Valve spring Brooke, GM will replace engine
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
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From: Knoxville Tn
Valve spring Brooke, GM will replace engine
My good friend picked up his HTC a couple of weeks ago, and around 1000 miles, the dreaded broken valve spring problem happened. It destroyed the right bank head and the valve shattered the piston and which scratched the cylinder wall. GM has ordered him a replacement engine and it should arrive by Monday. I have no doubt the very experienced mechanic at our dealership will do a great job with the replacement. He wondered if the replacement engine would affect the resale value of his car. I told him it would show up on "Carfax", but it's doubtful it will have much affect on a trade in value. His car is not a 'collector' by any stretch of the imagination. I suppose that 50-70 years from now, it might make a difference. He tends to trade about every 3 years, with the same dealer. I told him I would express my loss of value concerns to the dealer, but wouldn't lose much sleep over the replacement. He might get a few free oil changes or some other 'compensation', if he complains loud enough.
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2020
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The only thing worse is paying a $15K premium and then being worried about resale value....
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Wisconsin
I remember when the street Hemi came out in the 66 67 Dodge and Plymouth cars. They blew up pretty regularly. Got replacement short blocks under warranty. How's the value of those cars doing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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Just tell him to get a letter from Chevy/GM documenting the situation and affirming he got a factory fresh replacement engine. It will be a LONG LONG time before NCRS starts checking these cars for original engines. Most of us will be pushing up a daisy patch by then!
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Pro
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From: Seattle, WA
That's why it's puzzling to me that why some forum members here don't have any sympathy to people whose new car running into various issues and had to be repaired only days or weeks after getting the car, as if we should not complain at all, and just swallow whatever the misfortune happened to our purchase. I thought folks here are all Corvette lovers and can understand the feelings of all owners, especially many us of first time owners.
Last edited by bluan; Nov 28, 2020 at 09:28 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
I had a 13 c6 gs. I was on my way to trade it for a c7. I felt a few odd engine vibrations on the 2 hour drive to the dealership. Deal was done and when the dealer started it, it detonated. Car was only 8 months old.
I felt bad as I have a good relationship with the dealer. He said not to worry it happens every so often. He told me guy who bought the car appreciated a brand new engine, I’d not sweat it.
I felt bad as I have a good relationship with the dealer. He said not to worry it happens every so often. He told me guy who bought the car appreciated a brand new engine, I’d not sweat it.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: NE South Carolina
Assume they mean the one that was delivered in a truck to Bowling Green with a batch of other's from the Tonawanda NY engine factory and was assigned to their car by some computer! Or do they think it was a match made on "eharmoney!"
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Good that GM is taking care of your friend but unfortunate that the car had a problem in the first place. I agree with the recommendation to get documentation from the dealer/GM about what happened, the remedy, and then perhaps seek an extended warranty as compensation for the trouble. Can’t hurt to ask.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Cortez, FL/Canandaigua NY (Summer)
What is the vin? It seems the broken springs happened in the vin range of plus or minus 10,000. If it happened on a car delivered 2 weeks ago (vin approx 15,000) I think this would be new territory. Just looking for another data point.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Knoxville Tn
Yep, chuckle at the folks who say they want the "original engine."
Assume they mean the one that was delivered in a truck to Bowling Green with a batch of other's from the Tonawanda NY engine factory and was assigned to their car by some computer! Or do they think it was a match made on "eharmoney!"
Assume they mean the one that was delivered in a truck to Bowling Green with a batch of other's from the Tonawanda NY engine factory and was assigned to their car by some computer! Or do they think it was a match made on "eharmoney!"
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: NE South Carolina
^^^
Yep if you had a '67 427, 430 hp L88 BB I'd agree! (Had a friend who one and when I drove it, switched lanes on the 1st to 2nd shift! Fun car to drive but no where near the C8 in 0 to 60 acceleration.) BUT not the engine in a 2020 C8 that will never have that status.
Yep if you had a '67 427, 430 hp L88 BB I'd agree! (Had a friend who one and when I drove it, switched lanes on the 1st to 2nd shift! Fun car to drive but no where near the C8 in 0 to 60 acceleration.) BUT not the engine in a 2020 C8 that will never have that status.
Last edited by JerryU; Nov 28, 2020 at 09:00 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: New England
Unfortunately, I suspect it will affect resale down the road. Most used Corvette buyers are very fickle if you are looking for top dollar, and car dealers will use any red flag they can on a Carfax to reduce trade in value. Having said that just get the engine replaced, enjoy the car, and forget about it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 484
From: Portland Oregon
Understand, the VIN is stamped on the engine and a true 'numbers matching' car will have those same numbers on the engine, and the body. This is important stuff for truly collectable cars. For instance, a 67 big block Vette with the original engine can be worth many times more than one with a NOM (non original motor). Same goes for Chrysler hemis. However, a 2020 Vette is a long way away from being a true collectable. He will have to go through a new 500 mile break in sequence. I know, if it were me, I'd, always have that nagging feeling that I have made a $100,000 expenditure that is going to be a lemon. I really don't think the short term that he'll keep the car, will show much difference in value. It also gives me some trepidation on my upcoming 2021 expected in January or February. Life goes on, I guess I'll worry about things that I can actually do something about.
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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL
Excellent remark here! I'd even go one step further to say that, for many of us first time Corvette buyers, after a long wait and lots of excitement in getting the car, and running into various kinds of quality issues, it's very natural that we feel some degree of disappointment if our newly acquired C8 has any kind of problem, even if the repair may not show on Carfax. We simply wish that we are getting a new car that is not been taken apart, especially not being taking about after only owning it for a few days or a few weeks. To me, that's a totally natural and reasonable expectation.
That's why it's puzzling to me that why some forum members here don't have any sympathy to people whose new car running into various issues and had to be repaired only days or weeks after getting the car, as if we should not complain at all, and just swallow whatever the misfortune happened to our purchase. I thought folks here are all Corvette lovers and can understand the feelings of all owners, especially many us of first time owners.
That's why it's puzzling to me that why some forum members here don't have any sympathy to people whose new car running into various issues and had to be repaired only days or weeks after getting the car, as if we should not complain at all, and just swallow whatever the misfortune happened to our purchase. I thought folks here are all Corvette lovers and can understand the feelings of all owners, especially many us of first time owners.
) feel better. Nothing that can be done about it - it is what it is. That's why we have warranties.