The Causes and Solutions for 2.4L Ecotec Oil Consumption. The 2.4L Ecotec engine from GM is intriguing since it is a good engine with a terrible reputation. The 2.4L I4 Ecotec engine, which was released in 2006 and was discontinued in 2019, had a relatively long life under the hood of several of GM’s best-selling cars. The GM 2.4L LEA showed a lot of promise right out of the gate, thanks to current engine technologies like direct injection, variable valve timing, and FlexFuel compatibility. Unfortunately, a few key faults tainted the GM I4, one of which was excessive oil consumption.
For a variety of reasons, 2.4L Ecotec oil consumption is a concern.
Finally, if your engine is running low on oil, there won’t be enough to adequately lubricate it. This can cause timing chain issues, poor performance, and even engine seizure. Because there are so many issues related with low oil levels and high 2.4L Ecotec oil consumption, it is critical to solve the issue as soon as possible and take the necessary precautions to avoid other problems in the meanwhile.
We’ll go through some of the most typical symptoms, issues, and solutions for GM 2.4L Ecotec excessive oil consumption in this tutorial.
For more details, see our complete 2.4L Ecotec Common Problem guidelines.
Applications for the 2.4L Ecotec and Affected Vehicles
- Models with Piston Ring Blowby
- Chevrolet Equinox 2010-2017
- 2011-2014 Chevrolet Orlando
- Chevy Captiva 2011
- Terrain 2010-2011 GMC
- Buick Lacrosse 2010-2011
- Buick Regal 2011
Models Were Affected by PCV System Pressure Buildup
- Buick Lacrosse (includes Hybrid/eAssist versions) 2010-2016
- 2011-2017 Buick Regal
- 2012-2017 The Buick Verano
- Chevrolet Captiva 2010-2015
- Chevrolet Equinox 2010-2017
- Chevrolet Malibu 2013-2014
- 2010–2017 GMC Terrain
Excessive Oil Consumption in a 2.4L Ecotec
When it comes to engine problems caused by low oil, by the time the engine exhibits physical symptoms, harm has most likely already occurred. There are certain early warning signs that your 2.4L Ecotec is running low on oil. A low oil pressure indicator light, for example, can frequently illuminate before you detect any performance dropoff. This light, which appears on the majority of Chevy Malibu and GMC Terrain vehicles that have excessive oil consumption, is usually caused by low oil levels. If this light comes on, stop your car immediately and allow it to cool before checking your oil.
It is crucial to remember that GM 2.4L Ecotec oil-level sensors are notoriously unreliable, and there have been reports of 2.4L Ecotec owners receiving no advance notice that their vehicle was running dangerously low on oil. As a result, it is critical to check the oil level in your 2.4L Ecotec on a regular basis. Some recommend checking every 1,000 miles or every third gas station refill as a basic guideline. Regardless, because low engine oil levels are the most typical indicator of excessive oil consumption, knowing how much oil is in your engine at all times is critical.
Other than low engine oil, blue smoke from the tailpipe, poor engine performance, clogged spark plugs, and poor acceleration are all indications that your GM Ecotec I4 is experiencing significant oil blowby. Rough performance is likely to be the first thing you notice, indicating that your Ecotec is dangerously low on oil.
Excessive Oil Consumption in the GM 2.4L Ecotec
The precise causes of excessive 2.4L Ecotec oil consumption have been discovered over time. While a poor piston ring design is to blame for many of the 2.4L LEA I4’s consumption troubles, there are also some other design flaws to consider. A couple of these issues can be traced back to the 2010 2.4L Ecotec PCV system. The defective Chevy 2.4L piston rings, PCV problems, and cooling jet intensity all contribute to high oil consumption.
Piston Rings Faulty in 2.4L Ecotec
The 2.4L Ecotec’s faulty piston ring design by GM is definitely the most significant cause to high oil consumption. One of the most important components in keeping oil from seeping into the combustion chamber is piston rings. The problem is caused mostly by the fact that the 2.4L piston rings are too thin.
Piston rings are circular rings that fit around the piston and glide against the cylinder wall. They are responsible for sealing the combustion chamber and controlling the flow of oil around the piston. Piston rings also aid to maintain correct engine compression by transferring heat from the piston to the cylinder wall. GM’s thin, low-tension piston rings do not offer a good enough seal within the crankcase in the instance of the 2.4L Ecotec. As a result, oil is allowed to leak into the combustion chamber, where it burns off and creates carbon deposits, fouls the spark plugs, and produces excess smoke from the exhaust.
