Attention Valve Spring Failures/Concerns
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,790
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From: Garden Valley CA
Not how it works, the spring doesn't split in half vertically and fall away, the coil breaks and everything is still captured. None have tagged a piston yet because of this. It can be changed from above without dropping the motor. I did it myself on my 76 Corvette to replace valve seals back in 1983, it's not that big of a deal to change the springs.
I used to place a socket on the retainer and give it a wack with a hammer to quickly remove valve keepers.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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The drawn wire is heated before winding, and then must be cooled at a predetermined rate for proper hardening.
Last edited by Foosh; Sep 23, 2020 at 12:03 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 616
From: St Louis Area IL
You will instantly get a misfire engine code the second it breaks. The springs purpose is to push on the valve stem to keep the valve firmly closed. If a coil breaks it wont exert enough pressure on the valve to firmly close and seal the port. It isn't going to be flopping around or hitting the piston.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 411
Likes: 379
From: Powder Springs GA
So instead of risking expensive engine replacements, anyone think they will do a recall to have all springs replaced BEFORE more problems? Or is it like others have said, make it past 500 miles and you’re probably in the clear so they will just fix engines as needed?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 157
Likes: 225
I have not taken delivery yet and fall into this window. I am a preventative maintenance guy to avoid being stuck on the side of the road. What options do I have to just fix this before I may or may not have a problem? Are the replacement springs from a different supplier? Is there an aftermarket option? Any idea on labor to just do this at delivery?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 568
Likes: 271
From: Arizona
Sounds to me like the supplier had a batch of springs that were not case hardened correctly. They are probably at the threshold of being too brittle. That would cause one to give up and probably crack across the diameter of the coil somewhere.
It could be that any in the set could go at any time. Of course, the first one stops you anyway, but to recall the whole set in all these builds leads me to believe this is a ticking clock and replacing just the bad one only delays the second one from happening.
It could be that any in the set could go at any time. Of course, the first one stops you anyway, but to recall the whole set in all these builds leads me to believe this is a ticking clock and replacing just the bad one only delays the second one from happening.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: 200 AGL
St. Jude Donor '15
I have not taken delivery yet and fall into this window. I am a preventative maintenance guy to avoid being stuck on the side of the road. What options do I have to just fix this before I may or may not have a problem? Are the replacement springs from a different supplier? Is there an aftermarket option? Any idea on labor to just do this at delivery?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 713
Likes: 506
I have not taken delivery yet and fall into this window. I am a preventative maintenance guy to avoid being stuck on the side of the road. What options do I have to just fix this before I may or may not have a problem? Are the replacement springs from a different supplier? Is there an aftermarket option? Any idea on labor to just do this at delivery?
Just drive it. Don't panic.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Agreed, it's a simple fix, particularly now that GM has issued a bulletin, and should be ready with parts.
Since this appears to be an "infant mortality" issue, if your car makes it past 2K or so miles, you're probably home free. It is likely that only a relatively small percentage of springs manufactured during that time period are bad.
Since this appears to be an "infant mortality" issue, if your car makes it past 2K or so miles, you're probably home free. It is likely that only a relatively small percentage of springs manufactured during that time period are bad.
Last edited by Foosh; Sep 23, 2020 at 01:22 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 157
Likes: 225
Every single time I get in the car this will be lingering in the back of my head...Will it break down this trip? Do I have time to deal with it if it does? Will it be in tow proximity to a dealer or in the middle of nowhere?
Not ideal thoughts having just shelled out a ton of cash for it. GM should recall preemptively if they have an idea of the scope of the problem.
Unfortunately this car will be relegated to joy rides only for the first 1500 miles where I have cell service and would have the time to deal with a breakdown if one happens.
2020 continues to throw punches!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2015
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From: St Louis Area IL
Banned Scam/Spammer
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From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
Hopefully GM has a solid contract with the supplier for the springs where the supplier not only has to cover the cost of parts, but also the labor costs for the recall.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Sep 23, 2020 at 02:43 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 12,790
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From: Garden Valley CA
Their margin is probably such that just replacing the suspect springs is going to sting.
Last edited by RKCRLR; Sep 23, 2020 at 02:58 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 22,598
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Where is it mentioned that this is an "infant mortality" issue? In 2002 there was a bad batch of springs in the Z06s that GM never acknowledged. They could fail at any time really.
I have 2,500 miles on mine and had it at VIR last weekend w/o issue.
I have 2,500 miles on mine and had it at VIR last weekend w/o issue.
