F!$%&$#^

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg) 04/17/2020 at 16:51 • Filed to: None

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Whoever designed the intake manifold and PCV system for the Cruze needs to go sit on a cactus.

That is all. 

Derpwagon > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 17:07

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Paige no

Gone > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 17:17

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Assume the 1st Gen turbo?   We’ve been through 2 of these (2013 LTZ, CPO used @ 46k mi ) and it is a terrible design. Both times I got them to replace under the emissions warranty  (50 k and 78k) . Last time involved a call to corporate because the dealer was an asshole . Different dealer replaced it no prob. However, t hat’s been it for issues. The newest one is the updated one which should last longer. No more emissions warranty @ 90k , so not looking forward to doing it myself if it fails again.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 17:49

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Are you trying to tell me GM doesn’t make a good compact car? An d that they never have and never will?

.

Bold

Urambo Tauro > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 20:31

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Is this one of those ones where instead of having a cheap, easily-replaced PCV valve, it’s permanently integrated into the friggin valve cover?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Gone 04/17/2020 at 21:08

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I have an early 2012, so it has had a new turbo, new VVT cam phasers, a radiator, 2 valve covers, and now a manifold. Its also starting to make the 2nd gear bearing noise. It sounds like the Jetson’ s car if I let off in 2nd with the clutch still engaged.

I really want to love this car, but ugh...

Snuze: Needs another Swede > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 04/17/2020 at 21:16

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The thing is, it was such a great car... until... stuff.

I had a roommate who had a Cavalier, what a turd of a car!  

Back in 2009 when I was a dumb chuck in the Navy and broke and being eaten out of house and home by a Dodge Ram 2500 I couldn’t afford to put fuel in, so I got a Cobalt LS. Honestly, I loved that little POS. Aside from the infamous ignition switch BS it was a solid little car - ran forever, never asked anything of me, got great fuel economy, etc. It was cheaply made but it did what I needed.

So after it got totaled I got enamored with the Cruze 1.4T, mainly because the FR-S/BRZ and Crosstrek weren’t on sale yet, and I didn’t have a ton of money. I loved this car. Then it had a problem - at a turbo charger. No worries, it happened at 30k, turned out to be an early production run casting defect (they didn’t make many 2011 Cruzes and I had an early 2012). Covered under warranty. Well then at like 98k miles, a month before my warranty runs out, as I’m about to leave for a business trip to Japan, the thing get’s all f’d up again. I just barely manage to squeak it into the shop before the powertrain warranty expires. VVT cam phasers and a “PCV” valve cover. Okay, so all that stuff has been done under warranty, so the car should be good forever, right?

Nope, at 110k the radiator breaks. Then at 125k the valve cover again. Now an intake manifold. Plus the transmission is starting to make the dreaded 2nd gear bearing “noise” (sounds like the Jetson’s car when I let off in 2nd). Somehow it’s made it to 147k before that - I’ve heard reports of cars doing it as early as 30k. Screw it, it’s time to send it on it’s way and get something else.

The sad thing is, I grew up with GM cars, I want to like them, but it’s just so hard. Like the Cobalt was ugly, and fit and finish wasn’t the best, but it lasted and was reliable (aside from the ignition switch issue). So then I got seduced by the Cruze which, when it was new, was at least equal to every other compact out there. It looked good, had the performance, interior was by far the nicest GM had ever put in a small car. But the reliability has been crap.

Oh well, at least I have my old ass Volvos.  

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Urambo Tauro 04/17/2020 at 21:18

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Sadly yes. It’s on it’s 3rd valve cover, 2nd intake. The turbo outlet valve is still holding strong, though!

It’s also required a new radiator, new turbo, and cam phasers over the course of my ownership. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Gone 04/17/2020 at 21:21

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It’s horrible. Let’s replace a $4 throw away part with valves built into $285 worth of major components! Genius!

Seriously, though, I’ve done a turbo inlet valve and valve cover on my friend’s Cruze, and a valve cover on mine previously. Those aren’t bad. But today I had to do an intake manifold, and it’s not fun. It’s not awful, but just the way some of the shit is positioned (brittle plastic clips behind and under the manifold) make it a pain in the ass.

ETA: I replied twice.  Sorry.  I’m a little drunk. 

