GM Announces New Ecotec Small Engine Family

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GM’s Ecotec engines have been around since 2000 or so, and have been used to power everything from the Chevy Cavalier through the 2011 Saab 9-5. Currently available in displacements ranging from 1.4 liters (as used in the 2011 Chevy Cruze and upcoming 2012 Chevy Sonic) through 2.4 liters (as used in the 2012 Chevy Malibu and 2012 GMC Terrain, among others) the Ecotec family accounts for a significant portion of GM’s current engine production.

Since downsizing engines for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions is the easiest way for manufacturers to comply with ever-tightening regulations, GM has announced an all-new global family of Ecotec engines, set to begin production in mid-decade. While the new Ecotec engines will feature performance-and-gas-mileage-boosting-technology such as gasoline direct injection, turbocharging and multi-fuel capability, they’ll also be quite a bit smaller than today’s Ecotec engines.

Displacements will range from 1.0 liter to 1.5 liters, and GM envisions production of over 2 million engines a year by the end of the decade. To reduce production costs and simplify global assembly, the engines will use a modular approach with interchangeable components.

GM isn’t saying where the new engines will be used, only that the engines will span “multiple vehicle architectures in various regions.” 

GM’s Jim Federico, vehicle line executive for global small cars and electric vehicles, summed up the need for the new engines by saying, “We are working aggressively on vehicle electrification and other technologies, but the most immediate progress will come from continually improving the internal combustion engine.”

The new Ecotec engines will be developed jointly between GM, the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. (SAIC), Shanghai General Motors and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center.

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Chrysler Recalls 2012 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Models For Engine Debris

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Chrysler Group is recalling nearly 700 model-year 2012 Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee models built between August 31 and September 13, 2011.

All affected vehicles are equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which may potentially experience connecting-rod bearing failure due to manufacturing debris left inside the engine block during assembly.

Connecting-rod failure could lead to a seized engine and loss of vehicle control. No customer incidents have been reported due to this defect, which was detected during a quality audit of Chrysler’s Saltillo South Engine Plant.

Due to the recent manufacturing dates, most affected vehicles are on dealer lots or in transit to dealerships, and won't yet have been delivered to customers.

Chrysler will replace the engines of affected vehicles when the recall begins in October.

Owners will be notified via first class mail, but those with questions or concerns can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Questions may also be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, which can be reached at (888) 327-4236.

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New Engine Gives Resources A Big Boost

New Engine Gives Resources A Big Boost. Find out more about Ecoboost engines in the F-150 pickups.

(NAPSI)—One American auto company is taking the green movement to a new level—building more-efficient green products, such as an engine that saves fuel. Here’s how:

Giving Gasoline Injection a Shot

A key contributor to the engine’s fuel efficiency is something called direct injection of gasoline. This system precisely delivers a fine mist of fuel directly into each cylinder for optimal performance, economy and emissions. Unlike port-fuel-injection engines that spray fuel in the intake system, the direct-injection system puts the fuel exactly where it needs to be for combustion.

The result is an unmatched combination of responsive power with responsible fuel efficiency.

Where to Find It

Called the EcoBoost engine, it’s in Ford F-150 pickups where its 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque provide best-in-class towing capability of 11,300 lbs combined with up to 20 percent fuel economy savings. The 2011 F-150 EcoBoost carries an EPA rating of 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, making it the best combination of capability and efficiency among light-duty full-sized pickups.

In addition, the first North American four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, a 237-horsepower 2.0-liter, is in the Explorer SUV and Edge CUV, while the stylish Ford Flex has an EcoBoost and the new Taurus full-size sedan is available with an advanced 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine expected to deliver best-in-class highway fuel efficiency of at least 31 mpg.

Responsive performance is assured, as the direct injection plus a turbocharger enable this engine to deliver a projected 237 horsepower across a broad rpm range.

EcoBoost engines are fundamental to the Ford strategy of providing technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement power trains that deliver exceptional fuel economy and uncompromised performance.

Learn More

For more information on these engines, see www.ford.com.

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Chrysler Recalls 2012 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Models For Engine Debris

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Chrysler Group is recalling nearly 700 model-year 2012 Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee models built between August 31 and September 13, 2011.

All affected vehicles are equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which may potentially experience connecting-rod bearing failure due to manufacturing debris left inside the engine block during assembly.

