Remove the intake. The PCV passage is not ported large enough on the mating surface of manifold. Like a pinhole when it should be at least 1/8 inch in diameter. These get froze/plugged over time due to this. Drill it to 1/8. THIS is the most common reason for the rear main seals to blow out. Done many. Hope this helps.
Yes! Our’s blew out on Monday morning, temps below 0! GM dealer and $2,999 complete extended warranty says they won’t cover it. Says they don’t cover ice or water intrusion. Pumped ALL of the oil out. Do NOT buy GM cars!!!
Until 2008, Saturn Vue used a vented oil fill cap on the 2.4. Dorman makes one. I've seen these recommended on YT, and it seems it would provided relief of crankcase pressure. So I put one on the 13 Terrain I just replaced the rear seal on, and told my friends who have these 2.4s. It looks like a simple, cheap, effective means of preventing rear seal blowout was known by GM and discontinued. Why would they do that?
I can't believe this thing bit me. Unacceptable. When I parked it, it was running so only a head gasket and a seal. Full of water and 0f temps. Good fix, Couldn't possibly be worse than the stock design
Drilling a hole in the breather on a MAF system will affect fuel trims as the air going in through the hole is unmetered so the PCM is not aware of that air.
You are absolutely correct, however, the hole is small and when I connected my computer to the vehicle the STFT was still hovering around zero, a little above. Thanks for the comment
hello i did the same thing on my airbox. when i drove the car 3hrs straight it started smelling gas in the cabin and when i checked it out gas was draining from the hole... is that normal or go to a mechanic?
If you live in a humid climate, moisture will build up in the air box, drain out (which is what we want it to do) and end up running down the front of the engine and as it evaporates from heat, you can get an odor. I just had one where the customer asked me to block the holes - so I did. My best suggestion is to screw a brass fitting into the hole so you can attach a small rubber hose and direct the dripping moisture away from the engine - put the hose over near shock tower, tie it off with a zip tie. A little creativity will solve the problem. Merry Christmas
@@mark_osborneawesome. ill do that. We live here in alberta canada and its 0 degrees today some days are -40 celsius. So gas is normal to drain from the airbox?
@@felixCanar It's not gas - it's crankcase vapors which can smell like a combination of gas and oil. Completely normal. It's probably worse for you because it's so cold
Really? except that the tube is "pitched" the entire way .... I'm not saying it's impossible, I just find it difficult to believe, where the breather box was full of water that couldn't drain because of it being full if ice.
Yes the pvc hole in the intake is the problem. Doing one right now as we speak. It’s a known issue with the 2.4l terrains and equinox’s. If you don’t clear the hole in the intake assembly it’ll happen again. I can post some pictures in a little to show exactly what happens. I’m a mechanic and see it every time it gets cold in Indiana.
@@Tooshiesty446 it just happen to me on my 2017 equinox last week its at shop getting fixed right now and im in indiana it happened when it was like 20 or below
Same same. 2017 Equinox, 96000 miles. Well maintained. Cold snap. PCV glued itself shut and bleeeeeew the rear main out. The water in the airbox is bad juju, but it's not enough to blow the rear seal.
Our Equinox main seal blew out they fixed it under warranty..saw your video and I drilled the hole where you said drove it about 20 miles runs great but raised the hood and there is oil coming out of the hole I drilled what's up with that
What do you think about a vented oil cap sir? I've heard it recommended before. The logic is that the pressure would go through that versus to the rear main seal (though I assume I may be missing something due to my lack of knowledge on engines).
@@mark_osborne Apparently there is no actual hole on the top or anything. I'm not really sure how it works though the top looks just like a regular oil cap. The part number is 12589430.
@@darwinchapmam6343 Thank you. I appreciate your insight and help. And I agree, lack of maintenance is a key issue, especially in something like this that has a less than normal problem. Thanks again.
This is insane. Isn't this the same issue with the 2.4L Ecotec described in bulletin 14882? That one applies to earlier equinox and terrain models, but this problem (which my cousin just experienced on her 2017 equinox after the cold spell here in michigan) sounds like the same thing. Our rear main on the 2012 blew and we had to get engine replaced and our VIN wasn't part of the recall.
