Chevrolet Colorado Used Engines

Colorado engines are the same parts as the GMC Canyon, so the pool is wider than the model name suggests - a correctly coded Canyon engine of the same year fits. As with the Canyon there are two separate trucks here. The 2004-2012 Colorado used the Vortec inline four and five-cylinder engines, which are unusual engines that found their way only into this truck, the Canyon, the Hummer H3 and the Isuzu i-Series. The 2015 truck is a new vehicle with the 2.5, the 3.6 and the 2.8 Duramax.

Chevrolet Colorado Used Engines — engine options by generation

How to pick the right one

Establish which truck you have first - 2004-2012 or 2015-onward - because nothing crosses that line. Then the cylinder count and the exact year: GM enlarged both the four and the five-cylinder for 2007, so a 2.8 is not a 2.9 and a 3.5 is not a 3.7 even though they share the family. Hummer H3 and Isuzu i-290 and i-370 engines are the same parts if you find one listed that way. On the new truck the 2.5 and 3.6 are different engines and the Duramax is a diesel. Send the VIN and we confirm the eighth character against the build before anything ships.

What usually fails on these engines

The 3.7 Vortec inline five cracks its cylinder head between the valve seats, which is the signature failure of this engine and the reason most of them get replaced - GM extended the warranty on the 2007-2010 range. The giveaway is coolant loss with no visible leak and a cooling system that pressurises. A head alone is a gamble; a tested engine is the better buy. On the 2015-onward truck, the 3.6 LGZ wants its timing chain watched and the variable valve timing solenoids are a common service item, while the 2.5 LCV punishes a low oil level because the chain is driven off a two-stage pump. Every engine here is compression and leak-down tested with the sheet in the box.

What ships with every unit

• Compression and leak-down tested before it is listed, with the test sheet in the box.
• VIN matched fitment — send us your VIN and we confirm the engine code against your vehicle before the order ships.
• Written warranty on every engine, with labour coverage available.
• Free freight anywhere in the lower 48, shipped on a pallet to a commercial address or a terminal.

Related reading: GM 5.3L Vortec engine guide, all engine guides.

Chevrolet Colorado used engines - frequently asked questions

Which engines did the Chevrolet Colorado use?

Across 2004 to today the Chevrolet Colorado was built with 2.8L Vortec I4 LK5, 3.5L Vortec I5 L52, 2.9L Vortec I4 LLV, 3.7L Vortec I5 LLR, 5.3L Vortec V8 LH8, 2.5L LCV I4, 3.6L LGZ V6 and 2.8L Duramax I4 LWN. The table above lists which one belongs to each generation, with the engine family and VIN character that identifies it.

How do I know which engine is in my Chevrolet Colorado?

The eighth character of the VIN encodes the engine on almost every US vehicle, and that is the only reliable way to settle it - two cars of the same year and trim can carry different engines. Send us the VIN and we check the engine code against your vehicle before anything ships.

Will an engine from a different year fit my Chevrolet Colorado?

Establish which truck you have first - 2004-2012 or 2015-onward - because nothing crosses that line. Then the cylinder count and the exact year: GM enlarged both the four and the five-cylinder for 2007, so a 2.8 is not a 2.9 and a 3.5 is not a 3.7 even though they share the family.

What usually fails on these engines?

The 3.7 Vortec inline five cracks its cylinder head between the valve seats, which is the signature failure of this engine and the reason most of them get replaced - GM extended the warranty on the 2007-2010 range. The giveaway is coolant loss with no visible leak and a cooling system that pressurises.

What comes with a used Chevrolet Colorado engine?

Every engine is compression and leak-down tested before it is listed and the test sheet ships in the box. Fitment is VIN matched before the order goes out, every engine carries a written warranty with labour coverage available, and freight is free anywhere in the lower 48.