So as we all know the early 02-03 cars ran into a bad batch of valve springs leading to failure in some cases and numerous preventative actions taken for the LS6 folks.

My story:

Owned the car for about 18 months, daily it. Put nearly 25k on it in that time frame. Currently @ 71k. All stock with the normal maintenance as long as I have owned it. Off the top of my head the car was a 8/01 date on the door jam, the car is a 02. So very early I believe? Not sure, will edit once I check tomorrow.

Anyways, drove nearly 13 miles at 75mph with cruise set and I get to my exit on the freeway and tap the brakes to make my slight right for the exit. Get about 100 feet off the highway and notice heavy steering and look down to see the tach 'falling' and a check 'gages' light. Try to start the car rolling but no luck. Pull over let it sit for a minute and give it a crank, it takes a few tries but it fires up and is stumbling like crazy. Finally get a CEL with the stumbling. Give a little rev to 4k and shes awake for sure so I limp about 400 feet to a gas station where I park this sorry soul.

Do my codes and get P0300 which is a misfire, great. There was another, a 02 sensor I believe, don't remember. Call a wrecker and tow it home on the flat bed.

So tomorrow I'll pull the valve covers and see what the deal is, hoping its not a full rebuild which I think it wouldnt be given that I was able to get the second start, but it didnt like running.

I'm guessing the 1218s are what I will need or whatever the chevy dealer has for a replacements will work too.


As for the 'I told you so' stuff, yeah you did but I like to live dangerously.

 

Good luck - hope it doesn't turn into an expensive repair job.

 

Here we go- Drivers side.

Now my questions are: Since the retainer is still there and it appears the valve stem is there as well, what are the chances that the valve didn't meet the pistion?

It looks like maybe only one coil in the spring broke and the valve dropped roughly 15% or so of its total closed height?

Pac1218s are fine right?

 

I hope no damage and that alls well. Good luck.

 

you can always get a pen cam that hooks up to your phone to and insert the cam into your spark plug hole to inspect for any damage to your piston. that would save you some time and maybe money to see if any damage is done

 

If i pressurized the cylinder with the broke spring and pull the rocker arms if the valve is damaged wont air be seeping past? Not too sure on that theory, first time doing this.

 

Put that piston to TDC so if there is substantial damage to the valve and air blows through the valve will only fall a little and be held up by the piston.

 

GM LS6 Valve Springs #12499224 from Jegs are only good to .550" of lift. Everything I've read is to go with a spring that can handle .600" of lift....

Help? I'd like to be able to order all my parts from one website rather than be all across the internet....

 

Great idea, didnt think of that. Although if there is that much damage, the head is coming off anyways...

 

Why? You said earlier your car is stock. If you intend on keeping it that way, the updated LS6 springs will be fine.

 

Thats why I am confused and in question. Everyone is saying the PAC 1218s are the go to fix and the others are saying the GM updated ones are fine. Car is stock so I would assume the GM updated are good.

Just trying to avoid any re-dos or errors! Thanks

 

Someone chime in on this:

GM LS6 Spring Replacements #12499224
NGK TR55 plugs
New set of GMPP Red wires

Not doing retainers or locks or seals, car ran fine and wont be on the daily duty much longer and will be cam swapped soon.

 

same stock springs i had, they were changed the same week i bought the car

part numbers for your springs and seals are over in my car for sale thread where i list what i've done to the car, check c5s for sale then find my thread on page one. all the part numbers you need are there

 

Thanks, hope to put some miles on her like it appears you did. Love the car, willing to turn the wrench when I need to. GLWS btw

 

If you EVER plan on changing the cam, upgrade the valve springs. If your intent is to leave it stock, use the GM springs.

 

keep in mind many people on the net are "enthusiasts" more power, sustained high rpm, more lift, bigger cams. stock springs are made for the stock cam. the new ones are quite reliable. however, if you're going to mod what mike said is the bottom line

 

Yeah exactly why I am not doing anything else while I'm in there. When the time comes for a cam, I will do new springs, retainers, seals, rockers, yadda yadda.. you get the point. Just trying to get her back on the road in the same form she was a few days ago.

Thanks again guys, appreciate the help and wisdom!!