I don't have any interest buying another brand new car.

- - - Updated - - -

There is a flood of ATS owners talking about LTG piston failures. ATS has a more aggressive tune too. I haven't seen much, other than this thread, about Regal LTG or Malibu LTG piston failures. I'd run 93 octane just to be safe.

Yep heard plenty about the ATS...was a reason I went with the GS, along with how much further my money went with the Buick trim wise.

I have only ran 91 octane at the very minimum and the other 75% of the time 94 octane...it is what it is I guess

 

[stoopid]

hmmmm that might be enough to get me out of mine but I don't have any interest buying another brand new car.

I hear you. A lot of great lease buybacks with CPO warranties out there, my GF just got a loaded Mazda CX5 for a great price and relatively low miles.

Highly doubting anything new after the LaCrosse, by time I pay this boat anchor off I'll be old enough to be thinking POS commuter and nice summer car.

 

[Super LaX]

93 Octane only since new. 41K on the clock right now. My car is a late build '14 (June) so I hope GM had the issues ironed out.

The car still runs like a champ and I hope it stays that way for the next 5 years.

BTW, K&N panel and no tune.

 

[dmr02]

I hear you. A lot of great lease buybacks with CPO warranties out there, my GF just got a loaded Mazda CX5 for a great price and relatively low miles.

Highly doubting anything new after the LaCrosse, by time I pay this boat anchor off I'll be old enough to be thinking POS commuter and nice summer car.

I'm already at that point lol I'd be happy with an 02-04 C5 zo6 for mid $20's that I can mod and beat on all summer

93 Octane only since new. 41K on the clock right now. My car is a late build '14 (June) so I hope GM had the issues ironed out.

The car still runs like a champ and I hope it stays that way for the next 5 years.

BTW, K&N panel and no tune.

My car was built around the same time as yours...not sure how much that matters I thought I was in the clear with mine. Are you referring to your odometer in Miles? Either way your still low mileage. And I also only ran the best gas possible. It's fixed now and running fine....need about a year and a half or two years more out of it.

 

[SL0WLTG]

120k on my Trifecta tuned (since 10k miles) LTG. No problems beside a failed coil pack and leaky headlight.

 

[dmr02]

120k on my Trifecta tuned (since 10k miles) LTG. No problems beside a failed coil pack and leaky headlight.

Good to know, I might consider the Trifecta tune I have heard good things. I have a guy in Windsor that uses HP Tuners never had any problems and I also like that he is close to home if I need an update etc.

 

[trustinger]

This is a little ironic as I was coming here to post about my 2014 that just dropped a piston today. It has a Trifecta tune and intake w/30k miles. Waiting to here back from the dealer what all they need to do but atleast they are giving me a loaner in the meantime.

 

[SL0WLTG]

Ummm... Kiss your warranty goodbye

 

[stoopid]

Ummm... Kiss your warranty goodbye

That depends entirely if the dealer / GM finds the tune. The proper procedure is to remove the tune, reverting to full stock with a reset flash counter. This should be considered standard protocol for anyone tuned needing dealer assistance with an issue (BNR, HP Tuners, Trifecta). That's one reason to go with HP Tuners and BNR (EFI Live), their portable devices don't require lugging a laptop with you. Could be stuck on the side of the highway and reprogramming while waiting for a tow (assuming you kept the tuner and instructions in the trunk).

Better yet - don't tune the LTG knowing this is a potential problem.

 

[Jcopelin325]

I just got the Trifecta tune a week ago and I love it. It’s very nice I cannot wait to start Data Logging. I have not had any problems with the LTG in my car except for a Fuel issue with the level sensor and the car doesn’t fill up all the way with fuel sometimes. I have the cat less down pipe and muffler delete with two borla mufflers. Thankfully I have not had any turbo or Piston issues.

 

[Drive XR7]

I just got the Trifecta tune a week ago and I love it. It’s very nice I cannot wait to start Data Logging. I have not had any problems with the LTG in my car except for a Fuel issue with the level sensor and the car doesn’t fill up all the way with fuel sometimes. I have the cat less down pipe and muffler delete with two borla mufflers. Thankfully I have not had any turbo or Piston issues.

Tell me more about the fuel level sensor issue. I may have the same issue, where I fill the car up and the fuel needle rises but never pegs to the top of the gauge.