Chevrolet Corvette Z06 engine failure problems

Filed Nov 21, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 31,000 miles · AL

Valve rattle, not driving vehicle to keep from dropping valve......costs $4k for repair to heads....31000 miles... If I drive it and drop valve, will cost $18k to replace engine assembly.....long term value of vehicle decreases with non-matching numbers vehicle. One helluva way to treat customers that spend $85k on a vehicle.

Filed May 31, 2017 · Engine · 42,000 miles · TX

#1 azdanz06's avatarazdanz06 , 01-06-2015 11:27 am link to file complaint: https://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/vehicl...nt/index.xhtml I just filed a complaint with the federal safety agency 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, 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. #2 whis9's avatarwhis9 , 01-06-2015 11:39 am

Filed Feb 8, 2017 · Engine · 9,500 miles · IN

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 9500 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: http://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.

Filed Oct 27, 2016 · Engine · 18,000 miles · TX

The 7l 427 engine has a valve failure problem. The valve heads break off inside the engine while running. This happened to me as I was driving along a highway at 60 miles per hour not accelerating braking or turning, in a very remote part of texas. The engine seized up. This is a known issue by gm with a much higher than expected failure rate yet has never had a service bulletin nor recall. The car had 18,000 miles on it at the time and had never been to the track or abused in any way. Oil was changed at 3,000 mile intervals by a certified shop. Between towing and repair the total bill was over $ 16,000. Because the car had been in service over 5 years despite the low mileage, gm picked up only 45% of the costs leaving me with over a $ 10,000 bill. This is a high performance very expensive sports car that had a complete engine failure at 18,000 miles.

Filed Oct 27, 2016 · Engine · 34,795 miles · AZ

Yes ,when driving the corvette on the highway and the engine blew up and quit working everything potentially causing an accident to me at that time I was very scared.........the valve dropped through the 8th cylinder,while driving almost causing drivers to crash.

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Engine · 55,000 miles · OH

I had a friend who had an engine failure on this same engine due to a failed exhaust valve. The valve guides were extremely worn on his car causing the valve failure. Due to his failure and many others like it, I removed my heads and inspected. Sure enough, they were significantly beyond general motors published tolerances and required machining to repair. This was at significant cost to me and out of pocket. Gm knows of this issue and refuses to participate in repair costs for cars out of warranty even though it's a design flaw and safety concern. If and when the valve catastrophically fails, the engine will have a complete shut down, large amounts of smoke out the exhaust clouding the other drivers vision, and has the possibility of leaving oil slicks on the road surface.

Filed Jul 7, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 18,000 miles · TX

Vehicle is completely stock with only 18,000 miles on it. It has never been on a track or used for anything other than a weekend toy. Complete engine failure as a result of a valve breaking off inside the engine while driving casually at 50 MPH. As a result the engine stopped running taking with it the power steering and power assisted brakes. I was on a country road approximately 45 miles from the nearest gas station or service facility of any kind. There was also no cell phone service and was left stranded. I have since had a brand new engine put in at a total cost of over $ 16,000.

Filed Feb 17, 2016 · Engine · 24,000 miles · WA

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: http://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.

Filed Jan 5, 2016 · Engine · 35,995 miles · NJ

The exhaust valve broke off, and engine blew up. I was driving on highway.

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Engine · 28,100 miles · GA

I am extremely 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 causing a loss of control of the vehicle due to the engine stopping abruptly. 88% of the corvette forum members who have had their cylinder heads tested for excessive valve guide wear, were out of service specifications. Source: http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/c6-z06-discussion/3386141-the-out-of-spec-guide-wear-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 severe 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. It has been noted on the forum that gm is very aware of the issues and I assume they think no one will report them for not handling it correctly. The issue is this is a critical safety issue for anyone driving a 06-13 z06 model on the road. I am to the point I don't feel safe to drive my vehicle anymore due to the loud 'ticking' valve-train as it is (symptom) meaning it is likely to fail at any moment seizing the engine while on the road. I have waited on gm for 6 years to do the correct thing on their own but I am now reporting it due to their gross negligence and disregard of their customers safety.