[Z06] LS7 lifters went bad, time to upgrade cam
02-10-2018, 03:29 AM
#162
Team Owner
Crate motor with 3 yr warranty? Thought it was one year...
02-15-2018, 11:10 AM
#163
An update to my Jan 2nd post.
In short the engine is toast. Bad lifter in #4 cylinder...took out the cam. Metal fragments circulating in the oil. But the puzzler is rust in #4 cylinder. No sign of head gasket issues either. This process has proceeded very slowly as the warranty company went step-by-step as they were considering the extent of the damage before deciding to replace the engine.
Before anyone says maintenance issues or doing stupid things, Mobil 1 oil changed annually, always get oil temp up to >130 before anything at least spirited, and generally driven gently.
So, the extended warranty company is replacing the engine in total. I'll have to pay for some uncovered services, but I'm glad I got the extended warranty. And the new LS7 engine should have no valve guide issues...hopefully.
I'm looking forward to getting my Z back later this month.
In short the engine is toast. Bad lifter in #4 cylinder...took out the cam. Metal fragments circulating in the oil. But the puzzler is rust in #4 cylinder. No sign of head gasket issues either. This process has proceeded very slowly as the warranty company went step-by-step as they were considering the extent of the damage before deciding to replace the engine.
Before anyone says maintenance issues or doing stupid things, Mobil 1 oil changed annually, always get oil temp up to >130 before anything at least spirited, and generally driven gently.
So, the extended warranty company is replacing the engine in total. I'll have to pay for some uncovered services, but I'm glad I got the extended warranty. And the new LS7 engine should have no valve guide issues...hopefully.
I'm looking forward to getting my Z back later this month.
02-15-2018, 11:18 AM
#164
Update on my project. I've decided to go with AHP instead of Cam Motion. I spoke with Khole earlier this week. Really awesome guy, he really knows his stuff. Initial impression, A++. The changes in my setup will be AHP116 cam, with the AHP Package 4 + MoldStar90 guides and PSI 1511ML springs.
I will be assembling my heads this week and shipping them to AHP.
I will be assembling my heads this week and shipping them to AHP.
02-15-2018, 01:43 PM
#165
Bow-Tie Guy
Update on my project. I've decided to go with AHP instead of Cam Motion. I spoke with Khole earlier this week. Really awesome guy, he really knows his stuff. Initial impression, A++. The changes in my setup will be AHP116 cam, with the AHP Package 4 + MoldStar90 guides and PSI 1511ML springs.
I will be assembling my heads this week and shipping them to AHP.
I will be assembling my heads this week and shipping them to AHP.
You get your old cam out yet? My cam retainer plate bolts were/are seized in. What a bummer!
Last edited by Les-10; 02-15-2018 at 01:46 PM.
02-15-2018, 03:17 PM
#166
Yup, I got it out several weeks ago. The only thing that gave me hard time was the rack and afterwards it was a little tricky lowering the pan just enough for the oil pump to slide out. I hope I don't get any leaks. The retainer plate bolts came off without a problem. Did you try to loosen them with a trox socket? (If memory serves me right, those are trox). Did you get work done to your car in the past? I wonder if someone over torqued them.
02-15-2018, 06:49 PM
#167
Bow-Tie Guy
Hahaha yes sir
Yup, I got it out several weeks ago. The only thing that gave me hard time was the rack and afterwards it was a little tricky lowering the pan just enough for the oil pump to slide out. I hope I don't get any leaks. The retainer plate bolts came off without a problem. Did you try to loosen them with a trox socket? (If memory serves me right, those are trox). Did you get work done to your car in the past? I wonder if someone over torqued them.
Yup, I got it out several weeks ago. The only thing that gave me hard time was the rack and afterwards it was a little tricky lowering the pan just enough for the oil pump to slide out. I hope I don't get any leaks. The retainer plate bolts came off without a problem. Did you try to loosen them with a trox socket? (If memory serves me right, those are trox). Did you get work done to your car in the past? I wonder if someone over torqued them.
