Maybe Don't Build a Cooling System out of Plastic
Added 2023-11-19 15:34:12 +0000 UTC2017 Chevy Trax Overheats and Leaks and It's a Mess
Comments
I have a 2000 Express 3500 with the 5.7L. L, is for 'leaker', since you must replace the intake manifold gaskets at every other stop-light to prevent coolant contaminating your oil. :( Rode great. Drove great. Leaked coolant over & over despite 2 gasket changes and T H R E E motor changes. May Mr. Goodwrench get a case of the jungle-rotting clap.
Dwayne de Lung
2023-12-02 20:29:22 +0000 UTCOr GM's own use of plastic coolant elbows in the 3800.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-24 01:18:05 +0000 UTCSo GM and Fiat did not learn from Ford's experience with the 4.6L coolant crossover of 20 odd years ago eh? No kidding??? LOL
John Gislason
2023-11-22 02:01:41 +0000 UTCAh yes, the rust belt factor :). Also most car owners don't swap out coolant after additive packages are spent. Corrosion from the inside and out :) I totally see why they use plastic, I just wish the execution was better.
Matt Londergan
2023-11-21 16:16:30 +0000 UTCIt's even worse when the salt starts to corrode the aluminum.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-21 15:35:51 +0000 UTCI was impressed!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-21 15:34:54 +0000 UTCYeah, plus they don't have to worry about your car lasting too long...
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-21 15:34:30 +0000 UTCIf your pockets are deep enough it does.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-21 15:33:56 +0000 UTCI worked on a few dodge calibers. They had plastic thermostat housing that would crack too. Plastic injection molding is cheap and easy. The only cost is having the mold made and shipping the part and maybe the gas to heat the plastic pellets enough to be injected to the mold. Pure profit, even if only half of them work.
scottgm321
2023-11-20 19:29:45 +0000 UTCI enjoy all the spiffy features on my 2022 Escape; but, I also worry about how many years all the interconnected bits will stay in working order. There's a sensor to verify that the windshield washer fluid is not empty, as you can't see it at all.
CapnMac82
2023-11-20 15:55:51 +0000 UTCWell, as a guess, you can only find those manuals via very expensive Shop Manual subscriptions. Just like John Deere (see above).
CapnMac82
2023-11-20 15:53:34 +0000 UTCIs 3D metal printing available?
Roger Howell
2023-11-20 06:29:17 +0000 UTCThis Chevy Trax might serve more utility at the bottom of a lake/ocean. As a watercooled VW guy I've grown accustomed to plastic cooling system components crumbling in my hands. I escaped the VW world and got a Toyota thinking that I might be spared. Wrong. A recent favorite is the cylinder head coolant distribution pipe on my 3rd generation Tacoma. Previous 4.0 V6s used aluminum (same metal as cyl head) for these pipes. With the new 3.5 engine they switched to a plastic piece. Coefficient of thermal expansion for plastic differs from aluminum. Might be fine on any other engine part application, but not one that is connected to two expanding/contracting/vibrating metal cylinder heads. Mine developed a hairline crack that was very difficult to trace. Miniscule coolant leak for years. Didn't notice where it was going until one day I looked on the top of the bell housing and found a stalactite of dried toyota pink coolant coming from the pipe :). The removal and replacement of this part was absolutely brutal but I did it. The final kick in the pants is that the Lexus 3.5 uses an aluminum part. Naturally it cannot be adapted to the tacoma :(.
Matt Londergan
2023-11-20 01:27:37 +0000 UTCWhat shop manuals we bought a 2020 Honda Pilot nothing available for the owner anyway, The first vehicle I'v owned without some kind of manual.
Eric Corse
2023-11-20 00:33:08 +0000 UTCThose were some neat lego robots and devices, especially the rubik cube solver!
John B Moore
2023-11-19 22:28:37 +0000 UTCOr, all the OEMs can build cars like BMW and make their cars like iPhones and you are supposed to replace the car every 3-4 years before it craps out. I sure hope they don't all go John Deere. What a precedent that was!
John B Moore
2023-11-19 22:18:18 +0000 UTCSeems to be the Microsoft way. They may have been the trendsetter in shitty business practices. Dorman just had to follow to stay in business.
John B Moore
2023-11-19 22:09:48 +0000 UTCFortunately for us...
boubaros
2023-11-19 21:39:36 +0000 UTCYou'd think it could make it to 200,000 before it falls to pieces. Not this one!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:21:34 +0000 UTCI thought so too!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:20:58 +0000 UTCI don't know, but these are skewing the curve.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:20:48 +0000 UTCIt's true!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:20:20 +0000 UTCHorse and buggy might be an upgrade over a Trax.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:19:59 +0000 UTCI'm sure. Or maybe worse!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:19:32 +0000 UTCI don't know. Maybe it's a belt tension issue. At least they are pretty simple to replace.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:19:11 +0000 UTCI don't think Dorman does any QC. They leave that up to the customer!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:18:41 +0000 UTCWe're pretty close. The power stroke engine manual says "remove engine" for most operations. The newer trucks now also require removing the cab to remove the engine. Like the F-150. You can't fit the engine between the cowl and the radiator support.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:17:48 +0000 UTCUnfortunately... It's not mine though.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 21:16:22 +0000 UTCI'm amazed at the mileage that ecocrap has managed to cover. Appalling engines. Thanks for the video Wes!
