Coolleon

Hello all,

I noticed some pink coolant on the floor of my garage near the front left tire of my zr1. I took it to the dealer who thought it might be the water pump. Upon closer examination, the zr1 machanic noticed the leak was coming from a coolant fitting on the left side of the engine block. He removed it and found it was crossed threaded. Now he must remove the entire front section of the car (breaks, suspension, cross members ect) so that he can access the threads to re tap them.

The car is under warrantee with less than 10 k on the clock.

Do you think the re tap will fix the problem or should I be pushing for another resolution like a new block?

Thanks,

Gary '09 C6

if the re-tap procedure can be done successfully, I doubt Chevy will replace the block before trying the other...

Coolleon

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Engine And Engine Cooling Service Bulletin 344777

NHTSA: Action Number: 10045062 Service Bulletin Number: 344777
Report Date:
Jun 01, 2012Component:
Engine And Engine Cooling
Summary: Chevrolet: upon inspecting vehicles at dealer, coolant leakage is noticed coming from oil cooler fitting threads that screws into left side of engine block, due to fitting being cross threaded. . *pe

Coolleon

Update:

The Gm ZR1 tech gave me a call today and told me that he re tapped the oil cooler fitting threads. The tapping resulted in only one thread left. He has tried a number of thread lockers and sealents but the thread around the installed fitting but it still leaked without applying heat or pressure. (car is off) He is going to try one more brand of sealent tomorrow. If this fails, then he is going call the GM district manager and request a new engine. My biggest fear is that even if the new sealer works, with only one thread left, over time it will eventually leak.

Anyone gone through this type of challenge?

Should I be pusing for a new engine or block?

Thanks.....

Dave Schotz

At that point... I'd push for a new motor. But frankly, why wouldn't they just go up a size on the tap... the 'surface' still is there obviously. And then run a reducer if necessary.

Good luck!

Dave

ZR1forMe

Is this a 2010 issue only? Thanks

Coolleon

I believe it could occur on all year models.

I would suggest having it checked just for piece of mind.

Glenn Pieschke

My car is in the shop today as we speak. It's a 2010 with 4k miles, 1,500 on the track. THE GM DOCUMENT #2891650 (July 26,2012) SAYS ALL YEAR ZR1's AND ZL1's are effected !!! LET YOUR BROTHERS KNOW WHO DRIVE THEIR CARS ON THE TRACK (OR THE WAY GOD INTENDED) OF THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM, as coolant on the rear tires can be disasterous! I spotted my INTERMITTENT small leak on the windshield of a car parked under it on the lift. Mine dripped off the center crossmember on the driver side. They recommend a custom tap DIN 2181- M28x1.25 6H Bottoming Pipe Tap from www.e-tapps.com (321-953-3373). Hope this helps.

Gary '09 C6

OP, what was the final resolution of this matter on your car ?

Glenn Pieschke

I'll know in a few days as its in the shop now and the tap is arriving today. I will post the results.

Glenn Pieschke

The tap they tried a few days ago failed and the zone rep approved a NEW COMPLETE engine and supercharger. Its suppose to arrive in a few days and take two days to install. My concern is I hope they torque all the driveline to factory specs? Also the future value of the car may be effected by a REPLACEMENT ENGINE. Its a shame because my engine had only 4,000 miles on it with no oil consumption or noise after many trips to the redline. I wonder how many of the 4,000 or so ZR1's (and ZL1's) will ultimately be affected from 2009-2013? ***NOTE: GM IS NOT SENDING RECALLS TO CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL LEAK AND ONLY WILL RESOLVE THE ISSUE IF THEY NOTICE OR COMPLAIN !!!*** ***PLEASE INFORM ALL ZR1 / ZL1 OWNERS YOU KNOW***

911/Q45

Thanks for the update. Glad you got a new engine, not so good about loss of value due to nonoriginality. Guess you'll just have to keep it forever like I will mine!

Gary '09 C6

well, at least GM did the right thing by replacing the engine & supercharger after the tap attempts failed...

G-L, and thanks for bringing this issue to everyone's attention.

Bill Dearborn

A warranty replacement engine shouldn't affect the value of the car in the short term. If you plan on keeping it another 20 years it might affect it then but only if the cars come collectible. If you get some person trying to buy the car and they make an issue out of the situation tell them you aren't interested in selling to them.

Bill

3LZZ06

...

That's one expensive cross-threaded hole for GM.

old motorhead

Please let the dealership know that I'll take that "worthless, banged up, cross threaded, useless LS9 motor" off their hands.....and I won't even charge them a disposal fee.

OnPoint

Would seem a re-tap and custom made fitting would be a heck of lot less expensive.

Wow. Replace an entire engine and huffer over this?

Just Wow.

Gary '09 C6

^ OP found a NHTSA action bulletin (cited above)...maybe that's why ?

Coolleon

This is interesting....

My GM tech said that my re tap was a success. He said that he put the car under pressure over night and it was ok. The car was not test driven due to poor weather. I still smell coolant after I drove the car and assumed that it was ok. Is this normal? Should I even be able to smell coolant?


After reading your post, I am now concerned. May I ask that you PM some information?

I would like to have your dealership name, address, contact number, e mail, your techs info as well. I will pass all this info on to my tech and ask that he consult with your tech to insure that my problem has been addressed properly.


Thank you,

911/Q45

It takes a long time for spilled coolant to evaporate from all the nooks and crannies.