2003 engine blown-HELP!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: middletown de
2003 engine blown-HELP!!!!!!!
My friend has a 2003 coupe, the other day while driving at normal speeds a rod shot through the block, the verdict at a dealer was a 12000 dollar repair bill, just for an engine rebuild, and they wont warranty because he wasnt using mobil 1 oil, he was using synthetic, but it was like penzoil or something comparable... My question is, what would you guys do, for that amount of money what are his options, and is that overpriced for a rebuild of a stock enginie? That price was from a dealer, so i think he should try and engine shop, what should the price of a rebuild be??? I know its alot of questions, but he really needs help, so everything you could send my way would be great...
Thanks...
Thanks...
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: V town california
man one of the sponsers on here like fred beans can get you a brand new ls6 crate motor for around 5k 0r if you want somethin different you can get that forged 402 ls2 for like 3999. what the dealer quoted is insane I'd almost call that legal theft cuz they are quoting you 12k for a motor you can buy brand new for 4k.
do some more research on this
do some more research on this
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Any oil that meets the GM specification is acceptable. The use of Mobil-1 is not required. He better get a lawyer but first check the oil he was using and make sure it meets the GM specification. If it threw a rod, doesn't sound oil related anyhow.
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 34,551
Likes: 505
From: Auburn Hills MI
They cannot not warranty the car because he did not use Mobil 1.
If GM insists he use Mobil 1, then GM must replace his oil for him, everytime, for free.
I cannot remember the specifics but there was a lawsuit or something where a company tried to deny warranty but the court rules that unless the manufactuer wanted to change their oil everytime for free they should be able to use a comparable product they can purchase off the shelf.
BTW, I'm sure there is more to this story than meets the eye, rods just don't go through the block for no reason. If he was not beating on the car then something mechanical failed, oil pump, bad tolerance on the rod bearings, something.
If he REALLY wasn't beating the crap out of the car then I would get a lawyer and fight it if its still under warranty.
I would also send the car to one of the sponsor shops for 12K you can get alot of stuff done including a new motor installed and tuned.
If GM insists he use Mobil 1, then GM must replace his oil for him, everytime, for free.
I cannot remember the specifics but there was a lawsuit or something where a company tried to deny warranty but the court rules that unless the manufactuer wanted to change their oil everytime for free they should be able to use a comparable product they can purchase off the shelf.
BTW, I'm sure there is more to this story than meets the eye, rods just don't go through the block for no reason. If he was not beating on the car then something mechanical failed, oil pump, bad tolerance on the rod bearings, something.
If he REALLY wasn't beating the crap out of the car then I would get a lawyer and fight it if its still under warranty.
I would also send the car to one of the sponsor shops for 12K you can get alot of stuff done including a new motor installed and tuned.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: charlotte nc
There is a Federal law called the Magnus- Moss act that states , among other things that if a manufacturer requires a customer to use a specific band of oil, filter,etal then the manufacturer is legally obligated to supply said item free of charge. Furthermore, it is also illegal to make such a claim in order to deny warantee. You should contact the federak attorney for your district and report the dealer. Furthermore, you should also contact the regional GM representative in your region. By all means you should vigorously persue this to the letter of the law. For your own information, please look up the Magnus - Moss act online and read it. The guy that denied your warantee deserves to go to jail for this lie.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
How did the Dealership know what kind of oil was in there anyway? Did your buddy tell the dealer or was he asked this question by the service guy? $12000.00 for a new motor? Thats just plain way out of the Ballpark.. He threw a rod just under Normal driving conditions. Sorry I do not want to sound like a butt head but this story has me very skeptical at best. Good Luck...
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Roseville CA
Originally Posted by vettelt11992
My friend has a 2003 coupe, the other day while driving at normal speeds a rod shot through the block, the verdict at a dealer was a 12000 dollar repair bill, just for an engine rebuild, .....
