Sundevil

So here we go, a small leak between the transmission and the extension housing connected to the differential needed repaired...and a passenger window motor finally shot craps. About $1,300 worth of parts and labor, joyfully, all covered, inpsector approved, by a TotalCare warranty I purchased for $1,500 when I bought my '01 C5 back in 2005 .

GM dealer lowers the exhaust to do the tranny and from the front of the car, a 6" bolt hits the floor. It's a bolt that should be holding the starter in place. Turns out, the casting of the motor block that held the bolt has broken away...gone . To top it off, there appears to be some additional spider cracking around that area of the block. All original starter and bolts. First run on the phone with the EasyCare company and they denied, sight unseen. My dealer's Corvette rep goes to bat for me (why shouldn't he, the only solution here is to replace the engine at about 22hrs worth of work) and finally gets EasyCare to resend the inspector to look at the break...the starter is currently being held in place by one bolt.

I'm just sick and excited at the same time. The GM guys think it's a slam dunk engine replacement call due to the broken and cracked block, but I can't think of a single instance where a warranty firm ok'd an LS1 engine replacement without a huge fight. The inspector will be at the dealer first thing Friday morning to approve or deny. Who wouldn't love to have a brand new LS1 dropped into their C5 for just $100! But really, what are the chances I won't have to threaten to sue?

I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight, and I needed to tell you guys my story to date. I've seen the damage myself and I don't see how any other decision could be made but to replace the motor...the fight is who has to pay? No where in the contract are bolts or threads or anything of the sort excluded, but they wanted to deny right off the bat without even seeing the damage...clearly the thought of replacing an LS1 on a $1,500 policy doesn't fit their actuarials very well...but they didn't have any problem accepting my check.

What do you guys think? Should I be preparing for a fight? Anyone else have experience with EasyCare? Anyone else ever see the casting ear for the starter completely break off? WTF?

peter pan

Good luck with easycare and if they balk sue them for all you can as they did like taking the $1500 and did cash your check, time for them to pay up and keep us posted

Mike94ZLT1

Hmmm... if you get them to agree to pay for it try and take a check from them, add some of your own $$$ to it and get something FUN! Stock LS1's are boring, you have a golden opportunity here!

DaBoz

No answers but good luck!!!

Sundevil

We're seeing eye-to-eye brotha! I asked my GM guy, in the event of a motor replacement, what would be the cost difference to 'kick it up a notch'? While we're pulling down crate motors...let's see what else is up there!

I'll cross that bridge when I get there. I just know I'm gonna have to drop the gloves on this one.

Oh, and I'm going to try and get pics of the damage for you guys. Later.

Tino

Pay the difference between the LS1 and LS6 and upgrade?

clayton1

Hope they do the right thing for you man!
G'Luck

CCA Corvette Parts

I've seen them cleaned up, tapped and a fab'd bracket installed where the ear broke off.

Although not all that common, I would bet they have seen it before and know the fix is out there...

There was actually a thread on here not to long ago regarding the exact same issue, I looked but could not find it for you

Best of luck tomorrow

Peace
Chip

Fastbird

This same procedure was done to my car under the original owner. Odds are that this is the route that will be taken with your car.

RSchleder

If they refuse the claim, it's not the END! It's just the beginning of the legal fight! Go get them!!!

Bob CTS

My buddy had a similar issue though not a Vette and the engine was replaced w/ a used one with about the same mileage and they extended the warranty on the internal engine parts by 'X' number of months. Just saying do not expect a new engine but good luck.

Mike94ZLT1

No those are boring too. It also depends on if the warranty company requires that the work be done at a GM dealer or not. I would look at purchasing a 402 from one of our vendors, with a nice heads / cam package. Since the engine will be out, you'd probably want to install a new clutch while you're at it. (assuming its a 6 speed) and you might as well get headers and all that other fun stuff. I would think that the insurance company would be writing a pretty decent check, a crate LS1 is something like $5500, plus 22-24 hours of dealer labor at $75-$90 an hour = I'd bet for about $2000 out of pocket, this could be the best thing that ever happened to your car!

Vetteman Jack

Good luck with the warranty company. Hope they come through for you.

Sundevil

Thanks for all the support guys ! Here's the latest update...EasyCare is going to replace the motor - thanks to my GM guy for convincing them that a 'fix' to the original wasn't likely to hold or suffice considering the additional spider cracks. A used motor was the obvious choice of the warranty company...problem is, they are having a hard time finding a comparable LS1 (after recondintioning and install) for less than the dealer can provide a brand new one out of the crate! My GM guy told me at the end of the day today, well, it looks like a new LS1, straight from the crate is in my very near future (fingers crossed)! I should know Saturday or Monday the final decision...regardless, it's an engine replacement.

Now, as for the upgrade, well, I'd love to move up to a 402 or something else, but I just can't drop the change right now with my munchkins in private school for the next few years...besides, $2k is a third of the way to a Procharger...and ATI is based out of my hometown!

Before anything gets done, my mechanic is going to get the pics of the damage and then it's off to new motor land.

Oh, and to the threads about "would you buy the warranty", let me say this...hell yeah! Best $1,500 I ever spent...and that was when it was just for piece of mind. In this case, it likely netted me a crate LS1 after 67k miles for just over $100 (oh, and the tranny seal was fixed and the window motor was replaced too)!

So far, things are going well...all things considered. I'd still rather have not even had to take her into the shop. Hopefully, a final installment to follow with more good results and the original damage pics.

Later!

Mike94ZLT1

Well, if you're gonna go that route, a crate LS6 is right around the same price. Either way I'm glad it worked out in your favor!!!

Cobra4B

Get a crate LS6 put in, then a procharger and some headers and you'll have 550 rwhp all day long.

DeeGee

Sounds like you owe your GM guy a beer

Glad to hear they're going to treat you right.

clayton1

A good beer at that!
Sounds like good news

csexton

Sounds like it is working out for you! Congrats and enjoy that new power

Chuck

RSchleder

Good for you. My dealer goes to bat for me too with my Extended Warranty Company. Sounds like you'll do OK here!