2007 Ecotec 2.4L I4 VVT ( LE5 )

ECOTEC 2.4L VVT I4 (LE5) CAR AND TRUCK ENGINE
2007 Model Year Summary

Application in 2007 Saturn Sky
Optimized Piston Skirt
Vented Starter Solenoid
Eliminate External Oil Cooler

Full Description of New and Update Features

Application in 2007 Saturn Sky
The Ecotec 2.4L VVT powers the new Sky roadster. This is a longitudinal application, identical to the Ecotec 2.4L in the Pontiac Solstice. It will be available in the Sky with either a Hydra-Matic 5L40 five-speed automatic or Aisin AR5 five-speed manual transmission.

Optimized Piston Skirt
Ecotec 2.4L VVT pistons have been redesigned with a slightly different profile. The piston skirt has been optimized with a slight barrel shape, helping to smooth its glide through the cylinder bore and reduce lateral movement. The new pistons reduce operational noise, particularly during cold starts, and enhance overall smoothness.

Vented Starter Solenoid
A new starter solenoid helps ensure starting performance in extreme cold temperatures. The solenoid case now has a micromesh-covered vent and an O-ring between the case and the starter motor. The mesh protects the solenoid from debris particles but prevents moisture buildup in the case. When the Ecotec 2.4L VVT is warm, any moisture on the solenoid evaporates through the vent. The vented solenoid virtually eliminates the possibility of cold-start problems associated with solenoid icing.

Eliminate External Oil Cooler
The Ecotec 2.4L VVT is no longer fitted with an external oil cooler. Validation tests have demonstrated that, with durability enhancing features such as increased coolant capacity and targeted oil jets that cool the underside of the pistons, the oil cooler is not required even during extreme operating conditions. Deleting the cooler eliminates a potential leak source and reduces complexity and cost of ownership.

What I noticed most was how they changed the design of the piston to reduce cold startup noise. Let's see if they'll offer a fix for noisy 2006 models like mine.

 

The only thing I'm slightly jealous of is the piston redesign. I don't care much about cold start issues with the solenoid... and I'm kinda happy that I have an external oil cooler.

 

2nd that comment ppazz1101

 

darn.. i guess they got too many complaints about the pistion noise, its not like its loud or anything but the engine would be completely quiet if it didnt have the noise..

 

do all LE5s have piston cooler squirters? or just the 2007+??? i thought that they all did

 

Yes, the 2006 LE5 has them too.

 

They all do. I believe they're saying that because of that, and the extra coolant capacity, they've realized that the cooler is not necessary.

 

that's what i figured. but i wasn't sure. how exactly does that work in our case? i've seen nozzles that just spray up some oil from the pump and others that have a slinger tossing it high into the engine. never saw an eco apart

 

I never noticed any excessive noise from cold starts or other wise---odd that they didn't figure out int he first place (engine testing) the oil coler wasn't nessecary but I am glad to have mine.

 

I didn't know we had oil coolers... Where's it located?

 

This seems to be changes ONLY for the RWD applications of the engine, not our FWD.

 

Piston noise or not, with a DOHC valvetrain living under an aluminum valve cover, your gonna have a noisy engine regardless.