[Greenie]

In 2020 our 2019 Redline left us stranded in Tennessee when an injector stuck open. Four days in the dealership waiting on parts and repairs. We took the car on another 5,000 mile road trip recently and when the odometer turned 36,060 (bumper to bumper warranty) a check engine light comes on while we were 500 miles from home. I drove it. gas mileage was horrible the entire trip averaging 17.8 mpg towing a 1,500 trailer. It got us home but caused some stress as we were both fighting off some sort of sickness and it was below zero.
Once home I checked the codes and it was a PO172 (rich fuel, bank 1).
I keep hoping these are glitches - I like the car and the engine but reliability thus far leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Colt Hero]

@Greenie : Stuck-open Injector, allegedly fixed, and then a subsequent Rich Fuel CEL code.

I’m surprised about the injector issue. 30+ years now and I’ve never had a problem with an injector driving only 4 vehicles almost 1 million miles now! My experience says Injector failure is extremely rare! And to have such a failure at your extremely low mileage makes it even more rare (I would say)!

Had you been seeing any fuel economy dip before these trips? I would think it would be odd if this problem only occurred on the two trips? Were you towing both times? Not sure if towing could stress an engine enough to cause these symptoms.

What about just a wonky O2 sensor? Have you tried logging their performance on an OBD-2 handheld? O2 sensors live in that harsh environment and are known to be problematic over time. They’re also what the ECM relies on to help determine a “Rich” condition.

 

[Greenie]

The stuck injector was an anomaly - flooded the cylinder but did not cause long term issues with the piston. The dealer replaced the cat when we got home and the car has been dependable. The most recent 5,500 mile trip that finally lit the engine light all featured gas mileage in the high teens. I drive 80 with the trailer with this 252 HP motor after doing the same trip with the same trailer with a 170hp beater for years. It should be up to the task.
I don't set the trailer button that engages the awd and locks out 9th gear but notice no frequent shifting. It seems happy.
I'll let the dealer look at it.

 

[RIT333]

These don't seem to be common complaints, so hopefully once fixed, you will be good to go for a long time. Hopefully !

 

[NXR71]

A friend with a 2.0L in a 2019 Equinox just had an episode where the car would not accelerate but the engine revved. He was able to drive the short distance to their destination. When he started the car later it was fine. He had a dealer appointment in two days so he asked them to look at it because it felt like the transmission was slipping.

The found a code, which he did not write down, that indicated the fuel "gelled". Yes, it's gas and not diesel. The dealer said it was due to carbon build-up. He authorized the repair and they went at it. They showed him the carbon build-up and cleaned it out. It cost him $240.

He thinks the engine went into the "Engine power reduced" limp mode but he said he did not get that message nor did he get a CEL and yes, he is the type of person that would have seen them. His car has about 25,000 miles and he said he does not prefer Top Tier gas; he didn't even know what it was. He just bought the cheapest and that usually was BP.

I always try to use a Top Tier gas brand to keep problems like that away. Greenie, do you use Top Tier gas normally?

Here's the list: TOP TIER™ Gasoline Brands

My Sonata required either Top Tier gas or a fuel system cleaner every 7,500 miles so I just stayed in that habit.

 

[Greenie]

I do use top tier 93 octane consistently. Almost always Shell. Wonder why the dealer charged your friend $240 - the 2019 with 25K miles should have easily still had bumper to bumper.

 

[Crankme69]

what MPG is the norm pulling a 1500 pound trailer at 80mph?

 

[Greenie]

I wouldn't swear to it but I think I was getting 22-24 towing at 80 in 2020.

 

[NXR71]

I do use top tier 93 octane consistently. Almost always Shell. Wonder why the dealer charged your friend $240 - the 2019 with 25K miles should have easily still had bumper to bumper.

Not necessarily but probably. My 2020 was built in July 2019 and was sold for the first time in September 2019. So mine goes out of the bumper-to-bumper this September.

I doubt carbon fouling is covered under any warranty because GM has always argued that their warranty only applies to manufacturing defects. In one transmission lawsuit their lawyers said their warranty only covers manufacturing defects and the problem that the plaintiff had was a design defect.

General Motors Hit With New 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Lawsuit

GM has sought to have similar lawsuits dismissed in the past.

gmauthority.com

.
Sure makes me want to own another GM...

 

[Colt Hero]

GM has always argued that their warranty only applies to manufacturing defects. In one transmission lawsuit their lawyers said their warranty only covers manufacturing defects and the problem that the plaintiff had was a design defect.

That's laughable! It's like saying, "if we can't blame it on someone else and make them pay for it, then I guess you're stuck!"

 

[Greenie]

The CEL (for PO172 rich fuel, bank 1) has gone out - I didn't reset it. I have an appointment at the dealership to look at the issue - should I cancel the appointment and drive it?
Thanks!

 

[NXR71]

The CEL (for PO172 rich fuel, bank 1) has gone out - I didn't reset it. I have an appointment at the dealership to look at the issue - should I cancel the appointment and drive it?
Thanks!

I would not. I would want Chevy to have the history on file for the powertrain warranty. Plus there may be other codes not accessible via a generic code reader that may be stored.