I am terribly sorry for your bad luck. Not sure if this is the same thing in the bulletin you mention, I just sort of figured this out myself after studying it
Oh my, yes. My 2017 66,000 miles , during a bad snow fall, very cold night, my car was missing, like jerking, low powering on my way home after being parked for half a day, I don't know anything about this kind of thing, just knew it wasn't acting right. I was stuck several times prior to getting home from Lima Ohio to St Mary's and I parked car under my veranda upon getting home. I got up for work next morning, started it up, ran about 5 mins while scraping snow and ice off windows. I jumped in, pulled out and wow it really was trying to die, but it kept going , it kind of started acting as if it were coming out of it then engine light came on I only had to go about 2 Miles. Once at work it died in parking space, engine light on sayjg DO NOT DRIVE. I was late. Worked my shift, called my dad to come look at it, he said drive it , would not let me call tow. It blew up mile and half later would not start, choke , nothing., we strapped it up he towed it with his Ford 150. Once home OMG ..there it was my drive way was COVERED IN OIL... The insurance coverage, A wrap around extension, I PURCHASED FOR THESE THINGS plus a lifetime guarantee warranty Would not cover the repairs. The adjusters said it was carbon build up that blew the engine and said that it was in fine print about this cold weather problem in this particular vehicle and it was not covered. I still have 3 years to pay on this vehicle. $7,000 to get new engine and install it. Who the hell builds a car in Michigan that CANNOT hold up in the cold weather? Was not told this problem could exist, was totally dumb founded, I was fortunate, as Tom Ahl of Lima, where I bought it is a respectable dealership and a man of great influence in the community, after I asked for him specifically...did make arrangements to pay what I couldn't pay. He did pay $6,000 of the $7,000 new engine. But I still think that this was not a carbon build up reason the engine blew. It was running badly the evening before, I was stuck several times in deep snow , there was no engine light on, and during the night the oil pan blew open and spilled most of the oil and that was what caused engine to subsequently blow. The Tom Ahl service men said that they felt like it was not carbon build up that they found, but had to go with the decision as they flat out would not pay for it. How do you check a Vin number for a recall..I'm wondering now if this would not been that . Live and learn.
My 2016 GMC Terrain did the same thing around 70000 miles I'm going to try drilling the hole if it causes an issue I can plug it - what size hole did you drill?
@@raytuck1206 I drilled the hole with no negative effects. Also when we hit temps in the teens or lower I pull the dipstick up just until it breaks the seal
I have a 2013 equinox with the same engine, and that box looks identical to my 2013. So what size drill do you recommend and will that effect engine performance if any? That engine doesn't have a real PCV but tiny port holes in the the intake maniford that get clogged up - (a bad idea). Enjoyed your video.
@@mark_osborne when i bought my 2013 nox it had that hose unplugged for a long time until i caught it and plugged it back in, thats when the smell of gas went away, always smelled gasy, but unfortunately my rear main blow as well, in the middle of a huge repair job.
@@samuelstrother4363 You are correct, some of the air going into the engine is not being measured by the MAF, however, it is so insignificant it does not matter. Monitoring the STFT (short term fuel trim) using the hand held computer following the repair (while driving the vehicle)- the STFT was still dancing around "zero". BTW, STFT has the ability to add or subtract 30%
@@mark_osborne Ok. I have the same issue now and I'm waiting to hear a quote from the shop. When I Google searched it for this car it says you can expect to pay $1,700 so you charge a great price!
Oh crap this is happening to my 17 Equinox right now. Preparing for a tow truck. 40,000 miles on car. Ty Mark im glad I looked this up and found you. Monroe michigan resident. Where are you?
Excellent diagnosis. GM knows this happens. They just don't care. My daughter's 2017 Equinox has had this happen twice. This second time it's clear that is was due to ice build up in the air cleaner housing blocking the PCV hose. But, GM won't admit to it and won't cover the repair. This is an obvious design defect that should have been found when they did design testing. My guess is that they skipped some of the design testing steps to hurry the time to market. Lesson: Don't buy cars with that engine design in it.
