Alright, so I was on a trip to Florida with my 2010 auto cobalt lt. Brought the car in roughly 10-12 days ago for an alignment at Firestone and they did a complimentary simple inspection and found nothing wrong (aside from simple things ie tpms, traction control, and brake fluid). Began the trip to Florida with my mom and as I’m driving I noticed my engine making an odd sound that I hadn’t heard before and progressively got worse (especially above 3.5k rpm). Pulled over and the engine died. Checked dip stick and engine is bone dry (I did an oil change roughly a week prior to the alignment and monitored it daily, and all was well). Luckily got a ride from a state trooper to a gas station and filled her up with roughly 4.5 quarts of oil and let her sit for a moment to cool off and let the oil make its way through. Tried to start her and she made it from the left shoulder to the right shoulder before the engine died again. I’m not fully sure if this is a rod knock/engine knock or if it’s just the valves and such making noise from not receiving enough oil, but we’re already looking into a new engine as a precaution as this is my daily as well as my project car. I’d honestly appreciate any help any of you can give as I don’t wanna send my baby off. She’s running a stock 2.2 L Ecotec LAP l4 with an auto tranny. If I do have to replace the engine I know with cobalts it’s buggy due to the computer, but if possible I’d like to put in a better engine any recommendations if I have to? It would be turbo’d later if possible.

update: after running a FIXD scan we still aren’t sure, my father who has experience with cobalts believes it might be the cam sensor, if any other info is needed just ask and I’ll answer to the best of my abilities/knowledge. Hopefully my step brother who is a mechanic will be in town soon so he’ll also look at it but until then I’m open to whatever wisdom you older/more experienced ‘Balt owners can bestow upon me (still somewhat new and learning hands on).

 

So quick update, we replaced the rod knock and camshaft sensor but still nothin, my adoptive brother who is a mechanic believes she finally threw a rod from the sounds of it but is unsure since he is unable to inspect the car himself.

 

Engine is most likely toast due to running high load with low oil. I'd just go ahead and source a new one.