...
what would you guys do, for that amount of money what are his options, and is that overpriced for a rebuild of a stock enginie? That price was from a dealer,
...
what would you guys do, for that amount of money what are his options, and is that overpriced for a rebuild of a stock enginie? That price was from a dealer,
-Keith
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by dwestsr
There is a Federal law called the Magnus- Moss act that states , among other things that if a manufacturer requires a customer to use a specific band of oil, filter,etal then the manufacturer is legally obligated to supply said item free of charge. Furthermore, it is also illegal to make such a claim in order to deny warantee. You should contact the federak attorney for your district and report the dealer. Furthermore, you should also contact the regional GM representative in your region. By all means you should vigorously persue this to the letter of the law. For your own information, please look up the Magnus - Moss act online and read it. The guy that denied your warantee deserves to go to jail for this lie.
Magnuson Moss warranty act
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by runamuk
You should also get in touch with the manufacturer of whatever brand synthetic oil he was using and get them involved in this. One would think they would be very interested in helping since they could potentially lose a lot of sales over this. And besides, if GM is going to say that we must use Mobil 1 on every oil change than a lot of C4 owners and all us C5 owners will gladly take free oil for as long as we own the car
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: South
Originally Posted by Skunkworks
It’s only $50-75 to run an oil analysis that is good to parts per million. But something doesn’t add up. Sounds like a catastrophic failure, brought on by something else.
Mike
Mike
I think GM says that the oil must meet the GM 4718M spec to be used in a C5 while under warranty. If his oil met this spec, (should say on the bottle) then bring them a hammer and bag of salt.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn Park MN
Originally Posted by _Rudy_
wonder if he meant 1.2k, instead of 12k...
I am sure its 12K, because I was in the same situation when I cracked a piston ring my LS1 block. The Dealer said in order to fix that, the best way was to get a new LS1 for $8,000 then add on the labor (What is it $100+ an hour) on top. That puts it around 11-12K.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by SteveDR425
I am sure its 12K, because I was in the same situation when I cracked a piston ring my LS1 block. The Dealer said in order to fix that, the best way was to get a new LS1 for $8,000 then add on the labor (What is it $100+ an hour) on top. That puts it around 11-12K.
LS-6 crate engine
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,626
Likes: 1
From: Fremont California
Originally Posted by Skunkworks
It’s only $50-75 to run an oil analysis that is good to parts per million. But something doesn’t add up. Sounds like a catastrophic failure, brought on by something else.
Mike
Mike
I would asume that any Synthetic oil would be better then standard oil, I really do not think the oil caused the failure
Tell your friend to call a lawyer
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Originally Posted by Morzoff
I would asume that any Synthetic oil would be better then standard oil, I really do not think the oil caused the failure
Tell your friend to call a lawyer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,752
Likes: 3
From: Bethlehem PA
Originally Posted by IamN2Speed
Pretty sure the LS7 (427) crate motor is going for 12K straight from GM. If he's even contemplating dropping 12k, that would be a nice route. Also, there are a number of CF Vendors that can build the same thing for less/equal price. 12K is a forged, BIG HP MOTOR cost, not stock rebuild.
-Keith
-Keith
Ok....now you have a trans that won't hold the new power, a clutch that will slip all the way through gears/ or an auto that will go "sproing", the rear will probably fragment and the suspension is probably not set up for this kind of torque. Not to mention tuning, fuel deliver issues etc.
A 500+ hp motor is USELESS unless the rest of your car is set up to handle it.
What I've spent on making more power, I've spent almost an equal share in preparing the car to handle it.
Scott
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,508
Likes: 236
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by simpleman68
I see this suggested a LOT. "Buy a new stroker... for 10-12k and you're all set."
Ok....now you have a trans that won't hold the new power, a clutch that will slip all the way through gears/ or an auto that will go "sproing", the rear will probably fragment and the suspension is probably not set up for this kind of torque. Not to mention tuning, fuel deliver issues etc.
A 500+ hp motor is USELESS unless the rest of your car is set up to handle it.
What I've spent on making more power, I've spent almost an equal share in preparing the car to handle it.
Scott
Ok....now you have a trans that won't hold the new power, a clutch that will slip all the way through gears/ or an auto that will go "sproing", the rear will probably fragment and the suspension is probably not set up for this kind of torque. Not to mention tuning, fuel deliver issues etc.
A 500+ hp motor is USELESS unless the rest of your car is set up to handle it.
What I've spent on making more power, I've spent almost an equal share in preparing the car to handle it.
Scott
He is a wise man!
