2017 CHEVROLET IMPALA

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start, Fouled spark plugs, Check engine light with misfire codes P0300-P0306, Carbon buildup on valves and pistons

Fix: Requires complete engine teardown with new pistons, rings, and often cylinder honing or rebore. Some shops opt for reman short block to avoid machine work. 18-24 labor hours for in-chassis rebuild, 14-18 for short block swap.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Knocking noise from lower engine, especially on cold start, Rapid oil pressure drop, Metallic ticking that worsens with RPM, Oil pan debris on magnetic drain plug

Fix: Often discovered during oil consumption diagnosis. Requires crank polishing or replacement, new bearings, full lower-end rebuild. If crank is scored beyond spec, you're looking at complete long block. 20-28 labor hours depending on damage extent.

Estimated cost: $5,000-9,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid dripping near radiator area, Pink or red fluid pooling under front of car, Low transmission fluid warnings, Harsh shifting if fluid level drops significantly

Fix: Cooler lines rust through where they connect to radiator or at crimped fittings. Sometimes the internal cooler in radiator fails. Replace lines and external cooler as a set. 2-3 labor hours, flush and refill transmission.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Visible engine movement when revving in Park, Rattling over bumps from drivetrain area

Fix: Hydraulic mount separates internally or tears. Engine needs to be supported to replace. Right side mount fails more often than left. 1.5-2.5 labor hours depending on access.

Estimated cost: $250-500

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Minor coolant seepage at head/block mating surface, Slight coolant smell but no overheating, Slow coolant loss without external leaks, White residue near head gasket area

Fix: The 2.5L doesn't grenade like the V6, but can develop minor head gasket weeps. Often can be monitored if not mixing coolant into oil. Full repair requires head removal, resurface, new gasket. 6-8 labor hours.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000

Typical onset: 120,000+ mi

Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting, Loss of power under acceleration, Sputtering at highway speeds, Fuel pump whine becoming louder

Fix: GM spec says lifetime filter, but that's optimistic. Located in fuel tank with pump module. Drop tank, replace entire pump assembly with filter. 2-3 labor hours.

Estimated cost: $400-700