02-16-2018, 12:28 PM
#168
That is a bummer. Do you know if those bolts are reusable? I was thinking of reusing mine. I appreciate the heads up about some of them being a hair too long, you would think a QC department somewhere would catch that.
Yeah, I do remember that you were several steps ahead of me with the rack. Well you still are since AHP is probably already working on your order. I just found a box today, will be shipping my heads this weekend.
What's the game plan with those bolts? I'd be really scared to try to drill them out, but it sounds like that might be the only way.
Yeah, I do remember that you were several steps ahead of me with the rack. Well you still are since AHP is probably already working on your order. I just found a box today, will be shipping my heads this weekend.
What's the game plan with those bolts? I'd be really scared to try to drill them out, but it sounds like that might be the only way.
02-16-2018, 03:37 PM
#169
Bow-Tie Guy
That is a bummer. Do you know if those bolts are reusable? I was thinking of reusing mine. I appreciate the heads up about some of them being a hair too long, you would think a QC department somewhere would catch that.
Yeah, I do remember that you were several steps ahead of me with the rack. Well you still are since AHP is probably already working on your order. I just found a box today, will be shipping my heads this weekend.
What's the game plan with those bolts? I'd be really scared to try to drill them out, but it sounds like that might be the only way.
Yeah, I do remember that you were several steps ahead of me with the rack. Well you still are since AHP is probably already working on your order. I just found a box today, will be shipping my heads this weekend.
What's the game plan with those bolts? I'd be really scared to try to drill them out, but it sounds like that might be the only way.
Yeah Kohle's had my heads a couple weeks now. Unfortunately I'm drilling & grinding bolts. Short of pulling the short block, it's the only game in town. Praying too! Never thought I'd be creating metal shavings & filings inside an assembled/operational engine.
02-19-2018, 11:06 AM
#170
Any idea what's the turnaround for the head work at AHP? I forgot to ask Khole last week. I shipped my heads on Saturday so he should be getting my heads sometime this week.
I'll be praying for you too my friend. Hopefully those bolts will budge and come out without any additional issues. Keep us posted on how that goes
I'll be praying for you too my friend. Hopefully those bolts will budge and come out without any additional issues. Keep us posted on how that goes
02-19-2018, 11:26 AM
#171
Burning Brakes
[QUOTE=big_mike_eu;1596624229]Any idea what's the turnaround for the head work at AHP? I forgot to ask Khole last week. I shipped my heads on Saturday so he should be getting my heads sometime this week.
They got my heads on 1/26 and they sent them back on 2/12. A total of 8 days shipping from and to Indiana via Fedex.
They got my heads on 1/26 and they sent them back on 2/12. A total of 8 days shipping from and to Indiana via Fedex.
02-19-2018, 12:23 PM
#173
Bow-Tie Guy
Any idea what's the turnaround for the head work at AHP? I forgot to ask Khole last week. I shipped my heads on Saturday so he should be getting my heads sometime this week.
I'll be praying for you too my friend. Hopefully those bolts will budge and come out without any additional issues. Keep us posted on how that goes
I'll be praying for you too my friend. Hopefully those bolts will budge and come out without any additional issues. Keep us posted on how that goes
Thanks for the encouragement.
02-20-2018, 10:42 AM
#175
I'll be getting the MoldStar90 guides with their package 4 + PSI 1511ML springs and their 116 cam. My heads received port and polish job the first time around by WCCH. I'm curious what Khole thinks of their P&P job.
02-20-2018, 10:40 PM
#176
Drifting
Big Mike,
WRT post # 161: I got the car back today. The new engine installed was indeed a NEW LS7. It came with a 3 year, 100K mile warranty...I got the paperwork. I was told that the valve guide issue has been dealt with, but time will tell.
WRT post # 163, since this engine is not in regular production anymore, GM is not really interested in researching why the rust in cylinder # 4. But the dealer IS really interested and they are planning on trying to pin down the why on this.
Having driven the car home this afternoon, after having it at the dealer for almost a month (with an extended warranty it can take loner than usual), I was reminded how and why I love this car so much. But it does take almost inhuman restraint to go through the break-in procedure again. The car will go back to the dealer for its 500 mile oil change and a full inspection (the Tech has a lot of time on this car and wants to make sure everything is and stays ship-shape.