Intensity of 2.4L Ecotec Oil Cooling Jet
To add to the problem with the piston rings, the 2.4L Ecotec has oil cooling jets to help lower internal temperatures. To keep the pistons cold, oil cooling jets pump pressurized oil into the cylinders. In theory, this is a good idea because lower temperatures reduce friction and extend engine life. However, the oil jets on the GM Ecotec contribute more oil to the area where the piston rings already struggle to hold oil, producing even greater problems. Because the oil from the jets is released in a pressured stream, it can cause additional piston ring damage. While the idea was there, GM’s implementation of cooling jets is more harmful than advantageous.
The 2.4L Ecotec Crankcase Ventilation System is faulty.
While this is technically an oil leak problem rather than an oil consumption one, it is still worth mentioning because it has afflicted many 2.4L Ecotec vehicles. The PCV system in an engine is critical in keeping hazardous vapors from accumulating in the engine by recycling them back into the combustion process. The PCV system draws air from the engine’s crankcase and into the intake manifold via a valve.
Furthermore, the PCV system aids in the maintenance of correct engine oil levels. It accomplishes this by lowering engine pressure, which prevents oil leaks and consumption. However, moisture, sludge buildup, and even ice have been known to cause PCV blockages in 2.4L Ecotec I4 engines. This can result in excessive pressure in the crankcase, eventually blowing out the rear main seal. This allows oil to escape, eventually resulting in extremely low engine oil levels. Aside from the class action lawsuit for faulty 2.4 Ecotec piston rings, there is also a case for 2.4L Ecotec PCV problems.
Surprisingly, the 2.4 Ecotec has been known to experience the opposite problem. The PCV system can also extract oil from the valvetrain and feed it via the intake and into the combustion chamber, in addition to extracting hazardous gases from the crankcase. This could result in even more oil use. Overall, the GM Ecotec’s PCV system is less than ideal.
Fixes for 2.4L Ecotec Oil Consumption
Because the 2.4L Ecotec oil consumption issue is caused by a problem with the piston rings, there is no immediate or simple solution. If the oil consumption problem is caused by a clogged PCV system, the solution is simpler. If your GM 2.4L I4 has significant oil blow-by caused by damaged piston rings, the only option is to replace them. This can be a time-consuming and costly job that puts a burden on the finances.
Even more regrettable is GM’s failure to recognize or sympathize with the obvious design defect. Despite thousands of vehicles experiencing piston ring failure and excessive oil consumption, namely the Chevy Malibu and GMC Terrain, GM has not issued any recalls or free repairs. Some GM dealers would even refuse to take care of the problem under warranty. This has resulted in a massive 2.4L Ecotec oil usage litigation, which is still ongoing today. If you have been harmed by this situation, you should join the class action lawsuit. GM was recently sued for a similar problem with the Vortec 5300 V8 engine. The class members were awarded $102.6 million.
2.4L Ecotec PCV Breather Hole Cleaning
You’re in luck if you discover that your 2.4L Ecotec’s oil consumption isn’t caused by worn piston rings. While there are numerous causes for coolant loss in the engine, the most common is a clogged PCV breather hole. Fortunately, this one is simple and inexpensive to address. Finally, you’ll need to remove the 2.4L I4 intake manifold to gain access to the PCV breather hole. This is usually where the PCV system becomes blocked, producing problems later on.
Cleaning the 2.4L Ecotec PCV breather orifice is a simple task. Simply scrape any dirt out of the orifice using a pick, flathead screwdriver, or similar tool. Once the hole is clear of debris, clean it with throttle body cleaning. Then, wipe down the hole and the intake manifold mating surface to confirm that everything is clean. Dielectric grease can also be used to extend the life of gaskets.
If you want to clean your 2.4L Ecotec’s PCV breather on your own, watch this video that leads you through the full process.
Related : The 6.1 HEMI Intake Manifold Upgrade Instructions
Summary of GM 2.4L Ecotec Oil Consumption
While the GM 2.4L Ecotec LEA is a strong and reliable engine in general, it has certain flaws. One of the most serious issues with the engine is its proclivity to use enormous volumes of oil. The failure of piston rings is the principal reason of 2.4L Ecotec oil consumption. Oil blowby is quite prevalent since GM chose thin and weak piston rings, which are known to wear and fail prematurely. This issue is compounded by the engine’s oil sprayer system, which can further damage the rings. The Ecotec is also known to having a PCV system that clogs quickly, resulting in increased oil loss.
There aren’t many warning signs that the problem is on its way. The 2.4L Ecotec includes oil-level monitors, however they are notoriously unreliable. If engine symptoms appear, it is likely that damage has already occurred. That is why it is vital to check your oil level periodically and ensure that it is not dangerously low.
Unfortunately, GM has been completely silent on the 2.4L Ecotec’s high oil consumption. Despite the fact that it is a blatant design flaw, they have not directly addressed the issue or provided any support for affected vehicles. This has resulted in an ongoing class action lawsuit about the issue. You can join the class action lawsuit here if your car has been harmed by high oil usage.
