[TresslerF]

My wife has 2009 Malibu with 2.4.

From time to time she tells me she hears it "knocking". I never heard nothing until a few months ago. While driving it to a volleyball game in another town (over 30 miles away) I pulled into a parking lot and I noticed it "knocking". Not the ignition type of engine knock but the "I don't have any oil" type of engine knock. It did it for probably 10-15 seconds while COASTING thru the parking lot. That is the ONE and only time I've heard it myself. My wife says she has heard it more. Recently just one week ago...

Are there any know issues with this engine and oil starvation?

I change the oil and use AC/Delco filter when the OLM gets to 20%. Oil level is always FULL.

Thanks

 

[chevyguy8893]

As far as I know there aren't any issues with oil starvation. When the noise happens is it under the same operating conditions or is it completely random? Have you ever noticed any issues wit the old oil filter after it was removed such as collapsed or coming apart? It just seems weird to me that it only last for a short time and then goes away.

 

[TresslerF]

I agree - wierd...

Seem to notice when idling thru parking lot more than while in motion.

Never noticed anything funny about the filter but I'm going to keep a better eye on it going forward to see if I see anything.

Thanks

 

[Jason464]

Let me know if you figure anything out. Mine has been pinging and not idling properly. The people at the service dept. said it was because of poor quality fuel and had recommended and injector flush.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

TresslerF,

What is the current mileage on your wife's Malibu? Looking forward to reading an update about the situation.

Sincerely,
Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[mwcbu08]

I heard of similar symptoms due to piston slapping. I read a Word doc from, I believe GM, about piston skirt improvement between different years of Gen 7:

"Optimized Piston Skirt
Ecotec 2.4L I-4 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."

Just a shot in a grey area, for me at least.

 

[61woody]

I thought GM's short skirted piston issues were over with by 05?

 

[TresslerF]

Mileage is 37,xxx. Dealer looked at it a few months ago and wasn't able to duplicate. I've only heard it happen once. My wife maybe 5 times.. That's what's strange about it......

 

[chevyguy8893]

Just out of curiosity, does it seem to happen after an oil change, or closer to the 20% on the oil life monitor?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

TresslerF,

Thank you for the information that I had requested along with more data.

When you took the vehicle in a few months ago was the Malibu under 36.000 miles?

Just an idea for you and your wife, is to take it to the dealership when you or her notice that it is happening and take them for a ride so you can point it out to them; if you haven't done so already.

Michelle P., Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[TresslerF]

Yes we took it when it had 31,xxx. They couldn't duplicate. That was after I heard it for the 1st time. I heard it and my wife goes "That's the noise I was talking to you about..."

It's only happened about 5 times and when it does it is only for about 20-30 seconds.... Hard to get it too the dealer in that time

 

[TresslerF]

Not really sure... I know my wife heard it about 2 weeks ago and OLM was probably at 40%