Low-Mileage GM Four-Cylinder Fails From Too Much Idling, Not Too Much Speed

A teardown of a 2021 Buick Envision engine with just 25,000 miles reveals a surprising culprit behind its early failure: not abuse, but neglect through gentle driving. The engine, featured in a recent I Do Cars video, came from a totaled vehicle that was sold for parts and later returned as a replacement unit, likely due to excessive oil consumption.

During the teardown, the engine initially looked healthy, but the pistons were heavily caked with carbon buildup, jamming the oil control rings. The host suggests this caused the oil burning. The likely cause? The owner probably drove mostly short trips in a small town, never letting the engine fully warm up.

That leads to inefficient combustion and sludge, especially with low-quality fuel or oil.

The video raises the classic "Italian tune-up" idea, taking the car for a spirited, high-rpm drive to clear carbon. While additives or higher-temperature running might have helped, it's uncertain. 0-liter turbo-four, powers many models across Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC, producing 228 to 237 horsepower.