I Bought the Cheapest Small SUV on Marketplace - Part 1

I picked up this cheap 2012 Chevy Captiva on Facebook Marketplace. It doesn't run and the engine is supposedly seized. Let's see if we can fix it!
Part 2: • I Fixed the Cheapest S...
Be sure the to check out Neutral Drop: / @neutraldrop
*No, I did not buy the car from Neutral Drop!

[@robertdobson2187]

Universally known as a “Craptiva” here in Australia.

[@seanfritz1355]

It's also known as a captiva in United States. From 2012 to 2015. And 08 to 2012 was Saturn vue. I have a 14 LT2 and love it.

[@howardsen666]

Sean.. dit you read it? cRaptiva

[@JM811Cars]

@@howardsen666 this is a different vehicle than the european one

[@arielatom03]

Robert Wade here in south america those shits are everywere and they are GARBAGE. Keeps me in business right?

[@TheMW2informer]

howardsen666 hes saying here in the USA it’s also known as Captiva... they are good little cars, there are people that like them. jalopnik.com/every-car-ever-made-has-at-least-one-rabid-fan-and-i-ha-1826105063/amp

[@DangerousSportsForSeniors]

The dip stick down the spark plug hole was priceless. Thanks for the laughs. It must have been an easy job, I only saw one wrench drop.

[@WatchWesWork]

I actually think that might have been the only tool I dropped. Maybe I'm finally improving!

[@skingk2632]

Yeah, the dipstick cracked me up. 🤣

[@systemloc]

I legit laughed hard at that. "There IS NO cylinder number 1!"

[@edwardmyers1746]

She just has a foot long stroke that's all LOL

[@hodwooker5584]

I always tell people that complain about working on cars is, they design them to be put together once. Not to be worked on!

[@mryoung3399]

You were genuinely amused when you were sticking that dipstick in that plug hole. Your laugh made me laugh. Great video.

[@WatchWesWork]

Nothing to do but laugh!

[@imouse3246]

@@WatchWesWork I know it's extra work, but pulling the pan and counting the bits might be amusing as well.

[@gettintheresafelywithpatf2869]

You did hit something... the bottom of the oil pan!

[@minecraftfirefighter]

@@gettintheresafelywithpatf2869 yeah he measured some oil aswell

[@kevinchildress6569]

Had a few spotted cows that day I bet

[@pibbanon1987]

Nobody: General Motors: Yo dawg I heard you like brackets, so we installed brackets on yo brackets to hold yo brackets in place.

[@sanuda]

This is the ideal family, a hard working husband, a loving wife, a pet dog and a bear.

[@wb2vsj]

My dogs used to steal my hand tools when they were pups. My kids stated "borrowing" my tools when they were about 10 years old. I don't mind since they are learning how to wrench.

[@maxmorrey3199]

Hard workin wife too

[@silasmarner7586]

Your wife's a hoot. We'd like her to host a QandA .. Thanks for the video!

[@WatchWesWork]

Hah! Start the petition!

[@colin8532]

@@WatchWesWork - Signature #1 right here, she's a sweetheart

[@billsargent3407]

She is a character!

[@mrswes]

he says I can't keep secrets and that's why he wont let!

[@michaelslivensky8741]

Wes, Thank you for the great content. I'm glad that you do this stuff for all of us to watch. Keep up the good work, and ignore all of the complainers. You do just fine.

[@WatchWesWork]

Thank you!

[@eformance]

Damn, I missed out on "I bought the cheapest 10HP twin cylinder compressor on Craigslist"...

[@WatchWesWork]

Jump on the band wagon!

[@eformance]

@@WatchWesWork meme's only work once they've achieved sufficient social penetration. I can't very well go back in time 3 years to set that trend.

[@microsoftexcel8327]

That's GM's engineering at its finest

[@richo220665]

Commonly Known as the Holden Craptiva here In Australia

[@WatchWesWork]

And here!

[@mdouglaswray]

What a cute boy! His happy demeanor says much about his folks. :-D

[@WatchWesWork]

Too bad he's not always like that!