@@mark_osborne Hi I have a 2010 equinox 2.4. I bought it in august 2022, owned only 6 months now. I bought it privately from a guy who told some lies to me. I found out later. I have learned a lot from you tube. Thank goodness for that. I purchased the FC219 relief oil cap last week. To date I haven't had any problems. The mileage is 191,789.00 I just had the oil changed by my auto shop i deal with.. I have my friend check the oil often to make sure it's up. The guy who sold me this suv had just put a timing chain in, back brakes which I paid half for because he asked me to., tuneup. So far I put an altinator on. He said in his ad that the air conditioner worked great (it didnt ) I had to put a new one on $778.00. That mechanic showed my friend that it should not of been certified. The frame had 3 holes, the windshield had a crack to. Plus the back reflecter was broke. All was taken care of at no cost to me. Except the w/s is still cracked. The police told me it's small enough don't worry about it. See, I bought it sight unseen, i only seen it on the ad. It is mint. I trusted this guy but he pulled some fast ones on me. I had already sent $500.00 deposit to him. So I became ok with everything. I'm 70 and I have disabilities and have difficulty doing anything. But I love this veh. Apparently the air conditioning was leaking and he didn't know. He only owned it 5 months. Because he bought a brand new veh. What do you think of the oil catch can amazon is selling? Do you think I should have it put on. Or is the oil cap 219 enough. I'm sorry for talking so much, but the more info I learn from people like you the better I feel. GM should be ashamed, I see there is a class action suit against GM for the 2.4 ,4cylinder. I'm in Canada , and I wonder if there is a class action suit against GM here. Do you know? I hope you will write me back. If you would give me your email, we could communicate better. Thankyou Pat
@@mark_osborne ohio. Took it to sera chevy because i was going to try and get them to buyback considering the settlement for 2017-2019 equinox oil consumption and oil monitoring system problems. Worst part is i still owe 11,887.17 on it. 114k on the clock. Even had it in there three weeks ago for a rear bolt that seemed to remove itself in turn blowing all the oil from the motor into the bay and out of the motor. Car is truly awful and im stuck lol
![FNAF vs TF2 - Episode 2 [SFM]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5b3V2-VLb0/mqdefault.jpg)
Put in a catch can no hole needed
You could absolutely do that
Put in a hole, no catch can needed. Choose your pain, but for me, the hole has the elegance of simplicity.
Remove the intake. The PCV passage is not ported large enough on the mating surface of manifold. Like a pinhole when it should be at least 1/8 inch in diameter. These get froze/plugged over time due to this. Drill it to 1/8.
THIS is the most common reason for the rear main seals to blow out. Done many. Hope this helps.
Could this happen to the 2.5 in the Malibu? I just had my Malibu blow a rear main seal and leaked all my oil out. -8 degrees the day it happened
If it's a 2.4, it depends on the configuration of the air cleaner assembly and if it traps water as shown in the video
Yes! Our’s blew out on Monday morning, temps below 0! GM dealer and $2,999 complete extended warranty says they won’t cover it. Says they don’t cover ice or water intrusion. Pumped ALL of the oil out. Do NOT buy GM cars!!!
@@lembriggs1075 OMG SUE THEM !! It's a DEFECTIVE DESIGN !
Until 2008, Saturn Vue used a vented oil fill cap on the 2.4. Dorman makes one. I've seen these recommended on YT, and it seems it would provided relief of crankcase pressure. So I put one on the 13 Terrain I just replaced the rear seal on, and told my friends who have these 2.4s. It looks like a simple, cheap, effective means of preventing rear seal blowout was known by GM and discontinued. Why would they do that?
Just happened to my sister in Chicago 2 days ago.. they are telling her she needs a new motor 60,000 miles on it 2018
I've been concerned about this issue, lasting through 3 winters so far and this is a great idea I've not heard yet. Thank you sir.
Thanks for dropping by !
Mine blew on our 2017 Terrain last week in 0deg weather. Under warranty. Hauled to shop. Ordered a catch can and a vented oil cap. Hope it helps
Thanks a lot
Very helpful
I can't believe this thing bit me. Unacceptable. When I parked it, it was running so only a head gasket and a seal. Full of water and 0f temps. Good fix, Couldn't possibly be worse than the stock design
They will bite you !
