Engine code in VIN

[Gary]

I just purchased a 2007 Cobalt with a blown engine, no compression on any of the cylinders.

I was told it was a 2.2 but can't verify it because the VIN number engine code doesn't match anything, the VIN is 1G1AL55S177219159, the eighth digit should be the engine type, and it is an S which doesn't match anything I can find.

I found a 2009 2.2 engine and want to find out if it would fit the 2007 car. Are the heads the same, would that be easier than changing the whole engine?

The engine in the car has 108,000 miles on it, the 2009 has 110,000 miles on it.

Thanks,

Gary

 

[YelloEye]

The engines available in 2007 were the 2.0 supercharged LSJ, 2.2 N/A L61, and 2.4 N/A LE5.

For 2009 the engines were the 2.2 N/A LAP and 2.0 turbocharged LNF.

There are a few differences between the two 2.2 motors, the largest being that the 2009-2010 motor has VVT and the 2005-2008 does not.

If your car is indeed the 2.2 L61, the valve cover should just say ECOtec on it. The 2.4 LE5 says ECOtec VVT on the valve cover.

You're going to want to try and find a motor out of a 2007 or 2008, they did make a few minor changes prior to 2006 that make the engine more difficult to install.

If you know what the problem is there are pieces from most of the ECOtec 2.x line that you can use to fix this without dropping in the whole motor.

 

[Gary]

Thanks, I am going to pull the head Monday so I can tell what happened. These engines are new to me so am feeling my way along. The car is my daughters and money is tight. The price of the 2009 is $300 and I think I can get it for a little less. Just the head at advance auto is almost $500, head bolts $81 and gaskets about $75. That's why it looked good but it has 110, 000 miles on it.

What problems would I run into putting the 2009 engine in the 2007? I have a good mechanic that will help me with the harder parts.
Gary

 

[YelloEye]

I don't know the specific sensor differences, just that the head on the 2009 has provisions for VVT solenoids that don't exist on the 2007.

 

[Gary]

I don't know the specific sensor differences, just that the head on the 2009 has provisions for VVT solenoids that don't exist on the 2007.

Thanks, I appreciate the input!

 

[Gary]

I just purchased a 2007 Cobalt with a blown engine, no compression on any of the cylinders.

I was told it was a 2.2 but can't verify it because the VIN number engine code doesn't match anything, the VIN is 1G1AL55S177219159, the eighth digit should be the engine type, and it is an S which doesn't match anything I can find.

I found a 2009 2.2 engine and want to find out if it would fit the 2007 car. Are the heads the same, would that be easier than changing the whole engine?

The engine in the car has 108,000 miles on it, the 2009 has 110,000 miles on it.

Thanks,

Gary

I found out why the engine number didn't match any of the engine codes, I got the VIN from my insurance card, when I looked at the title the code for the 8th digit was F which matches the 2.2 engine.

 

[YelloEye]

Ah, so yeah you have the L61 motor.