[@donniebrown2896]

@@WatchWesWork do you remember all the "things" you did as a child and teen? As my dad told me when our first was born...."Son you bout to start paying for YOUR raisin' " Enjoy him now. Good show and good luck. At least it's not a KIA.

[@ronniewilliz153]

Dam when cylinder 1 didnt hold pressure i laughed as well

[@WatchWesWork]

It's a gonner!

[@zoidberg444]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video Wes. Can't say I've ever seen the 2.4 ecotec engine on this side of the pond. Only worked on the small ones. They're all POS's i see. You remind me of Eric O when he started making vids. All sorts of projects and Mrs Wes and the kiddo make great special guest stars. Keep safe and stay frosty!

[@WatchWesWork]

That's high praise!

[@leeharris3061]

Nice plug for the neutral droppers...thanks for your vid tonite wes your great!! Love your humor

[@WatchWesWork]

Gotta have a sense of humor with everything that is happening in the world!

[@mikus4242]

Let us have moment of silence for this dearly departed 2.4 L....

[@WatchWesWork]

Yep, she's done!

[@cheeto4493]

I think I had that same engine in my Saturn Ion. I didn't have engine problems except for for valve timing solenoid. Lots of wiring problems though. I think I saw that same engine in the Polaris Slingshots as well.

[@mikus4242]

cheeto4493 I had a 92 Saturn SC. it was burning oil like mad at 50k miles. Saturn did a full rebuild out of warranty and only charged me $300. It was burning pretty good again by 100k, but adding one quart between oil changes did the trick. It made it to 180k when it blew the head gasket. It was not worth rebuilding or replacing.

[@WatchWesWork]

@@cheeto4493 I'm not surprised. The wiring harness is horrific.

[@munckdiesel5346]

The ecotecs are junk. Noticed where you live the other day while dad and I were hauling junk cars. We have an acreage on hillside road just a couple of miles from you. Dad runs muncks auto in clinton

[@russell154]

Really enjoy your videos Wes. Your boy cracks me up. Be well.

[@ekhalkov]

Hello Wes. Part two could be dedicated to the engine tear-down, I'm really curious to see what have actually happened to it and the scope of damage.

[@Me-zo8yc]

I lost it at the dipstick down the spark plug hole, your laugh set me off

[@DesertedRocket]

I’m gonna enjoy this series, got one of those 2.4s myself!

[@crazyfvck]

@DesertedRocket Run away!!! :P lol

[@bassboostedd8220]

As do I lol 2014 2.4

[@shovelguggelheim8454]

Commiserations.

[@barrydansereau7949]

Very entertaining video Wes.Thanks for including your family. Gotta love that Lil bear roar! The very best to you and your family

[@WatchWesWork]

He's a blast!

[@HOYS]

I enjoyed you channeling South Main when you introduced the car :)

[@roygabriel.2753]

They are sold by Holden in Australia and are referred to as The Craptiva leavings Sea of oil in the middle of the road on a regular basis. A friend bought one new and it fell apart 3 times in 20,000 kms so after the 3 engine he drove out of the dealers and straight into a Toyota dealer and never looked back. They say if you ever own one you will never own another !

[@lawnmowerdude]

Just don’t get the truck if you don’t what your vehicle to split in half lol.

[@davidbrown6558]

That's why they"re called CRAPtivas in Australia.

[@WatchWesWork]

And here!

[@ke6bnl]

I like the ecotec motor I run one in my buggie 4-5000 rpm hour after hour in the desert and it is bullet proof, never have added a drop of oil. This one is the 2.2L and I have a back up motor I paid $500 for. Like it so much got my wife a 2.4L Chevy HHR just changed the oil after 10,000 miles never used a drop of oil. I did have a bad tensioner for the timing belt on my buggie when I got it. and put in the upgraded one and never a problem again. just my experience. So. California no rust ever. no rain (not much anyways) either.

