CincyRovers
New member
Hello,
I am posting on here on behalf of my friend, who has a 2013 Equinox LT FWD. It has the 2.4 I4 and has just under 154,000 miles.
The car is running incredibly rough and stalls on a daily basis. My initial thought was it could be the MAF sensor, and sure enough when I sent to read the codes there was an MAF code. I disconnected the plug to the sensor and the vehicle immediately started running better. Before I disconnected the MAF sensor, the car would stall after a few minutes of idling. Afterwards, we let it idle for 20+ minutes and it didn't stall. I left it unplugged until the new one arrives next week, and she texted me to inform that her car stalled today with the sensor unplugged. Every time it stalls, it immediately fires right back up.
There were 14 codes stored, some of which were repeatedly stored. I have attached photos of the codes. The most worrying were a P0016 and P0017. I know these 2.4 Ecotec engines are known for timing chain tensioner issues, and coming from the Land Rover world, I am very familiar with the same problem in JLR AJ133 and AJ126 engines. I didn't notice any of the common timing chain noises at startup on her Equinox, but I definitely wouldn't cross it out. I also know oil consumption is a problem and that these engines don't like being low on oil. I checked the oil level and while it was on the lower side, it was fine. The oil itself was pretty dark, however. She is due for an oil change in 1000 miles, but old her to get it done like this week or have me do it for her. Like I said, it runs rough, but not to the point where something is obviously wrong, that is at least until it stalls.
She told me that she replaced the engine, as well as a bunch of sensors (I know at least an O2 sensor was replaced per Carfax) among other things. I have no idea what exactly was done until I can get my hands on the invoices for all the repairs, which she doesn't have, and needs to get copies from her mechanic, who seems to be just screwing around. Her mechanic told her that the alternator and transmission are bad. Alternator seemed fine, as did the transmission, and there were no codes stored in the transmission, further proving my point. I told her to take it to one of my best friends who is a highly-qualified auto tech for a second opinion, but she hasn't made the time to do so. I was able to get a Carfax report, which shows that my friend and the previous owners changed the oil roughly every 5k miles give or take, and I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. There was nothing on the Carfax report about a new engine.
I'm decently mechanically inclined, and can do oil changes and basic DIY services, I am by no means a tech. Basic things I can do, but I'm not capable of doing a full timing chain job.
I've attached the codes below. I'm curious to see if anyone else has had the same issues or seen anything like this. Any help is much appreciated, and happy to answer any questions if you need more info.
Cheers!
I am posting on here on behalf of my friend, who has a 2013 Equinox LT FWD. It has the 2.4 I4 and has just under 154,000 miles.
The car is running incredibly rough and stalls on a daily basis. My initial thought was it could be the MAF sensor, and sure enough when I sent to read the codes there was an MAF code. I disconnected the plug to the sensor and the vehicle immediately started running better. Before I disconnected the MAF sensor, the car would stall after a few minutes of idling. Afterwards, we let it idle for 20+ minutes and it didn't stall. I left it unplugged until the new one arrives next week, and she texted me to inform that her car stalled today with the sensor unplugged. Every time it stalls, it immediately fires right back up.
There were 14 codes stored, some of which were repeatedly stored. I have attached photos of the codes. The most worrying were a P0016 and P0017. I know these 2.4 Ecotec engines are known for timing chain tensioner issues, and coming from the Land Rover world, I am very familiar with the same problem in JLR AJ133 and AJ126 engines. I didn't notice any of the common timing chain noises at startup on her Equinox, but I definitely wouldn't cross it out. I also know oil consumption is a problem and that these engines don't like being low on oil. I checked the oil level and while it was on the lower side, it was fine. The oil itself was pretty dark, however. She is due for an oil change in 1000 miles, but old her to get it done like this week or have me do it for her. Like I said, it runs rough, but not to the point where something is obviously wrong, that is at least until it stalls.
She told me that she replaced the engine, as well as a bunch of sensors (I know at least an O2 sensor was replaced per Carfax) among other things. I have no idea what exactly was done until I can get my hands on the invoices for all the repairs, which she doesn't have, and needs to get copies from her mechanic, who seems to be just screwing around. Her mechanic told her that the alternator and transmission are bad. Alternator seemed fine, as did the transmission, and there were no codes stored in the transmission, further proving my point. I told her to take it to one of my best friends who is a highly-qualified auto tech for a second opinion, but she hasn't made the time to do so. I was able to get a Carfax report, which shows that my friend and the previous owners changed the oil roughly every 5k miles give or take, and I didn't see anything out of the ordinary. There was nothing on the Carfax report about a new engine.
I'm decently mechanically inclined, and can do oil changes and basic DIY services, I am by no means a tech. Basic things I can do, but I'm not capable of doing a full timing chain job.
I've attached the codes below. I'm curious to see if anyone else has had the same issues or seen anything like this. Any help is much appreciated, and happy to answer any questions if you need more info.
Cheers!
