[Z06] NHTSA: File a Complaint - Valve Guide Issue
01-06-2015, 11:27 AM
#1
Drifting
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NHTSA: File a Complaint - Valve Guide Issue
Link to File Complaint:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml
I just filed a complaint with the NHTSA about the Out of Spec Valve Guide Issue, I would encourage everyone else to do so as well, maybe just maybe it will force GM to finally do a recall and QC on parts.
Here is my complaint:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicl...nt/index.xhtml
I just filed a complaint with the NHTSA about the Out of Spec Valve Guide Issue, I would encourage everyone else to do so as well, maybe just maybe it will force GM to finally do a recall and QC on parts.
Here is my complaint:
I was concerned about excessive valve train noise and after reading several Corvette forum threads about improperly machined heads by GM's supplier Linamar, and that numerous vehicles have had valves drop and ruin the engines, I took my car with 27000 miles on it to a Corvette Specialty Shop to have my valve guide clearance tested. I had (2) Intake Valve Guides outside of service specifications, (4) Exhaust Valve Guides outside of service specifications, and a combination of (10) other intake and exhaust valve guides at or near the maximum outside of service specifications. The car is being repaired with proper re-machining of the heads to make the valve guides concentric, new intake and exhaust valve guides installed, as well as new seals, valves, springs, etc.
88% of the Corvette Forum Members who have had their cylinder heads tested for excessive valve guide wear, were out of service specifications. Source: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-registry.html
GM needs to issue a recall on this issue, there have been numerous engine failures as a result of a dropped valve into a cylinder which can cause accidents and fires. GM is very aware of this issue, but refuses to do anything about this huge safety risk to drivers, passengers, and nearby vehicles if the engine fails going down the road.
88% of the Corvette Forum Members who have had their cylinder heads tested for excessive valve guide wear, were out of service specifications. Source: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-registry.html
GM needs to issue a recall on this issue, there have been numerous engine failures as a result of a dropped valve into a cylinder which can cause accidents and fires. GM is very aware of this issue, but refuses to do anything about this huge safety risk to drivers, passengers, and nearby vehicles if the engine fails going down the road.
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01-06-2015, 11:41 AM
#3
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Maybe you should have added a safety component to the complaint. When the engine fails due to a dropped valve the Power Brakes and Power Steering stop immediately.
Bill
Bill
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hippiefreak67 (10-27-2019)
01-06-2015, 11:44 AM
#4
Drifting
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01-06-2015, 11:59 AM
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Bill
01-06-2015, 12:01 PM
#6
Drifting
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When my engine failed it did not lock up. It just quit running. Pre repair diagnosis showed it threw a manifold vacuum code at 2300 rpm which must have happened after the engine quit running since I disengaged the clutch around 6800 rpm and the tach just dropped to zero. From that point it took about 1/3 of a mile without PS or PB to get the car stopped in a safe run off area. I would have much preferred trying to steer a Cobalt without PS than a Vette with wide tires. My in car video which is posted on the forum captures it nicely.
Bill
Bill
01-06-2015, 12:43 PM
#7
Team Owner
I know this has been tried before, but hopefully it gains traction.
01-06-2015, 12:45 PM
#8
Safety Car
When my exhaust valve dropped, it was on the exit of turn 14 at Road America. Just as I was rolling on the gas after the apex. Felt a quick shutter and immediately put the clutch in and turned off the motor. Coasted just far enough to get off the track and on the pit in road. Kept the damage internal in the block so no oil or antifreeze to clean up for the safety crew. Whether the motor is immediately turned off or not, the engine is going to stop and the power steering and brakes are not going to work.
01-06-2015, 12:59 PM
#9
Drifting
Thread Starter
It does not take much time to file the complaint, if more people jump on this maybe GM can be held accountable and finally issue a recall as well as triple check the quality control of parts, especially these heads.
Last edited by AZDANZ06; 01-07-2015 at 12:01 PM.