Drilling a hole in the Air Intake Tube/resonator it sees to it would suck unfiltered air into the engine.
.....just a tiny bit 😜
Drilling a hole in the breather on a MAF system will affect fuel trims as the air going in through the hole is unmetered so the PCM is not aware of that air.
You are absolutely correct, however, the hole is small and when I connected my computer to the vehicle the STFT was still hovering around zero, a little above. Thanks for the comment
@@mark_osborne Good to know. Was a bit concerned that others may decide a 3/8 drill bit is a good sized hole.
If for any reason the small hose change the air flow u can put a check valve
i drilled to put the hole and after 300 kms of uninterupted driving gas is going out of the hole.
hello i did the same thing on my airbox. when i drove the car 3hrs straight it started smelling gas in the cabin and when i checked it out gas was draining from the hole... is that normal or go to a mechanic?
If you live in a humid climate, moisture will build up in the air box, drain out (which is what we want it to do) and end up running down the front of the engine and as it evaporates from heat, you can get an odor. I just had one where the customer asked me to block the holes - so I did. My best suggestion is to screw a brass fitting into the hole so you can attach a small rubber hose and direct the dripping moisture away from the engine - put the hose over near shock tower, tie it off with a zip tie. A little creativity will solve the problem. Merry Christmas
@@mark_osborneawesome. ill do that. We live here in alberta canada and its 0 degrees today some days are -40 celsius. So gas is normal to drain from the airbox?
@@felixCanar It's not gas - it's crankcase vapors which can smell like a combination of gas and oil. Completely normal. It's probably worse for you because it's so cold
@@mark_osborne Thank you👍and Merry Christmas to you!
No sir. The pcv system on the intake is blocked. Look it up. Ice can very easily freeze in the tube and blow the rear seal again.
Really? except that the tube is "pitched" the entire way .... I'm not saying it's impossible, I just find it difficult to believe, where the breather box was full of water that couldn't drain because of it being full if ice.
Yes the pvc hole in the intake is the problem. Doing one right now as we speak. It’s a known issue with the 2.4l terrains and equinox’s. If you don’t clear the hole in the intake assembly it’ll happen again. I can post some pictures in a little to show exactly what happens. I’m a mechanic and see it every time it gets cold in Indiana.
@@Tooshiesty446 it just happen to me on my 2017 equinox last week its at shop getting fixed right now and im in indiana it happened when it was like 20 or below
@@jumoli101 Yeah we’ve been seeing a lot of them. more to come I’m sure with the temperature dropping.
Same same. 2017 Equinox, 96000 miles. Well maintained. Cold snap. PCV glued itself shut and bleeeeeew the rear main out. The water in the airbox is bad juju, but it's not enough to blow the rear seal.
Our Equinox main seal blew out they fixed it under warranty..saw your video and I drilled the hole where you said drove it about 20 miles runs great but raised the hood and there is oil coming out of the hole I drilled what's up with that
It will - it will leak the remains of what is caught in that box until it finally drains. No worries
@@mark_osborne oh ok..
Solid video extremely helpful thank you
Thank you so much
Wish I had seen this at the beginning of December. My just blew about a week and a half ago.
Damn ! I'm sorry !!!
Hello, sir, I hear much about the catch cans to eliminate the excess water build up on the 2.4's. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
I know nothing about it, all I know is I want that water OUT of the filter box- and a small hole does just that
@@mark_osborne Thanks!!
What do you think about a vented oil cap sir? I've heard it recommended before. The logic is that the pressure would go through that versus to the rear main seal (though I assume I may be missing something due to my lack of knowledge on engines).
You can do that but you run the risk of water/debris falling into the hole
@@mark_osborne Apparently there is no actual hole on the top or anything. I'm not really sure how it works though the top looks just like a regular oil cap. The part number is 12589430.
@@darwinchapmam6343 Thank you. I appreciate your insight and help. And I agree, lack of maintenance is a key issue, especially in something like this that has a less than normal problem. Thanks again.
