Weird things going on with Sonic

[Gobinator98]

Yes, reseating the valve cover is just taking it off and putting it back on. Make sure the gasket sits flush with the surface and isn’t pinched. As for the pcv, that is built into the valve cover. Check the hose going from the pcv to the throttle body for oil to determine if there is a leak.


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[Fluffycakes2020]

Alright I'll take a look at and let you know the results. I really appreciate your help.

 

[Fluffycakes2020]

Got a CEL today for p2076 so not sure if it's associated with what's going on so we will see

 

[Fluffycakes2020]

Ok quick update, check pcv valve hose and it looked oily in there but it smelled like gas not sure what that means. The check engine light is some intake mechanism on the intake manifold and the arm came off. Put it back on but still comes off so might have to replace that part. Lastly the coolant reservoir must have oil or something in it because the coolant is a nasty rusty color.

 

[Gobinator98]

First off, you should probably change the engine coolant if you haven’t already. Plenty of threads here with the procedure. Second, the only way to replace that arm on the intake is to replace the intake manifold. Third, the gas smell in the oil could just be just because your fuel trims were approaching 20% and with the intake not working right.
Keep in mind that the intake is a 200+ dollar part.


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[Fluffycakes2020]

Yes I plan on doing the coolant asap to make sure it's not something else other than maybe the coolant went bad or something. I've googled alot and some say you have to replace the whole thing but I actually got the arm back on yesterday and the cel went off so it's only a matter of time. This car isn't acting right so hopefully it doesn't get worse but I'm trying to tackle everything I'm capable of doing.

 

[Gobinator98]

When you change the coolant, might as well buy a new coolant reservoir because you will not be able to clean that brownish stuff out of there.


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[JTee2017]

Yes I plan on doing the coolant asap to make sure it's not something else other than maybe the coolant went bad or something. I've googled alot and some say you have to replace the whole thing but I actually got the arm back on yesterday and the cel went off so it's only a matter of time. This car isn't acting right so hopefully it doesn't get worse but I'm trying to tackle everything I'm capable of doing.

You do nothave to replace the intake manifold to fix the "arm" plastic link that fell off. Several on Ebay. i bought the one below.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-Sonic-Cruze-Chevy-1-8L-intake-Manifold-Tuning-Valve-Runner-Arm-NEW-OEM/293223592587?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

 

[Fluffycakes2020]

The reservoir is brand new so I'm gonna try and clean it the best I can but if it don't work I'll get another one. Luckily I put the arm back and the cel turned off but I'm sure it will be back on. How easy is it to change just the arm?

 

[JTee2017]

The reservoir is brand new so I'm gonna try and clean it the best I can but if it don't work I'll get another one. Luckily I put the arm back and the cel turned off but I'm sure it will be back on. How easy is it to change just the arm?

Very easy. . . you just pull off the other end that isn't popping off. . . pull it sideways . . do not pry upwards.
Then pop the other one back on with the proper orientation of the socket/knobs on the end to mate correctly on the attachment points.

 

[JTee2017]

The reservoir is brand new so I'm gonna try and clean it the best I can but if it don't work I'll get another one. Luckily I put the arm back and the cel turned off but I'm sure it will be back on. How easy is it to change just the arm?

That is the good thing about our Sonics. There are a few parts on the 1.8L that I call "maintenance replacement parts" that just wear out. . . . but they are cheap and if you are a bit handy. .. . can fix yourself.

All told, there might be $300 to $400 in parts for the 1.8L engine that eventually need replacement. .. but not usually all at the same time.

If regular oil changes, coolant system drain and fill, transmission fluid, etc are done . . .. these little cars are good long runners.
If an owner has neglected or gone too long on fluid changes and doesn't pay attention to how the car and engine is running. . only then can it get costly.

But on the 1.8L .. . . timing belt at 90,ooo miles or less. . . water pump. . . sometimes the radiator will leak, motor mounts should be watched. . . a hand full of items monitored will keep the car running just fine!

 

[Fluffycakes2020]

I will buy that part and try it out. I agree with you on the car being a good car. Just right it seems like everything is messing up on it even though it's not major items. I will be changing timing belt soon, doing the coolant change today, and probably the oil change this month. Never checked transmission fluid though or changed it

 

[Gobinator98]

That is the good thing about our Sonics. There are a few parts on the 1.8L that I call "maintenance replacement parts" that just wear out. . . . but they are cheap and if you are a bit handy. .. . can fix yourself.