Urambo Tauro > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 21:32

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Ugh. My sister had to replace her Altima’s valve cover because the spark plug tube seals were non-serviceable. Designs like that piss me off.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Urambo Tauro 04/17/2020 at 21:46

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Same. Secretly, I blame Opel for this, it’s actually their native engine design. For the 2nd Gen Cruze GM opted to go for a completely brand new engine. No idea if it’s any more reliable, but at least it’s not this trash. (though who knows, maybe it’s worse). 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 21:50

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I hear ya. It used to be the case that those small GM cars would run broken longer than most cars would run at all. I’m from a rural area so it was Cavaliers and Grand Ams as far as the eye could see. It sounds weird, but I thi nk tho se cars just had a little more soul than the modern ones.

Gone > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 22:18

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Damn, that’s bad. I hope I don’t get to find out if valve cover is not bad lol. Like the car a lot, but wouldn’t be happy if it was a constant trouble.

No worries, been drinking more lately myself ...

Snuze: Needs another Swede > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 04/17/2020 at 22:23

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Yeah, I’m not sure how GM does it - you can have an utterly reliable piece of hot garbage, or a rather nice car that will break down every 30k. Pick one!

The Cruze has soured me a bit, and the buying experience getting our 2018 Terrain was less than pleasant. I think the Cruze is going to get replaced this year, I just haven’t decided on what yet, but it would be hard for me to fork over my cash on a brand new GM product . My parents have an ‘06 Acura RSX Type S that has given them 275k trouble free miles, so I ’m honestly leaning towards a Honda/Acura product, maybe a new Civic Si. But part of me still wants to love GM and is considering a slightly used Cadillac ATS with the 2.0 turbo. It shares nothing with the 1.4 turbo, which is reassuring, so I’m thinking about it.

Or maybe I’ll just sell the Cruze and use the proceeds to buy another shitty Volvo , a ragged Miata, AND a David Tracy-esq Jeep. You know, just go all in on OppoLyfe!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Gone 04/17/2020 at 22:29

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Well, with a 13 LTZ you have an auto, so no second gear bearing failure issue. Shouldn’t have radiator, cam phaser, or turbo problems. You’re just going to be stuck with PCV issues. The system is comprised of 3 valves, one built into the turbo inlet pipe, one in the intake manifold, and one in the valve cover. My understanding is that usually either manifold or turbo inlet valve fails first, which puts added load on the one in the valve cover, which will make it wear out faster. In some cases all 3 can go.

Check out this thread for more info: https://www.cruzetalk.com/threads/2011-2016-cruze-1-4-pcv-valve-cover-intake-manifold-issues.192442/

Thisismydisplayname > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/17/2020 at 22:29

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You can’t really go wrong with the Acura’s.  I know a few mechanics, one was a Mercedes tech, that drive Acura’s TSXs.  They don’t like to work on their own cars, and they swear by them.  

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Thisismydisplayname 04/17/2020 at 22:31

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My folks love their little Acura. They originally bought it for my sister, but when she moved to Germany she left it with them so they’ve been using it regularly for the last 5 years. It has been incredibly reliable. 

oldmxer > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/18/2020 at 01:40

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my son had a cruze and he couldn’t get rid of it fast enough, more recalls than china has rice

Snuze: Needs another Swede > oldmxer 04/18/2020 at 07:15

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Only a couple recalls on mine, my issue has been  broken junk that should be recalled. Sadly its an otherwise nice car - looks nice, has probably the nicest interior GM has ever put in a small car. It could have been a home run for GM but instead its just another flop.

oldmxer > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/18/2020 at 16:01

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I’m a Ford man, I’ve had several Focuses, they handle and ride better than any other in the class in my opinion, have a ‘16 right now, it’s by far the best car I’ve ever owned with the exception of the trans being the one that has the clutch issue, i bought it right before that became a thing. had the clutch replaced with an upgraded one under warranty and it’s been good so far, we don’t do a lot of city driving so maybe we will squeak by ok fingers crossed, the Cruze handles well but the ride is no where near the Focus IMO

Snuze: Needs another Swede > oldmxer 04/18/2020 at 22:57

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I’ve always been a GM guy and generally had great luck with them until this one. The new Focus are great. I’m looking to replace the Cruze later this year. If I can swing it, a Focus RS may be under consideration. 

oldmxer > Snuze: Needs another Swede 04/19/2020 at 02:35

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i’m assuming that will be a stick so it should be golden

oldmxer > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 04/19/2020 at 02:37

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my Saturn was awesome

Snuze: Needs another Swede > oldmxer 04/19/2020 at 08:49

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Oh yeah, definitely.