DrivenDaily
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2024
- Messages
- 820
- Reaction score
- 463
- Points
- 63
- Buick Ownership
- 2005 LeSabre Limited
I have a 2011 Malibu with the 3.6L VVT.
I bought it used with 56K on the ticker in October 2013. I immediately put it on a diet of full synthetic oil.
At 94,ooo miles in February 2016, the engine developed a ticking sound that sounded like lifters or rocker arms. Well, it wasn't. I was in the middle of a construction zone with only 1 lane and concrete barriers on both sides when the first failure occurred, so I turned my radio off and considered my choices, and tried to drive the short distance to where I could pull over and not block traffic. While still in that single lane the second failure occurred even louder than the first, stopping the engine. I coasted to a stop where all of my Royal Purple was puking onto the ground.
At least 1 con rod had put a hole in the side of the block and another in the bottom of the oil pan!
Because of PowerTrain Warranty, it was replaced 100% at no cost to me. It took a while, a little over 2 months, because the dealership had a line of repairs for their one and only tech who could do the work.
Fast forward to 169,ooo miles in January 2024. I was driving the 11 miles to work and heard a ticking. As I was backing into a parking spot, the engine quit. It took 2 attempts to get it to restart. When it did, there was a knocking sound that made me think of a rod or crank bearing.
That evening after work and checking the dipstick, I walked next door to a gas station, bought non-synthetic oil because there were no other options, and poured in several quarts. I drove it home very carefully and have not driven it since. At this point, that's a year and a half. 🙁
Doing the math, my second 3.6L lasted only 75,ooo miles before it developed severe issues.
In October 2010 I bought a brand new 2011 Malibu with the 3.6L engine. Somewhere between 10,ooo and 20,ooo miles it was in the shop for a knocking sound that resulted in the crankshaft being replaced.
Why didn't I keep that car? I did. A flood took it away from me, and I accidentally found another very much like it. I was also looking into Impalas and Mustangs, but settled on the Malibu once again.
I bought that 2011 in 2010 after trading in a 2009 Malibu with the 3.6L engine. So I've driven the 3.6L from December 2008 until January 2024, which is 15 years and 1 month.
As @Pirate Pete mentions, you can have that dainty little 3.6L. It's powerful for what it is, but the 3800 engine in my 2005 LeSabre nets me more mileage and a much smoother experience than the 3.6L ever did. I would put it in just about any car and be completely satisfied.
I bought it used with 56K on the ticker in October 2013. I immediately put it on a diet of full synthetic oil.
At 94,ooo miles in February 2016, the engine developed a ticking sound that sounded like lifters or rocker arms. Well, it wasn't. I was in the middle of a construction zone with only 1 lane and concrete barriers on both sides when the first failure occurred, so I turned my radio off and considered my choices, and tried to drive the short distance to where I could pull over and not block traffic. While still in that single lane the second failure occurred even louder than the first, stopping the engine. I coasted to a stop where all of my Royal Purple was puking onto the ground.
At least 1 con rod had put a hole in the side of the block and another in the bottom of the oil pan!
Because of PowerTrain Warranty, it was replaced 100% at no cost to me. It took a while, a little over 2 months, because the dealership had a line of repairs for their one and only tech who could do the work.
Fast forward to 169,ooo miles in January 2024. I was driving the 11 miles to work and heard a ticking. As I was backing into a parking spot, the engine quit. It took 2 attempts to get it to restart. When it did, there was a knocking sound that made me think of a rod or crank bearing.
That evening after work and checking the dipstick, I walked next door to a gas station, bought non-synthetic oil because there were no other options, and poured in several quarts. I drove it home very carefully and have not driven it since. At this point, that's a year and a half. 🙁
Doing the math, my second 3.6L lasted only 75,ooo miles before it developed severe issues.
In October 2010 I bought a brand new 2011 Malibu with the 3.6L engine. Somewhere between 10,ooo and 20,ooo miles it was in the shop for a knocking sound that resulted in the crankshaft being replaced.
Why didn't I keep that car? I did. A flood took it away from me, and I accidentally found another very much like it. I was also looking into Impalas and Mustangs, but settled on the Malibu once again.
I bought that 2011 in 2010 after trading in a 2009 Malibu with the 3.6L engine. So I've driven the 3.6L from December 2008 until January 2024, which is 15 years and 1 month.
As @Pirate Pete mentions, you can have that dainty little 3.6L. It's powerful for what it is, but the 3800 engine in my 2005 LeSabre nets me more mileage and a much smoother experience than the 3.6L ever did. I would put it in just about any car and be completely satisfied.