Connecting-rod failure could lead to a seized engine and loss of vehicle control. No customer incidents have been reported due to this defect, which was detected during a quality audit of Chrysler’s Saltillo South Engine Plant.

Due to the recent manufacturing dates, most affected vehicles are on dealer lots or in transit to dealerships, and won't yet have been delivered to customers.

Chrysler will replace the engines of affected vehicles when the recall begins in October.

Owners will be notified via first class mail, but those with questions or concerns can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Questions may also be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, which can be reached at (888) 327-4236.

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Engine Coolant Is A Year Round Concern

Engine coolant is a year round concern for vehicle owners. Find out about how antifreeze/coolant helps your car's engine from the experts at Prestone and some good suggestions to keep your car's cooling system protecting your car all year round.

(NC)—Most people only think about their vehicle's antifreeze/coolant during extreme weather conditions...or when it's too late and their overheated vehicle is stranded on the side of the road. The truth is, antifreeze/coolant is a year 'round concern.

“As the name implies, antifreeze/coolant performs two functions,” explains Jay Buckley, ASE certified master mechanic and training manager for Prestone. “It helps keep the engine's cooling system from freezing up in cold weather and from boiling over in hot weather.”

In order to help lower exhaust emissions, modern engines run at very high operating temperatures. Cooling system temperatures of 110º C are not uncommon. What's more, many engines are constructed of dissimilar metals, which can lead to corrosion. All of this puts more stress on the antifreeze/coolant.

A high-quality antifreeze/coolant, like Prestone LongLife, which is designed for use with any antifreeze/coolant in any vehicle make or model, can have a long service life. However, it's still important to monitor the coolant level and condition regularly. Virtually all modern vehicles have a pressurized cooling system with a plastic coolant expansion tank clearly visible under the hood. There are usually “high” and “low” marks on the tank to make things easier. For added convenience when topping up, and to ensure the correct water/coolant ratio is maintained, Prestone comes in a premixed formulation of 50% coolant and 50% demineralized water.

But it's not enough simply to check the level. A professional technician should also test the condition of the coolant and the coolant concentration to ensure that it doesn't need to be changed. Because antifreeze/coolant service intervals can be two years or longer, it's easy to forget about it. For year 'round protection, get your cooling system checked today.

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Chrysler Recalls 2012 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Models For Engine Debris

Newsletter Stay up to date on car reviews, buying guides, articles and more

Chrysler Group is recalling nearly 700 model-year 2012 Chrysler 200, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Charger, Dodge Durango, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Journey and Jeep Grand Cherokee models built between August 31 and September 13, 2011.

All affected vehicles are equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, which may potentially experience connecting-rod bearing failure due to manufacturing debris left inside the engine block during assembly.

Connecting-rod failure could lead to a seized engine and loss of vehicle control. No customer incidents have been reported due to this defect, which was detected during a quality audit of Chrysler’s Saltillo South Engine Plant.

Due to the recent manufacturing dates, most affected vehicles are on dealer lots or in transit to dealerships, and won't yet have been delivered to customers.

Chrysler will replace the engines of affected vehicles when the recall begins in October.

Owners will be notified via first class mail, but those with questions or concerns can contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Questions may also be directed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, which can be reached at (888) 327-4236.

View the original article here

Keep Your Engine Cool When Temps Heat Up

Keep your engine cool when temps heat up with sound and simple car cooling system information. Make sure to use the right coolant by checking your owner's manual or checking under your vehicle's hood. You can prevent roadside breakdowns by maintaining your car's cooling system.

(ARA) - You've waited so long for summer vacation, and now you're ready for that family getaway or road trip. Whether you're cruising down the open road or taking the kids to summer camp, the last thing you want is a vehicle problem that leaves you stranded on the side of the road.

Cooling system issues are the leading cause of roadside breakdowns, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. To make matters worse, an estimated 23 million people are operating their vehicles with the wrong kind of coolant.

During the hot months of summer, it's just as important to hydrate your car as it is your body. Using the wrong coolant for your car could result in radiator and pump damage. Not sure which coolant is right for your car? Check the label under your hood or your owner's manual. If you are buying coolant for your vehicle, make sure to read the label to confirm the product is made for your vehicle's make and model.