David Yates
2023-11-19 20:38:21 +0000 UTCRubix cube lego solver was awesome!
mike forbes
2023-11-19 20:34:57 +0000 UTCAre all new GM vehicles built this bad?
Dennis Lesh
2023-11-19 19:49:00 +0000 UTCWes, I believe you uncovered a feature and not a bug. Chevy Trax are designed to self immolate at 150,000 miles, just like the tape recorder on the old Mission Impossible TV show.
Tom Hollowell
2023-11-19 19:02:38 +0000 UTCPlastic crap everywhere. What junk. I'm surprised they don't make plastic pistons and cranks on cars. This keeps up, we will be back to horse and buggies. Doorman is the covid in the auto parts world. Great video Wes.
dozerman53111
2023-11-19 18:52:32 +0000 UTCEnjoyed that one, is the bearing in the pump Chineseium?
Darran
2023-11-19 18:19:14 +0000 UTCI'm curious about that water pump bearing I'm assuming that it's undersized but I'm also wondering if the coolant might be washing out the bearing somehow.
Kowyn Hibbert (Warrior of the Rusty Wrench)
2023-11-19 18:12:24 +0000 UTCThere's possibly a debate about just what level of QC can be expected from after-market plastic repair parts when compared to OEM plastic repair parts. The fact that GM is outsourcing these parts will enter into any sensible discussion of the topic, too.
CapnMac82
2023-11-19 18:04:57 +0000 UTCThis will sound a flippant comment--and a dreay Sunday wants some levity--but I honestly wonder how long it will be before the Shop manuals all begin with: "1. Remove engine and install on [part number] stand."
CapnMac82
2023-11-19 18:01:43 +0000 UTCYeah I don't think people believe they are a better clamp just easier and less dangerous!
Curtis Roberts
2023-11-19 17:52:31 +0000 UTCExcellent once more. Did I spot a new to us backhoe at the parking lot?
boubaros
2023-11-19 17:43:19 +0000 UTCI say this in all seriousness...does the Trax have ANY redeeming qualities? I've never heard a good thing said about them either by owners nor mechanics
Chris Freemesser
2023-11-19 17:33:48 +0000 UTCNice
Redwood Mark
2023-11-19 17:14:00 +0000 UTCI'd push it off a cliff if it was mine.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 17:13:49 +0000 UTCWallet with wings!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 17:13:32 +0000 UTCGM has been trying to make plastic coolant elbows for 30 years. It still doesn't work.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 17:13:22 +0000 UTCYeah I think these were designed just to keep mechanics busy.
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 17:12:27 +0000 UTCI especially like the ones that you can lock open. They're like little bear traps!
Watch Wes Work
2023-11-19 17:11:12 +0000 UTCI can't stand those constant tension clamps, been bit too many times. I got some breeze USA worn style clamps and if I need to snug it up occasionally so be it.
Eric Corse
2023-11-19 16:55:04 +0000 UTCFriends Trax had all the same issues, after 4 years she traded it in. Always in the shop with that car.
Jeffrey Ramsey
2023-11-19 16:47:43 +0000 UTCDorman ๐ฑ
James Riordan
2023-11-19 16:23:56 +0000 UTCI have this 1.4 in a 2015 Encore, Replaced the "Valve Cover", the Engine Coolant Temp Sensor Housing and sensor, and the Radiator Fan Assembly all in the same month... Awhile back I also replaced the vacuum/boost hose on the turbo actuator. Thanks for this video Wes, I probably should go check by water pump, belt, and tensioner now. These little engines for sure run hot, the plastic valve cover gasket basically cooked itself to carbon on the exhaust side. Did these engineers play with those plastic engine models as a kid and think "why not make a real engine out of plastic"?
Bradlee
2023-11-19 16:15:40 +0000 UTCI've worked on a bunch of those 1.4 turbos. Mostly on the cruze but a couple of trax and sonics also. Mostly all gravy cuz everything goes bad all the time. Coil pack, valve cover, turbo leaks, coolant leaks, you name it. I had to replace pistons on one. So cute, like a 4 cylinder lawn mower engine! LOL. The worst part on that plastic housing for me is the top part that clips in. Seems like the oring always leaks and it's a devil of a time finding an o-ring that works. Of course GM will sell you the entire assembly not just the o-ring. On yours I wonder if they didn't overtighten the worm clamp? But it also looks melted like it got too hot somehow. Anyway, Jolly good show. Hope you are able to have a great holiday week this week.
Curtis Roberts
2023-11-19 16:00:41 +0000 UTC
