[Z06] Took GM to court over dropped valve, and....
08-22-2011, 07:02 PM
#441
Le Mans Master
The engine was replaced and the car was back on the road after three months.
The case went thru the samll claim court system. Didn't require a lawyer. All the associated costs were added into my claim against GM. All I really "lost" was time spent preparing the case, parking fees when I went to the courthouse. If the case ended up in court, I would have seeked additional compensation from GM. They got off easy this time, would have cost them a lot more if they were stupid enough to fight me in court. Non of the evidence they submitted to court could dispute my claim that the valve guides were defective. In fact, they did not have any technical evidence at all. The dealer confirmed that GM had fluid samples (motor oil, tranny oil, coolant) sent to a lab for analysis. None of the results showed up as court documents. They whole arguement was that I was racing my car. They submitted a CD with 10 Youtube video clips on it to support their arguement. None of the videos showed me driving or my Z. Three of the videos were in-car footage taken by one of my drivers driving one of my formula cars. One video, taken inside a Miata at a local track, showed a Z spun in front of him. That Z was a black one, not even the same color as mine.
One video did mentioned my name as the driver's instructor and one can hear my voice giving verbal instructions to the stuudent. All the other videos are just random videos from drivers who belong to the same sports car club I belong to, driving different cars at the local track. If GM doesn't want to warrantee their cars owned by sports car club members or being driven on the track, they could easily just state that clearly on their warrantee booklet.
The case went thru the samll claim court system. Didn't require a lawyer. All the associated costs were added into my claim against GM. All I really "lost" was time spent preparing the case, parking fees when I went to the courthouse. If the case ended up in court, I would have seeked additional compensation from GM. They got off easy this time, would have cost them a lot more if they were stupid enough to fight me in court. Non of the evidence they submitted to court could dispute my claim that the valve guides were defective. In fact, they did not have any technical evidence at all. The dealer confirmed that GM had fluid samples (motor oil, tranny oil, coolant) sent to a lab for analysis. None of the results showed up as court documents. They whole arguement was that I was racing my car. They submitted a CD with 10 Youtube video clips on it to support their arguement. None of the videos showed me driving or my Z. Three of the videos were in-car footage taken by one of my drivers driving one of my formula cars. One video, taken inside a Miata at a local track, showed a Z spun in front of him. That Z was a black one, not even the same color as mine.
One video did mentioned my name as the driver's instructor and one can hear my voice giving verbal instructions to the stuudent. All the other videos are just random videos from drivers who belong to the same sports car club I belong to, driving different cars at the local track. If GM doesn't want to warrantee their cars owned by sports car club members or being driven on the track, they could easily just state that clearly on their warrantee booklet.I expected better. Re: GM raiding your Youtube bin.
08-22-2011, 09:52 PM
#442
Le Mans Master
If you can determine the brand, model number of those valve guides I would be interested in that information. Since GM thinks it is a good substitute I would go that way should the need arise.
I am thinking that a rebuild might be a good thing to do once off warranty.....
Glad you got the resolution you wanted.
I am thinking that a rebuild might be a good thing to do once off warranty.....
Glad you got the resolution you wanted.
08-22-2011, 10:26 PM
#444
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Arkansas
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'22-'23
You can bet that GM knows that there is an issue and most likely the cause. If they can just make it a few more months without it blowing up on them!
09-07-2011, 10:48 AM
#445
Melting Slicks
DAMN.. I just read 23 pages on this.
Question? Won't aftermarket bronze guides wear faster than the factory iron guides if lack of lubrication is a factor? And would inconel valves better transfer heat to prvent guide wear?
Question? Won't aftermarket bronze guides wear faster than the factory iron guides if lack of lubrication is a factor? And would inconel valves better transfer heat to prvent guide wear?
09-07-2011, 01:07 PM
#446
Le Mans Master
I don’t know what the true exhaust valve alloy is and not totally sure what composite the guide is made of so it’s impossible to determine thermal dynamic’s of that heat transfer. The sodium provides a better heat spread over the valve stem area giving the best thermal cross section reducing the resultant thermal impedance but that’s all we can tell from what is known.
