Chevy gave Fairfield Chevy authorization to pull the pan and the oil sump. This is extremely rare as they have sent out bulletins that essentually say, 'Don't touch Z06 engines'. The bad news is, they didn't find any of the 20 or so missing needle bearings. I stopped by and saw the pan last night and everything looks great, but no missing pieces. I even went home and strained my old oil through a piece of window screen just in case they came out when I was changing the oil. Nothing. So, where are they?? Normally Chevy would just put in a different engine, but since this is a rare car, we want to keep it numbers matching. Just told them what we found about 1/2 hour ago. We'll see what they say tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Chevy gave Fairfield Chevy authorization to pull the pan and the oil sump. This is extremely rare as they have sent out bulletins that essentually say, 'Don't touch Z06 engines'. The bad news is, they didn't find any of the 20 or so missing needle bearings. I stopped by and saw the pan last night and everything looks great, but no missing pieces. I even went home and strained my old oil through a piece of window screen just in case they came out when I was changing the oil. Nothing. So, where are they?? Normally Chevy would just put in a different engine, but since this is a rare car, we want to keep it numbers matching. Just told them what we found about 1/2 hour ago. We'll see what they say tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Maybe this will make you feel better, but we have not had any problems after finding this in the past. Even though this bulletin is for older cars, same problem.
Subject: Needle Bearings Found In Oil Pan (Replace Rocker Arms) #02-06-01-029 - (08/28/2002)
Models: 1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette
1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird
2002 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT
1999-2002 Chevrolet Silverado
2000-2002 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
1999-2002 GMC Sierra
2000-2002 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL
2003 HUMMER H2
with 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L or 6.0L V8 Engine (VINs V, T, G, S, U -- RPOs LR4, LM7, LS1, LS6, LQ4, LQ9)
Condition
Some customers may comment or technicians may notice needle bearings being found during an engine oil change. The bearings may be found in either the drain pan used or on the magnetic oil pan drain plug.
Cause
One or more rocker arms may have experienced a bearing failure.
Correction
Inspect all of the rocker arms for bearing retainer cap failure. If one or more defective rocker arms are found, replace all 16 rocker arms. Refer to the Engine Mechanical sub-section in the appropriate Service Manual.
If no condition with the rocker arms is found, refer to the service history for previous rocker arm repair. If previous rocker arm repair was made, then the engine may not have been thoroughly cleaned of loose roller bearings. If no previous rocker arm repair was made, then look for another condition.
Remove the oil pan and clean out any additional bearings found within the oil pan. Refer to the Engine Mechanical sub-section in the appropriate Service Manual.
Install the oil pan. Refer to the Engine Mechanical sub-section in the appropriate Service Manual.
Chevtech, yes, that is what they keep telling us, but that doesn't set very well with my wife, and frankly, me either. And, since we are told that they cannot go anywhere except to the oil pan or the sump, and neither have any, now what? We are 100% sure that they were not in the oil I drained or in the pan or sump, and the lines have been either blown out or flushed, and pretty sure they weren't in the oil the dealer drained because the mechanic ran his hand through the oil looking for them. To help support him, we drove 20 miles to the dealer after I changed the oil, so I would think that with 20 or so needle bearings in the pan, at least some of them would have made it to the magnetic plug, which they did not. So now we have this bunch of needle bearings somewhere in the engine where they 'can't get to'. Now would you just hop in this $80,000 car and take off and never give it another thought? Sure it has a 50,000 mi warrenty, but when will something go? In the middle of nowhere, or in the driveway? I am confidant that this will be resolved to our satisfaction, it's just I don't know what Chevy plans to do at this point, so it will sit at the dealers until it is resolved. (Thanks Rich)
Ken
The "worst case" scenario is that Chevy replaces the engine. No biggy. It's a mass-produced car. I really don't think the RF stickers will add much "collectors value" to the Z06 IMHO. (Look at the Anniversary Edition resale).
And you still use the same design rocker arm? With all these cars having had rocker arm issues is seems like it's time to go back to the drawing board These motors ( LS7) cost so much I would think GM would develop a better retainer for the needle bearings or some type of screen to prevent the needle bearings from ever leaving the heads
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chevtech
Maybe this will make you feel better, but we have not had any problems after finding this in the past. Even though this bulletin is for older cars, same problem.
