-June 2024 Special Lease Deals-
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
Options
Comments
I did save this link on Nissan's cam phasing since the system on the intake cams sounds similar to the GM design for both intake and exhaust.
Mostly it sounds like a performance robbing kind of problem...
http://diagnosticnews.com/tech/nissan-variable-valve-timing-1/
There is not an official work order out right now about the start-up noise, but there IS a RECALL now. RECALL #11195A. The "A" is very important, and what makes it a recall, previously it was just a bulletin "11195", which was replaced by "RECALL 11195A". It consists of having the solenoids replaced and the ECM updated. Call your dealer to verify vehicle eligibility.
In regards to pursuing a lemon law buyback, if that's what you choose, 1 or 2 others have gone through this, on the other forum. You do not have to lose ANY money on the deal. GM will pay all applicable taxes and lawyer fees as part of the settlement. It's essentially like they just give you a new vehicle and swap out the VIN#'s on your loan. Nothing changes. No money is lost.
Also, if for some reason the recall doesn't apply to you, or even if it DOES apply to you...if you have these same problems and are also getting a check engine light with codes P0011 and/or P0014, refer your dealer to PI0496, which is for vehicles within a specific date range and includes a solenoid replacement and ECM update.
There is also a RECALL #11195, ask your dealer if this applies to your vehicle. This recall is pretty much the exact same repair as the PI0496 - ECM update and solenoid replacement.
One more bulletin - PIP4716b discussed replacing the actuators in regards to the start-up noise, and also checking for debris in the solenoid screens and changing the oil. If the noise returns, the oil is to be changed again. HOWEVER, this bulletin has since been replaced by PIP4716c, which removes the 2011 model years from the affected vehicles list. I presume that they are working on a new bulletin/fix for the 2011 model year. Or maybe that is why they issued the RECALL 11195. Not sure.
Point being, the computer update is VITAL in conjunction with the solenoid replacement. And yes, you should also do an oil & filter change pronto. It seems the 4 cylinders have an issue with the oil during engine break-in.
If you are still having the start-up noise after all of the above has been done, they should probably replace the Actuators. I had the engine start-up noise (think PIP4716b) and intermittent check engine light (think PI0496), and after about 6 weeks of back and forth to the dealer, my car is (currently) problem free. In all, repairs completed include:
-replaced actuators
-ECM software update
-replaced solenoids
-oil changed (total of 4 times, but I think only 2 really mattered, after actuator replacement and after solenoid replacement)
Hope that helps.
Thankfully my brother came the 2 hour drive to bring the AAA gold card so we could tow it to the dealer that I bought it from and not one a state away. Took over a week but they replaced the cam actuators and valve actuators, solenoids etc then ran the new program through the car. The service manager brought it home and all was well, until he went to test drive and found it stalling again so that kept it an additional day. I didn't mind them keeping it all as to this day I am nervous to drive the car, I have a 7 year old child and am hoping I never get stuck again within the car again with him, never mind on a 95 degree day as it was when we stalled. GM offered service for 2 years or to pay a payment or two (which was kind of vague--never told me how many payments?). I told them wasn't satisfactory and I wanted another one same thing as I didn’t buy a vehicle 2 months ago to have this happen. I had just mailed payment #2 , I have my son with me 95% of the time, I was pretty much hysterical with panic on the phone with GM begging to have this issue escalated, the only thing I have to this date is the same LEMON of a vehicle which I don’t trust and a bad taste in my mouth from this whole experience.
My gas mileage is 19.4 according to the dash, funny I have the sticker that was on the window when I bought it .and was the reason I bought the car saying 32 hwy, most of my driving is highway!!!!!!!!!!!!! I traded in my Tahoe for this ..I think the mileage in my husband’s Dodge Ram duley is better than this. Last I talked to GM and was told of the offer they would make me, we called the dealership regarding the mileage and are currently waiting for a call. I am so upset, first new car I have ever owned. I wish I went for the KIA but no had to stay with domestic They asked me what would make me happy, I told them an extended warranty on the car. I understand my warranty it was sold with but if they stand behind this car that they have already started ripping apart at 3 months old...........they will make happy and extend the warranty.
Bottom line I don’t feel safe and I don’t know when I will again .I think my first call in the am will be to the BBB and then possibly the Attorney General’s office
The car is “LEMON MATERIAL”
SHOCKED IT HASN’T BEEN RECALLED .
What kind of mileage are you getting? I just got past half tank and have 205 miles on the Nox. I would say I'm going to be getting about 15-19mpg off this tank.
