[Z06] 09 LS7 Valve Spring Failure
11-08-2011, 01:04 AM
#22
In the early years of the LS7, valve spring breakage was a lot more frequent of a topic then, than it is now.
It has been dormant for the most part, not much talk about broken valve springs. At that time, some discussions centered around a bad batch of valve springs causing the initial issues in those early cars.
On the forefront now, of course, is the valve guide wear and snapped valve issue.
It is disheartening to see a failed valve spring, in a street driven car with just 6700 miles on it, when we have not heard of one of these in a while.
It has been dormant for the most part, not much talk about broken valve springs. At that time, some discussions centered around a bad batch of valve springs causing the initial issues in those early cars.
On the forefront now, of course, is the valve guide wear and snapped valve issue.
It is disheartening to see a failed valve spring, in a street driven car with just 6700 miles on it, when we have not heard of one of these in a while.
11-08-2011, 06:56 AM
#23
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Being in Texas, low oil temperature is usually not an issue. I do wait until the temperature is over 130. I friend of mine has a BMW M6 and it has a governor that limits rpms until the oil temperature has reached its setpoint.
11-08-2011, 07:24 AM
#25
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '12
From an engineering perspective, everything should be designed "ideally" with like 2.5x,if not more, reliability no? Seeing how the LS7 is one of GM's flagship engine designs, if not THE flagship, and seeing these failures (regardless if you argue there aren't that many, blah blah blah) in the smaller engine parts that wear, is really disappointing in general. Especially considering the fact these claims have been circling since 2007.. We are now in 2011, entering the 2012 model year. SO WHAT if the LS7 is a high power engine. So is the Saturn V rocket.. But they controlled it and sent men to the moon with it. If you're going to sit on this forum and tell me there isn't a problem here, then you are obviously just blind. With how much R&D GM does, there is no way in hell they didn't know about this. The worst part to me is it's not even narrowed down to one engine component: valves, valve guides, valve springs? Come on.
Seeing threads like this help me, personally, where I am a potential z06 buyer. It seems to me I am going to have far more interest in used z06's that have a factory warranty intact, compared to where I didn't care before.
Glad to hear it seems GM is helping you out immediately!
FWIW.
Seeing threads like this help me, personally, where I am a potential z06 buyer. It seems to me I am going to have far more interest in used z06's that have a factory warranty intact, compared to where I didn't care before.
Glad to hear it seems GM is helping you out immediately!
FWIW.
It is NOT (LS7) the flagship (so to speak)....it 'was' in late 2005, 06, 07 and 2008....but that all changed in 2009 when LS9 arrived....
LS9 IS the king/flagship model for Chevy now. Not intending to down LS7 either....it's what I own.
11-08-2011, 07:34 AM
#26
Burning Brakes
We receive them put together and pre inspected. They are individually bagged, and we give a visual inspection before assembly.
Bummer to hear of broken valve springs, but not much your builder could do to prevent that.
Especially when it happens after miles in service. Glad you are being taken care of.
11-08-2011, 08:06 AM
#28
Race Director
That dicipline came from running a Nascar Ford 9:1 CR 358 CI with a 750 CFM carb, with dyno output of 479 lb-ft of torque and 605HP at 7200 RPM with a torque cam
11-08-2011, 10:03 AM
#29
Le Mans Master
Even Comp Cams had a problem with their single bee hive springs breaking a few years ago.
High lift cams put a lot of stress on valve springs, and the LS7 has right at .600 lift.
A valve spring failure is pretty rare and random in the LS7. I know it will be included in the "list" of stock failures, but I'm not worried about it.
High lift cams put a lot of stress on valve springs, and the LS7 has right at .600 lift.
A valve spring failure is pretty rare and random in the LS7. I know it will be included in the "list" of stock failures, but I'm not worried about it.
11-08-2011, 10:04 AM
#30
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
I never meant to imply in any way that this was caused by the builder. I had stated that it was a faulty spring so it didn't matter who assemblied the engine. I have great respect for those of you who do. Being a Chemist and very familiar with different types of failure analysis, I know that you can't spot a valve spring that will fail 3 years down the line by a visual inspection. Keep up the good work at Wixom. Hope you built the replacement engine!
