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Which engine prone to fewer problems?

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Old Dec 30, 2005 | 03:01 AM
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Default Which engine prone to fewer problems?

From what I've read, the engine was modified for 2001 to squeeze out a few more horses, but that as a result, there were/are some oil burning issues that were subsequently corrected for the 2002MY. What about the engines that were supplied in '99 or '00? Granted, less HP, but if it were between a 2000 and 2001 C5, would I be better off going with the 2000 in terms of reliability and easier maintenance? I'm still shooting for a 2002 vert, but if I can get a better deal on a 2000, would I be unwise to consider it? Is the 2002 MY that much of an improvement, engine wise?

Best wishes,

Jeff

Still searching for the '02 C5 vert of myth and legend to call my own
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Old Dec 30, 2005 | 04:26 AM
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I can't answer your question directly, but my '03 has had no problems whatsoever. I normally go about 6000 miles between oil changes (that gets the oil life remaining on the DIC at about 25%) and it has used no oil at all in that time.
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Old Dec 30, 2005 | 05:58 AM
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My 99 has ~100k on the clock and still ticking. with a 2002 you get the LS6 intake for free though

Shane
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Old Dec 30, 2005 | 06:10 AM
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My 2000 LS1 had the oil consumption problem, but I think that was more of a rarity than normal occurrance. Other than that, the engine has been very reliable over its now 29.5K miles.
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Old Dec 30, 2005 | 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
My 2000 LS1 had the oil consumption problem, but I think that was more of a rarity than normal occurrance. Other than that, the engine has been very reliable over its now 29.5K miles.
When you say had the oil consumption problem, are you suggesting that it no longer does? If so, how did you address it and was it an expensive fix? Thank you for the replies.
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Old Dec 30, 2005 | 12:58 PM
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my 01 used 1 1/2 quarts of oil in the first 1000 miles so they put new rings in it and at 9000 miles they put a new engine in it becouse of scored piston walls

Besides that I have had about 10 other engine problems if I recall correctly.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 10:19 AM
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My oo vert doesn't use any oil. It had 5000 mile on the last oil change and I didn't have to add a drop. The DIC showed 35% oil life remaining. There was only 5 hp difference between the 97 to 00s and 01 to 04s thats not enough to worry about, the difference in cars can be more than that. The 00s had the biggest cams in them from what I've read.

Be careful of the 01s and early 02s due to the ring problem. You can check with the dealer to see if the rings were replaced, if they were then I wouldn't be worried about getting an 01.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 10:23 AM
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98 has 31,000 strong as hell!!
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 10:27 AM
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I owned 2 of the 01 models and neither of them had oil burning issues. One was an A4 and the other a MN6.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 10:37 AM
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My 02 runs great (47,000)
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 11:03 AM
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Bullet proof 97, no problems at all except for mod fever.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Dilligas
I owned 2 of the 01 models and neither of them had oil burning issues. One was an A4 and the other a MN6.
My A4 '01 hasn't burned one drop in 29,000 miles and I accelerate HARD!
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 12:31 PM
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According to comsumer reports the 2004 has the best score, the new c6 came in way below it.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 03:27 PM
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I have light piston slap in my 2000. Otherwise, no problems.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by JMc
From what I've read, the engine was modified for 2001 to squeeze out a few more horses, but that as a result, there were/are some oil burning issues that were subsequently corrected for the 2002MY.?

Jeff
The change from 345HP to 350HP in '01 was due to a change in the air intake/management system. The MAF and T-body ports were enlarged a bit. It had nothing to do with the oil consumption problem - totally unrelated!

Oil consumption actually effected a small percentage of cars compared to the whole, and continued into 2001 production. It was caused by an improper gap between the piston and cylinder wall which exceeded the capability of the "wipers" to contain it. The fix, under warranty, was to replace/add a third wiper ring to the head of the pistons (from memory here). It required pulling the engine and the head. This would have been done only by a dealer and should be noted in the service records of the car. Any GM dealer should be able to access the records.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by C5-BRUCE
The change from 345HP to 350HP in '01 was due to a change in the air intake/management system. The MAF and T-body ports were enlarged a bit. It had nothing to do with the oil consumption problem - totally unrelated!

Oil consumption actually effected a small percentage of cars compared to the whole, and continued into 2001 production. It was caused by an improper gap between the piston and cylinder wall which exceeded the capability of the "wipers" to contain it. The fix, under warranty, was to replace/add a third wiper ring to the head of the pistons (from memory here). It required pulling the engine and the head. This would have been done only by a dealer and should be noted in the service records of the car. Any GM dealer should be able to access the records.
Excellent info, thank you. So in your opinion, do you think that pretty much any '01 engine that exhibited this problem has already had it taken care of under warranty, rendering this a "non-issue" as I continue my quest for a car? Also, if I entertain the thought of buying an '01, I will certainly have the records checked to see if this repair was carried out. If not, would I be well advised to avoid that particular car?

Many thanks again.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by JMc
<snip> So in your opinion, do you think that pretty much any '01 engine that exhibited this problem has already had it taken care of under warranty...?
Jeff - I would not make that assumption. Lots of owners dumped cars because of this issue, not knowing there was a fix - warranty only. It's up to you to do as much research as possible, by VIN number, and learn as much as you can. Best would be to buy a car with a GMPP extended warranty which is still in effect. What is it they say - BUYER BEWARE.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 07:19 PM
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Keep in mind that not only did the HP & TQ increase in 2001, but there were significant upgrades in Active Handling/Traction Control, suspension, etc. Read the details here >>> http://www.corvettemuseum.com/specs/2001/index.htm
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Old Jan 1, 2006 | 04:05 AM
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Originally Posted by JMc
From what I've read, the engine was modified for 2001 to squeeze out a few more horses, but that as a result, there were/are some oil burning issues that were subsequently corrected for the 2002MY. What about the engines that were supplied in '99 or '00? Granted, less HP, but if it were between a 2000 and 2001 C5, would I be better off going with the 2000 in terms of reliability and easier maintenance? I'm still shooting for a 2002 vert, but if I can get a better deal on a 2000, would I be unwise to consider it? Is the 2002 MY that much of an improvement, engine wise?
Grasshopper, you worry too much. This basic engine design hasn't changed much since 1954. Manufacturing problems were uncovered and solved quickly because of the knowledge base. Any issues you will run across on an early 2001 will be non existent or already repaired under warrantee.

The minor HP differences on base C5's pre/post 2001 will be more than made up for by individual car performance and such small differences are likely made up by air intake/exhaust modifications by peoplel worried about the difference.

Go get a car. Love it. Drive it like you stole it for a couple of hundred thousand miles. Many pieces will fail during that deep duty cycle, but the engine is the most solid piece in the system and will probably keep right on ticking.
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Old Jan 1, 2006 | 04:50 AM
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Originally Posted by cbx1047cc
Bullet proof 97, no problems at all except for mod fever.
110%
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