Does chevy cover this if your warranty is still available
I'm sure they would
This is insane. Isn't this the same issue with the 2.4L Ecotec described in bulletin 14882? That one applies to earlier equinox and terrain models, but this problem (which my cousin just experienced on her 2017 equinox after the cold spell here in michigan) sounds like the same thing. Our rear main on the 2012 blew and we had to get engine replaced and our VIN wasn't part of the recall.
I am terribly sorry for your bad luck. Not sure if this is the same thing in the bulletin you mention, I just sort of figured this out myself after studying it
Oh my, yes. My 2017 66,000 miles , during a bad snow fall, very cold night, my car was missing, like jerking, low powering on my way home after being parked for half a day, I don't know anything about this kind of thing, just knew it wasn't acting right. I was stuck several times prior to getting home from Lima Ohio to St Mary's and I parked car under my veranda upon getting home. I got up for work next morning, started it up, ran about 5 mins while scraping snow and ice off windows. I jumped in, pulled out and wow it really was trying to die, but it kept going , it kind of started acting as if it were coming out of it then engine light came on I only had to go about 2 Miles. Once at work it died in parking space, engine light on sayjg DO NOT DRIVE. I was late. Worked my shift, called my dad to come look at it, he said drive it , would not let me call tow. It blew up mile and half later would not start, choke , nothing., we strapped it up he towed it with his Ford 150. Once home OMG ..there it was my drive way was COVERED IN OIL... The insurance coverage, A wrap around extension, I PURCHASED FOR THESE THINGS plus a lifetime guarantee warranty Would not cover the repairs. The adjusters said it was carbon build up that blew the engine and said that it was in fine print about this cold weather problem in this particular vehicle and it was not covered. I still have 3 years to pay on this vehicle. $7,000 to get new engine and install it. Who the hell builds a car in Michigan that CANNOT hold up in the cold weather? Was not told this problem could exist, was totally dumb founded, I was fortunate, as Tom Ahl of Lima, where I bought it is a respectable dealership and a man of great influence in the community, after I asked for him specifically...did make arrangements to pay what I couldn't pay. He did pay $6,000 of the $7,000 new engine. But I still think that this was not a carbon build up reason the engine blew. It was running badly the evening before, I was stuck several times in deep snow , there was no engine light on, and during the night the oil pan blew open and spilled most of the oil and that was what caused engine to subsequently blow. The Tom Ahl service men said that they felt like it was not carbon build up that they found, but had to go with the decision as they flat out would not pay for it. How do you check a Vin number for a recall..I'm wondering now if this would not been that . Live and learn.
@@jodyreynolds8545 I am so sorry, what a horrible experience , thankfully Tom Ahl helped out a lot
@@mark_osborne thanks, Mark!
where can i go to get verbiage on this bulletin?
Same exact thing happened to me. GM needs to warranty these.
I'm so sorry !
My 2016 GMC Terrain did the same thing around 70000 miles I'm going to try drilling the hole if it causes an issue I can plug it - what size hole did you drill?
about 3/16 - you don't need much, just enough to let the water out once it thaws from engine heat
@@mark_osborne thank you, I appreciate the info!
Funny my just over 70,000 mile and blew the seal.
@@raytuck1206 I drilled the hole with no negative effects. Also when we hit temps in the teens or lower I pull the dipstick up just until it breaks the seal
I have a 2013 equinox with the same engine, and that box looks identical to my 2013. So what size drill do you recommend and
will that effect engine performance if any? That engine doesn't have a real PCV but tiny port holes in the the intake maniford that
get clogged up - (a bad idea). Enjoyed your video.
just drill like a 3/16 hole - it will not effect performance
@@mark_osborne when i bought my 2013 nox it had that hose unplugged for a long time until i caught it and plugged it back in, thats when the smell of gas went away, always smelled gasy, but unfortunately my rear main blow as well, in the middle of a huge repair job.
@@Jack-v8h4k I am so sorry ! You must wonder if the previous owner unplugged it specifically for this reason ?
@@mark_osborne exactly, I believe that.
Isn't it going to have a vacuum leak from the drain hole?
