I own a 2014 Buick Encore with a 1.4L turbo engine and automatic transmission. It has 53000 miles on it and randomly it will loss power, shakes and stutters when traveling at highway speeds.
The local Buick dealer did a diagnostic test and said the turbo was bad. We had them install a new turbo and the same problem occurred after the new turbo was installed. We returned the vehicle to the dealer and they installed a second turbo stating that the first turbo was bad. On the way home from the dealer today the same problem happened .
As I follow the vehicle when it malfunctions it blows heavy black exhaust that smells like sulfur. Sometimes on start up it will blow white smoke that smells like rich fuel.
We originally took the vehicle in for a service bulletin stating that the PCV could develop cracks in it and cause the vehicle to mis perform as we believed this to be the problem that I’ve explained. The dealer never addressed this item and went directly to the turbo.
Can anyone help diagnose this problem. All help is greatly appreciated. I will return the Buick tomorrow because after spending $1300 on the turbo and installation the problem still isn’t resolved and these guys don’t seem to know where to look.
We let them drive it over the weekend so that they could pinpoint the problem. I’m not sure if they viewed live data and doubt that they put it on a dyno. HELP PLEASES!!!
@gmolds66
Those GM 1.4l turbos have tons of problems with the PCV system and valve cover. If you've already replaced the turbo twice and is still having the same problem chances are is not the turbo. Those also have problems with the intake manifold getting contaminated with oil do to PCV failure. I would begin to look into that. It is possible that the PCV that is on the valve cover failed, which is why they recalled it, and damages other components. Most like the intake manifold will need to be replaced.
That makes sense to me! For some reason they are not pursuing the GM bulletin recall notice . The way they are responding isn’t logical to me. I’ve repeatedly suggest that they look at the problems described in the bulletin. I’m starting to think that they were trying to make quick money and not really trying to troubleshoot the problem. It will be figured out in time. Thanks for your help.
Black smoke? Did you put diesel in your car by accident? 😂😂
Could also be a vacuum leak, I’ve found vacuum leaks can cause a slew of problems. I’d also try to get a full refund for that turbo, as your first one wasn’t bad. Take it to court if you must.
@leomjweber
We only put gas in it... I will ask for a refund. We will see what happens. I will look for vacuum leaks. Thanks!
@leomjweber
100% on what Leo said. Refund. If the thing was defective, that's not on you. Even if it's not covered on an explicit warranty, Lemon Laws in most states will cover a car sold by a dealer with under 100k miles, new or used.
If you have an oil pressure gauge on your dash then I would look at that as you are accelerating, if it starts to drop then I would say the problem is your oil pressure sensor.
@marshall-sweet
It doesn’t have an oil pressure gauge other than the oil light. I might be able to read the pressure in live data on my code reader. I’ll check that out. Thanks!
Please tell me what you get i would like to know if i was actually able to help!
@marshall-sweet
I took the vehicle out for about 90 min and drove it under varying rpm ranges, speeds and pedal pressures. I got the vehicle to consistently malfunction. It produced code P0324. At times I heard what sounded like electrical arcing when the vehicle was trying to compensate for its loss of power. At other times I heard pinging during mild acceleration. Near the end of my drive the oil light flashed on three separate occasions and a ding from the dash could be heard each time. I do believe that you are on to something. Thank you!