All told, there might be $300 to $400 in parts for the 1.8L engine that eventually need replacement. .. but not usually all at the same time.

If regular oil changes, coolant system drain and fill, transmission fluid, etc are done . . .. these little cars are good long runners.
If an owner has neglected or gone too long on fluid changes and doesn't pay attention to how the car and engine is running. . only then can it get costly.

But on the 1.8L .. . . timing belt at 90,ooo miles or less. . . water pump. . . sometimes the radiator will leak, motor mounts should be watched. . . a hand full of items monitored will keep the car running just fine!

I wouldn’t say these cars are that great; that’s a bit of a stretch. Even with proper maintenance, my engine blew a head gasket at 125,420 miles. Cost 4000 to fix it two years ago. Since then I’ve had numerous parts that needed replaced: coolant tank, intake and exhaust camshaft solenoids, purge valve by the fuel line (seems to fail about every 1.5 to 2 years), valve cover, crankshaft position sensor, stabilizer links, Cruise control switch, side mirror switch, windshield wiper relays, etc. So no, I would not recommend these cars to anybody, let alone any other late model GM. I had a 1993 Corsica that was way more reliable and fun to drive and it even had a decent transmission. Currently I am looking to replace my transmission with almost 150,000 on it because it has shifted terrible ever since I bought the car in 2016.


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[JTee2017]

I wouldn’t say these cars are that great; that’s a bit of a stretch. Even with proper maintenance, my engine blew a head gasket at 125,420 miles. Cost 4000 to fix it two years ago. Since then I’ve had numerous parts that needed replaced: coolant tank, intake and exhaust camshaft solenoids, purge valve by the fuel line (seems to fail about every 1.5 to 2 years), valve cover, crankshaft position sensor, stabilizer links, Cruise control switch, side mirror switch, windshield wiper relays, etc. So no, I would not recommend these cars to anybody, let alone any other late model GM. I had a 1993 Corsica that was way more reliable and fun to drive and it even had a decent transmission. Currently I am looking to replace my transmission with almost 150,000 on it because it has shifted terrible ever since I bought the car in 2016.


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To be honest. . . some seem to have better ownership reliability than others for sure . . . . like any car. No matter the brand, cars today have parts that didn't exist like on your 1993 Corsica. Heck, we had a 1987 Nissan Sentra and a '90 Nissan compact truck that were pretty much trouble free other than brakes, oil changes, etc.
There are some here on the forum who have not had even a head gasket go.
The 1.4L has more issues than the 1.8L.

We have a 2014 Sonic HB (134,000 miles) in the family besides our 2017. The '14 is running well. Changed the trans fluid last year. It also needed the purge solenoid ($28) and the dealer replaced the thermostat housing under ext warranty.
Even if we had to replace both ourselves it could be done on the cheap.
Spark plugs, a coil pack, etc are pretty low cost compared to some Honda or Toyota parts. Eventually the coolant reservoir needs replacing.
There is a mod to the thermostat housing and radiator fan the can be done to run the engine 15F to 20F cooler here on the forum. I suspect, that would keep any head gasket issues at bay.
For the money. .. these are pretty decent little cars that at least can be owner repaired for the most part. That there is a real plus when looking at what Nissan and some others bring to the table.

 

[Gobinator98]

To be honest. . . some seem to have better ownership reliability than others for sure . . . . like any car. No matter the brand, cars today have parts that didn't exist like on your 1993 Corsica. Heck, we had a 1987 Nissan Sentra and a '90 Nissan compact truck that were pretty much trouble free other than brakes, oil changes, etc.
There are some here on the forum who have not had even a head gasket go.
The 1.4L has more issues than the 1.8L.

We have a 2014 Sonic HB (134,000 miles) in the family besides our 2017. The '14 is running well. Changed the trans fluid last year. It also needed the purge solenoid ($28) and the dealer replaced the thermostat housing under ext warranty.
Even if we had to replace both ourselves it could be done on the cheap.
Spark plugs, a coil pack, etc are pretty low cost compared to some Honda or Toyota parts. Eventually the coolant reservoir needs replacing.
There is a mod to the thermostat housing and radiator fan the can be done to run the engine 15F to 20F cooler here on the forum. I suspect, that would keep and head gasket issues at bay.
For the money. .. these are pretty decent little cars that at least can be owner repaired for the most part. That there is a real plus when looking at what Nissan and some others bring to the table.

