As the original owner of a 2012 Traverse, I am a bit upset that my timing chains failed at 64,000 miles. My Brother went through this at 70,000 on his 2008 Traverse. I had read when he had problems with his vehicle that GM knew in 2008 they had an issue with the chains. I read the reason was poor chains, combined with an oil change schedule that was set too long between changes by GM. The word was a new vendor was found for the chains with better quality, and the oil change interval was dialed back to avoid this situation going forward. The story was if you had a 2010 or newer 3.6, this problem was solved. When my check engine light came on, I was not expecting to hear the chains were the issue, but that was the phone call I received from my dealer. I asked the service rep why my 2012 was having these issues and was told I was not alone, they are seeing more and more 2011's and 2012's. So obviously this issue has not been fixed. This is stunning to me as this engine was designed to be used in Cadillac and is currently being used in about every vehicle GM has. I have changed my oil every 4 to 5000 miles, never exceeding 5000 miles so I'm not buying the oil issue, but I did see on my service ticket that my screens were filled with sludge. My question is what is the real issue here, lack of oiling? Design error? Isn't it time to tell customers the truth? Are there any warranty extensions on these vehicles with these engines? Seems to me there should be. I like many things about my Traverse, and was considering purchasing another one, but I will not do that with these unresolved engine issues. My vehicle was in the shop over a week and I picked it up this morning. After driving it I discovered it's leaking anti freeze and had to return it to the dealer.

my 09 G8 made dinner out of its chain )-:
I believe your traverse uses the "OLDER" LLT DI engine as used in the VE "commie" and I thought the guides for the timing chains where changed in the "new" LFX engine

 

This should be fun for the folks that buy one of the new midsize twins with the Lfx engine.Like the new gm,same as the old gm...

 

Yet another reason I would have preferred the 4.3L V6 engine in the mid size trucks.

 

To bad GM doesn't cover mechanical non-safety problems as they cove safety related issues.

 

my 2004 CTS ate its chain. I did all oil changes myself based on the recommended DIC, just didn't keep good enough records receipts, and it failed. They claimed they fixed it in my build, stating my car was 'not effected'. The dealership even assisted me in how and where to go to get ammunition for my debate. Still GM turned their head.

 

Between timing chain problems and carbon buildup, is there ANY reason to buy a GM vehicle with the 3.6?

 

I have not heard of any failures on the newer iterations of the LFX yet. Let the warranty replace it and move on with life.

 

I have a newer 3.6L gm v6. The di DOHC version put in the Camaros. So far have not had a timing chain failure in the car 98k miles with mediocre service due to the car being my moms prior. Car is mostly highly miles due to us not living inside of the city. Have had a camshaft solenoid go bad on the driver side easy fix and the light went away.

After the last 8k miles or so the car has seem to get rougher and rougher. Exhaust doesn’t sad that good anymore and I’m thinking I need new timing chains soon. I think the exhaust sounding issue is a result of all the carbon buildup engine is known for having. As for the timing, the car has been bulky fully tuned up by me, and maintained, and still is rough sometimes. Hard idles sometimes not very often, sometimes lack of power, car has lag when stepping on pedal and etc. due to this I’m thinking timing chain needs to replaced.

The engine also has a slight tik. I believe the issue to be the lifters as these 3.6 were engineered terribly and burn through oil like no tomorrow. I’m going to upgrade to performance lifters because OEM is ****. Also if you do ever replace timing chains get heavier-duty chains that will last longer.

Hope this comment helps anyone years later from the original post and years later from my post. 2016 Chevy Camaro btw. And this 3.6l take 5-30, not 5-20.

 

I believe my wife's 2009 Outlook has a letter stating ten year 120,000 mile extended warranty on timing chain issues.

 

We have an '07 Acadia and the chain was just replaced at 153000 miles. We had it replaced right before it completely failed.

 

With most cars, timing chain replacement is regular maintenance but somehow GM is not allowed to ever need a new timing chain. At least the car, often, "tells" you when it needs a new chain before damage is done.

It's the LFX 3.6 that's supposed to go longer between maintenance.

 

A timing chain is not regular maintenance. A timing belt is, but most manufacturers have moved to chains. I have never owned a vehicle that needed a timing chain replacement, including 200K mile examples.

 

Why is it only the 3.6 in the acadia,traverse,enclave that has the issue and not the Camaro?

 

The LLT is an older version of the 3.6.

 

so they stopped sales of them due to faulty tires. How about the faulty engines?

 

As for 1 of you questions, A screen may affect a Cam Phaser, or Chain Tensionor, but the Chain is an Oil Bath item.

I believe there are 3 causes.

1. 5W20 Oil is far too thin, for Hard Use (i.e. towing or short commutes) or Hot Climates, or OLM recommended changes. But it does raise Fuel Economy Numbers.
2. the use of AM Filters.
3. And 3rd, Once the Techs get as deep into diagnosing the problem (which is more than likely Chain Tensioners) they feel they may call the Cam Chain as well.

 

As for 1 of you questions, A screen may affect a Cam Phaser, or Chain Tensionor, but the Chain is an Oil Bath item.

I believe there are 3 causes.

1st 5W20 Oil is far too thin, for Hard Use (i.e. towing or short commutes) or Hot Climates, or OLM recommended changes. But it does raise Fuel Economy Numbers.

2nd, the use of AM Filters.

And 3rd, Once the Techs get as deep into diagnosing the problem (which is more than likely Chain Tesioners) they feel they may call the Cam Chain as well.

5W20 oil is not recommended by GM for the 3.6 engines (at least in the USA). Is 5W20 oil the recommended viscosity in Canada?

 

Maybe GM should just add timing chain replacement to the service schedule

 

Other than the Cam Phasers, a Belt might have worked out better. With a Scheduled 60,000 mile replacement recommended.

 

100 pages of timing chain issues on the ecoboost 3.5L thread. There are other threads also so it is not only GM's 3.6L engine. For long life, I'm not a fan of these long chain designs.
http://www.f150forum.com/f70/2011-ecoboost-noise-start-up-204007/

 

Did you even read any of it?

 

Just got off the phone with the dealer after another week in the shop. I was told there was no anti freeze leak. I told the person that told me that to check with the service advisor that checked it in, as he walked up to the vehicle and says " boy I can smell the anti freeze". We look under the hood and it's wet on the passenger side of the engine compartment. But now there was "no leak"......I guess I go have a visit with the service manager. One thing I'm certain of, there won't be another one.

 

They should have put the 4.3 in those trucks.

 

Agreed.GM blew it with the car engine after they bragged up the all new 4.3 TRUCK engine.One step forward,12 steps back....snafu.

 

The LFX 3.6 in my 2012 SRX uses 5W-30.

 

No to 5w20 oil. I have a CTS 3.6 engine and use 5w30, also 10w30 when its hot and if i do alot of downtown driving in the summer. P.S. (Synthetic motor is the best, that's all i use.)

 

Here in Canada, we use 5w30 and when it is hot 10w30, also if you do a lot of traffic downtown. P.S.( I only use 5w30 in my CTS Synthetic motor oil.) I don't even go to the dealer for free oil changes. They use regular motor oil. Most FORDS use 5w20.

 

Ford 3.5 EcoBoost engines use 5w 30. I've got one!


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

So have they fixed the timing chain issue in the LFX?

 

Been looking at a new Canyon and didn't know the engine was a problem. Thanks for bringing this topic to the top.

 

But it's NOT a problem. If it is, someone find me the complaints.

 

Timing chain problems on this engine since 2008. Still failing after all these years.

 

I called GM and asked them if they were extending the powertrain warranty on my 3.6 engine due to timing chain failure and I was told they don't do that. I told the young lady I was pretty sure I would not be buying another one.

 

Here is 107+ pages of Ford 3.5 timing chain info for you.
http://www.f150forum.com/f70/2011-ecoboost-noise-start-up-204007/