2007-2012 Chevy Malibu 2.4L Engine (LE5): Longevity, Problems, and Specs

The LE5 engine was installed in the Chevrolet Malibu from 2007 to 2012. This was the 2.4-liter LE5 4-cylinder engine with quite a simple architecture that was just made to fit in the new world of ecologically proper technologies. This was the time when Chevy started thinking more about the environment than about the pockets of car owners. And this is both good and bad, as you may now understand.

Today, we'll tell you about the Chevy Malibu 2.4-liter engine for the seventh generation of the model made between 2007 and 2012. We'll show you some specs, pros and cons, and also the problems that come with this engine. Also, we'll tell you what exactly you should check if you want to buy this vehicle used.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2005-2012
• Average lifespan of LE5:210,000-230,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:port injection
• Power range:165-177 hp
• Fuel efficiency:bad
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:weak timing chain, weak balance shaft chain tensioner, phasers may go bad quickly, oil consumption.

Chevy Malibu 7 with 2.4L engine - what should you know?

This is the engine that belongs to the large Ecotec family used by GM in different displacements. This was one of the first mass-produced engines by General Motors to have VVT for both intake and exhaust valves. In the Malibu made between 2007 and 2013, this was one of the most popular engines with optimal power and consumption ratio.

The seventh generation of the Malibu also had other 2.4-liter engines. One of them was able to burn not only regular gasoline, but also E85, and the other one was used for the hybrid powertrain. Both of them weren't massively sold in the US, while the original Ecotec 2.4L engine was quite popular.

Here are some key points to know about the LE5 engine:

• this is an all-aluminum engine which is a common thing for that time, it's quite light, but overhauling it can be a problem;
• the engine is equipped with additional oil jets to cool down cylinders which basically deals with all problems connected to overheating;
• you may notice that the 2.4L LE5 engine works extremely smoothly thanks to the balance shafts used in its construction;
• in the Malibu, the 2.4L Ecotec offers 169 hp of power and 160 lb-ft of torque, it's not a lot, but still enough for family driving;
• the seventh-generation Malibu with the 2.4-liter engine has a chain in the timing system, the chain is pretty reliable;
• the fuel injection is pretty simple and conventional, basically, no problems are possible here if you don't use bad fuel;
• we don't see any technical experiments here, the only thing that draws our attention is the plastic intake manifold which is prone to cracking.

Actually, this engine is very simple in terms of technology. When it was first launched, the VVT technologies and all those electronically controlled throttle body things were pretty technological and hard to understand. But now you look at it with a smile knowing those tons of electronic units in all modern engines.

We can say that a relatively simple and reliable 2.4L LE5 engine in the Malibu was good. Even now, a lot of those vehicles drive on American roads with no problems having hg mileage on them. And this is the best proof that the engine was good. One problem we can see now - all these LE5 engines are quite old in Malibus because they were used up to 2013 only.

How many miles will a Malibu 2.4 last?

Speaking about the Malibu in general, this car can go a lot of miles. Chevy has never used poor technologies for this vehicle. The 2.4L Ecotec engine is thought to be one of the most reliable in the history of this model, so it will go a lot of miles.

This engine will surely go over 220,000 miles and even more than that if maintained correctly. By maintaining this engine, you should understand the following procedures:

• changing engine oil and oil filter every 10K miles or even more often if needed;
• changing fuel and air filters quite often (more often than GM recommends);
• listening to any sounds that come from the engine and having it diagnosed once something changes;
• buying only good and certified fuel to avoid buildups and other problems.

We believe you can drive the Chevy Malibu 2.4L for more than 300,000 miles without expensive repairs and other big problems. But you should strictly follow the maintenance routine. If not, you are going to throw away the engine somewhere near 120K miles.

Remember that it's an all-aluminum engine, so overhauling may be a problem. If the cylinder is scratched or damaged in any other way, you will have to buy the new block which may cost like the engine assembly.

What are the typical problems with the Malibu 2.4L LE5 engine?

This engine was very popular and was used in many models made by GM. We perfectly know a lot of common issues that may happen with this engine because thousands of owners have been active forum users. Also, we've spoken to Chevy mechanics and found out why Malibu owners usually address them and what the biggest problems are.

Now, we have this list of common issues with the LE5 2.4L engine in your Malibu:

1. Chain tensioners and upper bolts

The timing chain itself is pretty reliable and doesn't cause problems. You will need to just replace it at 120,000 miles or something like that. When replacing the chain, make sure you also replace the tensioner, bolts, and all other parts in the system.

If the chain is stretched because of tensioner problems, it may jump and destroy your valves. This will be just a quick jump with no symptoms coming before. Your engine will likely get stuck and will need overhauling. This is a big problem for all-aluminum engines and you may end up replacing the engine to save your vehicle.

2. Piston rings failure

After 100,000 miles or 10 years, piston rings become thinner or just stop working as they should. It means some oil will get directly to the combustion chamber and then burn. This will cause excessive oil consumption and engine head contamination.

Also, this will kill your catalytic converter in the Chevy Malibu pretty soon.

Unfortunately, replacing piston rings is not as straightforward as you may think. Your engine will need to be taken apart to do this. Also, don't forget to check or better replace valve seals. This will prolong your engine life and reduce possible oil consumption in the future.

3. Different leaks

Your LE5 engine is likely to leak some fluids. It can be anything - oil, coolant, or fuel, depending on the part that causes this leak. Fortunately, head gaskets can only leak after severe overheating which happens pretty rarely with these 2.4-liter engines.

Though, the Malibu engine can leak from all sorts of O-rings, small gaskets, and connections. In older vehicles, owners often admit oil and coolant leaks just because the systems are old and cracking all over the engine.

If something leaks in your Chevy Malibu LE5 engine, the best decision is to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible.

4. Poor gas mileage

If you expect your Malibu 2.4 LE5 to drive economically and save up your money, you should be prepared for something different. In the late 2000s, engineers weren't very concerned about the fuel consumption of their engines, so they just thought about quality, durability, and their incomes.

You can expect 20-24 mpg in your Malibu equipped with the 2.4L LE5 engine. This seems like a lot if you compare this with the consumption of our modern turbocharged engines that never fall lower than 30 mpg even in city traffic.

But this is what it takes to drive your Malibu longer and experience fewer problems with technical issues.

What you should pay attention to when buying a used 2.4L Malibu?

If you want to buy the vehicle with the LE5 2.4L engine, you should follow these steps:

• check the records of the vehicle and see if it was maintained normally;
• avoid any vehicles with accident records, especially front-end collisions;
• make sure you have the engine diagnosed and looked at by a specialist;
• avoid buying any vehicle with a leaking, vibrating, or screaming LE5 engine;
• avoid buying the Malibu 2.4 with over 200,000 miles on it - it should be dead.

Final words

We love the old Malibus. They still look good and they go well. These vehicles are reliable, they have pretty simple engineering and great comfort. Of course, if you buy a cheap Malibu with over 200K miles on it, you should forget everything good that you've read in this article and concentrate only on bad things.

But if you find a solid Malibu with low mileage and good maintenance records, it's a really good purchase. The LE5 2.4L engine was one of the best, in our point of view, among all engines offered for those old Malibus.