Buick Encore Gamma-II

1.4-liter turbo four with direct injection, 155 hp. Successor to the LUV with revised pistons and DI. The worst LUV issues are behind it. Still vulnerable to cooling system problems past 100,000 miles, but much more durable.

• !! Turbo wear past 100k miles (LE2) from 160,000 km

  The LE2 turbocharger lasts far longer than the LUV but shows wear past 100,000 miles. Rebuildable, replacement $1,500–$3,000.

  Symptoms: Whistling from turbo, power loss under load, blue smoke
  1,500–3,000 $
  Ad turbocharger LE2 1.4
• !! Coolant consumption past 100k miles (LE2) from 160,000 km

  The LE2 shows seeping coolant consumption past 100,000 miles through thermostat housing, hoses, and head gasket.

  Symptoms: Reservoir level drops, no visible leak, possible overheating
  300–1,500 $
  Ad thermostat housing LE2
• !! Oil consumption from valve seals (LE2) from 130,000 km

  Past 80,000 miles, LE2 engines show oil consumption from hardened valve stem seals and piston ring wear.

  Symptoms: Blue smoke on cold start, oil level drops
  800–2,500 $
  Ad valve stem seals 1.4 LE2

1.4-liter turbo four with port injection, 138 hp. Intake manifold PCV check valve fails at near-100% rate, water pumps weep, turbo oil lines coke up. 2016–2017 units also suffer cracked pistons. A repair-intensive engine.

• !! Turbo oil feed line cokes up (LUV) from 60,000 km

  Turbocharger oil and coolant feed lines coke up or collapse, leading to turbo failure. GM Special Coverage A212338300 covers 10 yr/120k mi.

  Symptoms: Burnt oil smell, power loss, blue smoke, turbo noise
  800–1,500 $
  Ad turbo oil feed line LUV 1.4
• !! Cracked pistons (LUV 2016–2017)

  Early LUV pistons had cracking issues causing severe oil consumption. GM resolved after 2017. Engine replacement often the only fix.

  Symptoms: Heavy blue smoke, oil consumption over 1 qt per 1,000 mi, engine knock
  2,500–5,000 $
  Ad piston kit 1.4 LUV
• !! Intake manifold PCV check valve failure (LUV) from 70,000 km

  The orange rubber check valve in the intake manifold dislodges and burns up. Near-100% failure rate. Valve cover usually needs replacing too. $800–$1,200 combined.

  Symptoms: Underboost codes, rough idle, whistling from intake, power loss
  800–1,200 $
  Ad intake manifold 1.4 LUVPCV valve 1.4 turbo

+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses