Regal engine suddenly died on the freeway. Anyone fixed a troubled engine?

[SCDM]

My Regal 2011 suddenly died on the freeway. No warnings, no sign of going bad. I tried to replace the engine twice, none of them worked. Then I did a ton of research, and found that the engine (Ecotec), which is also used by Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain, is a troubled one and many owners are having the same issue: 1) excessive oil consumption, 2) timing chain damaged, and 3) engine suddenly dies (or reduced power). Is there anyone out there who had the same issue and was able to actually fix the engine? I've already spent thousands with no luck, do no know what to do. Really stressed. Any help appreciated.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

The " I tried to replace the engine twice, none of them worked." statement does seem to follow with enough details or what is actually wrong with your vehicle other than it stopped. I doubt any mechanic could guess on that little bit of information, so the first steps it find out what is bad along with additional details.

 

[SaabVector]

I am sorry to say, but I highly recommend you take the vehicle to a shop. It does not have to be a dealership; an independent shop is fine. Just make sure they have decent reviews. There is no way for anyone here to tell you what went wrong with the information you stated.

 

[SCDM]

Thank you for your reply.

This is a known issue, so I thought people who had the similar experience would know what I was talking about. I wasn't really asking about how to repair it, I just wanted to know if there was anyone who was actually able to fix the engine. My mechanics followed the recommendation by NHTSA but still no luck...

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/SB-10070505-0335.pdf

Facing a difficult decision to scrap this car.

 

[HotZ28]

I've already spent thousands with no luck, do no know what to do. Really stressed. Any help appreciated.

Could be the best solution!

 

[MelsRegal]

Thank you for your reply.

This is a known issue, so I thought people who had the similar experience would know what I was talking about. I wasn't really asking about how to repair it, I just wanted to know if there was anyone who was actually able to fix the engine. My mechanics followed the recommendation by NHTSA but still no luck...

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/SB-10070505-0335.pdf

Facing a difficult decision to scrap this car.

Did your car actually have the codes listed on the TSB?
Your mechanic replaced the engine twice?
If so why did they replace the engine rather than repair?
There appears to be some missing information concerning the history of your car.

 

[luke_dubs]

My Regal 2011 suddenly died on the freeway. No warnings, no sign of going bad. I tried to replace the engine twice, none of them worked. Then I did a ton of research, and found that the engine (Ecotec), which is also used by Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain, is a troubled one and many owners are having the same issue: 1) excessive oil consumption, 2) timing chain damaged, and 3) engine suddenly dies (or reduced power). Is there anyone out there who had the same issue and was able to actually fix the engine? I've already spent thousands with no luck, do no know what to do. Really stressed. Any help appreciated.

My mom had a 2011 Equinox, and it did die on her one time, randomly. Took it to our mechanic, and he said it was a bad crank position sensor, and replaced it. Car didn't die on her afterwards. Give that a shot before anything else.

 

[bugspop1]

Last year, 2020, my wife's 2013 GMC Terrain with the 2.4L Engine was burning more than
2 quarts of oil between scheduled oil changes.
Hers was a Class Action Lawsuit that was settled out of court, we received a notice in the mail.
GM agreed to fix 2.4L engine that burned 2 qts. or more of oil between scheduled oil changes.
Her SUV had less than 120,000 miles and was burning more than 2 qts. of oil between oil
changes as stated in the agreement.
This particular agreement was for the GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox of certain years
(I don't remember the years).
A study had to be done by the Dealership on her Terrain and it met all the stipulations of the agreement.
They ended up Replaced Pistons, Rings and anything damaged because of the failure.

Not sure if this was the Class Action or not but maybe this will help? Class Action Lawsuit

 

[SCDM]

My mom had a 2011 Equinox, and it did die on her one time, randomly. Took it to our mechanic, and he said it was a bad crank position sensor, and replaced it. Car didn't die on her afterwards. Give that a shot before anything else.

Thank you for your info, much appreciated!

 

[SCDM]

Last year, 2020, my wife's 2013 GMC Terrain with the 2.4L Engine was burning more than
2 quarts of oil between scheduled oil changes.
Hers was a Class Action Lawsuit that was settled out of court, we received a notice in the mail.
GM agreed to fix 2.4L engine that burned 2 qts. or more of oil between scheduled oil changes.
Her SUV had less than 120,000 miles and was burning more than 2 qts. of oil between oil
changes as stated in the agreement.
This particular agreement was for the GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox of certain years
(I don't remember the years).
A study had to be done by the Dealership on her Terrain and it met all the stipulations of the agreement.
They ended up Replaced Pistons, Rings and anything damaged because of the failure.

