2012 LFX siezed engine Can it be saved?? - will a 13-15 LFX engine work in my car?

[cliffdog89]

Well this is definitely not a post I ever thought I would be making by my camaro died. It made a sound that I thought was an exhaust leak (I had just put my exhaust back on) but now I realize was engine knocking :(

I'll post more details below but my main question is this. Will a 2013, 2014, and or 2015 Camaro LFX engine work in my 2012??

There are different part numbers between 12 and 13 through 15. It looks like the difference is valve springs and valve covers. I have had trouble finding an answer to this problem.

I drained the oil and it was low - just over 3 quart. There are small metal flakes and specs in the oil I drain but nothing huge. I have never had a serious problem with oil burning before and the engine has never leaked. It is clean as the day I bought it underneath and has never seen salt. I perform all my own changes every 6-9K with Mobil 1 extended performance. The car only has 80K miles on the clock. The engine shut off very gracefully with no loud noises so I am hopeful it may still be saved.

The codes I pulled after the car died are as follows:

P0325 Knock Sensor 1 circuit bank 1 (Pending)
P0300 Multiple Random Misfire Detected (Pending)
P2270 Oxygen Sensor Signal Stuck Lean Bank 1 Sensor 2 (Confirmed)
P2097 Post Catalyst Fuel Trim System Too Rich Bank 1 (Confirmed)

I plan to continue diagnosing the engine before pulling the plug for a new one.

Any help or suggestions will be most appreciated!!

[its Sparkyyy]

Maybe a bad knock sensor? My dads truck had a similar issue where it wouldn't start because of a bad sensor

[cliffdog89]

Originally Posted by its Sparkyyy

Maybe a bad knock sensor? My dads truck had a similar issue where it wouldn't start because of a bad sensor

If that ended up being it that would be awesome. It is definitely something I am going to check.

[ChibiBlackSheep]

I had issues with my LFX not too long ago. Honestly, just cleaning the MAF sensor brought it back.

It was chugging, knocking, misfiring, and when I would try to drive it felt like I was new at driving a manual. Had to really give it gas to get it into first or it would stumble and die. Had the roughest idle too.

Pulled a few codes, similar to yours. Checked all of my connections to things like plugs and sensors. Pulled the MAF, cleaned it, put it back, and the car has been fine ever since.

[Jazzzed]

That post-cat O2 sensor recorded both a lean and a rich condition. It could be the MAF freaking out. It could also be a timing issue on the passenger side of the engine as well.

[cliffdog89]

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep

I had issues with my LFX not too long ago. Honestly, just cleaning the MAF sensor brought it back.

It was chugging, knocking, misfiring, and when I would try to drive it felt like I was new at driving a manual. Had to really give it gas to get it into first or it would stumble and die. Had the roughest idle too.

Pulled a few codes, similar to yours. Checked all of my connections to things like plugs and sensors. Pulled the MAF, cleaned it, put it back, and the car has been fine ever since.

Hmmm I think that may be too late for mine. I checked the filter and there are lot of small metal fragments in there. I added fresh oil and a new filter then pulled all of the spark plugs and tried it by hand. It is very stiff - takes a 2' breaker bar to move it but it does move.

[cliffdog89]

Originally Posted by Jazzzed

That post-cat O2 sensor recorded both a lean and a rich condition. It could be the MAF freaking out. It could also be a timing issue on the passenger side of the engine as well.

Yeah - something went seriously wrong - there are bits of metal in the filter and the engine is really hard to turn over even with the plugs removed.

[blackswan]

Sorry to hear about the metal bits, of course not a good sign. See my other reply, it's easy to pull the manifold and take a look. Perhaps get one of those cheap boroscopes and take a look in each plug hole, at least you'll know right away how bad it is. Might be one cylinder or even a couple, but may be cheaper to fix than replacing whole engine. Call a Caddy dealer's service manager and ask for advice, same engine used in many of those of course and their dealerships tend to be much better (at least that's been my experience). They could at least recommend an independent guy or might even help you diagnose your issue at their place.

[cliffdog89]

Originally Posted by blackswan

Sorry to hear about the metal bits, of course not a good sign. See my other reply, it's easy to pull the manifold and take a look. Perhaps get one of those cheap boroscopes and take a look in each plug hole, at least you'll know right away how bad it is. Might be one cylinder or even a couple, but may be cheaper to fix than replacing whole engine. Call a Caddy dealer's service manager and ask for advice, same engine used in many of those of course and their dealerships tend to be much better (at least that's been my experience). They could at least recommend an independent guy or might even help you diagnose your issue at their place.

That's a real good suggestion calling a Cadillac dealer. Not something I would have thought of doing. I'll give that a shot. Thanks!

[111Scoundrel]

Cliffdog89, if you need a motor my son is selling his 2015 LFX motor out of his Camaro. It’s got around 13k miles and runs great. Everything is still in the car and you can hear it run and drive. He is swapping in a manual LS3.

[cliffdog89]

Originally Posted by 111Scoundrel

Cliffdog89, if you need a motor my son is selling his 2015 LFX motor out of his Camaro. It’s got around 13k miles and runs great. Everything is still in the car and you can hear it run and drive. He is swapping in a manual LS3.

I just responded to your DM. Thanks!