What maintenance requires dropping the engine / transaxle?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,523
What maintenance requires dropping the engine / transaxle?
We've now seen at least two reports that changing out the accessory belt(s) requires dropping the engine. Previously, GM personnel stated that "normal" maintenance would not require the engine to be dropped. Also, that the C8 meets or exceed all GM standards for service times.
Does the engine need to be dropped to change the belt(s), alternator, water pump, or other front of the engine components? Which ones?
Thanks!
Does the engine need to be dropped to change the belt(s), alternator, water pump, or other front of the engine components? Which ones?
Thanks!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 246
I’ve looked through the whole manual and found that belts,alternator, starter, intake and exhaust manifolds, balancer all serviced in vehicle. Anything the oil tank has to come off for is an engine out service. For example heads, and coolant crossover. The water pump oddly isn’t listed separately. Not sure why as I haven’t checked how part is serviced.
there are other items that require rear crossmember removal only such as mounts and oil pan.
trans replacement only requires engine support and not complete powertrain removal.
there is a large access panel in the trunk for air box and top of trans access
Heater and evaporator core requires both doors and cross car beam removal.
As a tech the only thing I worry about is top
of engine and work in trunk access as I’m leaning over taller rear quarters than lower front fenders and vehicles with the high wing spoiler are going to be a little challenging.
As I always say for a pro it’s all just nuts and bolts. I don’t find it anymore difficult than any of our other vehicles. It’s still not as tight as a diesel pickup.
I am trying to find some good fender covers for the C8’s.
there are other items that require rear crossmember removal only such as mounts and oil pan.
trans replacement only requires engine support and not complete powertrain removal.
there is a large access panel in the trunk for air box and top of trans access
Heater and evaporator core requires both doors and cross car beam removal.
As a tech the only thing I worry about is top
of engine and work in trunk access as I’m leaning over taller rear quarters than lower front fenders and vehicles with the high wing spoiler are going to be a little challenging.
As I always say for a pro it’s all just nuts and bolts. I don’t find it anymore difficult than any of our other vehicles. It’s still not as tight as a diesel pickup.
I am trying to find some good fender covers for the C8’s.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,556
I’ve looked through the whole manual and found that belts,alternator, starter, intake and exhaust manifolds, balancer all serviced in vehicle. Anything the oil tank has to come off for is an engine out service. For example heads, and coolant crossover. The water pump oddly isn’t listed separately. Not sure why as I haven’t checked how part is serviced.
there are other items that require rear crossmember removal only such as mounts and oil pan.
trans replacement only requires engine support and not complete powertrain removal.
there is a large access panel in the trunk for air box and top of trans access
Heater and evaporator core requires both doors and cross car beam removal.
As a tech the only thing I worry about is top
of engine and work in trunk access as I’m leaning over taller rear quarters than lower front fenders and vehicles with the high wing spoiler are going to be a little challenging.
As I always say for a pro it’s all just nuts and bolts. I don’t find it anymore difficult than any of our other vehicles. It’s still not as tight as a diesel pickup.
I am trying to find some good fender covers for the C8’s.
there are other items that require rear crossmember removal only such as mounts and oil pan.
trans replacement only requires engine support and not complete powertrain removal.
there is a large access panel in the trunk for air box and top of trans access
Heater and evaporator core requires both doors and cross car beam removal.
As a tech the only thing I worry about is top
of engine and work in trunk access as I’m leaning over taller rear quarters than lower front fenders and vehicles with the high wing spoiler are going to be a little challenging.
As I always say for a pro it’s all just nuts and bolts. I don’t find it anymore difficult than any of our other vehicles. It’s still not as tight as a diesel pickup.
I am trying to find some good fender covers for the C8’s.
Last edited by RapidC84B; Mar 13, 2020 at 12:34 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,870
Likes: 961
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
@ChiTownVetteTech You have to take the freaking doors off to work on the AC or heater core! WTF! I know you can mark the bolt heads, but I wouldn't trust many tech's to take the time to make sure the door is aligned perfectly. Also where are you going to lay a door assembly with door panel to where the "beak" doesn't get damaged or the interior door panel doesn't get scuffed up?
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 246
I wouldn’t stress this so much. It’s only for repairs requiring hvac case removal. In 25 years of working on vettes I can count on one hand how many times I’ve removed an hvac case. 2 of them were for rodent problems.
I completely understand how you all feel about some of the techs (I use that term loosely) that work on these cars. I have seen plenty of bad through the years.
I can’t reinforce enough to get to know your dealer tech. If I had to ever pull doors be it on a Vette or a Cruze I would take care of it as it was my own. They wouldn’t be laying on the floor and would get lined up as good as the day they were installed.
I completely understand how you all feel about some of the techs (I use that term loosely) that work on these cars. I have seen plenty of bad through the years.
I can’t reinforce enough to get to know your dealer tech. If I had to ever pull doors be it on a Vette or a Cruze I would take care of it as it was my own. They wouldn’t be laying on the floor and would get lined up as good as the day they were installed.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
Likes: 14,556
Can you get the cluster screen and console screens out without pulling the dash? They had some infant mortality on C7s.
What about the HVAC blend door? That failed on a few C7s.
My local dealer tech has been solid, but I’m a perfectionist and he’s trying to make a living getting laid book time. I usually tip him.
What about the HVAC blend door? That failed on a few C7s.
My local dealer tech has been solid, but I’m a perfectionist and he’s trying to make a living getting laid book time. I usually tip him.
Last edited by RapidC84B; Mar 13, 2020 at 11:26 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 200
Likes: 246
Can you get the cluster screen and console screens out without pulling the dash? They had some infant mortality on C7s.
What about the HVAC blend door? That failed on a few C7s.
My local dealer tech has been solid, but I’m a perfectionist and he’s trying to make a living getting laid book time. I usually tip him.
What about the HVAC blend door? That failed on a few C7s.
My local dealer tech has been solid, but I’m a perfectionist and he’s trying to make a living getting laid book time. I usually tip him.
Thats funny “getting laid book time”. Sometimes it feels like it.
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