As an aside, since the car was apart, I had a new clutch/throw-out bearing, and water pump installed along with all the maintenance items covered at this time as they were due: change all the fluids and bleed the brakes.
Big Mike, I hope you have a really good experience and that you don't have to replace an engine. Thank God for the extended warranty, which I don't normally buy.
WRT post # 161: I got the car back today. The new engine installed was indeed a NEW LS7. It came with a 3 year, 100K mile warranty...I got the paperwork. I was told that the valve guide issue has been dealt with, but time will tell.
WRT post # 163, since this engine is not in regular production anymore, GM is not really interested in researching why the rust in cylinder # 4. But the dealer IS really interested and they are planning on trying to pin down the why on this.
Having driven the car home this afternoon, after having it at the dealer for almost a month (with an extended warranty it can take loner than usual), I was reminded how and why I love this car so much. But it does take almost inhuman restraint to go through the break-in procedure again. The car will go back to the dealer for its 500 mile oil change and a full inspection (the Tech has a lot of time on this car and wants to make sure everything is and stays ship-shape.
As an aside, since the car was apart, I had a new clutch/throw-out bearing, and water pump installed along with all the maintenance items covered at this time as they were due: change all the fluids and bleed the brakes.
Big Mike, I hope you have a really good experience and that you don't have to replace an engine. Thank God for the extended warranty, which I don't normally buy.
02-24-2018, 07:57 PM
#177
Big Mike,
WRT post # 161: I got the car back today. The new engine installed was indeed a NEW LS7. It came with a 3 year, 100K mile warranty...I got the paperwork. I was told that the valve guide issue has been dealt with, but time will tell.
WRT post # 163, since this engine is not in regular production anymore, GM is not really interested in researching why the rust in cylinder # 4. But the dealer IS really interested and they are planning on trying to pin down the why on this.
Having driven the car home this afternoon, after having it at the dealer for almost a month (with an extended warranty it can take loner than usual), I was reminded how and why I love this car so much. But it does take almost inhuman restraint to go through the break-in procedure again. The car will go back to the dealer for its 500 mile oil change and a full inspection (the Tech has a lot of time on this car and wants to make sure everything is and stays ship-shape.
As an aside, since the car was apart, I had a new clutch/throw-out bearing, and water pump installed along with all the maintenance items covered at this time as they were due: change all the fluids and bleed the brakes.
Big Mike, I hope you have a really good experience and that you don't have to replace an engine. Thank God for the extended warranty, which I don't normally buy.
WRT post # 161: I got the car back today. The new engine installed was indeed a NEW LS7. It came with a 3 year, 100K mile warranty...I got the paperwork. I was told that the valve guide issue has been dealt with, but time will tell.
WRT post # 163, since this engine is not in regular production anymore, GM is not really interested in researching why the rust in cylinder # 4. But the dealer IS really interested and they are planning on trying to pin down the why on this.
Having driven the car home this afternoon, after having it at the dealer for almost a month (with an extended warranty it can take loner than usual), I was reminded how and why I love this car so much. But it does take almost inhuman restraint to go through the break-in procedure again. The car will go back to the dealer for its 500 mile oil change and a full inspection (the Tech has a lot of time on this car and wants to make sure everything is and stays ship-shape.
As an aside, since the car was apart, I had a new clutch/throw-out bearing, and water pump installed along with all the maintenance items covered at this time as they were due: change all the fluids and bleed the brakes.
Big Mike, I hope you have a really good experience and that you don't have to replace an engine. Thank God for the extended warranty, which I don't normally buy.
Please let me know if the dealer ever give you any additional information on the rust. It is a very weird thing to see.
Thank you for the wishes, I really hope that I don't have to replace the engine. That would really be a major set back in terms of finance. I am very hopeful that I stop the car on time (thank you CF) and did not create any additional damage. I guess first start or time will tell. Fingers crossed that I dodge that bullet