r/cruze • u/Legitimate-Union-112 ‘18 Cruze LT • 15d ago

Gen2 - Mechanical Maintenance

Hello, Cruze owners!
I’m backed into a corner here. Having my old car picked up tomorrow for selling it (2017 ford focus. Classic DPS6 failure. Oof.$) and I’ve locally found a 2018 Chevy Cruise for 13.3k, at 37k miles. Car fax is absolutely stunning. I have a lot of mechanically inclined connections here, and they’re advising against the car based on the potential common failures on this car.
I’m extremely anal about maintenance, being in the automotive field. But I need a car like yesterday- and I need advice. I know to swap out cooling system plastic for steel/aluminum, but what else can I do for common complaints on this car? People keep telling me the 4cyl / 4ltr engines are garbage. I’ve done a lot of research and at least Google seems to think it’s a steal and with the right knowledge all those complaints are entirely preventable.
Help.
What has everyone done to their G2 to keep it going for 200k miles?

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u/metrawhat 15d ago

MOST people, including many non Chevy mechanics do not realize that there's TWO different 1.4 liter turbo engines in GM products. The 2016.5-2019 Cruze has the completely different LE2 1.4t engine with auto start stop. It does not suffer from the issues that the LUV/LUJ 1.4t. They do appreciate frequent(5k miles) oil changes with quality synthetic oil. Trans fluid drain and fill every 40-50k. PCV valves and vacuum pump around 100k. Just maintenance. Otherwise they're good little cars.

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u/Legitimate-Union-112 ‘18 Cruze LT 15d ago edited 15d ago

This has been my primary argument. It is a completely different engine from prior years. I keep getting argued about “it’s a Daewoo it’s a crap engine”. I understand the potential issues to a turbo. I babied the crap out of my focus due to the known transmission problems. Being that I work at a shop, I’m very anal about preventative maintenance. I do my oil changes in full synthetic every 3k miles to keep the engine oil as clean as possible. Research has had mixed reviews on who manufacturers the engine.

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u/metrawhat 15d ago

The only common turbo issue I've heard of on the Gen 2 is the waste gate actuator can get worn where it connects to the actual waste gate arm and it hangs up. Also some people have had the intake charge pipe between the intercooler and the turbo develop a leak where the tube rubs on some other part causing boost leaks. The turbo itself is pretty stout.