[@etsyjancoup6995]

Also sold as a Vauxhall Antara here in the UK but has Daewoo badges if you scratch away. A long long long list of very expensive problems... good luck wes😁

[@willywgb]

When you can check the oil from a spark plug hole, it's time to look for another engine. LOL Willy

[@robertturner6797]

Gday Wes I’ve been binge watching your channel for a week or so now and I’m amazed apart from your lovely assistant you do so much on your own you remind me of our bush mechanis here in Oz love yer channel

[@GixxerRider1991]

Ah the old Chevy 'Equal-knocks'. We had a lot of laughs with these during my days at the dealership.

[@Skyhawk1998]

"I see a problem on Cylinder 1... there's no Cylinder 1!"

[@manusamoaus]

Wes, I wanted to comment before I started watching the video and I will comment later. I know you read all your comments. This is one video I am really looking forward to watching you work on. I love the big machines but for something more in our area is a real treat. Keep up the great videos. I know I am a bit late but I have not been on my computer recently.

[@clivegreenall309]

We're now a year since lock down started (at varying levels) and your comments made me smile, thanks. I guess none of us imagined this would be ongoing ... Thanks for your downloads, they certainly help to get us through all this confusion. Stay Safe. Regards from S Africa Clive

[@russb3816]

Loving your videos. Excellent as always.

[@elbertfreeman8124]

Wes next time you need to tepary a hose and the temp is kinking. Try installing a similar size pipe of spring or copper tubing to get flow. As a safety measure when drilling always slip a tube over drill bit exposing only the tip of the bit, to limit depth the bit will plunge to! keep several tubes with bit assortment. Thank's I really enjoy watching a "True Craftsman". Excellent work.

[@Hyratel]

a year and a half later, prophetic words, "We're going to be feeling the economic impact for a long time"

[@michaeldavis1718]

Hey Wes, I am a GM technician and GM has an extended coverage on the cats for these cars if it is bad. I do believe that it’s either 120k or 150k. Hope this helps. Love watching the work you do. I’m no where near a heavy tech as yourself, but love watching your videos! Try getting that cat out on a AWD, lol

[@WatchWesWork]

Yeah I've seen the TSBs. This one has 160K, so we're screwed either way.

[@erickieffer8440]

No rust is a real treat! I am not kidding, it is special. The privacy screen comment was also special, in a different way. I get the feeling that engine is just a conversation starter.

[@WatchWesWork]

It's a lump of raw materials at this point.

[@wurly164]

8 bought new a15 Equinox with this engine. It came with free oil changes for 3 years. By the 4th oil change i decided to do it myself as I usually do. I found they never changed the filter and it had caved in from being so dirty. I was yelling at the service manager and he said prove it. The dealer has a ton of lawyers. I dumped it real fast

[@kevinoscarson2941]

Love the neutral drop reference, pretty amazing the beating they do to cars. Super cool guys to!

[@WatchWesWork]

No mercy.

[@JoeHynes284]

your wife seems really cool :)

[@WatchWesWork]

She is!

[@jeffr0]

When someone says to me, “your wife is really nice”, I answer, “yeah, she seems like it, doesn’t she”.

[@NitroGuyJH]

I have the 2.2L ecotec in my Pontiac g5 and I’ve so far replaced the valve cover gasket at 198k and just done the exhaust VVT at 209k miles. I’m surprised at the performance I’ve gotten out of it to be honest. Good video brother. Always enjoy watching your vids and wrenchin’ around. 👍🏻

[@bob_atwestmi_fl_us7812]

I loved it "what a bunch of dicks" and its so true. It seems like almost everything is made disposable. No pride in build quality or making things easily repairable for the repair person. Everything last just a little past warranty so they can keep a revolving door on purchasing more disposable crap, So I am curious, is part of being a good mechanic mean NOT swearing at what you fixing? Maybe that's why I suck so bad at being a really good mechanic.

[@HDXFH]

And they wonder why the planets shagged

[@woodscreekworkshop9939]

Every time I watch your video I am reminded of when we lived in Indiana. Same weather/climate, wind, scenery. Thanks.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yep. Classic Midwest bleakness.

[@Northernstar9370]

Great informative and entertaining video Wes! I really like your humorous commentary as well as the little offshoots with the family. Feels like I'm hanging out with a buddy at the shop. Keep up the good work bud, stay safe and healthy! Cheers mate!

