Mregor

This is what I see as the heart of the problem.

outhouse

If it was we would see similar failure in all these engines.




Engines that fail under 10K should be taken a part to discover the actual point of failure, not just replace and run.

outhouse

Bingo.


Dealership mechanics are paid to replace parts and underpaid ta boot. Not all dealerships have experience with this motor or car.


Some employ great mechanics but not all. I see reinstallation of used dirty or poorly installed parts. A collapsing hose ect ect ect


.

furiousox

That's what I've been doing based on what I've read elsewhere I have a warranty on the LS7 since this forum makes it sound like a ticking time bomb so I'm not too worried, though I still have mechanical empathy just out of pure respect for a 7k redline 427ci engine

RichieRichZ06

I would assume the dealer keeps getting the replacement LS7 engines from a wholesale engine dealer that has a bunch in stock. There have been numerous issues with the 2013 built engines for a rod bearing issue. I've seen a handful of double replacement engines due to the rod bearings fail and all the effected engines has the same date codes on them. They're required to note the original and new serial numbers on the repair order for warranty purposes. I would check to see if those serial numbers are all close to each other. All of the ones I witnessed were all "D" code engines

Wass

Rich, is this 2013 only, or did it occur with the 2012 model year Z?

Vato's C6Z06

If the oil tank is not thoroughly cleaned before throwing in a new engine then no matter how many new engines dealer puts in, metal debris/shavings from the oil tank that must have ended up there after the first engine failure will get in a circulation and mess up the brand new internals. IMO that is why you are on number 4 now

Millenium Z06

He said that the dealer claimed to have replaced the entire oil system which I would assume includes the lines, cooler, tank and the pump. The question is, did they actually replace all these parts

Rjhctrapp

what did the oil samples come back with on the other 3 engines? I've seen race cars on oval tracks blow engines that were not up to operating temps but a factory street car, not ever. I'd be looking at the torque tube and parts that stayed with the car in the engine swap. Did the op see the old oil coolers, reservoirs and know for sure they were replaced with the engines? I'd be very discouraged also if I were him.


why wouldn't the next engine be covered under warranty if they can't prove its him damaging it? I'd find and independent shop to do it this time and disassemble the failed engine, find out what's causing the oil pressure loss. After the second engine, the dealer should have done this. I'll stop and talk to the tech that did my engine swap and ask his opinion on what would cause 4 engines to fail in the same car. As much as I love my corvette, this would drive me to trade it off and start over.

sccaGT1racer

I wonder why the OP would leave a post like that and not follow up.

Dan_the_C5_Man

Was about to post the same thing - maybe he will come back - but like the other thread, where I asked 3 times for some feedback on the guides of his blown engine, crickets (so far).

I imagine when these events occur, top priority is not feeding us information about the failures. Too bad, a lot of missed opportunities.

Gary '09 C6

hopefully the OP is negotiating favorable settlement with the dealer and/or GM, and isn't ready to discuss it yet...loss of four engines is just crazy.

C6Z06C6

Is this guy for real? Sounds unrealistic

JMB

I know that it's a stupid question but how often do you actually check your oil level....it's possible that the tech's never put in the proper amount of oil and if it wasn't checked it could certainly lead to this type of issue.

As the owner of two different LS7's in 2 different cars something just isn't making sense here.....especially when one of my motors is at 700+ RWHP NA on the stock short block that has over 20K miles on it.

RichieRichZ06

All of the engines we have replaced for that issue have been in 2013 models or engines that were produced in 2013

MTPZ06

In for details...4 engines sounds absurd.

FrankTank

I've seen examples of 2 engines failing here for all types of reasons its not very very rare but it happens, 3 failures and I'd also be really looking at the entire installation process by the dealer..and as pointed out above, is the oil pan and the entire Oil system really being replaced, or are they cutting corners and trying to clean and reuse old parts and just telling you its all new parts? Outside of that you have just terrible luck.. or its something to do with your driving style or how the motor is being broken in.

rabrooks

Apologies for delays in posting.
Here's the whole story
Factory engine lost oil pressure at 75 mph on interstate still under warranty at 39k miles
Replacement #1 locked up at 2500 miles basically no warning. GM claims the engine suffered from failed coating on the Ti connecting rods.
Replacement #2 had a tick the day I picked it up from the dealer. Dealer said its under warranty, drive it. Around 5500 miles the tick became a knock. The knock was a spun rod bearing. Oil pressure was lower but still not scary low.
Replacement #3 came to me with all kinds of conditions from GM. No warranty, Flash computer back to factory tune. etc So it was doing good until recently. The oil pressure dropped significantly over a 500 mile period. Oil p. is at 15 psi idle at 170* and 31 psi at 1300 rpm. when oil temp is at 190, idle pressure is 13 and 1300 is 28. I have stopped driving the car until I can investigate.

All engines were treated gently for 1000 miles Break in oil was replaced at or around 1000 miles It was replaced with Mobil 1 5w30. Only the last engine had 1 weekend of track time.

Most recent oil sample shows abnormal amount of aluminum in the oil.

I hope the oil pump isn't going out and I hope the bearings aren't toast. I want to save this engine and I want to do so without help from GM. If the engine is toast then I will seek help from GM.

The dealer is very reputable and knows these cars very well. Only one tech works on these cars and he maintains a few track cars for customers. I'm confident the dealer and tech have done they're jobs properly

Oil samples attached. I think the first one is of replacement #2 and the 6-30-16 sample is the current engine with the past two samplings

CB1953

Why was there no warranty for engine #3?

rabrooks

I suppose they can claim the tune voids warranty but a precedent had already been set. They really never gave a clear reason. I figured they don't have a ground to stand on if this last engine died, since they haven't given me a good engine since the factory one croaked. So I accepted the offer and decided I could challenge it if I had to. Looks like I may have to. I contacted the dealer this morning