But, point being, mpg continues to improve as you put more miles on the car. Someone on another forum said they noticed theirs slowly improved up until they had about 20,000 miles. In the very least, give it a solid 5,000-7,000 miles before you make too big of a judgment on it.
HOWEVER, if you're getting 19 mpg HWY at a speed of 55, there IS, in fact, a problem that should be worked on....see following post....
With that being said, have you had an oil change recently? Or at all since you've owned the vehicle? If not, I would recommend that you get one ASAP, even if you have to pay for it out of pocket. I actually did see an improvement after an oil change when they replaced the actuators on my car. The idea behind the recall and the start-up noise and the stalling, a "possible cause" was debris in the oil from normal engine break-in. Metal shavings could clog the solenoids or make the actuators malfunction, and one person even posted a picture of the metal shavings they found in the pleats of their oil filter....so, with that being said, I would get an oil change for good measure. See how your mpg is affected by that. When my start-up engine noise was at it's worst, my hwy mpg at a cruising speed was down to about 22 (from about 34 before). They replaced the actuators and I paid out of pocket for my oil change that same day, and my mileage returned to normal, what was expected... 22 city, 32 hwy.
Also, in addition to the solenoid replacement and ECM update, you might inquire about having the Actuators replaced, this might also help. It's worth trying if you still have problems.
My wife and I purchased a 2011 Equinox on June 7, 2011. While we have not necessarily experienced the stalling out, we have experienced the loud engine start up. I guess you would call this a "cold" start up; however, sometimes it still does it even if we have driven to multiple places throughout the same day. I have not addressed this issue with a dealership so far, because the vehicle has not left us stranded anywhere (knock on wood). We currently have less than 2,000 miles on it.
Does our 2011 Equinox qualify for any of the bulletins or recalls that I have read on this blog? What do I say to the dealership if I take the vehicle in to be serviced concerning this loud start up issue? Do I say, "according to this service bulletin or recall blah blah blah?" If we have the vehicle serviced to try and eliminate this noise, am I going to experience more issues/problems with the vehicle from attempting to have the noise eliminated?? We have also began to sometimes experience a "high pitch" noise when we exit the vehicle. It usually lasts only seconds, but I have began to wonder if there is some type of issue I should have addressed. Has anyone else addressed this type of concern with you??
Due to certain disabilities, I no longer possess the luxury of driving or riding in a typical car. We purchased the Equinox because my mobility was greatly increased in regards to entering and exiting the vehicle. Physically I can not afford the luxury of being without the Equinox if the dearlership keeps the vehicle for a number of days, which is why I am asking if trying to correct the issue would leave us without the Equinox for an extended period of time. I am aware that a dealership would most likely provide alternate transportation should they need my vehicle for more than one day; however, I am afraid that a dealership may try to replace the Equinox with some type of car.
I really guess my bottom line question is whether or not this noise causes harm to the engine or any other components? If it were your personal vehicle (take in to consideration that I have a permanent handicap placard) would you try and resolve this issue?
Thanks,
Chris S...=)
However, if you ever have to take your car in and leave it overnight for service, your warranty will cover the cost of a rental car. If your dealer doesn't have a loaner for you that would be the height that you need, like equinox, for ease of entry/exit, the dealer will set you up with a rental through enterprise, and there you can let them know of your situation and they should be able to accomadate you. You don't have to take a small car if you don't want it or if you can't drive it comfortably.
I hope it all works out in your favor. A quick call to the dealer service department will get you started with the recall. Just say, "I've heard there may be a recall for my vehicle." They'll look up your VIN and it'll show if the recall does apply to yours. Good luck!
Engine design details are not easy to find but the following quotes from available internet sources gives background information which you may find helpful:-
Equinox2.4L DI details
The new 2.4L DI engine delivers an estimated 180 horsepower (134 kW) @ 6700 rpm and 172 lb.-ft. of torque (232 Nm) @4900 rpm. It uses technology based on GM's other four-cylinder direct injection applications, but with unique features designed for its specific application. This includes an 11.4:1 compression ratio that helps build power, slightly dished pistons that increase combustion efficiency and injectors with an application-specific flow rate.
GM benchmarked the best fuel system and noise attenuation products to provide customers with quiet operation.
3.0L DI details
The new 3.0L DI engine is a variant of GM's family of high-feature DOHC V-6 engines that also includes GM's 3.6L DI engine in the Cadillac CTS – an engine named to Ward's AutoWorld's 2009 "Ten Best Engines" list for North America, for the second consecutive year.
