Oil Pressure Issue
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 383
Likes: 3
From: san diego
Your engine builder is absolutely correct. That cooler can't be properly cleaned to a point where everyone is confident that it's clean enough after a failure that creates metal floating around. So now it falls back on GM as the dealer did what GM recommends. I would ask for the information that states what GM recommends. If the dealer did that verbatim, its actually on GM. But you won't get anywhere chasing that monkey. I believe, cleaning the sump requires removing it and actually disassembling it. If it wasn't disassembled, its on the dealer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Looking at the photo of the metal fragments, it looks like like copper or bronze. with that said, like someone else said could be valve guide material or.... if they are tri-metal engine bearings then you may have burned out the engine bearings, I mean like completely gone. The copper on the bearing is down about two layers just before you get to the steel. I would be suspect of the oil pump/pumps especially the scavenger pump which sends the oil from the sump to the holding tank. Also, if the filter got clogged and was running thru the bypass of the filter ( sending unfiltered oil thru the engine ) this would wipe out the bearings too. But you said you lost oil pressure so not a likely cause just a contributer to the failure.
When you did check the oil was it real foamy? Maybe you are sucking air thru the sump pick-up.
When you did check the oil was it real foamy? Maybe you are sucking air thru the sump pick-up.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
came across your thread today, and from the pictures in post 19 it looked like bearing failure to me. But then reading about the previous engine failure, now I'd have to agree with incomplete wash of the oil lines/system. I do a bit of work on the side (not my main job) and it reminds me of the situation when an automatic trans burns up - the friction material gets everywhere and the only way to ensure clean oil is to start with a new cooler and new lines. It is virtually impossible to clean all the particulates out of a heat exchanger. It seems the situation is similar here. Next time, use new components or as suggested above, have everything disassembled and visually verified. good luck!
In fact, I found a GM service document which states that upon replacing a LS7 or LS9 YOU MUST REPLACE 1- OIL COOLER, BOTH OIL COOLER LINES 3 - OIL TANK LINES....Why do you think they state "Must Replace"?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 1,124
From: Cincinnati OH
So did you confront the dealer with the new found GM service document and does he now take ownership of the problem -- or what's his current excuse? Seems that you're in a better negotiating position now.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
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I'm having another shop remove the motor and inspect. Should there be no broken parts...than engine was introduced to old debris OR if there are broken\damaged parts than current engine produced debris. From there we will advise those who are responsible for our loss.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
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Update:
The DEALER who replaced the motor did not follow GM instruction by neglecting to replace the Oil Cooler and Oil Lines (4). Hence, the new motor was cross contaminated with debris from previous engine failure. The debris traveling through the lower oil passage and Main Bearings simply g damaged the surface of the bearings and increased the main gab.
A travesty by a GM Dealer oversight!
The DEALER who replaced the motor did not follow GM instruction by neglecting to replace the Oil Cooler and Oil Lines (4). Hence, the new motor was cross contaminated with debris from previous engine failure. The debris traveling through the lower oil passage and Main Bearings simply g damaged the surface of the bearings and increased the main gab.
A travesty by a GM Dealer oversight!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,226
Likes: 497
From: NJ
So GM will replace the motor and oil cooler and lines? GM sucks, why couldn't they replace the oil components the first time. At least you found the problem. GM would never own up to that mistake unless you shoved it under their noses. What a PITA. I wouldn't let their techs drill an a**hole in a hobby horse! I guess you can tell I have all the confidence in the world when it comes to GM. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
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So GM will replace the motor and oil cooler and lines? GM sucks, why couldn't they replace the oil components the first time. At least you found the problem. GM would never own up to that mistake unless you shoved it under their noses. What a PITA. I wouldn't let their techs drill an a**hole in a hobby horse! I guess you can tell I have all the confidence in the world when it comes to GM.
BEST ADVICE: NEVER TAKE YOUR CAR TO A DEALER UNLESS ITS UNDER WARRANTY!
Find a local Corvette shop with experience (a Corvette Racing \Motorsport Shop) and understanding the car's engineering.
Note: I dont like generalizing ...but I'm garnishing such notion.
Last edited by zo6style; Feb 3, 2015 at 11:24 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I've not read all three pages but over 5 mos. to get this resolved! BTW, how did you determine that they didn't completely follow procedure by not replacing oil cooler and oil lines? Was it omitted from the list of new parts on the eventual bill you got?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
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1 -Q:"BTW, how did you determine that they didn't completely follow procedure by not replacing oil cooler and oil lines? " - A: When we trailered the car to the tunner and unloaded it...the Tech said "Why didn't they install a new oil cooler and oil lines?"
2 - Q: "Was it omitted from the list of new parts on the eventual bill you got?" - A: Invoice never stated that items were replaced and upon a conversation with Dealer we were told that the cleaning process which was applied in the R&R process is as recommended by GM.