Used Chevrolet Malibu Engines
Used, remanufactured and rebuilt engines for the 1980–1983 and 1997–2025 Chevrolet Malibu — tested before they ship and covered by warranty. Tell us your Malibu and we’ll match the exact engine.
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Engine Options
Which engine does your Malibu have?
The rear-wheel-drive Malibu of 1980–1983 ran Chevrolet’s 229 V6 (Buick’s 231 V6 on California cars), the 267 and 305 V8s, a 350 V8 in police cars and, from 1982, two Oldsmobile diesels. Chevrolet sold no Malibu from 1984 to 1996. Since 1997, five front-wheel-drive generations have used the 2.4L Twin Cam and 3.1L V6 of the 1997–2003 car, the 2.2L Ecotec and 3.5L and 3.9L V6s of 2004–2008, the 2.4L Ecotec and 3.6L V6 of 2008–2012, the 2.5L direct-injection four and 2.0L turbo of 2013–2016, and the 1.5L and 2.0L turbos and a two-motor hybrid in the final 2016–2025 car.
The table below lists what was offered when. The old body was sold as the “Classic” alongside the new one in 2004–2005 and again in 2008, and as the “Limited” in 2016, so one model year can cover two different cars. We confirm from your VIN before we quote.
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 229 (3.8L) Chevrolet V6, two-barrel | Code: LC3 | The standard engine. |
| 231 (3.8L) Buick V6, two-barrel | Code: LD5 | Fitted to California cars in place of the 229. |
| 267 (4.4L) V8, two-barrel | Code: L39 | 1980–1982. |
| 305 (5.0L) V8, four-barrel | Code: LG4 | 1980–1983. |
| 350 (5.7L) V8, four-barrel | Code: LM1 | Police package (9C1) only. |
| 4.3L Oldsmobile diesel V6 | 1982–1983. | |
| 5.7L (350) Oldsmobile diesel V8 | Code: LF9 | 1982–1983. An Oldsmobile design, unrelated to the Chevrolet 350 gasoline V8. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L Twin Cam four-cylinder | Code: LD9 | Standard, 1997–1999. |
| 3.1L V6 | Code: L82 / LG8 | The L82 in early cars, then the LG8; standard from 2000. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.2L Ecotec four-cylinder | Code: L61 | 2004–2008, including the Classic. |
| 3.5L V6 | Code: LX9 / LZ4 | LX9 2004–2006; LZ4 2007–2008. |
| 3.9L V6 | Code: LZ9 | SS and Maxx SS, 2006–2007. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L Ecotec four-cylinder | Code: LE5 / LE9 | Standard, 2008–2012; LE9 is the flex-fuel version. |
| 2.4L Ecotec mild hybrid | Code: LAT | Hybrid, 2008–2010. |
| 3.5L V6 | Code: LZ4 / LZE | Fleet, 2008–2010; LZE is the flex-fuel version, 2009–2010. |
| 3.6L V6 | Code: LY7 | 2008–2012. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L direct-injection four-cylinder | Code: LKW / LCV | LKW 2013–2015; LCV in the 2016 Limited. |
| 2.4L eAssist hybrid | Code: LUK | Eco, 2013–2014. |
| 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder | Code: LTG | 2013–2015. |
| Engine | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder | Code: LFV | Standard, 2016–2025. |
| 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder | Code: LTG | 2016–2022; Premier only from 2017. |
| 1.8L Hybrid with two-motor drive unit | Code: LKN | Hybrid, 2016–2019. |
Not sure which one is yours? Request a quote and we’ll work it out from your VIN.
Before You Order
What to check before you order
Two cars in one model year
In 2004–2005 and 2008 the previous Malibu body stayed on sale as the “Classic”, and in 2016 the 2013–2015 body was sold as the “Malibu Limited”. Its engine choices differ from the new car’s, so let us know which body your Malibu has. The 1980–1983 “Malibu Classic” is simply a trim name on the same car, not a carry-over body.
Which 3.8L V6 — 1980–1983
The 3.8L V6 in a 1980–1983 Malibu is either Chevrolet’s 229 or, on a California car, Buick’s 231. They are unrelated engines with different bellhousing bolt patterns, so we check the engine code in the VIN: the fifth character on a 1980 car and the eighth from 1981.
Match the code, not the size
Several displacements came in more than one version: the 3.1L (L82, then LG8), the 3.5L (LX9, then LZ4 and LZE), the 2.4L (LD9, LE5, LE9, LAT, LUK) and the 2.5L (LKW, then LCV). We match the RPO code.
Three different hybrids
The 2008–2010 LAT mild hybrid, the 2013–2014 eAssist LUK and the 2016–2019 LKN Hybrid are three different systems, each with its own engine code, so tell us if your Malibu is a hybrid.
Have your VIN ready
Your VIN gives us the engine code, the model year and, in the overlap years, the body, so we can quote the right engine the first time.
Common Problems
Common Malibu engine problems
Pre-ignition piston damage — 1.5L turbo, 2016–2017
Low-speed pre-ignition, a risk in small direct-injection turbo engines, can crack the pistons of the early 1.5L, causing misfires, oil consumption and low compression. GM’s fix was new engine-control software and an oil change; use a full-synthetic oil approved to dexos1 Gen 2 or later, the GM standard introduced to resist pre-ignition.
Timing-chain wear — 3.6L V6, 2008–2012
Premature chain wear sets timing-correlation codes (P0008, P0016–P0019) and a check-engine light, often with a rattle at startup. Once the chains have stretched, the guides and tensioners are usually worn too.
Intake-manifold gasket leaks — 3.1L V6, 1997–2003
The lower intake manifold gasket on GM’s 3.1L V6s of this era leaks coolant, outside the engine or into the oil. Caught early it is a gasket repair; an engine that has run low on coolant or with coolant in its oil is usually replaced.
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FAQ
Malibu engine questions, answered
Which engine does my Malibu have?
By generation: a 229 or Buick 231 V6, a 267 or 305 V8, a 350 V8 in police cars or, from 1982, a 4.3L or 5.7L Oldsmobile diesel in 1980–1983; a 2.4L or 3.1L in 1997–2003; a 2.2L, 3.5L or 3.9L in 2004–2008; a 2.4L, 3.5L or 3.6L in 2008–2012; a 2.5L, 2.4L eAssist or 2.0L turbo in 2013–2016; and a 1.5L turbo, 2.0L turbo or 1.8L Hybrid in 2016–2025. Send us your VIN and we will confirm the exact code.
My 2016–2017 Malibu 1.5L misfires and uses oil. What could it be?
Pre-ignition damage to the pistons is a known cause on the early 1.5L turbo. Have a dealer read the codes and check your VIN for any open GM campaigns first; if a compression or leak-down test confirms damaged pistons, a replacement engine is the usual route.
Did the Malibu come as a hybrid?
Three times: a 2.4L mild hybrid for 2008–2010, the 2.4L eAssist Eco for 2013–2014, and the 1.8L two-motor Hybrid for 2016–2019. Each hybrid engine has its own code, different from the regular car of its year.
Is the engine covered by a warranty?
Yes. Every engine we sell is covered by warranty, and extended cover is available at extra cost. The full terms are in our Warranty Policy.
Ready to replace your Malibu engine?
Tell us the year and have your VIN to hand — a specialist will confirm the right unit and send you a quote.
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