[Z06] Main Bearing Failure
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Berlin
Main Bearing Failure
I have 14,500 miles on my 2002 Z06 and this past week the engine had a main bearing to fail. My car is not awaiting a new engine. The shop deal says that they have not seen this problem on any other Z06's. Has anyone else on the forum experienced simular problems with their Z06? and what could cause this?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Gaithersburg MD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Main Bearing Failure (Z06*4ME)
I haven't heard of this problem before with either the LS1 or the LS6.
Having had a bad clutch vibration problem on an LS1, I have certainly worried about the rear main seal and ultimately bearing failure. Never happened, though.
Have you modified your car in any way that might add stress? Do you race at all? If you don't want to say on the forum, please email me.
Good luck with the problem.
Having had a bad clutch vibration problem on an LS1, I have certainly worried about the rear main seal and ultimately bearing failure. Never happened, though.
Have you modified your car in any way that might add stress? Do you race at all? If you don't want to say on the forum, please email me.
Good luck with the problem.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 345
Likes: 8
From: Palatine Illinois
Re: Main Bearing Failure (Z06*4ME)
The only LS1 cars I know of that had a bearing failure was a couple of cars that did not use synthetic (Mobil 1), and then tracked their cars.
Also, if you got your oil changed at some jiffy lube type place, the corvette (at least mine does), needs the oil filter tighted on a little more than Im used to, to not have any oil leak.
Alex
Also, if you got your oil changed at some jiffy lube type place, the corvette (at least mine does), needs the oil filter tighted on a little more than Im used to, to not have any oil leak.
Alex
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,139
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From: Missouri City, TX
Re: Main Bearing Failure (Z06*4ME)
BUMMER!!!!!! This is a new one for me as well. I think you just got unlucky on this particular engine. Hope everything goes well for you and welcome to the Forum. :cheers:
GOLD72
'01 QS In Missouri City
GOLD72
'01 QS In Missouri City
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 25
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From: Berlin
Re: Main Bearing Failure (CPT Z06)
My new engine (short block with heads) came in this evening. They are to start installing it tomorrow. I am going by the shop tomorrow morning to see the engine and I will try to get some pictures of the cam and bearings.
When I look at the new engine is there any way that I can verify that it is a 2002 405hp engine and not a 2001 385hp one?
When I look at the new engine is there any way that I can verify that it is a 2002 405hp engine and not a 2001 385hp one?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: paradise valley az. us
Re: Main Bearing Failure (Steve Row)
i WAS BIT BY THE MAIN FAILURE,HOWEVER MINE WAS ON A 12 HOUR OLD LPE TT650.JOHN PICKED UP THE CAR AND i HAD IT BACK 8-10 WEEKS LATER ALL AT THE EXPENCE OF LUNNATI CORP.
IT WASNT AN LPE ERROR BUT A LUNNATI ONE.AND IT WAS FIXED 100% TO MY SATISFACTION THOUGH I FEEL 30 DAYS WOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT FOR THE NEW CRANK.
ONE OF THE FUNNEST CARS I'VE OWNED ONLY SURPASSED BY THE TT C5R WHICH IS SO FAST AT 16 PSI BOOST ITS STUPID(FUN STUPID) DAVE S.
IT WASNT AN LPE ERROR BUT A LUNNATI ONE.AND IT WAS FIXED 100% TO MY SATISFACTION THOUGH I FEEL 30 DAYS WOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT FOR THE NEW CRANK.
ONE OF THE FUNNEST CARS I'VE OWNED ONLY SURPASSED BY THE TT C5R WHICH IS SO FAST AT 16 PSI BOOST ITS STUPID(FUN STUPID) DAVE S.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 78
From: Winter Garden (central),FL,USA
Re: Main Bearing Failure (Z06*4ME)
Walter,
It happened on a '99 we had w/ 19k on it(not current '99). Yes, we used Mobil 1, and we do Autocross... Although Auto-X is harder on an engine that just puttering around(why own the car then?), it is not nearly as severe as extended road course lapping.
We had the ENTIRE long block replaced, due to our good friend @ the *TOP*of the ladder within GM/Corvette(Thanks Dave!!!) monitoring the situation...
Dave said that a few early '99 Corvette LS1 engines had some sort of debris that was not properly cleaned out before final assembly. This contributed to our engine's failure.
We had no problems w/ the replacement(35k miles), and the 'new' '99(38k miles, 3k on Head/Cam), and we drive it hard, although we meticulously maintain the vehicle.
I say your replacement will not give you a repeat performance...
George
[Modified by GTB/ZR-1, 2:49 PM 1/16/2003]
It happened on a '99 we had w/ 19k on it(not current '99). Yes, we used Mobil 1, and we do Autocross... Although Auto-X is harder on an engine that just puttering around(why own the car then?), it is not nearly as severe as extended road course lapping.
