2001 question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
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From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
2001 question
I am looking at a 2001coupe. Somewhere in the back of my old brain, I seem to remember there was a problem with the rings on some engines being installed incorrectly. And, I think it was on the 2001 models. Anybody recall this? Any info on the VINs of the affected cars? Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
I have a 2001, as far as I know there is no recall, but they are known for burning a little extra oil compared to other years. I'm sure there is someone here who can elaborate further 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 870
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From: Andreas Pennsylvania
I have a 2001. The rings weren't installed incorrectly they just were low tension rings that are known for allowing oil to get by. My car definitley has this issue. I solve most of the problem with a catch can. I never heard anyone locking it down to specific VIN numbers, it seems more like it is hit or miss. Not a huge deal anyway. A catch can solves the issue for $150. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,649
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From: Goldsboro NC
I believe you may be referring to the 01ZO6. I'm not aware of the problem for base C5's. The 01ZO6's experience ring flutter above 3k rpm causing some consumption. Back when I had the original engine, I had to add a half court every 1500mi or so with very spirited driving. For someone who putts around or the occasional highway punch, it should be far less.
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There was not a recall, but a technical service bulletin was issued. If excessive oil consumption was happening, the repair involved replacing the number 2 piston ring. I know because I had the problem on my 2000 6-speed coupe and I had the rings replaced under warranty.
From what I can recall, the problem normally surfaced in high RPM situations and was mainly on the manual tranny cars. It did not happen on all cars, but determining which ones were affected could be hard without owning the car for a while and checking the oil usage or if the current owner says it uses some oil.
I will post the TSB in a while when I get to my computer.
From what I can recall, the problem normally surfaced in high RPM situations and was mainly on the manual tranny cars. It did not happen on all cars, but determining which ones were affected could be hard without owning the car for a while and checking the oil usage or if the current owner says it uses some oil.
I will post the TSB in a while when I get to my computer.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Apr 4, 2018 at 10:21 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 550
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From: Fort Myers Florida
I am looking at a 2001coupe. Somewhere in the back of my old brain, I seem to remember there was a problem with the rings on some engines being installed incorrectly. And, I think it was on the 2001 models. Anybody recall this? Any info on the VINs of the affected cars? Thanks.
Last edited by midnight01; Apr 4, 2018 at 10:25 AM. Reason: wrong info
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 807
Likes: 239
there was/is an issue with from the rings and you can tell by when you start the car from being off for longer then 4 hours, you will hear it making a slight knocking noise that goes away pretty quickly once the oil starts to flow. Some people brought theirs back under warranty but GM did not fix every single one. It was a car to car basis. Mine does it but I don't have a lot of oil blowby. I installed a catch can just in case. It should not be a deal breaker because currently I have 144K on the odometer and no issue yet and no oil burning either..
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I have an early 2001 Zo6 (built November 2000) with 20k. It goes through about a quart every 1500 to 1700 miles. No smoke and nothing on the bumper to indicate oil usage. I drive it fairly easy and rarely go over 4000 rpm. I understand this not to be unusual and does not mean there is an engine problem per se. With that said, I am taking it in next week for some other work and plan to ask about a catch can to help with the issue.
I am looking at a 2001coupe. Somewhere in the back of my old brain, I seem to remember there was a problem with the rings on some engines being installed incorrectly. And, I think it was on the 2001 models. Anybody recall this? Any info on the VINs of the affected cars? Thanks.
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
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Here is the TSB:
NOTE: My dealership replaced the rings in my '00 (around 11K miles on the car at the time) when I documented an oil consumption rate of one quart every 1200 miles or so and I was not keeping the car in the upper RPM range. After ring replacement, I did not have any further oil consumption problems and I sold the car with around 37K miles on it.
TSB #01-06-01-023
Higher Than Expected Oil Consumption (Replace Rings)
1999-2001 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, 1999-2001 Pontiac Firebird with 5.7L Engine (VINs G, S -- RPOs LS1, LS6)
Condition
Some owners may comment on higher than expected oil consumption. When checked, the oil consumption could be in the range of 400-600 miles per quart (700-1000 km/L).
Cause
The cause for this condition may be an interaction between the piston rings and the cylinder bore in vehicles that are operated at higher RPMs -- typically manual transmission vehicles driven in a manner where the engine is frequently or consistently operating at greater than 3200 RPM.
