[llbanks522]

We had a 17 Cruze towed into the shop Thursday with damaged pistons. Teardown and repair will happen this coming week.

How many miles on the car?

 

[llbanks522]

I can't remember, I think it was low, like 20-30K miles. If I remember, I'll look on Monday.

Wow, not much milage. Good luck on the repairs!

 

[llbanks522]

2016.5 LT with 43k on it. Just went in the shop for new engine. Cylinder number one piston broke and damaged cylinder wall. Hoping new engine has "re-designed" pistons I keep hearing about. Will make sure to use premium gas from now on (sigh... this car was supposed to be an "economy" move for us)...

OK, OK, OK I have scanned through many threads and read enough posts on the LSPI, cracked pistons, and engine replacements etc that I will fill up next week with 93 octane. Gas price in NJ at Costco today is; regular (87) $2.65, premium (93) $2.97. I’m figuring spending about $4 more for the tank full. So much for the “Economy Car” that the owners manual says ok to use 87 octane. It doen’t say “use premium 91/93 to help avoid blowing out a piston!

Quite frankly if I knew of this “possible” major problem on the 2017 Cruze before 11/15/2017 I never would have purchased the car. Please don’t get me wrong though, I truly like the car so far (except AS/S feature) It handles well, has decent pick-up, is comfortable and fun to drive, gets good gas mileage, and this past winter the heated seats were really NICE on my tush when it’s 15 degrees outside.

So is GM guilty of false advertising? Should they have recommended using higher octane in the owners manual and have the Sales people tell you that when you’re shopping around to buy a new car? (Good luck with that one). Was it a bad designed piston / engine or did they get a bad batch of bad pistons from their suppliers? Will GM fess up and admit there is a problem? Who really knows? I guess only time will tell.

Just want to say “Good luck” on the repairs and replacements to any CT Member that’s facing a cracked piston through no fault of their own!

 

[llbanks522]

. but even though it's a known issue, GM will NOT pay for any repairs under warranty if ANY modifications have been made, even if you put something as simple as an aftermarket air filter like a K&N or AEM ... etc. So much for the magnuson moss warranty act that's supposed to protect consumers.

You are correct and that’s why I would not get a tune until after the Powertrain Warranty expires.

 

[llbanks522]

And a BNR tune, if it's the guy I'm thinking about.

Taxman it is the guy you are thinking about, he’s posted several videos on you tube. Not only did he have a Exhaust Mod and BNR tune - HE DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE “BNR” logos etc still on it. Did you ever hear of “Waving a Red Flag” in front of a bull?

 

[llbanks522]

Yes I am aware I did say that. I really love this car, trust me I do. It's just this piston issue that I'm really worried about, but to be honest since I bought this car brand new, it's a better and cheaper option since I'm the only owner. I do run premium on every fill up, regardless. Shell or BP. How easy is it to misfire and caused a cracked piston? I also only drive in L6 mode, which disables auto stop. I mean how much can I do? I'm definitely going to use Amosoil next oil change, I've heard that's the best option.

Well I got my first free oil change / tire rotation at the dealership yesterday. Talked briefly to the the Service Manager. He kind of poo poo’d the cracked piston problems and said they really hadn’t seen any. That was the kind of answer I expected but he did hesitate in replying to my question and his body language indicated to me “WTH are you asking me that question for?” As for oil they use 100% synthetic, he didn’t know the actual brand as it has a GM part number and said 87 octane was fine for the gas. So every thing is beautiful according to “Mr. Murphy”

Anyway for me it’s:
93 Octane (Costco price in NJ today $2.79 for 87 and $3.05 for 93.
Drive in L6 ALL THE TIME
No “WOT” driving.

Question for our group:
Does anyone have a good estimate on the magnitude of the number engine failures?
(If there are 75,000 2017 Cruzes out there - 10% failure rate would be 7,500 cars with a major engine failure. 1% would only be 750 cars.

 

[llbanks522]

Depending on the size of the dealership and the market where they are located, he probably hasn't seen any. My local dealer hasn't seen any either, at least in the gen 2 versions, but they're in a small market.


As of this moment the local station is 3.159 for regular, 3.999 for premium. The nearest Costco is a 2 hr drive, even if you had a membership.
As far as WOT driving, the local interstate has an onramp so short that if you don't floor it you will be driving on the break down lane for awhile hoping to eventually get in between the line of semi's going 70 mph in the right lane. Vehicles in the left lanes typically are going 10-20 mph faster.


Great question. The only people that would know would be Chevrolet, and they aren't saying. They also know the reason for it I'm betting, but they won't publically release that either. So that means people on forums are just left speculating and in some cases worrying.

The dealership is one of the largest in NJ. It was his hesitation and looks in answering my question that led me to believe he has seen some, how many, who knows? But, like you said only Chevrolet knows for sure and they aren’t saying. Filled up today at Costco $2.93 for 93 Octane which was .12 cents cheaper then yesterday! Don’t know how that happened. I should have said “No WOT - Racing”. There is a on ramp here to Route 3 going into NY that you better put the pedal to the metal or get run over. The on ramp is very short and there are a lot of drivers who use the right lane to pass.. I will continue to use 93 octane and drive in L6 and really not worry about cracking a piston until after the warranty runs out.

 

[llbanks522]

I cant NOT for the likes of me. Figure out why law is slower traffic to the right. Yet they won't drive in the right. Instead, they clog up traffic in the middle.

So true. The “slower” traffic KEEP RIGHT. would be a lot less weaving and having to pass on the right if they did that.