Jay_Davis

Just to let everyone know as soon as possible, it looks like a bulletin is going out changing the maintenance schedule on Z51/Z06 cars (anything with a dry sump) requiring that an oil change be done after the 500 mile break-in period. Apparently his is in response to the engine blow-ups that have been widely covered on this forum. So I suggest that anyone past 500 miles that hasn't done an oil/filter change yet, do so. I'm at 1700 miles and was not planning on changing it until spring, but now I'm going have it done very soon.

If anyone has the bulletin itself, please post it (or a link to it).

Algiers

There's a pretty extensive thread on this here. It shows the letter from GM on it but doesn't explain why they are changing it. The bulletin doesn't appear to be available yet.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...500-miles.html

Glen e

Yeah, you have no idea why they are doing this, some gm people contacted today are not saying.....

Zymurgy

Apparently this is pure conjecture on your part. There has been no comment from GM on why they are doing this.

ratmotortom

For new Z51 or Z06 Corvette owners...

2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes – Additional Required Maintenance..

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Date: 11/24/2014 Ref. number: Service / Service Operations / G_0000205212
Subject: 2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes – Additional Required Maintenance

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To: Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac Dealers

2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes – Additional Required Maintenance

The following message only applies to dry sump Corvettes that have not had their first oil change performed.

Some 2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes may experience a condition that leads to oil leaking out from the air cleaner assembly. This condition may be caused by running the engine continuously at a high engine speed with the first factory fill oil, resulting in silicone sealants in the engine’s gaskets degrading the oil’s anti-foaming agents. The oil foam has no effect on the engine’s durability.

Effective Immediately:

GM is changing the required maintenance schedule for all 2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes equipped with dry sump systems. The new schedule will require the oil/filter be changed immediately after the break-in period, which occurs after the first 500 miles of operation. Once the break-in oil change is performed and the Oil Life Monitoring system is reset, customers should follow the Oil Life Monitoring system for all future oil change needs.

The 2nd printing of the 2015 Owner Manuals is being updated with this change. These manuals will not be in the glove box material until January 2015. For vehicles produced before this change, and for all vehicles going forward, it is important to notify the customers that a change has been made, and they will need to have the vehicle’s oil changed after the break-in period. Copies of the new maintenance grid will be available on GMPROGRAMINFO.com, under Chevrolet, Resources.

As you are aware, all 2014/2015 Corvettes come with Chevrolet Complete Care which covers 2 years/24,000 miles of select required maintenance. Previously, up to 4 service events were allowed under the program guidelines in the 2-year/24,000-mile period. With the change in the maintenance schedule being effective immediately, an additional oil change allowance will be added to 2014/2015 Z51 and Z06 Corvettes, increasing the amount of coverage to 2 years/24,000 miles, up to 5 service events.

Please make sure all dealership personnel are aware of this change.

bearphoto

Thank you Tom from Buds Chevrolet!

Glen e

bump

lifebeginsat170

If anyone is wondering why this 500 mile oil change is needed, this article gives the details.

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=4164

Here is the guts of the description.
"If the vehicle is driven continuously at a high engine speed with the first factory oil fill, silicone sealants in the engine’s gaskets may degrade the anti-foaming properties of the oil. This may lead to oil leaking out from the air cleaner assembly due to the oil foaming condition. The oil foam does not affect the engine’s durability, but changing the oil at 500 miles will help prevent oil foaming in the future because the silicone sealants are removed with the original oil."

May the torque be with you!

DonaldK

Does anyone know if the 500 mile oil change applies to the 2016 Z51?

Classic-Chevy-Guy

Yes, it is noted in the 2016 Owners Manual, page 299

blown81bu

what about doing it earlier?

owc6

From what I understand, it has to do with foaming in the oil due to the gaskets/seals, so the 500 miles is long enough to let the compounds get into the oil, and then be "flushed" with the oil change. Wait longer, and the foaming continues until the first oil change. Change it sooner, and the compounds are still getting into the oil, and will be around until the oil is changed AGAIN.

flibynyte

anyone ever find a link or actual pdf of the service bulletin that I may provide to my local Chevrolet service department?

dval

If you have a dry sump have the service person look it up when you bring it in for the 500 mile service it will show 3 oil changes on his computer for your car . I had no problem with a 16 z51

BIG Dave

It's post #5 or #8. Or tell your dealer to reference TSB G_0000205212.

JerryU

Unlike the opening post in this thread, it has nothing to do with engines "blowing-up!" In fact this is a quote from post #8 that shows the wording in the bulletin:

"This condition may be caused by running the engine continuously at a high engine speed with the first factory fill oil, resulting in silicone sealants in the engine’s gaskets degrading the oil’s anti-foaming agents. The oil foam has no effect on the engine’s durability."

As noted, the foam is caused by silicone sealants degrading the antifoam agents in the Mobil 1 and NOT to get ride of debris etc or it would apply to wet sumps. As you note if changed too soon the sealants might still be out-gassing etc.

After some research into oil foaming in general (since this bulletin did not come out for over a year after I got my Z51 and I changed oil at 1500 miles and had no problems) oil foam occurs in high speed pumps. What better place to occur than in the oil scavenge pump that pulls all the oil and lots of air from the pan into the dry sump tank. Perfect spot to aerate the oil! GM doesn't mention that but would appear to be the reason it's not an issue with wet sumps.

The only thing this is supposed to prevent is oil foam burping with the air from the dry sump tank to the air intake duct and then running down the duct, soaking the air cleaner then dripping on the ground! What is funny, doubt many folks operate their engine as the bulletin says at sustained high speeds during break-in. In addition for the years after this bulletin and folks changing oil at 500 miles there are many still posting dripping oil! IMO it is dealers overfilling dry sumps NOT this foaming that is the majority of the cause! GM just did not want to put blame on some of the incompetent dealer oil change folks!

flibynyte

I am approaching 400 miles of Z51 break in. If the oil continues to be Mobile 1, what change has been made, or is the silicone due only to new engine parts? I assume the dealer knows about this and will not scoff at my 500 mile service?

dval

When the service dept puts your vin # in it will show 3 free oil changes 1st at 500 miles just make sure thay use mobil 1 and follow the the dry sump procedures I Think GM has taking care of the initial confusion.

flibynyte

actually I have four...I thought the service bulletin added a 5th?

dval

If it's a 16 z51 gm gives 3