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hippiefreak67 (10-27-2019)
01-06-2015, 01:01 PM
#10
Drifting
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When my exhaust valve dropped, it was on the exit of turn 14 at Road America. Just as I was rolling on the gas after the apex. Felt a quick shutter and immediately put the clutch in and turned off the motor. Coasted just far enough to get off the track and on the pit in road. Kept the damage internal in the block so no oil or antifreeze to clean up for the safety crew. Whether the motor is immediately turned off or not, the engine is going to stop and the power steering and brakes are not going to work.
01-06-2015, 01:07 PM
#12
Moderator
The form asks for an incident report. If nothing has happened yet and you have not had your valves checked, it appears there is nothing to send in.
01-06-2015, 01:17 PM
#13
Drifting
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01-06-2015, 01:20 PM
#14
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thank you, let's keep this going.
I am pissed at the results on both my Z with 27K and my Father in Law's Z with 48K, his motor barely made it without breaking, the shop said that two of his guides were so bad and out of spec that they opted not to start his car, just pushed it to where it needed to be in the shop.
I am pissed at the results on both my Z with 27K and my Father in Law's Z with 48K, his motor barely made it without breaking, the shop said that two of his guides were so bad and out of spec that they opted not to start his car, just pushed it to where it needed to be in the shop.
01-06-2015, 01:32 PM
#15
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Not all that scary except thinking the typical "Oh, xxit". The engine didn't grenade and lock up so the crank kept turning until I pushed in the clutch. I didn't get excited until the car stopped and all of the smoke coming out of the rear blew forward and I thought the car was on fire. Based on the video it took me 10 seconds to unfasten the harnesses and get out of the car. A little too slow but it isn't easy crawling out of a race seat and exiting a car with a HANs wrapped around your neck and fastened to your helmet.
Others that I knew had much scarier rides. Like the guy who blew his engine entering turn 10 at the Glen. It immediately locked the rear wheels, dumped a massive amount of oil on the track and he spun off into the run off area. 6 other cars joined him (they had all been running close together) as they spun in his oil. One of them almost hit him in the driver's door but spun past him to hit the tire wall. That car suffered the most damage. A lot of body damage and a possibly a ruined engine as the engine broke off its mounts in the collision. It was a true NASCAR style incident.
Bill
01-06-2015, 01:44 PM
#16
Drifting
Thread Starter
Not all that scary except thinking the typical "Oh, xxit". The engine didn't grenade and lock up so the crank kept turning until I pushed in the clutch. I didn't get excited until the car stopped and all of the smoke coming out of the rear blew forward and I thought the car was on fire. Based on the video it took me 10 seconds to unfasten the harnesses and get out of the car. A little too slow but it isn't easy crawling out of a race seat and exiting a car with a HANs wrapped around your neck and fastened to your helmet.
Others that I knew had much scarier rides. Like the guy who blew his engine entering turn 10 at the Glen. It immediately locked the rear wheels, dumped a massive amount of oil on the track and he spun off into the run off area. 6 other cars joined him (they had all been running close together) as they spun in his oil. One of them almost hit him in the driver's door but spun past him to hit the tire wall. That car suffered the most damage. A lot of body damage and a possibly a ruined engine as the engine broke off its mounts in the collision. It was a true NASCAR style incident.
Bill
Others that I knew had much scarier rides. Like the guy who blew his engine entering turn 10 at the Glen. It immediately locked the rear wheels, dumped a massive amount of oil on the track and he spun off into the run off area. 6 other cars joined him (they had all been running close together) as they spun in his oil. One of them almost hit him in the driver's door but spun past him to hit the tire wall. That car suffered the most damage. A lot of body damage and a possibly a ruined engine as the engine broke off its mounts in the collision. It was a true NASCAR style incident.
Bill
01-06-2015, 02:51 PM
#19
Drifting
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01-06-2015, 02:53 PM
#20
Drifting
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