my60th

With the Holidays and the chevrolet service department being busy, the service department wasn't able to get my car in until Tuesday afternoon. I spoke the service manager yesterday. He informed me that many of the parts were (scoured) in the engine including the crank and the cam. He has informed the CarMax service manager that he needs to put a complete list together of parts. They are comparing the cost to rebuild the motor (at the dealership) to the cost of a new motor. The manager was made fully aware by the technician too, that yes, all external oil lines, tanks, components need to be replaced no matter what they do. I asked the manager about the experience the technician had, along with the shops capability to rebuild the motor. He told me the technician builds race motors outside of work, and except for a special removal tool for the cam or something in the heads, they have everything to do the job. I informed the manager to keep me posted on the decision making, and at this point I would be OK with the rebuild and the original engine will stay (60th anniversary package). If we go with the new motor I will request to keep the old motor for the same reason. My next discussion is with CarMax to find out more about the claim.

bibbster

Sounds like you found a gem of a dealership! Sounds like CarMax will take care of you as well, based on the experience others have had here, so that's good. I'm looking forward to your positive outcome with this issue and seeing a pic of your ride once it's all been fixed.

Jeff T.

my60th

OK everyone. After some sleepless nights, I got the news today that the warranty company approved the rebuild. A rough estimate at this point is close to $13,000. They are sending the block out to an engine shop, NASCO to have the block cleaned and to have them install the cam bearings. I will try to to touch base with the mechanic and see if there is a way he can ensure that the rod bearings will be different than the ones that caused some issues with these motor for this year. From what I understand, its good practice when buying any new performance car to make your first oil change around 500 miles. The mechanic believes that this could be a possible reason for, or maybe in addition to, the the bearing failure as this car had no oil change history at least from the dealership where the car was purchased, until CarMax changed it at 6,000 miles. The next performance car I purchase used, I will try to confirm that the prior services listed were relevant to an oil change, and if possible, as stated in some of the forums here, to try to get a sample out to be analyzed. I will continue to keep everyone informed as I go through this. Thanks,

dryadsdad

In the old days, engines needed breaking in to smooth out manufacturing irregularities. This did leave a great deal of swarf in the engine necessitating a first change at 5 or 600 miles. Today's OEM engines are so well finished that while it's still a good idea, in most cases it's unneeded. I do it 100% of the time even so.

Since your engine will be hand built, I strongly recommend the early oil change WITH filter. It'd also be a good deal to send a sample for analysis.

449er

Read closer, this is not a GM warranty issue, it is a CarMax issue

Rick369

AORoads

GM isn't alarmist. They require an oil change on at least some of their engines in the C7. Guess modern engineering can only make up for just so much. After all, it is a new engine with metal parts rubbing against....other metal parts. Ahhh, yes....

my60th

I know when I was looking for this particular corvette, that I would have to say that most of the 2013, 427's out there for sale had less than 10,000 miles. Many of the 60th Anniversary special editions had less than 5,000 miles. I think a large percentage of the 427's out there are young in mileage. If I were to purchase another 2013, 427, and knowing that most of them no longer have the drive train warranty, I would confirm the oil change history was in check, I would probably look for a car over 10,000 miles, definitely have the oil analyzed, and if possible, at the least, purchase a drive train warranty. Would I buy this car again, absolutely. I have not had a ride like this since I owned a 1972 Camaro Z-28. I hope I get her back soon, so I can still drive with the top down!! Nah... I have a snow suit I can borrow...

vetteflyer05

Just lost mine with bad rod bearings, 11,500 miles. Symptoms were slow hot or second start as if I had a weak battery and low(er) oil pressure at idle. The car would start normally when cold, shop said the motor was basically seizing up AFTER shutdown which interfered with starting when warm. I cannot stress enough...catch my passion on this...get regular and frequent oil samples to monitor any metal your engine is making. There is nothing you can do about this if your engine starts making metal, but you can limit the damage done by catching it early. Think of it as cancer screening for your engine. My shop said I was very close to a catastrophic failure.

I checked on a crate motor from GM, it has a different part number than what came in the car, a "knowledgeable tech" told me GM fixed the valve guide and rod bearing issue with crate motors but he didn't have a date on when that fix was implemented. He also noted that crate engines from around 2014,15 are probably of the old design which means they are timebombs too. More research on the part number timeline is warranted but I have an engine to rebuild...

vetteflyer05

Dealership happens to have a crate on the shelf for $11,500 out the door, they want $6500 to install it. Comes with a 3yr/100000 warranty and 2yr labor. I'm going a different direction to the poor house...one that hopefully doesn't get me there quite so fast.

BigVette427

If that price includes sales tax that is probably a good deal, but you can likely get a shop who does stuff like this with Corvettes and LS motors more often, to do the swap for much less. Get the heads fixed while you have the motor out, and I would suggest Johnson lifters and a superior mild Cam from TSP or CamMotion.

What year was your car/motor?

Sonny71

Where is the dealership located? (You might want to add a location to your profile).
It sounds like they have treated you very well and would be one to do business with.
Good Luck
Remember to WAVE!

vetteflyer05

2013
I intend to use a local speed shop that builds vette and camaro motors. They can fix the bottom end, do the heads, replace oil cooler and clean out or rebuild all of the other accessories for about 6k all in. I will probably do some other upgrades while the engine is apart. Chevy house wants 19k to throw the baby out with the bathwater, although, having a longblock in the corner to build up at my leisure is enticing.

GS982

$19K from the dealer.... whew! My 427 has 6,400 miles, no worries so far. Have not experienced hot slow to start and had an oil analysis with 3K mile oil done with no red flags. I just bought a 4 year GMPP, but there is a 1,000 miles period before they will cover anything. I'll be much more at ease once I hit that 7,400 mile mark. I'm in DFW as well, would you mind sharing the name of the local speed shop? PM me if you prefer. Thanks!

vetteflyer05

PM sent

my60th

Pape Chevrolet They have been real good so far. The service managers name is Chris.

Would it be helpful to all of us 427 owners, if there is a way to get a post out to our group of members to precaution them to keep an eye out on their motor and their maintenance, and maybe even include a survey? We could get feed back from owners on this issue, maybe get the current mileage on their 427, and see what scheduled oi/filter change routine they used. I know if many of them came back without any issues, and they had mileage over 10, 20, or 30,000 and followed the recommended oil change schedule, it would lead me to believe this failure is to a very limited group, and if anything else, help educate prospective buyers.

GS982

Does anyone floor the accelerator prior to pushing the engine start button in order to spin the motor a few times prior to actual start up? My thoughts would be this should prime the motor and hopefully extend the life of these troublesome bearings? For the most part, I only drive the car on the weekends, so it may be 5 or 6 days between starts for me.

I also attached my first oil report as a point of reference. My car is # 0932. I agree that it would be nice to be able to put together a list of the cars that suffered catastrophic failure. It seems these bearing failures in the 427 may be much more prominent than the valve drop issue with the earlier (and possibly later) LS7s. It sucks to have such an awesome car, but to be scared to wring out that awesome LS7. 900 more miles until my GMPP kicks in then it's game on!!!

my60th

Thanks for sharing that oil report!! I was wondering if they placed comments on the report. Its great that they can give you a basic explanation of the analysis. Once I have my vette back, I plan to send samples out often to keep a health check on her. I know its nice to have the comfort of the extended warranty. I was covered, but I hope I never have to use it again for a major engine repair like this.

GS982

The only comments on the report were directly above the numerical values. The only marker that came up high on mine was iron. Does anyone know the composition of the bearings that are failing?