I just had the ring fix done on my '01 Coupe last week. The whole experience went very smooth and the car seems to be running fine; however, I have a few questions.

1) Isn't the ring fix supposed to cover just the #2 cylinder? All of mine were replaced.

2) Is having all of the rings replaced more beneficial than just the one set?

3) What type of break in procedure should I use? The dealer told me that no official break in is required after this fix; however, he said he would run it conservatively for a while.

I would also like to say that Connell Chevrolet in Costa Mesa did an excellent job on this service from a customer relations standpoint. I was given a Suburban as a rental, and generally treated better than other dealerships where I have had service done. Anyway, it remains to be seen if this work is actually going to resolve my oil consumption. I have already noticed less build up on my exhaust tips.

Thanks for your input!

 

THENAKEDi,

The fix calls for the #2 compression ring to be replaced on ALL pistons.......not the full set of rings on just the #2 Cylinder. :D

Also I think the oil ring expander is replaced, but the rails are retained.

Hope the fix works out for you; don't know why it shouldn't if you had a good tech.

Good luck.
Mark

 

halfway through 01 production, when this was to be fixed, GM not only changed the rings, but also added aluminum pistons with graphite side skirts.

 

I thought that the coated pistons were introduced in mid April. They had tighter piston to wall clearances to reduce noise and then had teflon applied as an anti scuff coating. The new rings did not go on LS1 engines until sometime into the '02 model. :confused:

Anyone know when the cut-ins took place?


[Modified by Scruffy, 12:55 PM 11/26/2001]

 

from GM unit repair guide 2002:

Piston and Connecting Rod Assemblies

The pistons are cast aluminum. The pistons use two compression rings and one oil control ring assembly. The piston is a low friction, lightweight design with a flat top and barrel shaped skirt. The piston pins are chromium steel. They have a floating fit in the piston and are retained by a press fit in the connecting rod. The connecting rods are powdered metal. The connecting rods are fractured at the connecting rod journal and then machined for the proper clearance. Interim 2001 and all 2002 applications use a second design piston with graphite coated skirt.

 

According to what I have read, new rings in Z06 start of 02 model year, coupes and convertibles within the first two weeks of production.

 

NO new rings in ANY '01's...........C5's LS1's.......OR LS6's.............PERIOD.

 

I would love to know what build number or VIN number range this affects. I can't say that I've noticed hideous oil consumption but it is worse than my '99 had.

I'd hate to have the lame butt tech's we have here in Charlotte tear my engine apart when it really didn't need it.

Anybody know the build range on the recall/repair?
Did they send a recall letter ever or is it simply from having an oil consumption study done by the service center?

Thanx for any info!

 

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.

 

Just went through the same thing with my 00 coupe. All #2 rings were replaced. Putnam Chevrolet in California, Missouri did the job and I must admit were very careful and customer oriented. No scratches on the car, no mess under the hood, and the technician was very information-friendly.

I took the car to St. Louis over the weekend and no oil consumption. That is a positive sign. Time will tell if it remains that way, but I have my hopes up.

Best of luck on your consumption issue.

 

Thanks for all the useful input guys. I am headed for Willow Springs this weekend to have some long awaited fun. We'll see how things pan out!

 

http://www.c5registry.com./2k2z06/page5.htm

I found this an interesting article about the oil consumption issue and the fix.




[Modified by Gary2KC5, 5:05 PM 11/27/2001]

 

I had the #2 rings in my 2001 coupe replaced at Moritz Chevrolet here in Fort Worth about a month ago. Not a drop of oil usage since and that includes four runs up to 135 and probably about 20 around 100-110 this past Saturday on a cruise I took with four other Corvettes on some great Texas back roads.

They dropped the engine out from the bottom, took about three days total. I do not recommend stopping by the dealer half way through the fix, not a pretty sight....

 

I do recommend stopping by so you can see if your engine is on a stand and where your parts are stored. My dealer left the ABS unit dangling from the brake pipes. Surprise...when I got the car back it had a brake fluid leak...from guess where...the brake pipes attache to the ABS unit.

Be aware 1st though...IT IS NOT a pretty sight.