We had the ENTIRE long block replaced, due to our good friend @ the *TOP*of the ladder within GM/Corvette(Thanks Dave!!!) monitoring the situation...
Dave said that a few early '99 Corvette LS1 engines had some sort of debris that was not properly cleaned out before final assembly. This contributed to our engine's failure.
We had no problems w/ the replacement(35k miles), and the 'new' '99(38k miles, 3k on Head/Cam), and we drive it hard, although we meticulously maintain the vehicle.
I say your replacement will not give you a repeat performance...
George
[Modified by GTB/ZR-1, 2:49 PM 1/16/2003]
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 25
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From: Berlin
Re: Main Bearing Failure (GTB/ZR-1)
I went by the shop the Tuseday to find my car in completley disassembled. They said that to remove the engine they had to remove the transaxle, so everything was off the car front and rear. I did not get to see the failed bearing but it was the 4th bearing.
The only good thing about the situation is they are replacing the engine with a new complete long bock (heads, oilpan, etc.) Late Thru. they the car put back together and should be firing it up first thing this morning and I should have my car back before today is over. I can't wait.
The only good thing about the situation is they are replacing the engine with a new complete long bock (heads, oilpan, etc.) Late Thru. they the car put back together and should be firing it up first thing this morning and I should have my car back before today is over. I can't wait.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 56,381
Likes: 79
Re: Main Bearing Failure (Z06*4ME)
Good news, now for the bad news, you get to relive the joy of the 500 mile break-in. :banghead:
Also, ask them what they think the cause was. Main bearings spinning is not an everyday thing. The fact that they checked the computer to see how many times you hit the rev-limiter is disturbing. That is why they have a rev limiter, it should be safe to go to red line with every shift.
[Modified by CPT Z06, 11:52 AM 1/17/2003]
Also, ask them what they think the cause was. Main bearings spinning is not an everyday thing. The fact that they checked the computer to see how many times you hit the rev-limiter is disturbing. That is why they have a rev limiter, it should be safe to go to red line with every shift.
[Modified by CPT Z06, 11:52 AM 1/17/2003]
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Washington Township OH
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Re: Main Bearing Failure (CPT Z06)
Seems to be cycle with GM 350 engines. My '81 (bought new through the Base Exchange in the UK) lasted about 4K miles before rounding off one of the cam lobes. Turned out a bunch of those blocks got through without an oil passage being drilled. Got the comple engine rebuild done by the GM dealer in London. :)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 25
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From: Berlin
Re: Main Bearing Failure (jwight)
I got my car back today and about 1 mile after leaving the dealer the check engine light came on and started flashing. Also I was thinking my car just does not sound the same. I took it back and they connected to computer and realized that a sparkplug wire was not connected. They connected the wire and since than I have put about 30mi on her and everything has been good so far.
It appears that my engine problems were caused by poor build quality of the engine. Given below is the official response from the dealer of what was wrong with the engine:
"Ticking noise from both side of the engine. Removed rocker cover and inspected, removed front engine cover and found cam gear dowel in oil pan, 2 gear bolts broken and 1 very loose. Timing chain rubbing front of engine, large amounts of aluminum found throughout the engine" The damaged parts list, listed practly every internal moving part.
It appears that my engine problems were caused by poor build quality of the engine. Given below is the official response from the dealer of what was wrong with the engine:
"Ticking noise from both side of the engine. Removed rocker cover and inspected, removed front engine cover and found cam gear dowel in oil pan, 2 gear bolts broken and 1 very loose. Timing chain rubbing front of engine, large amounts of aluminum found throughout the engine" The damaged parts list, listed practly every internal moving part.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Phila. suburbs, PA
Re: Main Bearing Failure (Z06*4ME)
Reading the description of the damage, it sounds like your camshaft seized up. I experienced rod bearing failure on one (non-corvette) engine, which scored the crank and broke piston skirts when the rod got sloppy. No ill effects on the cam though.
Does it sound strange to anyone that the cam gear bolts/dowel pin were sheared off by a main bearing failure? If the crank spins a bearing and seizes, the cam stops too.
Does it sound strange to anyone that the cam gear bolts/dowel pin were sheared off by a main bearing failure? If the crank spins a bearing and seizes, the cam stops too.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,366
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From: America
Re: Main Bearing Failure (CPT Z06)
The fact that they checked the computer to see how many times you hit the rev-limiter is disturbing.
YEPPERS............ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WAY........... O_U_T...............
Really PO's me............. :mad
YEPPERS............ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WAY........... O_U_T...............
Really PO's me............. :mad