2001 Z06 Common Problems (e.g. rings?)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
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2001 Z06 Common Problems (e.g. rings?)
I’ve done a lot of research about which years of Z06 to buy. Apparently the 02-03 had valve springs issues. But I just read that 2001 had a ring/oil consumption issue. Is this a common issue to stay away from the ‘01s? Is a compression test the only way to diagnose the issue?
Also, the 2002s have more horsepower, but I see more ‘01s for sale right now. Wondering if the oil consumption issue is the reason. Thanks.
Also, the 2002s have more horsepower, but I see more ‘01s for sale right now. Wondering if the oil consumption issue is the reason. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,650
Likes: 1,384
From: Orange County, CA
FWIW, the oil consumption "issue" didn't sway me from buying my 56k-mi '01 almost 2 years ago. Nor did the lack of HUD (but I later retrofitted HUD). Had I known that the PO installed aftermarket main catalytic converters, and that they wouldn't pass CA emissions visual check, that might have done it (somehow it passed when the dealer got it smogged prior to sale...).
Anyways, this isn't a much talked-about issue. I have no idea if mine was re-ringed, engine replaced, etc. prior to my ownership. As far as I can tell with 5k-mi oil change intervals it's not losing too much oil. Granted the car is mostly for daily driving on the highway. If I were driving more aggressively regularly it might be a different story but I couldn't say.
Anyways, this isn't a much talked-about issue. I have no idea if mine was re-ringed, engine replaced, etc. prior to my ownership. As far as I can tell with 5k-mi oil change intervals it's not losing too much oil. Granted the car is mostly for daily driving on the highway. If I were driving more aggressively regularly it might be a different story but I couldn't say.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 377
From: SW Ohio
Not all '01's suffered from oil consumption issues and hopefully any potential seller would be honest about it. With a car of that age it will either be hugely obvious or already addressed I would think, unless you come across an ultra low mileage garage queen that has been mechanically neglected. My first Z06 was an '01 and it was one of the non-two stroke variety (no oil consumption). It had a cam and ported heads, and used no oil whatsever while being abused by me. I wouldn't be concerned about buying in '01, if I had plans of adding more power to it in the end. And yes a compression test and visual inspection of the throttle body / intake are the only ways to diagnose the oil consumption issue if there isn't any info provided by the previous owner.
Good luck on your hunt! It's just the beginning of the fun journey!
Good luck on your hunt! It's just the beginning of the fun journey!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 167
From: Truckee CA
My 01 nearing 200k, and will use a quart (day to day driving) at about 3k miles, on track it will suck a 1/2 for the day, on a 4k road trip from CA to WI and back, NOTHING. Just depends on how you drive it and the conditions. By the way I have had this car from new. 20 year this month.
Mark.
Mark.
Last edited by Moto One; Aug 5, 2020 at 03:28 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Yeah by this point, it's either been addressed or a non-issue.
Same with the springs - quick peek inside will tell you if they've been replaced. Or you can just buy the updated ones for $90 from Summit and a valve spring tool for about $40 and do it yourself with a six pack.
I wouldn't let a $140 investment stop me from buying a nice car.
Same with the springs - quick peek inside will tell you if they've been replaced. Or you can just buy the updated ones for $90 from Summit and a valve spring tool for about $40 and do it yourself with a six pack.
I wouldn't let a $140 investment stop me from buying a nice car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 3,313
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I would agree that you'd probably be okay with the "01. However, I would recommend going with a 2002 or newer model as you'll get more HP for not much more money. Take your time, and find the car that is right for you. Good luck with your search. C5 Z06 Corvettes are great! You'll love it! Welcome to the forum. I hope we'll see you around.
SAVE THE WAVE
SAVE THE WAVE
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 25
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I would agree that you'd probably be okay with the "01. However, I would recommend going with a 2002 or newer model as you'll get more HP for not much more money. Take your time, and find the car that is right for you. Good luck with your search. C5 Z06 Corvettes are great! You'll love it! Welcome to the forum. I hope we'll see you around.