It is upstream of the throttle body
@@mark_osborne BUT IT IS DOWN STREAM OF THE MAF SENSOR! I DONT SEE HOW IT WOULDNT CAUSE LEAN CODES
@@samuelstrother4363 You are correct, some of the air going into the engine is not being measured by the MAF, however, it is so insignificant it does not matter. Monitoring the STFT (short term fuel trim) using the hand held computer following the repair (while driving the vehicle)- the STFT was still dancing around "zero". BTW, STFT has the ability to add or subtract 30%
Wouldnt the water go in in some parts of the engine since you made a small hole with the drill?
No, it just drips out the bottom of the filter assembly onto the intake manifold and eventually hits the ground or evaporates
How much does that cost to repair at your shop?
I charged him just over $1000 to pull the engine and reinstall it along with replacing the rear seal
@@mark_osborne Ok. I have the same issue now and I'm waiting to hear a quote from the shop. When I Google searched it for this car it says you can expect to pay $1,700 so you charge a great price!
Oh crap this is happening to my 17 Equinox right now. Preparing for a tow truck. 40,000 miles on car. Ty Mark im glad I looked this up and found you. Monroe michigan resident. Where are you?
I have the same problem. I'm in michigan. Where is your shop I would like to possibly take it to yo u
How much to do a job like that?
Excellent diagnosis. GM knows this happens. They just don't care. My daughter's 2017 Equinox has had this happen twice. This second time it's clear that is was due to ice build up in the air cleaner housing blocking the PCV hose. But, GM won't admit to it and won't cover the repair. This is an obvious design defect that should have been found when they did design testing. My guess is that they skipped some of the design testing steps to hurry the time to market. Lesson: Don't buy cars with that engine design in it.
Are you going to drill a hole to let the water out ?
@@mark_osborne Hi I have a 2010 equinox 2.4. I bought it in august 2022, owned only 6 months now. I bought it privately from a guy who told some lies to me. I found out later. I have learned a lot from you tube. Thank goodness for that. I purchased the FC219 relief oil cap last week. To date I haven't had any problems. The mileage is 191,789.00 I just had the oil changed by my auto shop i deal with.. I have my friend check the oil often to make sure it's up. The guy who sold me this suv had just put a timing chain in, back brakes which I paid half for because he asked me to., tuneup. So far I put an altinator on. He said in his ad that the air conditioner worked great (it didnt ) I had to put a new one on $778.00. That mechanic showed my friend that it should not of been certified. The frame had 3 holes, the windshield had a crack to. Plus the back reflecter was broke. All was taken care of at no cost to me. Except the w/s is still cracked. The police told me it's small enough don't worry about it. See, I bought it sight unseen, i only seen it on the ad. It is mint. I trusted this guy but he pulled some fast ones on me. I had already sent $500.00 deposit to him. So I became ok with everything. I'm 70 and I have disabilities and have difficulty doing anything. But I love this veh. Apparently the air conditioning was leaking and he didn't know. He only owned it 5 months. Because he bought a brand new veh. What do you think of the oil catch can amazon is selling? Do you think I should have it put on. Or is the oil cap 219 enough. I'm sorry for talking so much, but the more info I learn from people like you the better I feel. GM should be ashamed, I see there is a class action suit against GM for the 2.4 ,4cylinder. I'm in Canada , and I wonder if there is a class action suit against GM here. Do you know? I hope you will write me back. If you would give me your email, we could communicate better. Thankyou Pat
Those are the problems that come about that engineers don't think about
Exactly
actually just got the estimate on my 2017 equinox.... 3726 dollars for this.
NO ! NO WAY .... take it somewhere else. Where are you ?
@@mark_osborne ohio. Took it to sera chevy because i was going to try and get them to buyback considering the settlement for 2017-2019 equinox oil consumption and oil monitoring system problems. Worst part is i still owe 11,887.17 on it. 114k on the clock. Even had it in there three weeks ago for a rear bolt that seemed to remove itself in turn blowing all the oil from the motor into the bay and out of the motor. Car is truly awful and im stuck lol
Someone needs to start a law Suit against gm.
@@kellytraveler4748 there was a settlement in 2019 that i believe they are no longer liable for this problem
Gm crapola