2.4L Engine Swap
Thread Starter
Joined: 09-14-2017
Posts: 7
From: St. Louis, MO
2.4L Engine Swap
Newbie here...
I have a 2006 with the 2.4L with 247,xxx miles. My car did the spit & sputter 3 different times on me after getting off the highway. I would turn off my car for a couple minutes and when I restarted it, it would run fine. I had the codes checked at O'Rileys and they said i had timing issues. They said i may need a timing chain tensioner.
And, just the other day, i noticed a pretty big oil leak coming somewhere from where the timing chain is. I have found an engine at my local junk yard for $450. I'm thinking about just swapping engines since mine has so many miles on it.
Is there anything I need to look out for or maybe replace before installing the used engine, if I decide to do it?
Thanks in advance.
I have a 2006 with the 2.4L with 247,xxx miles. My car did the spit & sputter 3 different times on me after getting off the highway. I would turn off my car for a couple minutes and when I restarted it, it would run fine. I had the codes checked at O'Rileys and they said i had timing issues. They said i may need a timing chain tensioner.
And, just the other day, i noticed a pretty big oil leak coming somewhere from where the timing chain is. I have found an engine at my local junk yard for $450. I'm thinking about just swapping engines since mine has so many miles on it.
Is there anything I need to look out for or maybe replace before installing the used engine, if I decide to do it?
Thanks in advance.
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,532
From: Fredericksburg,VA
Sounds like you ignored the Check Engine Light too long.
2.4L engines should be "universal"; Note the quotation marks. The yard should be able to match it with your VIN.
If it has more than 100,000 miles you should put a new timing set on it while it is out of the car, maybe a new water pump.
After the swap you will probably need someone with a Tech2 or similar to relearn the crankshaft sensor. Most likely have a code P0315 if you don't.
2.4L engines should be "universal"; Note the quotation marks. The yard should be able to match it with your VIN.
If it has more than 100,000 miles you should put a new timing set on it while it is out of the car, maybe a new water pump.
After the swap you will probably need someone with a Tech2 or similar to relearn the crankshaft sensor. Most likely have a code P0315 if you don't.
Thread Starter
Joined: 09-14-2017
Posts: 7
From: St. Louis, MO
Thanks guys.
I called the yard & told them what I had. I'm going to check it out this weekend. They said it's still in the car & I can start it before they pull it out.
New question...
How hard would it be to put the turbocharged engine that comes in the SS's into my car. If i can find one, that is.
I called the yard & told them what I had. I'm going to check it out this weekend. They said it's still in the car & I can start it before they pull it out.
New question...
How hard would it be to put the turbocharged engine that comes in the SS's into my car. If i can find one, that is.
Senior Member
Joined: 06-20-2011
Posts: 737
From: Savanna Illinois
You probably could put a turbocharged engine in your '06 but,... you would also have to put a turbo computer under the hood for it to work right.
That would involve a lot of rewiring and other smegging around that simply isn't necessary. I have an '06 with a 2.2 that my daughter managed to put a rod out the side. {you can search and read all about it if you like} There are a lot of 2.2 Ecotec engines out there that were cheap enough but the '06 has to have another '06 engine in it.
There are not that many to choose from. Saturn Vue and some Cobalt engines will work. I found mine at Midwest engines for a decent price and got it installed for another decent price.
I wish you luck with yours
That would involve a lot of rewiring and other smegging around that simply isn't necessary. I have an '06 with a 2.2 that my daughter managed to put a rod out the side. {you can search and read all about it if you like} There are a lot of 2.2 Ecotec engines out there that were cheap enough but the '06 has to have another '06 engine in it.
There are not that many to choose from. Saturn Vue and some Cobalt engines will work. I found mine at Midwest engines for a decent price and got it installed for another decent price.
I wish you luck with yours
Thread Starter
Joined: 09-14-2017
Posts: 7
From: St. Louis, MO
Update...
Salvage Yard had a 2006 Cobalt with the 2.4L with 146K miles. But, it has oil cooler when mine does not. I'm thinking about leaving the oil cooler on, but not hooking up the "cooling" hoses to it. I will use the thermostat housing from my engine that doesn't have the extra hose connection. Anybody see any issues with my idea?