Not sure if this was the Class Action or not but maybe this will help? Class Action Lawsuit

Thank you for your information, really helpful. Those cars definitely use the same engine (Ecotec), but mine (specific model/year) didn't qualify for recall. And if it's not part of the recall, GM doesn't care and doesn't offer any help even though the symptoms are exactly the same. Good to know that your wife's car was saved and I will take a good look at this specific Class Action Lawsuit.

 

[bugspop1]

Well, like I stated, this never made it to court, it was settled out of court!
I'm not even sure that the Class Action I posted about was the same Class Action
for hers, there are lots out there.

My wife's 2013 GMC Terrain with the 2.4L was covered, my daughter's 2015 Chevy Equinox
with the same 2.4L engine isn't covered.
The Equinox was Consuming Oil also, but our son added something to hers that stopped the oil
consumption, cost her about $300.
I think he said they added this device to my wife's Terrain also (after the rebuild), but it was
already too late for her engine.
I keep forgetting to ask him what the device was and what this device does.

 

[SCDM]

Last year, 2020, my wife's 2013 GMC Terrain with the 2.4L Engine was burning more than
2 quarts of oil between scheduled oil changes.
Hers was a Class Action Lawsuit that was settled out of court, we received a notice in the mail.
GM agreed to fix 2.4L engine that burned 2 qts. or more of oil between scheduled oil changes.
Her SUV had less than 120,000 miles and was burning more than 2 qts. of oil between oil
changes as stated in the agreement.
This particular agreement was for the GMC Terrain and the Chevy Equinox of certain years
(I don't remember the years).
A study had to be done by the Dealership on her Terrain and it met all the stipulations of the agreement.
They ended up Replaced Pistons, Rings and anything damaged because of the failure.

Not sure if this was the Class Action or not but maybe this will help? Class Action Lawsuit

Well, like I stated, this never made it to court, it was settled out of court!
I'm not even sure that the Class Action I posted about was the same Class Action
for hers, there are lots out there.

My wife's 2013 GMC Terrain with the 2.4L was covered, my daughter's 2015 Chevy Equinox
with the same 2.4L engine isn't covered.
The Equinox was Consuming Oil also, but our son added something to hers that stopped the oil
consumption, cost her about $300.
I think he said they added this device to my wife's Terrain also (after the rebuild), but it was
already too late for her engine.
I keep forgetting to ask him what the device was and what this device does.

Exactly, I keep seeing very similar problems in recalls & lawsuits. One thing that's certain is that the engine is troubled. I wish if I knew the info before I bought the car. Thanks for your info, I will ask our mechanics if they know the device that could stop oil consumption.

 

[bugspop1]

Not sure when I'll see our son next?
I know it couldn't be too hard to install, he took care of it himself for
his sister's Equinox in her driveway.
He's a Service Advisor, not a Mechanic!

 

[G-630458]

Did your car actually have the codes listed on the TSB?
Your mechanic replaced the engine twice?
If so why did they replace the engine rather than repair?
There appears to be some missing information concerning the history of your car.

Fuel pressure regulator by oil filter. 600$

 

[bugspop1]

I've Got another Question, have you ever had the Fuel Pump checked out?
I once had a New engine put in the 1991 Chrysler LeBaron Convertible I had.
I picked it up after the new engine was installed, drove it home and parked it.
Later that night one of my sons needed picked up from work.

I no sooner got on the Interstate and up to speed, when all the sudden the car
started slowing down, all the Idiot Lights came on.
The car had died, I tried numerous times to start it to no avail.
I had it towed back to the mechanic that had installed the new engine.
They were shocked the next morning to see it sitting there.
Anyway, it ended up being the Fuel Pump!

 

[-Regal-]

Hmm will a 3800 fit in there? 😆

 

[bugspop1]

They use to fit 327ci into Chevy Vega's and Monza's.
Who knows, maybe a 3800 will fit in a 2011-2017 Regal?

 

[HotZ28]

They use to fit 327ci into Chevy Vega's and Monza's.
Who knows, maybe a 3800 will fit in a 2011-2017 Regal?

I put a 70-model LT1 350-370 hp in a '75 Monza with only 5k miles on the clock. It originally came equipped with the 262 cu-in V8 170-hp. After the transplant. it was bad ass on the street! Talking about a tight fit, that Monza original engine was a 262- cu-in small block & a tight fit, but the 350 cu in was the same size externally, so it went in. After the transplant, I had to change the rear tires every month! That thing was a beast!

 

[bugspop1]

Around here I saw more of the Vega transplants, but I did see the occasional Monza.
And yes, they too were very Bad A$$ cars weighing almost nothing and having an
engine made for a 3,000 lb. car!