Subject: Needle Bearings Found In Oil Pan (Replace Rocker Arms) #02-06-01-029 - (08/28/2002)
Models: 1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette
1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird
2002 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT
1999-2002 Chevrolet Silverado
2000-2002 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe
2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
1999-2002 GMC Sierra
2000-2002 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL
2003 HUMMER H2
with 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L or 6.0L V8 Engine (VINs V, T, G, S, U -- RPOs LR4, LM7, LS1, LS6, LQ4, LQ9)
Condition
Some customers may comment or technicians may notice needle bearings being found during an engine oil change. The bearings may be found in either the drain pan used or on the magnetic oil pan drain plug.
Cause
One or more rocker arms may have experienced a bearing failure.
Correction
Inspect all of the rocker arms for bearing retainer cap failure. If one or more defective rocker arms are found, replace all 16 rocker arms. Refer to the Engine Mechanical sub-section in the appropriate Service Manual.
If no condition with the rocker arms is found, refer to the service history for previous rocker arm repair. If previous rocker arm repair was made, then the engine may not have been thoroughly cleaned of loose roller bearings. If no previous rocker arm repair was made, then look for another condition.
Remove the oil pan and clean out any additional bearings found within the oil pan. Refer to the Engine Mechanical sub-section in the appropriate Service Manual.
Install the oil pan. Refer to the Engine Mechanical sub-section in the appropriate Service Manual.
And you still use the same design rocker arm? With all these cars having had rocker arm issues is seems like it's time to go back to the drawing board These motors ( LS7) cost so much I would think GM would develop a better retainer for the needle bearings or some type of screen to prevent the needle bearings from ever leaving the heads
Every part has its failure rate, it doesn't happen very often. I can tell you that we have never had an engine failure from them, that said, I know how he feels. There is a 100k warranty on the motor, and if you think about the choices out there, less is better. I don't think there have been any threads about rocker bearings causing a engine failure, but there still have been some failures, even on a hand built motor.
The "worst case" scenario is that Chevy replaces the engine. No biggy. It's a mass-produced car. I really don't think the RF stickers will add much "collectors value" to the Z06 IMHO. (Look at the Anniversary Edition resale).
The Ron Fellows Edition is NOT a mass produced car and maybe it would sit well for you to pay 80K and then have it sit in a dealer's corral until Chevy decides what to do but I as Ken and Marci would be extremely pissed and want more than just a replaced engine at this point.
Eventhough an engine is easier....they wont let you pull the motor??? and have them open it all up?
Would you want your new motor torn apart?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Z06 Mike
The "worst case" scenario is that Chevy replaces the engine. No biggy. It's a mass-produced car. I really don't think the RF stickers will add much "collectors value" to the Z06 IMHO. (Look at the Anniversary Edition resale).
Also, with only 399 RF editions produced, this car may be worth something someday. Especially with Ron signing the dash for them at the NCM - Dated 4/27 = 427. This could easily become a very collectible car years down the line. Would you want to risk watering that value down by having a replacement engine without matching numbers?
So far, Chevy says replace the engine or take it like it is. We are not done yet. I have sent an email to the top of Corvette. Stay tunned!
Hell, if you can get a new motor and keep the original one, that'd be ideal. 30 years down the line when the value of this car starts to really rebound from near its minimum, if it does, you'll be able to put that original motor in with next to no miles on it.
They have already said we can't get a new engine and keep the old one, and they 'can't' get us a new engine with the right casting dates and/or right stamping ie VIN# . So, now we are waiting. I hope to get a response to my email in a day or two.
Ken
Ken, Mike & I are prayin for ya to get something of satisfaction on this one. We are so sorry to hear of this one to such nice people. You are in our thoughts!
Corvette Store
Ron Fellows Z06 engine problem update
Normally Chevy would just put in a different engine, but since this is a rare car, we want to keep it numbers matching. Just told them what we found about 1/2 hour ago. We'll see what they say tomorrow. Stay tuned!
And you still use the same design rocker arm? With all these cars having had rocker arm issues is seems like it's time to go back to the drawing board 
These motors ( LS7) cost so much I would think GM would develop a better retainer for the needle bearings or some type of screen to prevent the needle bearings from ever leaving the heads 
and they 'can't' get us a new engine with the right casting dates and/or right stamping ie VIN#
