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Rough idle

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Old Sep 13, 2016 | 04:17 PM
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Default Rough idle

Ever since my c7r was new, (last christmas) it has idled rough. Not so much like the cam loping. It is still just as bad, maybe worse. Is this a common condition? We have been tracking the car and enjoying it imensly. Hence my previous post on track-race mode (still held back). Got it straight now but have not gone totally "naked" with the 11th setting. And really don't need to. It was just good to know GM is looking out for us. Drive on!
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Old Sep 13, 2016 | 05:04 PM
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If there were any misfires, the OBD2 system would detect that within about half a crankshaft revolution, and you'd wind up with a Check Engine light. Not much worse for catalytic converters or emissions quality than to have a cylinder not firing properly, so they actually are able to measure the acceleration and deceleration during and after a cylinder firing event. If it doesn't happen correctly, misfire is detected.

The Z06 has just enough cam that you'll feel it through the car, but it is by no means lumpy. Thus I'd say if yours were any more so, it's indicative of a problem. But if it were, you'd have a light on, and presuming you don't, I think "all is well".
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Old Sep 13, 2016 | 09:40 PM
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Default Rough Idle

I just purchased a 2016 C7 Z51 and was told by the salesman that the car was designed to idle a little rough. Its not annoying and I kind of like it. The car runs as smooth as silk while driving. Looked up several corvette forums and read that GM designed the car this way.

Have my first oil change coming up and will have the dealer check it out just the same.
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Old Sep 13, 2016 | 09:56 PM
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Originally Posted by sneezer
Ever since my c7r was new, (last christmas) it has idled rough. Not so much like the cam loping. It is still just as bad, maybe worse. Is this a common condition? We have been tracking the car and enjoying it imensly. Hence my previous post on track-race mode (still held back). Got it straight now but have not gone totally "naked" with the 11th setting. And really don't need to. It was just good to know GM is looking out for us. Drive on!
Weve had the same issue of the rough idle but only a hand full of times in 15k miles. I seems the idle rpm's were always a hundred or 2 to low when it happens. Usually clears up by the next stop light. No engine lights ever on. Glad it has a long...... warranty!

I will take a guess and say its a lazy sensor.
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Old Sep 13, 2016 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by sneezer
Ever since my c7r was new, (last christmas) it has idled rough. Not so much like the cam loping. It is still just as bad, maybe worse. Is this a common condition? We have been tracking the car and enjoying it imensly. Hence my previous post on track-race mode (still held back). Got it straight now but have not gone totally "naked" with the 11th setting. And really don't need to. It was just good to know GM is looking out for us. Drive on!
If you can, post a video with audio of the exhaust pipes while the car is idling.

Thanks
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 02:10 AM
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The z06 does have a tiny burble to it. Remember it's 650hp. With that said diagnosing something like that over the Internet is going to be tough. It's probably nothing. But it could be somethings.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 03:05 AM
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Less than 900 miles on my Z. Idle is a bit unstable too. It will dither up and down a little, causing the car to vibrate a little. Feels like a larger cam than what it is. No other engine issues. Probably nothing, but it's slightly annoying at times. I'll scan it to check for DTCs. Seems like it's functioning as intended though.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 07:40 AM
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Mine does the same thing, almost like a slight miss but not a constant miss. Has to be one of the sensors not responding quick enough. A bigger cam has a uniform thump thump. I wonder if the AFR is too lean at idle? Is there a way to check the AFR at idle to see what it is and how much it varies?
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 07:59 AM
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Mine never does it...
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 01:33 PM
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Same thing here. A slight roughness in the idle that isn't consistent. My C6 did the same thing. Never bothered me enough to have it looked at and, in the 10 years I had the C6, it never got any worse or caused any problems.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 02:50 PM
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I had a little bit of a rough idle for the first 300 miles or so but now it seems much smoother. It came to my attention because my C7 Z51 was very smooth all the time I had it. So now with the Z the idle now seems fine but then again maybe I'm just use to it.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 05:34 PM
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Funny you bring it up . Just this morning I noticed a bit of a lumpy or rough idle. Hadn't noticed it before. 2,700 miles. Admittedly I tool around town a lot using it as a daily driver, but I also run it out fairly regularly, so it shouldn't be building carbon deposits. Maybe as noted it is just a little idiosyncrasy of a 650 HP engine. I will see it smooths out with some more serious running. --Bob
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 10:07 PM
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The rough or slightly irregular idle goes back to the LS engine series in the 1997 C5.
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Old Sep 14, 2016 | 10:56 PM
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mine is little rough also. I think its pretty cool, so do the people who get into the car.

Last edited by MikeLsx; Sep 14, 2016 at 10:56 PM.
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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 09:12 AM
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I think it is partially due to the heat range plugs that are used and have to be there for boost. Usually "blowing out the dust" every once in a while helps a little.
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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 09:26 AM
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Several years ago I recall reading an automotive white paper that stated a somewhat rough idle was common to many DI engines and one of the major Japanese manufacturers (Toyota I believe) was considering using a dual system with port injection at low RPM to address this and valve buildup. My 2008 CTS and 2014 ATS (both 3.6L DI) have some roughness at idle and Cadillac has new engine mounts available to somewhat disguise this problem although it hasn't bothered me enough to have the mounts changed under warranty. My Z06 also has some noticeable variance at idle but on my list of things in life to worry about it doesn't make the cut
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Old Sep 15, 2016 | 04:54 PM
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Speaking of motor mounts, for 2014 and 2015 models there is a TechLink article about doing a motor mount alignment to possibly help a rough idle/vibration at idle problem however it only mentions the LT1 not the LT4. http://m.gm.oemdtc.com/TechLink/TechLink2014Oct.pdf
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