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GM 2.2 engine problems - READ ONLY

50 messages,  Last post on Jan 31, 2002 at 12:32 PM

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#1 of 50 GM 2.2 engine by scottygmc4x4

Dec 25, 2001 (8:04 am)

Has any one out there had any problems with the GM 2.2 engine. Also does this engine use a timing belt or chain. My car runs very nice when the engine is hot but has a noise when cold below 30 F. It sounds to me like piston slap. Any help out there????

#2 of 50 re:Gm 2.2 by erkkila

Dec 25, 2001 (9:15 am)

That motor is nothing but cheap gm junk. Actually, you could probably call it gm's dream motor-cheap to build, not very durable and unbeleiveably expensive to repair.

#3 of 50 by 0patience

Dec 25, 2001 (3:25 pm)

The 2.2 has a timing chain with a tensioner. Could be the tensioner is wore out, but it would be all the time, not just when it is hot.
You have to determine the location of the noise. If it is rear, lower, check the torque converter bolts.

#4 of 50 GM: by jrosasmc

Dec 25, 2001 (5:54 pm)

The 2.2 has a very bad reputation, both in reliability and performance. I have driven two S-10s equipped with this engine, and it is completely gutless even on a flat road. I believe it can do 0-60 in about 16 seconds, give or take. If you want a reliable GM motor, go for the Chevy 350 V-8. You can't kill those things.

#5 of 50 Gutless... by adc100

Dec 26, 2001 (4:25 pm)

True, but what do you expect for an OHV single cam engine. Actually in my experience the 2.2 is relatively reliable and trouble-free. I can name worse.

#6 of 50 Which 2.2 is this about? by jpelder

Dec 26, 2001 (7:35 pm)

I hope this isn't about the GM 2.2 Ecotech engine. I just bought an Alero with one.
 
I never heard of an S-10 with a 2.2L. I had a '92 with a 2.5 once. It performed ok. Is it an old S-10?

#7 of 50 not the ecotech by erkkila

Dec 27, 2001 (12:24 pm)

this is about the POS motor they put in the s-10 and cavalier. I had a 95 Sonoma with that motor. What a nightmare!

#8 of 50 had the 2.2 Vortec in by amorales

Dec 28, 2001 (9:01 am)

'00 Chevy S10 Xtreme. 5 sp, reg cab. 0-60 in 11 sec. Chain driven. 8 months later i told Chevy to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. To avoid BUY BACK lemon law they exchanged it for a '00 C2500 3/4 ton. It seems the engine computer was at fault. The truck would stall every 8-10 miles on freeway. It began at 20,000 mi. Dlr could not fix stalling. Engine codes revealed the GM anti-theft device to be problem. Finally after 4 visits they gave up. Being the S10 had short throw shifter and close ratio steering with ZQ8 susp pkg. It handled very well, was responsive in traffic, but was gutless off the line. Limiter cut in at 94 mph. I think there is a DOHC version of this motor that does duty in the Saturn. 135 hp. GM powertrain website has the listings of all GM motors.
 
Good luck and Happy New Year to all vehicle lovers

#9 of 50 2.2 by joe3891

Dec 28, 2001 (10:23 am)

Best engine i have ever owned,have 2 right now,00 Cavalier and 99 Sonoma.Reliable and parts are cheap and the engine is easy to work on.The basic engine goes back to 1982,millions have been produced.Nobody would produce a bad engine for 20 yrs.

#10 of 50 2.2 in S-10's by andre1969

Dec 28, 2001 (10:31 am)

I think the 2.2 started getting used as the base engine when GM finally phased out the old Pontiac 2.5 "Iron Duke" (more recently known as the Tech-4 or something like that). The 2.5 was always kind of a dog, only putting out around 85-92 hp or so, but it had a bit more torque than the smaller engine back then, the Cavalier 2.0. The 2.0 got bumped to 2.2 liters sometime in the late 80's, and got a pretty big increase in hp, but not torque. It was around this time, I think, that they started using the 2.2 as the base engine in vehicles like the Century, Cutlass Ciera, S-10, etc.
 
FWIW, I have a friend who once owned an '85 Cavalier with the 2.0. It was a dog, but that car did run to about 110K or so miles. It was finally done in by electrical problems.

Messages Page 1 of 5

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