P0172 - Gasoline in Oil 2019 Equinox 2.0L Turbo

[billyrabbit]

I have owned this vehicle for 6 months. Recently had a P0172 code that caused CEL to come on. Was also smelling gas from time to time. After changing oil (7000 km and 40% life left) I have had no more issues. I tend to drive many short trips under 10 km. Research on the web shows this to be a common problem and I now know to change oil when 50% oil life is indicated. Vehicle only has 58,000 km on it. I've seen suggestions about using High Mileage Synthetic oil or changing the weight to 5W-40.

Is there anything else I can be doing?

 

[Big Papi]

Do not use a High Mileage oil. The elevated detergent additive (calcium) can cause low speed pre-ignition (LSPI) in a GDI engine leading to significant damage. Stick with a Dexos1 gen 3 approved oil in the specific grade for your year. Engine oil also performs hydraulic functions for the cam actuators and monkeying with it can affect cam timing. Better to track down the rich condition and remedy it. Test & confirm don't guess. Internet advice is worth exactly what you pat for it. Good luck.

 

[billyrabbit]

Thanks for the info. I don't think there is any remedy for the problem of gas dilution. The P0172 (Fuel too rich) is a result of too much gas in the oil. I had a code which I cleared, following by a pending code and after I changed the oil the problem has not happened. There are many references on the internet about the design of the engine which introduces gas directly into the cylinder rather than mixing with air and this causes dilution to occur. Seems that the only solution is to change oil more frequently. I needed to change oil at just over 4000 miles. I ran a live data capture and the fuel pressures, oxygen sensor, and fuel trims are now showing normal.

 

[DoubleD]

I use mileage to determine when I change the oil. 2000 miles. New Mobil One and new Mobil oil filter. Use ONLY Top Tier Gas. I do not pay attention to the percentage flag at all. I do, however, pay attention to the tire inflation that can be located on the screen. 1.5 2018 E
Ps, I know folks will say I am wasting money by changing too often. Cheaper than a new engine.

 

[John H.]

Thanks for the info. I don't think there is any remedy for the problem of gas dilution. The P0172 (Fuel too rich) is a result of too much gas in the oil. I had a code which I cleared, following by a pending code and after I changed the oil the problem has not happened. There are many references on the internet about the design of the engine which introduces gas directly into the cylinder rather than mixing with air and this causes dilution to occur. Seems that the only solution is to change oil more frequently. I needed to change oil at just over 4000 miles. I ran a live data capture and the fuel pressures, oxygen sensor, and fuel trims are now showing normal.

I never go over 4,000 miles. Normally, 3,000 and I change in a GDI engine.