[@2nickles647]

I owned a GMC Terrain with the 2.4. Was consuming 1 qt every 600 miles. GM techs told me. O that's normal. It's okay to drive. I give the Techs a single finger salute and said. I'm never going to buy any more GM crap no more. My daughter almost ran it dry. 😄😄 Then the cam crank correlation codes popped up. Then the VVT soleniods crapped out. I replaced then with GM parts. Then the high pressure fuel system codes came up. About that time my daughter was leaving for Oklahoma. Clean and polished and waxed the Turd. Reset all codes and sold it back to GM. Bought a new Sienna le. All I do is basic service. Has 120k. Engine and trans no issues.

[@mjmcomputers]

12:52 I mean what engine doesn’t have a 3ft stroke?

[@IBenZik]

@11:20, brings back memories of a boy and his wagon, me and my son. Well done!

[@andrew5792]

Chevy (Holden in Australia) Captiva. Laughed my ass off when I saw this. Here in Aus these have a 'purchase at your own risk' reputation. Good luck.

[@WatchWesWork]

That's how I feel about all GM products...

[@twiz8789]

@@WatchWesWork AKA steaming piles.

[@smathet7766]

@@WatchWesWork your not the only one, LOL

[@stephenhunter70]

And they wonder why their still going down the plug hole

[@anthonycarrollfixingstuff5424]

Watch Wes Work there called craptiva in Australia the resale price is so bad and parts to pricey you see then left on the side of the road when they stop working.good luck mate but think of it this way lots of content in videos fixing it.

[@kurtu5]

I remember being able to sit in the engine compartment of my Buick 76 Regal while replacing push rods. These modern cars...

[@calholli]

I live in Oklahoma.. It is nice not having to deal with rust-- but the bad thing here is that most people don't seem to realize that engines need oil and coolant. They drive them until they end up on the side of the road smoking, and THEN they start to ask questions. lol

[@jlucasound]

I can't believe she said that. "Many a true word spoken in jest". I hope that quote doesn't apply here. All 68,000 of us Subscribers are behind you, Wes.

[@badgerflaps2346]

The cameo appearances by family totally make these videos 😃

[@RubenKelevra]

We're curious how's looking in the engine 😙🎶

[@WatchWesWork]

I'll open it up in part 2.

[@cenariusbg]

@@WatchWesWork Thanks!

[@Aleksa809]

I already bumped into NEUTRAL DROP a few weeks ago, subscribed immediately :)

[@greavous93]

my last dig in was a 91 twin turbo 300zx and that engine will make you cry. Hope the virus stays away and yall get back to normal asap. Its the strangest thing to watch our lives turn into a Hollywood movie script and play out for real.

[@WatchWesWork]

I bet. Those things were massive for a 3 liter.

[@MrJiblack]

That catalytic convertor is enough to make the bad words fly for me lol

[@CngBng]

The way your bears scream was just cut off I died of laughter

[@Volcker1929]

Looking forward to the next one. It is nice seeing a kid enjoy himself. You have a great family.

[@michaelhartloff3833]

I went back and watched this old video and you should do more of these

[@GrandsonofKong]

From Washington State (aka USA COVID-19 ground zero) a Bruce Willis "Die Hard" line....."Welcome to the Party Pal!!" Look forward to more on this fixer.

[@WatchWesWork]

Good luck out there. I'm pulling for you!

[@GrandsonofKong]

@@WatchWesWorkThanks.. it's 90% the Seattle area and we are pretty rural like you. But I suspect it will get worse before it gets better...sigh

[@justinsane7128]

It doesn't amaze me that you have all these specialty tools, it Does amaze me that you can find them! Unlike myself

[@kutamsterdam]

HAHAHAHAHA .😂.. you growling instead of cursing makes me laugh Wes ... and as usual it was a joy to watch you work🛠 ... you and your family stay healthy and bring on part 2 ... greetings from The Netherlands.

[@calvinwright1816]

Interesting, I'm early. *edit* this is the first time I was…..... first. Hehehe 😁

[@grassfeeding6073]

You're first

[@WatchWesWork]

He is in fact.

