[Vintage]

Originally Posted by SpeedIsLife

Keep in mind you'll likely not be getting a new-new LT1..you'll be getting a certified rebuilt LT1 (if past history is any indication).

Good lord - I better be getting a crate fresh and new LT1. Emailing Service Advisor now. Why does darn near everything turn into a battle?

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by Vintage

UPDATE 2 - I have now spoken with SA. "The #3 piston let go and dropped. When that happened, it destroyed the motor and you need a new motor. We have submitted a request that you receive a new motor under warranty and we are waiting to hear from Chevy. We do not know why it failed and it does not appear that you did anything - there is no way to tell why it broke."

I continue to be hopeful. Please remember that this happened at about 4k rpm in 2nd gear while accelerating. Strange and uncommon but not unheard of apparently.

That can happen to any engine...remember how many of these engines are out there, and how few failures we hear about.

[cleoent]

Originally Posted by Vintage

UPDATE 2 - I have now spoken with SA. "The #3 piston let go and dropped. When that happened, it destroyed the motor and you need a new motor. We have submitted a request that you receive a new motor under warranty and we are waiting to hear from Chevy. We do not know why it failed and it does not appear that you did anything - there is no way to tell why it broke."

I continue to be hopeful. Please remember that this happened at about 4k rpm in 2nd gear while accelerating. Strange and uncommon but not unheard of apparently.

Time to relax. There's zero chance they don't cover this under warranty. Now you need to go on the offensive and demand a quick resolution. This has already taken too long.

[VelvetHammer]

Hey all, I work in a GM parts department and have been watching this thread closely. Vintage to put your mind at ease, you will get a NEW LT1 and not a "Certified Remanufactured". One of our customers suffered a similar catastrophic failure in a new Vette and the replacement was new. Your dealership has been following protocol and unfortunately it takes time. The good news is, now that the teardown is done the process should move fairly quickly. The replacement engine should take a couple of days to arrive as it will come from one of GM's large powertrain dealers (we use Westpoint in Houston). Hang in there my friend, your car should be fine.

[glenB]

To OP, don't be surprised or concerned but GM will probably upload your PCM to ensure that no tuning has occurred, and I know you've said it's stock, but they will also have a Freeze Frame to look at. Not much to see really, but they will have certain data about the failure.... temp/load/throttle/RPM/baro etc. no big deal.

Just glad they've finally did something other than looking at the car and scratching their ass.

If you read this in time, go down and get pics of the piston/cylinder wall or what's left, and the corresponding chamber. More than likely the piston pin area failed. Most engine failures like this happen when you lift, even if it was momentary, and the parts basically freewheel with no load and BANG!!

[VelvetHammer]

"More than likely the piston pin area failed. Most engine failures like this happen when you lift, even if it was momentary, and the parts basically freewheel with no load and BANG!!"


Absolutely glenB! I have a very close friend that raced NHRA Comp Eliminator (Coleman Roddy, look him up, he's in the record books) who shared that very thing with me a few wéeks ago. During his professional career the two engine failures he suffered were in the moments immediately following shut-down. His engine builder (David Nickens) suspected just such a phenomenon 30 years ago. He had Coleman modify his shut-down routine to minimize the no-load situation and it never happened again.

[Vintage]

Well, I definitely lifted quickly into 13 after about 5.5k rpm and then back on at 14! So full on to near red line, then off, then right back on . . .

[LibertyHill]

Doesn't this happen every time you shift a gear with a manual?

[glenB]

Originally Posted by LibertyHill

Doesn't this happen every time you shift a gear with a manual?

Yes, but at WOT full load, but just rowing thru the gears is different.

Some time back on the Corvette forum there was a rash of timing chain failures. They had two things in common, cheap underdrive damper and they lifted.

But look it up, failures like this happen mostly when you lift.

[hlyshft]

Originally Posted by VelvetHammer

Hey all, I work in a GM parts department and have been watching this thread closely. Vintage to put your mind at ease, you will get a NEW LT1 and not a "Certified Remanufactured". One of our customers suffered a similar catastrophic failure in a new Vette and the replacement was new. Your dealership has been following protocol and unfortunately it takes time. The good news is, now that the teardown is done the process should move fairly quickly. The replacement engine should take a couple of days to arrive as it will come from one of GM's large powertrain dealers (we use Westpoint in Houston). Hang in there my friend, your car should be fine.

Glad to hear this!

Best of luck Vintage. Hopefully that new engine arrives soon.

[Vintage]

Message left late today by my service advisor - "I have not heard from GM yet on the warranty request, I will talk to the GM/Warranty Rep tomorrow and call you."

I am getting a little impatient at this point.

[LibertyHill]

How much longer until 30 days?

[Vintage]

It has been 15 days.

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by Vintage

Message left late today by my service advisor - "I have not heard from GM yet on the warranty request, I will talk to the GM/Warranty Rep tomorrow and call you."

I am getting a little impatient at this point.

Sounds like a lazy service adviser....looks like the service manager needs to get involved (with your pushing). When my car was delivered it had marks on the hood wrap, and I wanted it replaced (they did, as the shop of my choice). But GM was slow to get back to my service advisor. Once I spoke to the service manager, he called GM, and they got the approval from GM the next day...talk to the service manager. Just be nice, and say it is taking longer then you feel it should.