Correction
A new set of piston rings is currently available through GMSPO. The new rings are part of a complete piston ring kit. Install only the number 2 compression ring and the oil expander ring from the piston ring kit. All other rings in the piston ring kit should be discarded. The original number 1 compression ring and the oil ring rails should be re-used in their original positions on the piston. All pistons should be used in the same cylinder bore.
Important
Do not dress or hone the cylinder bore. Nothing should be done to change the bore finish for this condition. Changing the bore finish may aggravate the condition.
Refer to the Unit Repair Manual for appropriate ring removal and replacement procedure.
The number 1 compression ring and the upper and lower oil expander rails are re-used because they are already broken in for the bore that they are in. The new number 2 compression ring is made with a very sharp edge that will break in quickly.
Changing only the piston rings noted, with no change in driving style, should change oil consumption to an acceptable level. Changes in driving style that reduce the amount of time spent at higher RPMs will also positively effect oil consumption.
In addition to the standard size piston ring kit listed below, a 0.25 mm oversized piston ring kit is available. The oversized piston ring kit should only be used in those rare instances where the cylinder bore size has been machined larger to accommodate the 0.25 mm oversized piston rings.
Parts Information
Part Number/Description/Qty
12568002 Valley Cover 1
88984247 Ring Kit, Piston 8
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation/Description/Labor Time
J0250/Manifold or Gasket Intake - Replace Manifold/Use Published
Labor Operation Time
J1307/Piston, Rod and/or Rings—Replace, Both Banks/Use
Published Labor Time
Higher Than Expected Oil Consumption (Replace Rings)
1999-2001 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, 1999-2001 Pontiac Firebird with 5.7L Engine (VINs G, S -- RPOs LS1, LS6)
Condition
Some owners may comment on higher than expected oil consumption. When checked, the oil consumption could be in the range of 400-600 miles per quart (700-1000 km/L).
Cause
The cause for this condition may be an interaction between the piston rings and the cylinder bore in vehicles that are operated at higher RPMs -- typically manual transmission vehicles driven in a manner where the engine is frequently or consistently operating at greater than 3200 RPM.
Correction
A new set of piston rings is currently available through GMSPO. The new rings are part of a complete piston ring kit. Install only the number 2 compression ring and the oil expander ring from the piston ring kit. All other rings in the piston ring kit should be discarded. The original number 1 compression ring and the oil ring rails should be re-used in their original positions on the piston. All pistons should be used in the same cylinder bore.
Important
Do not dress or hone the cylinder bore. Nothing should be done to change the bore finish for this condition. Changing the bore finish may aggravate the condition.
Refer to the Unit Repair Manual for appropriate ring removal and replacement procedure.
The number 1 compression ring and the upper and lower oil expander rails are re-used because they are already broken in for the bore that they are in. The new number 2 compression ring is made with a very sharp edge that will break in quickly.
Changing only the piston rings noted, with no change in driving style, should change oil consumption to an acceptable level. Changes in driving style that reduce the amount of time spent at higher RPMs will also positively effect oil consumption.
In addition to the standard size piston ring kit listed below, a 0.25 mm oversized piston ring kit is available. The oversized piston ring kit should only be used in those rare instances where the cylinder bore size has been machined larger to accommodate the 0.25 mm oversized piston rings.
Parts Information
Part Number/Description/Qty
12568002 Valley Cover 1
88984247 Ring Kit, Piston 8
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation/Description/Labor Time
J0250/Manifold or Gasket Intake - Replace Manifold/Use Published
Labor Operation Time
J1307/Piston, Rod and/or Rings—Replace, Both Banks/Use
Published Labor Time
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Apr 4, 2018 at 02:38 PM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,730
Likes: 707
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Thank you
Everyone, thanks for the information that has been generated.
While I am a little concerned, it doesn't appear to be as big a deal
as I was concerned about.
Still trying to decide whether I want a coupe or convertible.
Definitely leaning towards a 2001-2004 model.
While I am a little concerned, it doesn't appear to be as big a deal
as I was concerned about.
Still trying to decide whether I want a coupe or convertible.
Definitely leaning towards a 2001-2004 model.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 14
From: Henderson North Carolina
The original owner had the engine on my 2001 replaced at 11,000 miles under warranty because of excessive oil consumption. I bought this vette in December with 53,000 miles on the odometer and I have put around 1,000 miles on it so far. Oil level hasn't moved and I check it often.