[@gav3379]

Hey I've got an 09 Saturn Vue, pretty much the same car with the same engine but with electric power steering. These cars were built in Mexico. When I bought it ($1500), it had coolant in the oil. Changed the head gasket but it still leaked into the oil again. Not sure where but it didn't have a crack. Finally replaced the block with a used one and had the head checked which was fine. Replaced all timing chains, sprockets and tensioner. Dropped the engine back in and it's been about two years now and haven't had any problems and no oil burning and car drives quite nice. Good luck.

[@WatchWesWork]

Interesting. Cracked block?

[@gayle4804]

I know this is a year old but you have a wonderful family that little boy is so cute, Going to look for part 2

[@joeyf504327]

looking back we can see how ridiculous the "2 weeks to flatten the curve" was...

[@rambo8wradio]

- "You can't do that" - *roars* Perfect response!

[@clairgenung288]

Your beautiful wife is a hoot. She is definitely a keeper and you are blessed. I know because I have had one for 55 years

[@06colkurtz]

2.4s aRe running well into 250k miles currently in Solstice and Sky roadsters. No oil consumption. They do have waterpump failures and rarely timing chain issues. The 2.0 has had HPFP failures. We carry a spare just in case.

[@wildefox1478]

Fellow Illinoisan here, that engine must've also grenaded the piston when that cylinder went, looking forward to part 2! Keep up the great work Wes!

[@WatchWesWork]

Yeah, I can see pieces of the rings through the new inspection hole.

[@williamkn621]

I predominantly work on southern cars. I feel for northern mechanics every rust belt car I've had to tackle. Good luck with the Okie car! North of me but mostly rust free!

[@johnelliott7375]

We enjoy your day projects going on at the "GIM" = Got it made, Garage!

[@ThePlowGuys]

Sometimes falling into the KZbin endless void of videos pays off. I enjoy your videos and hit the subscribe button. Keep up the good work. Nice to see you have a bunch of videos to watch. Gonna get some chips, dip and a coffee.

[@fillg]

I think that's what's called "catastrophic failure" on that cylinder. 😀

[@WatchWesWork]

Got that right!

[@karlcarnevale4948]

That hole in the block is the Chevy inspection port. We have had two vehicles with that eco tech engine a 2007 Saturn Vue Hybrid and a 2013 GMC Terrian. According to friend at GM there was a design flaw in the piston rings causing excessive oil consumption. Our local dealer told us the only fix for our terrain was “dump it”. My wife and I walked from the service counter to the showroom and bought a 2020 Blazer.

[@WatchWesWork]

I'd have walk across the street to a dealer of any other brand...

[@Woernify]

Hej awesome vid, lost it at the dipstick-situation... 🤣 Love your stuff, keep up the great work and you and yours stay safe, Sir!

[@turbochardged]

Great video. Please add video of the carnage, I'm very curious where the piston is.

[@WatchWesWork]

I will.

[@bruhzzleprojects5279]

note to self "stick dipstick in cylinder to check for a cylinder before a compression test"

[@scottiniowa1]

I lost a nice long 1/4 extension that way on a neon. Dropped it 'through' the cylinder #1 piston checking for TDC

[@WatchWesWork]

LOL. Use the dipstick next time. Built in piston detector.

[@crdorado1195]

You know Wes is a True mechanic, when he pulls out the Swiss Army knife....

[@WatchWesWork]

Never leave home without it!

[@johnelliott7375]

Just think about no brittle plastic eaten and deteriorating from salt, calcium chloride, and with the brine in it to eat the salt and oil from the roads asphalt. Great evening and enjoy your Labor Day weekend.

[@AllThingsMech]

Between the commentary, the dipstick going all the way to the bottom of the oil pan and your kiddo's bear growl, this was a great video. We're pretty remote way out here too, so hopefully this blows over soon. Stay safe man.

[@WatchWesWork]

I hope it does.

[@TheTheonlyone1123]

good job shouting out neutral drop

[@WatchWesWork]

They crack me up.

