Is the V6 in the new Camaro the same engine in the CTS? V6 quality issues?
 

Hi, Just registered here. I'm interested in ordering a 2011 V6 but concerned that if its the same engine as that in the Cadillac CTS, there may be quality / reliability issues. I read numerous posts by owners of the CTS that were experiencing significant problems w/. their CTS V6 engines and the dealers and GM were ignoring them. If I recall I believe it was owners reports on Edmunds.

Any advice or background on the Camaro vs. CTS DI V6 would be appreciated. I'm not interested in buying a V8 at this time. Only other car will be the new 2011 Mustang V6 but I've pretty much ruled out the '11 Stang because of the solid rear axle - rough ride/jolts over bumps. Thanks.

I don't recall reading many problems with the V6 Camaro engine at all on this forum.

I found this thread on edmunds.com about problems w/ the CTS. From what I read I don't see where GM is ignoring anyone?

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f10b06a

I own a 2Lt Camaro V6 and a 2008 Cts Cadillac V6. Both have been beyond my expectations. The basic engine is the same in both cars. Just different suspensions and gearing. IMO GM has built a helluva v6 that all should be proud of. I have had no problems with power or anything from either one. Go buy one man and be happy.

Nice Cars!

The V6 LLT is a state of the art engine, that has one a few awards and rated as one of the best engines in the past decade. You'll have little to no problems in your camaro.

12000 miles,runs perfect...... haven't heard of any issues with this engine, It has a high quality rating if anything!!:chevy:

Only thing I remember was my Uncle's neighbor came over the day I got my car recognized the engine from his Cadillac and mentioned he had a water pump go out on his cadillac.

Sounds like just a fluke.

100,000 mile warranty is nothing to shake a stick at.

The guy that does our machine work said he got a 3.6 head from Saturn, wore out a guide and they couldnt figure it out. They use the 3.6 in a lot of vehicles.

Was still a warranty repair, no biggie.

The 3.6 DI is basically the same block as the regular 3.6 except with cylinder liners and different heads. I have a Camaro and a 2009 CTS with the 3.6 DI and have not had any problems. You can go to GM's Powertrain website and get all the specs on all their engines and transmissions.

Some time ago, they had a batch of defective timing chains but that was resolved.

Thanks guys for the prompt feedback - you've alieved my concerns for the most part with the V6. I'll go back and try to find those owners reports to see exactly what their complaints were. Thanks again

I have the V6 and no issue's with it at all.....I LV IT

<3 my 1LT

one possible issue... Timing chains.... Apparently they are stretching very prematurely... wife just had the chains in the 2009 Acadia replaced last week. The Acadia uses the same LLT motor... Acadia has 38,000 miles... Now it's covered under the 100,000 power train warranty... but still...

Almost one year of happy ownership with my 2LT/RS V6, and (knock on wood) no problems for me...it's a 'ROCKETSHIP'...plenty fast for me...I would be in serious trouble with the V8...lol... :)

Here is the URL for the CTS discussion forum. There you will find a thread about the timing chains.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...al-discussion/

Here are the "timing Chain" threads. They are "several years old". so not to worry.
http://www.cadillacforums.com/search...sa=Search#1043

Despite that these are "several years old", it appears it is still an on going issue.... Like I said the wife's Acadia is a 2009 (bought Feb. 2009). Funny the one guy mentioned 35,000 miles... wife's went out at 38,000 miles... Also talking with a local mechanic who said they are seeing a lot of the 3.6s coming in for timing chains...

So who here as the most miles on their V6? I'm at 23,000 miles...

From what I recall it seemed like the majority of problems were on cars produced before 04/09. I don't think it should affect anyone's decision to puchase a V6 Camaro.

My neighbor is a technician at a Cadillac dealership and he also mentioned the timing chain issue on the CTS to me. What makes you say cars built after 4/09 are immune to this?

12k on the clock no issues

Yes, I curious on why 4/09 also...

Not to be a smart a$$, but first it was"

"They are "several years old". so not to worry."

and then it was 04/09... :iono:

just doing some googling now... still a very hot topic... I'm guessing we haven't seen this issue because:

1) No one has 30,000+ miles yet
2) We probably change our oil a lot more regularly than the OLM tells us to. (the dirty oil = chain wear = chain lengthening = stretch)

Or it could be...overtensioning or underlubricated which are engineering flaws.

Not always just a simple explanation.

Besides, how do you know how often Camaro owners change their oil compared to people who drive other makes?

I have a little over 4000 on mine, changed my oil once so far, to synthetic.

The posters on Edmunds.com Cadillac CTS Engine Problems topic are mostly '04-'06 model years but '07-'09 are represented,too. No mention of timing chain problems - its all about excessive oil consumption / engine lock / major engine overhaul and replacement. Somewhat concerning but I'm hoping the V6 in the 2011 will be well beyond these issues...

Well Im hoping the current one is immune.

I really don't want dealership techs doing any large job on my new car.

You can find "problem" threads and posts on every single vehicle manufactured by everybody in the world.

Don't sweat it.

well... i would agree with you in principal.. BUT funny these posts are talking about 30,000 miles and my wife's Acadia looses a timing chain at 38,000 miles... hmmmm... coincidence? I've never had a timing chain go bad... let alone at 38,000 miles...

Now if there were only a few reports ok... but the fact is you have a wide variety of people with this issue and a number of GM techs saying their dealership is seeing a number of timing chains being replaced...

I mean for most it's not a big deal, since it will be covered under warranty...

just going by what little birdies are telling me... :iono:

so... who do you think changes their oil more regularly? the Soccer Mom who waits until the DIC tells her to change her oil (maybe ever 10,000 to 12,000 miles?) or the Camaro owner? Also who do you think is most likely to put the cheapy quicky-lube oil in their car?

I recall the 08 cts had problems that were addressed for the 09 model.

happen to remember how it was addressed?

Funny I have a 2008 and now my Power steering is making a loud whining noise and the truck would not not start in the Garage yesterday?? Dead as a doornail. WTF

Was the repair covered under warranty? Dealers are closed today and I cant call anyone..

We were at one point considering getting a cts, as i remember there was a valvetrain issue. For 09 at some point they went to the direct injection, and seems like they also addressed the engine problem.

based on discussion I've had over the last couple weeks, i'm thinking the issue with the chains has not really been addressed... :iono:

The Acadia was covered.... 2 days in the shop with a loaner...

My comments were based on the info provided in the "CTS" threads that i refered to not from personal knowledge.

Also, worth noting, the engine in the CTS comes with a factory fill of Mobil 1 synthetic whereas the Camaro 3.6DI come with regular (non-synthetic) oil.

Glad someone decided to make a thread about this as I was wondering if I was the only one having issues with my V6.
+30,000 miles on it as of a couple of weeks ago. This is a V6? I was buying it for the 29 HWY miles, how could it accelerate so easily on the intersate? :iono:

You are having issues?

I think his is was that he was wondering why it was so fast, and economical at the same time. i think, thats how i read it. but reading it again, i think im worng. haha idk!

Of course I think pie has a permanent CEL so how would he know? lol

ya, i dunno. I don't see how that post had anything to do with anything regarding the possible issues the LLT might/might not be facing in the near future.

"...I was wondering if I was the only one having issues with my V6.
+30,000 miles on it as of a couple of weeks ago..."

Does he mean he has a problem, possibly with the timing chain?