Has anyone heard of the 1.6 L Aveo engines (2006) going bad around 100,000 miles?

I have had a few people tell me that the Aveo engines (1.6L) tend to die/go around 100,000 miles and was wondering if you fellow owners have been going over this mileage without major problems? My 2006 Sedan has just over 80,000 miles now and would think about trading in for a Sonic if this seems to be true. I take good care of mine with regular up keep. I run Mobil 1 oil and change every 7,500 miles, changed the timing belt at 60,000 as they recommend, run Bosch Plat. +4 spark plugs and repair things as needed.

I imagine it has to do with the timing belt breaking before 100k when they don't change it before the 60k mark.. Or the fact that many dealerships are replacing the timing belts and not the tensioners or waters pumps at the same time. Or the fact that plastic parts need services about that same time (on every car) and can cause over heating. ETC.

NONE of those suggests the engine is flawed in design, just owners are flawed in maintenance..

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Originally Posted by petrified.rabbit

I imagine it has to do with the timing belt breaking before 100k when they don't change it before the 60k mark.. Or the fact that many dealerships are replacing the timing belts and not the tensioners or waters pumps at the same time. Or the fact that plastic parts need services about that same time (on every car) and can cause over heating. ETC.

NONE of those suggests the engine is flawed in design, just owners are flawed in maintenance..

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Ditto. Keep up with the maintenance and you'll be fine.

Rabbit - which plastic parts need to be replaced?

Mine passed 100k a few months ago and now has 112k. Seems like it's just finally broken in. Runs like 12k miles.

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Originally Posted by Steverino

I have had a few people tell me that the Aveo engines (1.6L) tend to die/go around 100,000 miles ... I run Mobil 1 oil .....

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OMG - NOT Mobil 1 - you will destroy your engine !!!!!

Which just goes to show that anyone can say just about anything related to cars - true, false - who knows? That said, in the case of our Aveos, this one is likely based on the ugly past history of the 2004, where timing belts were exploding every 15 seconds (at least I think that's what someone said). I didn't get around to changing the belt on my '05 until 93K, and at that mileage it looked new like right out of the box (yes, even bending it backwards). The WP and tensioner looked great also, and I have a feeling they all could have run many more trouble-free miles. But I'm not about to suggest that anyone should ignore the recommended change intervals.
I think that by doing the recommended stuff, especially the good oil changes, you could easily get 200K or more, if you want to keep the car that long. One of the plastic parts is the thermostat which will stress crack over time. Just replaced mine (metal now) a few weeks ago at 115K. Happy motoring for many more miles in your Aveo!

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Originally Posted by freddingo

Rabbit - which plastic parts need to be replaced?

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Mostly the coolant parts, the heat cool cycle, and the coolants "abrasive" nature tend to wear them from the inside out.

with age, they will crumble in you hands even though they look new. VW, mercedes, toyota etc have this problem as well. so it is not aveo specific.

100,000 hmmm? I am sitting at 171,000+ now in a 04 manual hatchback, but did have to rebuild due to timing belt at 65,000. I have not had another major issue with the motor since. Regular maintenance, 8.5mm plug wires, and various gasket replacements. Still does not leak any oil from anywhere, and does not run hot. Just replaced the body bushings in the rear, strut mounts in the front and swapped to coilovers. Next up is a replacement koyo radiator, since rocks have really done a number to the original throughout its life. The craziest part though, is that I originally rebuilt the whole car down to the roof skin after it was totalled at 3 months old.

Good to hear they have been going the distance. I would imagine the metal thermostat housing is an aftermarket part. Who makes it and where did you get it?

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Originally Posted by Steverino

I have had a few people tell me that the Aveo engines (1.6L) tend to die/go around 100,000 miles

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Well, there's a lot of people who think you just put gas in it and drive it...they never crack the hood open and inspect or service the engine...I think they should be happy for the 100,000 miles they DID get and even if they were driving the most well crafted car in the world it would eventually break down...an Aveo is no different. Just pop the hood open and be aware of what`s going on there that may need attention.

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Originally Posted by Steverino

Good to hear they have been going the distance. I would imagine the metal thermostat housing is an aftermarket part. Who makes it and where did you get it?

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The metal thermostat housing was used on the 2007 and up 1st gen Aveos.

I agree that many people drive things until it does not start or move. My son had told me about the 100K thing and his ex-girlfriend had a 2005 Aveo LS sedan 5spd that she had for her first car. She wanted to buy mine but told I did not want to sell it. I helped her find the 2005 and had her change the timing belt shortly after she bought it. It has about 100K on it now and did see it on the local Chevy dealer's lot for sale after she traded it in for a new Cruze with a turbo. I drove a Cruze and they are nice but her Aveo was paid for and in very nice shape. I guess she must have believed that rumor. She has years of payments ahead of her now. I will keep my Aveo.

I imagine that the metal thermostat housing will also fit the older Aveos then or was there a design change?

I am guessing you do not like Mobil 1 then? I have used it in many cars/trucks and have great luck with it. I use the 0W30 Fuel Efficency formula in my Aveo and it starts a lot quicker in winter and has stopped cold engine noise I use to get (valvetrain). The oil looks almost as good coming out after 7,500 miles as it does going in. In the land of oil you can have as many views on it as people on politics.

Yeah, the metal thermostat bolts right up.

Let mine go too long. The 5 cent plastic tentioner pulley failed at 76K. Caused $1600 in repairs. (Bent valves, widened valve guides, etc...) If you're over the recommended 60K, do yourself a favor and replace everything under the timing cover. Is the new 1.4 liter a non-interference engine?

Cool, I will have to change that when I do my next coolant flush.