[@TheTheonlyone1123]

@@WatchWesWork on a side note, i see that handy flashlight u got there, i have the same one. those quick connect flashlights are pretty cool and fairly skookum for the price

[@WatchWesWork]

@@TheTheonlyone1123 I like them, but I keep breaking them. My fault, I'm not nice to them.

[@TheTheonlyone1123]

@@WatchWesWork thats impressive lol. i managed to drop mine approx. 20ft down a spray booth exhaust vent and it happend to land perfectly on the baffles near the bottom that the magnet base held it pointed straight up the shaft, still providing me light for the job at hand and retrieval. but with any tool from the hazard fraught they are only so good but the price is just to good to beat especially when you have a family member working at one :D

[@eldoradony]

That "weird little vacuum pump" is the secondary air injection pump for emissions.

[@WatchWesWork]

It's in the vacuum line to the brake booster.

[@remyrood2215]

Just watching your video en listening to you talking about the car you've bought, and suddenly I hear CAMERAMAN screaming! LOL thank you Wes, you've made my day!

[@WatchWesWork]

They crack me up.

[@pauldiesel4582]

Time for some JB weld ! No need for a rebuild. That’s how we roll in West Virginia!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Lmfao lovely assistant trusty dog and Somebody Let in a Bear lmfao 🤣 @Watch Wes Work

[@timb37]

My dad (68m) was raised to be a diehard GM lover, but the last thing I heard him say about cars was "oh hell, just buy Japanese" LOL!!!

[@jamesberkhimer5751]

lol they did that in PA REPAIR shops were essential but every last one in my area shut down due to no business I work a walmart and were getting calls daily "when are you opening back up because i need an oil change" Repair shops needed this business not us we maintain your car not repair it... please call your local repair shop to make an appointment!

[@SportFury1966]

[Door Rises... Bowtie... Heart Sinks]

[@mattt198654321]

I rented one of these back when they were new and was surprisingly pleased with it. The headroom was massive. And I'm a really tall guy, so that's pretty much the only thing I cared about.

[@AustrianAnarchy]

This can be your Cummins swap moment!

[@WatchWesWork]

No Cummins deserves that!

[@AustrianAnarchy]

@@WatchWesWork LOL

[@wilbertbirdner1303]

more suitable for a pedal car conversion imo

[@chrispza]

18:30 "Why would they do that?" Design by committee-a camel is a horse designed by a committee. (Edit: I really admire your forbearance in not turning the air blue at certain points in this vijayo.)

[@mohabatkhanmalak1161]

We have all the confidence in you, you will fix it right. Here in New Zealand we just got news the whole country has gone into lock down. Take care.

[@WatchWesWork]

That's wild. I hope it blows over quickly.

[@ycmdill]

Captiva is the continuation of the Saturn Vue lineage. The 2004-2007 Vue V6's were all Honda 3.5L but GM decided Honda power was too expensive.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yeah. Typical GM. Take something that works fine and change it for no reason.

[@poolmotorrepairguyFL]

The Florida pool pump motor repair guy approved ! that was good info Wes

[@Shane-Singleton]

You just saved me a lot of headache. Over the past year or so i've been considering getting a daily driver. Something to pile the commute miles on. High on the list was a Chevy HHR. I just like them. Don't know why. Well after hearing about the oil consumption, etc. with the 2.4 Ecotec I have crossed that off of my consideration list.

[@richysee]

In Australia we call the same SUV a Craptiva for obvious reasons.

[@f150bc]

I am in NY the center of the storm, sitting at home watching youtube to stay sane.No work here no money but plenty of bills hope all of us can be at the front of the line this time for help from the government and this thing goes away as fast as it came for a very long time.Stay safe.!

[@WatchWesWork]

I hope so too!

[@mickburns5546]

We had them in Australia too sold under the Holden badge. First series was terrible, second series...terrible. Good to see we weren’t the only country to get ripped off by these things. Great seeing you work on stuff mate. I love your channel.

[@orgazmic13]

Lol Wes! You're right. In Oklahoma we don't have to deal with a whole lot of rust problems. I never had to bang on parts to get them off.

[@WatchWesWork]

You guys are spoiled!