An excellent method of preventative maintenance for your cooling system is to have it flushed. Refer to your owner's manual for recommendations. The frequency of how many times a year you have it done depends on the vehicle you drive and the conditions you drive it in. If you're in a state that has sweltering summers, you may need to change your coolant twice a year or just before summer and winter. If your weather is moderate, an annual cooling system flush will be sufficient.

Other checks are simple. Make sure your hoses are attached properly and that they do not have leaks and are not cracked or brittle. Look for signs of corrosion on your radiator and check to see if the radiator cap fits tightly. Are the coolant levels correct? Is your coolant clean and free of oil and sediment? Incorrect coolant levels and dirty coolant could also lead to your engine overheating.

If you're just running water through your radiator, consider using an anti-freeze. It may seem a strange product to use during the heat of summer, but antifreeze contains corrosion inhibitors that have a higher boiling point than water. When having your cooling system flushed, ask the mechanic to check the thermostat. If for some reason your thermostat is stuck, an incorrect reading could lead to your engine overheating.

Another way to prevent your engine from overheating is to use a radiator coolant additive like Royal Purple's Purple Ice. Purple Ice is a high-performance, synthetic radiator coolant additive that reduces engine heat in gasoline or diesel engines by optimizing coolant flow and lubricating water pump seals. "Purple Ice not only helped cool my engine, but it also made a noticeable improvement in its daily performance," says Leo Nelson of Beaumont, Texas. Purple Ice also reduces engine heat in vehicles that are towing campers and boats.

Although gas prices at the pump are higher than last summer, Americans are still relying on their cars to travel to their destinations whether it is for work or vacation. Taking the time to make sure your car is ready for the summer drive will keep you on the road instead of stuck on the side of it.

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Report: Lotus Elan delay funding new in-house engine project

While we weren’t shocked to hear of Lotus’ decision to delay the introduction of its track-ready Elan model until at least 2016, we were a little disappointed. However, there appears to be a silver lining to the Elan’s delayed introduction, with Lotus reportedly shuffling money allocated to the Elan project to a new engine program.

Lotus currently relies on Toyota for its vehicle engines, but that will soon change as Lotus has already begun its engine development program. Moreover, Lotus is working on a modular design, which should allow for several different engine configurations from the same basic architecture.

“This is a big [financial] hit because it’s expensive to do an engine,” Lotus head Dany Bahar said. “But because the Elan is not happening now we have got capital expenditure headroom for engine development.”

Lotus reportedly began work on the engine project last year. Lotus’ first engine born from the project will likely be a V8 of unknown displacement. However, Lotus is targeting Ferrari with the new bent-eight, with total output expected in the 550-570 horsepower range.

The project should also bear a V6 and possibly even an inline-four. However, if the four-cylinder proves too costly, Lotus will like stick to its Toyota-sourced four-pot.

The new engine family could be on the road as early as 2013.

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GM allocates additional $109M for Michigan engine plants

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Nissan, Infiniti contemplating engine exportation from U.S. to Japan

Wednesday, Mar 23rd, 2011 @ 5:21 p.m.

Although Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn recently affirmed that the Japanese automaker has no intention to shift vehicle production out of Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami, the automaker may be looking to produce some aspects of its vehicles in outside markets instead.

It may seem at first glance to be a near technicality to suggest Nissan has no intention to shift vehicle production out of Japan, and then to immediately suggest that the automaker might shift engine production to the U.S., and then import said engines back to Japan – but there is a clear distinction between the two avenues.

In the age of a truly global economy, it is not uncommon at all for many parts used in production in one country to be sourced from another country entirely, but when it comes time for some consumers to pick a car, the only production location that seems to matter is the final assembly point for the vehicle itself. For Nissan, only one major plant is expected to remain offline for some time, with potential for long-term downtime given its reliance on a nuclear powerplant that is currently on the verge of meltdown.

“It will take some time at Iwaki to recover,” said Ghosn to Bloomberg.

Because of those circumstances, Nissan is said to be considering production of engines for some of its luxury Infiniti models, among other vehicles, at its engine plant located in Tennessee. Nissan would then export the engines from the U.S. to Japan, where the vehicles would then be assembled and eventually shipped off to their destination markets, including back to the U.S.

Although Nissan has not yet made a final decision on the matter, it would seem almost impossible not to move forward with the plan, especially if the situation regarding the nuclear powerplant does not improve, soon.

References
1.’Nissan chief Ghosn…’ view

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