SAVE THE WAVE
SAVE THE WAVE
thanks. It seems the 02-04 valve springs issue is such an easy fix, and the extra HP in the newer one's, means I should just look at the 02-04. I just see way more 2001s for sale. I’ll continue to look around.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Yeah by this point, it's either been addressed or a non-issue.
Same with the springs - quick peek inside will tell you if they've been replaced. Or you can just buy the updated ones for $90 from Summit and a valve spring tool for about $40 and do it yourself with a six pack.
I wouldn't let a $140 investment stop me from buying a nice car.
Same with the springs - quick peek inside will tell you if they've been replaced. Or you can just buy the updated ones for $90 from Summit and a valve spring tool for about $40 and do it yourself with a six pack.
I wouldn't let a $140 investment stop me from buying a nice car.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 359
Likes: 124
From: South Louisiana
I have an 01 z06 that I have owned for almost 2 years now. I drive it pretty hard. I may have to add half a quart in 2k miles. But if I drive it easy just cruising on the interstae it doesn't burn any oil.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 25
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thanks. So high rpms seems to be a factor if you have the issue.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Just buy whichever car is the best car, that you like the most. I paid more for my 2001 z06 than the 2003, with similar miles, at the same dealership. It was in better shape and a color I preferred.
Anyone who tells you that they can tell a difference in power between any year c5z is probably lying.
Now, if you like the HUD, which I don’t really care about, get the 02+ or plan to retrofit.
Anyone who tells you that they can tell a difference in power between any year c5z is probably lying.
Now, if you like the HUD, which I don’t really care about, get the 02+ or plan to retrofit.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Just buy whichever car is the best car, that you like the most. I paid more for my 2001 z06 than the 2003, with similar miles, at the same dealership. It was in better shape and a color I preferred.
Anyone who tells you that they can tell a difference in power between any year c5z is probably lying.
Now, if you like the HUD, which I don’t really care about, get the 02+ or plan to retrofit.
Anyone who tells you that they can tell a difference in power between any year c5z is probably lying.
Now, if you like the HUD, which I don’t really care about, get the 02+ or plan to retrofit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,650
Likes: 1,384
From: Orange County, CA
After installing mine, I was a little underwhelmed. But it is nice to see your speed without looking very far down. Knowing that now, I probably wouldn't have bought the parts to retrofit it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 116
From: North Dallas Forty Orange County, Ca.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13, '15,'21
My ‘02 Z06 consumed oil at the rate of 1qt and 1,000. Bought the car @35,000 miles and got progressively worse. By 60k it was a quart at 750 miles and the smoke from burning oil was visible and stinking up the garage.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,509
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
I had an 01 Z06, now have an 04. As others have said, not all of the 01’s had the issue, mine didn’t seem to have it. There are a ton of topics on the issue and the cause, and how to deal with it or not. It was a ring flutter causing oil blow by at a certain RPM, and later years the rings were changed to a different type. This issue didn’t sway my decision at the time to buy the 01 that I wanted.
Flash forward, I now have an 04 Z and it is also an awesome car. The valve spring issue was primarily a thing between the 02-03 models, however that does not mean the 04 wasn’t without its “features”. GM did some kind of change to the fuel tanks which caused some of the early release models in 04 to have filling problems between the two tanks. Expensive repair. If you search the fuel talk issue, you will find a VIN search that shows when in production your 04 was built vs the remedial work to change the problem parts.
I will say that the power increase between the 01 and 04 is noticeable. You also get the extras like HUD if that is something you like.
Good luck!
Flash forward, I now have an 04 Z and it is also an awesome car. The valve spring issue was primarily a thing between the 02-03 models, however that does not mean the 04 wasn’t without its “features”. GM did some kind of change to the fuel tanks which caused some of the early release models in 04 to have filling problems between the two tanks. Expensive repair. If you search the fuel talk issue, you will find a VIN search that shows when in production your 04 was built vs the remedial work to change the problem parts.
I will say that the power increase between the 01 and 04 is noticeable. You also get the extras like HUD if that is something you like.
Good luck!