If you are worried, then plan on $2-3000 for a replacement engine. Even if you add that, you're going to have a hard time finding a better bang-for-your-buck deal. Or find one with the engine already replaced. For the right price mine is for sale

 

What price would that be? Send me a PM if you want and we can figure it out.

 

Any car can blow up-- just buy one and not worry about it and if it happens you replace the engine. Done deal

 

My 09 is in the trouble period of build date but if it happens it happens. Wouldn't blink an eye about throwing another motor in it. $3k is a lot cheaper than buying a v8rwd car. These cars offer to much to be overlooked. They are like the 340 dusters and 350 novas of the old muscle car era.

 

Yes any car can, the problem with these is they are known to, and the engine happens to be the most expensive component of the car--not something you just casually replace.

Is there any way to tell if a particular car is succeptible--can it be pressure tested or any other tests that will tell if it has this problem, or is it just wait and see if/when it suddenly appears?

 

Nope by the time you could run a test that showed potential failure, it's likely too late.

 

That's what I thought...

 

Well a zfr turbo is actually more expensive than what the engine brand new costs. so i'll say it's pretty cheap engine. I know some people don't have the funds to get a new engine after buying a car but seems like most lnfs with problems have been outline with the problem years in the thread, so just stay away from those or buy one with a replaced engine

 

Yes I was quite surprised just how cheap the NEW replacement short blocks are for these cars.

It was a big factor for my decision to get a Cobalt with the LNF vs CSRT4. Those engines are $$$,$$$ and near impossible to find.

I can understand a person being nervous about the LNF after reading about the porous block issue if you can't do all the work yourself. It can get spendy.

If potential engine failure or large expense right after purchasing a used car with no warranty then I wouldn't look at any turbo car to be honest.

 

Yup, and our replacement engines are truly dirt cheap compared to what one could spend on an engine.

 

That's why when I bought my car I got a nice extended warranty added onto the loan. only added like 5$ to the monthly payment and I am covered on literally almost everything for 6 years or until I get to 100000mi, which I think the 6 years is gonna pass first lol. had my car for a while now and only drove 600mi. and most of that was driving home from st Louis.

of course perks of working at a gm dealer I can bring my own car in, diag it. and get paid by the extended warranty to replace whatever it is.

 

That's the life haha get paid to repair your own vehicle

 

For sure.

Is it a certified GM warranty, or where did you get the warranty? Can you get this if buying private party?

 

It is a 3rd party that was recommended by the dealer I purchased the car from. Funny thing is gm extended warranty covers less, for more money. I did some research and found the plan I was getting was a good deal so I added it to the loan.

You can but it will be at a higher price depending on if you do or don't have regular records. And you also may have to have the vehicle inspected by a ase certified shop to get approved.
Then depending on year make model options and miles the company will give you a set price for each package they offer. for instance mine was 2600 for basically a bumper to bumper coverage until 100k or 6yrs.
Each plan also has deductibles. higher deductibles equals lower overall price. I got 100 deduct on mine.

 

yep lol. no worries and on top of that by the 6 years is up ill hopefully have made more than I put in lol, or at least "make sure" I break even.

 

Do the warranty terms specify replacement with OEM parts? Either way, I don't think these blocks are made by anybody in China.

 

Good thing they're cheaper to replace than a lot of cars-- don't buy one if you're that worried

 

Depends on the company and price comparison between oe parts and oe grade aftermarket. Mine covers oe parts.

 

That would be good enough for me to be honest

 

So i have an 09 build date 09/2008. Ive had the car since it was brand new, it has 67k miles and has recently started exhibiting signs of slow coolant draining with no visible leaks or coolant in the oil. All signs are indicating that my block is failing. Only thing that is keeping me from thinking it is certain is the age and mileage, but i saw an example where some one had 80k miles before it happened.

 

Local guy just went through it. Over 100k miles on his.

 

great...

 

I'm just waiting for it to happen on mine. 40,000 and same build month. It seems to happen at different mileage's. Sucks that gm hasn't and never will do anything about it except those lucky ones that had it happen under warranty. You shouldn't lose a block under 150,000 on any car.

 

Even worse, when you do try they just accuse you of abusing your cars. Douches.

 

don't buy one then lol