Last edited by Alchemist31; 11-08-2011 at 10:05 AM. Reason: spelling
11-08-2011, 11:26 AM
#31
Burning Brakes
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Glad to see that GM is taking care of you.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
11-08-2011, 12:01 PM
#32
Le Mans Master
Glad to see that GM is taking care of you.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
11-08-2011, 01:01 PM
#33
Safety Car
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Glad to see that GM is taking care of you.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
I had one of the good aftermarket valve springs break in my 2010 camaro and causing the valve to drop with some more damage!sory to hear about your issue OP. I am glad GM is taking care of you
11-08-2011, 01:41 PM
#35
Alchemist31,
I'm glad to hear they took care of you so well (and quickly). Keep us updated. Have a great day!
Chevrolet Customer Service,
Justin
I'm glad to hear they took care of you so well (and quickly). Keep us updated. Have a great day!
Chevrolet Customer Service,
Justin
On Thursday, November 3rd, as I was driving my 09 Cybergray Z06 at about 50 mph, the service active handling and service traction control messages started alternating. Since I was less than 1/2 mile from work, I slowed down and continued on. Could hear some clicking noise, which I thought might from the active handling/ traction control units. After I parked, I tried to restart it but only heard the starter turning. Called the local Chevrolet dealer (Champion in Austin) that I use for oil changes and my service advisor, Patrick, told me to have it flatbedded in. He called me when the Z06 arrived and said that there was a major issue with the engine.They needed to take the engine apart to identify the problem. He called me this morning (November 7th) and told me that the engine was apart and that the valve spring on cylinder #1 had broken and caused major issues. There were metal pieces inside the engine. I went over to look at the engine and took several pictures. Later this afternoon, he called me and told me that GM was replacing the engine with a new one and it should arrive later this week. The Z06 had only 6700 miles on it and was never abused or tracked. I must say that I am impressed by the quick resolution of how this was handled. I managed to take several pictures and will try to post them as soon as I can figure out how to do that.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35027124@N00/I added link to flickr for some pictures that I took
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35027124@N00/I added link to flickr for some pictures that I took
11-08-2011, 03:14 PM
#36
Burning Brakes
I never meant to imply in any way that this was caused by the builder. I had stated that it was a faulty spring so it didn't matter who assemblied the engine. I have great respect for those of you who do. Being a Chemist and very familiar with different types of failure analysis, I know that you can't spot a valve spring that will fail 3 years down the line by a visual inspection. Keep up the good work at Wixom. Hope you built the replacement engine!
11-08-2011, 03:51 PM
#38
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '06
Glad to see that GM is taking care of you.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
Valve springs issues happen with any LSx motor, and any motor in general. Some of the best springs made have had bad batches and break. It's a fact of life when you have a performance car... even in stock form. It's not just the LS7 that has broken springs stock, I've seen just about every LSx do it.
10000%
11-08-2011, 03:53 PM
#39
Heel & Toe
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So... Is there any consensus on which replacement spring might be the best? Rather than wait for a failure, why not preempt with a relatively cheap and easy valve spring replacement? There must be some way to toughen up the LS7. Is anyone making replacement heads with complete bullet-proof valve trains? Dart? Edelbrock? I know the CompCams trunion kit seems like a decent place to start, but that doesn't address springs and guides. Let's figure this one out. Glad GM is stepping up in this case.
11-08-2011, 05:51 PM
#40
Heel & Toe
Thread Starter
Justin,
Thanks. From some stuff that I read on the forum, I was pleasantly surprised on the quick action, both by the dealer and Chevrolet warranty. I will keep everyone abreast to the progress. The engine is to arrive in the next day or two. this is my 3rd Corvette and I will keep on buying them
Thanks. From some stuff that I read on the forum, I was pleasantly surprised on the quick action, both by the dealer and Chevrolet warranty. I will keep everyone abreast to the progress. The engine is to arrive in the next day or two. this is my 3rd Corvette and I will keep on buying them