[Z06] Dropped Valve
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
There were just under 17000 Z06s built for 2002-2003.. There are 130 reports of broken valve springs on those models (this forum).. Thats less than 1%.. Numbers maybe as high as 3-4% are possible.. that would be 510-680 engines with vavle spring failure.. Statistically its very rare to break a spring.. I called 3 local hi volume Corvette speedshops in Dallas and 2 dealerships and asked the question.. Sure enough its almost unheard of.. I still replaced mine just to be safe.. I don't want to be in that 3-4% group..
lol. I bought mine last fall and saw that on the GM service history report. They probably tell their dealers not to talk about it with customers to avoid a potential recall and lawsuits from hundreds to possibly thousands of people who had to replace their engines due to this failure...Im shocked that any corvette speed shop would have never heard of this problem. I know that some shops around here have rebuilt or replaced motors for guys due to this problem.I just finished up my spring replacement last weekend, I dont care how remote of a possibility this is, even if its 5% or more, thats way to high for me to feel comfortable driving it knowing that a $5 valve spring could end up costing me $5-10k in bills.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
I'd estimate that only 10% or less of all the failures in those 17,000 Z06s built were reported here. That would make it more like a 7~10% failure rate IMO. Every few days, it seems like someone else reports a failed valve spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 161
From: PNW
Why do I think this is a problem GM tried to keep quiet...my car had the entire engine replaced at just 5k miles for unknown reason....hmmm what could it have been lol. I bought mine last fall and saw that on the GM service history report. They probably tell their dealers not to talk about it with customers to avoid a potential recall and lawsuits from hundreds to possibly thousands of people who had to replace their engines due to this failure ...
lol. I bought mine last fall and saw that on the GM service history report. They probably tell their dealers not to talk about it with customers to avoid a potential recall and lawsuits from hundreds to possibly thousands of people who had to replace their engines due to this failure ...
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 734
Likes: 2
From: Mt. Airy MD
Why do I think this is a problem GM tried to keep quiet...my car had the entire engine replaced at just 5k miles for unknown reason....hmmm what could it have been lol. I bought mine last fall and saw that on the GM service history report. They probably tell their dealers not to talk about it with customers to avoid a potential recall and lawsuits from hundreds to possibly thousands of people who had to replace their engines due to this failure...Im shocked that any corvette speed shop would have never heard of this problem. I know that some shops around here have rebuilt or replaced motors for guys due to this problem.
I just finished up my spring replacement last weekend, I dont care how remote of a possibility this is, even if its 5% or more, thats way to high for me to feel comfortable driving it knowing that a $5 valve spring could end up costing me $5-10k in bills.
lol. I bought mine last fall and saw that on the GM service history report. They probably tell their dealers not to talk about it with customers to avoid a potential recall and lawsuits from hundreds to possibly thousands of people who had to replace their engines due to this failure...Im shocked that any corvette speed shop would have never heard of this problem. I know that some shops around here have rebuilt or replaced motors for guys due to this problem.I just finished up my spring replacement last weekend, I dont care how remote of a possibility this is, even if its 5% or more, thats way to high for me to feel comfortable driving it knowing that a $5 valve spring could end up costing me $5-10k in bills.
OP this isn't directed at you, just making a statement. I'm sorry about your misfortune.