The 3.0L is rated at an estimated 255 horsepower (187 kW) and 214 lb.-ft. of torque (290 Nm), for an impressive power-to-displacement ratio of 85 hp per liter. (Output will vary by model.) The 3.0L DI features an isolated fuel injector system that reduces the direct injection high-pressure fuel system pulses for quieter operation. Rubber isolators are used with the fuel rail to eliminate metal-to-metal contact that would otherwise transmit noise and vibration from the high-pressure fuel system.
Along with direct injection technology, both the 3.0L DI and 2.4L DI engines use variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency across the rpm band, as well as reduce emissions.
There was a little problem with the 3.0-liter V6 that was the base-level engine for the 2010 LaCrosse, at the model's launch. The 3.0-liter, which is simply a smaller-displacement version of the 3.6-liter V6 that was also available, provided slightly worse highway fuel economy than the much-more satisfyingly torquey 3.6.
That left us wondering what exactly was the point to the exercise. GM was apparently thinking the same thing, so for 2011, the 3.0-liter will be stripped from the LaCrosse's spec sheet. The new entry-level motor which begins production soon is the 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four cylinder (look for a drive story on that version soon). That engine brings 19 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway compared to the 3.0-liter LaCrosse's 17/26 mpg fuel efficiency. But it will clearly make the base LaCrosse a slower car than before. The LaCrosse will still be available with the 3.6-liter.
But the under-performing 3.0-liter isn't completely dead. The Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain will still offer the small V6 as their upgrade motors and the Cadillac CTS line will still use it as its base motor.
I just got it back and they tell me it is the "Camshaft regulator".
Loved the look of the car... just wondering if I made a bad choice.
Two times since I bought this car, it has been in the shop. I know some may crucify me for saying this... but, I owned a Kia prior to this, and I loved that car. But, I felt bad for not buying "American"..... so, I bought the Chevy (though my Equinox was actually made in Canada - go figure).
1st time - running rough for a week or so, engine light comes on, stalls, and then to the shop it goes. The dealership blames me for not checking my oil at every fuel up. The car was almost two quarts low. So, when I tell them that you should not have to check oil in a NEW car, they come back with "well, this car might burn more oil than other vehicles" Right! I told them I have owned several new vehicles, and NEVER have I had to add oil between oil changes to a NEW car.... They finally admitted the prep people might not have checked the oil prior to me picking it up... who knows?
2nd time - running rough for a week or so, making a grinding noise (sometimes) when I start it, engine light comes on, stalls. Dealership gets an ear full......
Is the "Camshaft regulator"......
Honestly, IMO when you purchase a new car, you expect it to be RELIABLE. I am very disappointed in this car.
Nice looking car, bad interior (mesh seats).... wish I would have gotten the leather, runs rough all the time, loud knocking engine (sounds like an old beater), bad gas mileage (I drove mostly city), and TERRIBLE in the winter!
If I could trade this crate in and not take a beating I would do it... But, I am at the mercy of the dealership. Seems like they market the heck out of this car, and yet they slap it together...
Any thoughts?
Hope this will help in startinig your Noxs! Don't just get in and start the vehicle. First off, get in turn the key and WAIT for all the dash lights to go out (engine light will stay on). After they all go out, start the car. This has reset the computer. This has eliminated the knocking and noise when I've started my Nox. I've been doing this for over two weeks now and it has helped! This is just like having a diesel and waiting for the glow plugs to heat before starting the vehicle. I hope this helps you all! I was given this info by a brother who got it from a Harley mechanic. The new Harleys have to be started this way to reset the computers. Makes since. Like I said, I haven't experienced any problems in the last two weeks.
As for the mileage, it still sucks! I was down to 12.1mpg on my last tank. I don't get it. I use 76 gas and from the same station most of the time. I was told that Chevron is the best of the best now. I will get rid of this tank and fill up with Chevron to see if it helps any. Will keep you informed. Let me know if this helps anyone. Good luck everyone!!
I could not drive it with my infant and toddler without fear of getting into a crash with the crazy drivers where I live.
GM was useless, full of lies, and clearly not interested in helping. A lawyer wanted the case to pursue the lemon law but we did not want to wait however long it would have taken to pursue it and then lose money anyway (they would have deducted the mileage off of it) and I was NOT taking another equinox.
How old is your car, what is the mileage. We only had a couple hundred miles and were able to trade it in. We were very fortunate that we only lost a little more than 500.00. ..it's crap that we had to do it but it was the right decision for us. What were we thinking buying a Chevy after they were bailed out? Hell, they probably put in a refurbished engine.
We are thrilled with our new car. The only thing I miss about the nox is the space and Onstar.
Good luck.