Well one thing is for sure, I am never buying a gm product again after this car. Even with the normal maintenance that should be done to these cars, they just don’t hold up. I’ll be lucky if this car lasts another 3-4 years. At that point most parts will probably need replaced again because of the crap quality GM has now-a-days.


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[JTee2017]

Well one thing is for sure, I am never buying a gm product again after this car. Even with the normal maintenance that should be done to these cars, they just don’t hold up. I’ll be lucky if this car lasts another 3-4 years. At that point most parts will probably need replaced again because of the crap quality GM has now-a-days.


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Well. .. you have a 2012. There were quite a few changes by 2014 that seem to have reduced some of the issues you've had.

Also, some do not observe replacing the timing belt at about 90,000, change oil only when the OLM reads near 0%, only change the coolant if/when something goes wrong and any other number of things.

Most complaints I've heard are on 2012-13. Moving past 2014 there were fewer issues. Just like any first year car, no matter the brand, the first year or two are not the best they can be.
I am on 7 auto forums and read the horror stories of other brands as well.
I wouldn't want a Nissan, Toyota, Kia or Honda small car. Nor anything with a CVT which is starting to be hard to come by.

 

[Gobinator98]

Well. .. you have a 2012. There were quite a few changes by 2014 that seem to have reduced some of the issues you've had.

Also, some do not observe replacing the timing belt at about 90,000, change oil only when the OLM reads near 0%, only change the coolant if/when something goes wrong and any other number of things.

Most complaints I've hear are on 2012-13. Moving past 2014 there were fewer issues. Just like any first year car, no matter the brand, the first year or two are not the best they can be.
I am on 7 auto forums and read the horror stories of other brands as well.
I wouldn't want a Nissan, Toyota, Kia or Honda small car. Nor anything with a CVT which is starting to be hard to come by.

Doesn’t matter if I have a 2012 or not. I’ve saw posts here and many other places of similar or worse problems on the later years such as 2018s. So no, 2014+ are not immune to any of the issues that the earlier years had.

I’ll be glad once I get rid of my sonic even if you claim “the later years have less problems”. I’ll be moving onto Toyota, Honda or Hyundai for my next car. Then I’ll be relatively trouble free regarding the engine and transmission for 150,000 + miles. Good luck getting 400,000 miles out of your sonic without having to replace multiple parts multiple times. [emoji2373][emoji2373]


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[JTee2017]

Doesn’t matter if I have a 2012 or not. I’ve saw posts here and many other places of similar or worse problems on the later years such as 2018s. So no, 2014+ are not immune to any of the issues that the earlier years had.

I’ll be glad once I get rid of my sonic even if you claim “the later years have less problems”. I’ll be moving onto Toyota, Honda or Hyundai for my next car. Then I’ll be relatively trouble free regarding the engine and transmission for 150,000 + miles.

Good luck getting 400,000 miles out of your sonic without having to replace multiple parts multiple times.

Well. . Happy Motoring with whatever you decide on.

I don't plan on going 400,000 miles on any car and , frankly do not think you'll get that on a Honda, Toyota, Hyundai or other brand without major replacements. or even 150,000 miles without some repairs if you are still talking about buying a small car. They all bid out for the lowest cost these days.

So bit of a stretch there too.

Here are just some high mileage Sonics in this thread and there are many:

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/general-discussion/17150-high-mileage-sonics-longevity-thread-5.html

Here's a picture. I'm still enjoying driving my Sonic!

http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...s-longevity-thread-img_20180207_200630058.jpg

I just turned 325,000 this past week.

I am in New England. 212,000 miles and no rust and still on my original clutch. 1.8 5spd

152,000 on my 2013 and still running like day 1!
Just regular maintenance and Mobil 1. 7-10 thousand mile oil changes, never burning a drop of oil.

 

[Fluffycakes2020]

So I ordered the part for the CEL so I will tackle that next week when it comes in. Started the coolant drain today and filled it with distilled water and the radiator cleaner from AutoZone than it started raining so couldn't drain and refill anymore so will do that tomorrow. Luckily the bottle said you can do it for 3 days but I should just need one day. I did notice under the car that the tranny is very dirty and in theres alot of oil on it. Very weird.

 

[Fluffycakes2020]

So no real update just that I finished the coolant draining and it was bad. Should be good now. I think next time I do it I'll replace the coolant reservoir since I couldn't get it clean 100%. Car still has original problem as before so not sure where to go from here. Might suck it up and take it to a shop and have someone look through everything and find problems. Thats the last resort though