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I've greatly enjoyed my 2014 Cruze LT RS. I've learned how to deal with the 1.4 engine's idiosyncracies thanks to you folks, and know how to drive it and maintain it to keep it humming. Here's my question. I'm considering purchasing a Buick Encore for my wife, which has the same 1.4 Ecotec engine. I'm wondering if, since the Encore is built in Korea, that engine is manufactured in a different plant than our North American Cruze Ecotec engine is? Does the Encore 1.4 Ecotec have the same issues as ours do ... Valve Cover, water outlet, little red button, PCV valve, etc? I've asked at the Buick dealer, but only get the "best, most positive" recommendations. is it the same engine, same plant, or same engine, different plants. Has Buick tweaked it? Same or different reliability? Any knowledge on this? Thanks in advance, and thanks for all the tips and learnings over the past few years.

 

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Thanks very much gentlemen, for your helpful replies. I thought the LE2/Start-Stop engine in the Cruze and Encore was the 1.5, but it's a 1.4 with about 15 more HP! We’re going to have to do some test drives it seems. Rob, the techs at our Chevy dealer echoed the same message as your pals … to date Trax has been problem free, and still ironing out the new LE2. Never did consider the Trax before your comments and I do seem to remember you talking about it well in another post. What grade of gas to you like to use in it? “J” I’d much prefer to move ahead into the newer generation of engines – your comments make that a very appealing choice -- but things are still being ironed out. (I know you dissuaded your sis from the Trax! Wish it had the new engine without Start-Stop!) And, it’s got Start-Stop – a tough pill to swallow for me – and minimally advantageous in our driving here around the St. Pete/Clearwater area. Yet, considering the LE2 opens options to include new Cruze Hatch, about the same $$-wise as the LE2 powered Encore. So like I said, we’ll have to do some test driving. While this was my first post, I’ve done extensive reading on the site over the past few years, from my phone during work travel. “J” I look at your 2012 ownership as on the job training for being able to help us all out from firsthand experience!! Thanks to all!