LS3 Lifter problem - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

edneyens · 07-14-2010, 03:09 PM

My car is in the shop for valve train noise issues on passenger side - not extreme, but not normal either, does not go away after start up (this is a LS3 engine).

Dealer initially said he would look into oil pressure-blockage issues on that side.

1st report back from dealer yesterday, was they have determined problem is with components associated with cylinder #6 - ruled out accessible top side components, leaving problem to be either a bad lifter or bad cam.

Report today is that the lifter roller pin broke; dealer claims GM is saying only way this could happen is over rev of engine.

I have never hit red line yet (still breaking in <1,200 miles), and only came close to red line a couple times under light acceleration - besides I thought we have a rev limiter.

Anyway if anyone knows of other instances of a lifter roller pin breaking, please let me know. I may have a fight with GM on this. :(

edneyens · 07-14-2010, 04:04 PM

Anyone have any information?

edneyens · 07-14-2010, 04:05 PM

Well I am heading out to dealer to get some pictures...

Will post them later.

edneyens · 07-14-2010, 08:02 PM

Well here are some pictures.

I was surprised how big the pin is and I am amazed that it could break.

Strange thing is all of the parts were in place no missing needle bearings, no apparent damage to valve, push rod, rocker arm or cam. Quite puzzling.

Big issue is damage done by broken pin - it scraped the "lifter cylinder" as it worked its way out of the lifter. May have toasted the block.

BillAz5.0 · 07-14-2010, 09:13 PM

Mission Control - What we have here is a factory defective LS3 lifter - the dealer should fix this engine promptly - over reved my ass !!!

electlatino · 07-14-2010, 09:14 PM

not a car expert, but i would think the engine is supposed to be able to take high reving.

if you have few miles on your car, and the thing broke even if you were red lining, then there's something wrong with the engine and warranty should cover it.

i'd expect gm to pick this up because of the warranty. always remember, and i'm an attorney, being polite and professional always works better. don't be demanding, but stand your ground.

edneyens · 07-14-2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electlatino

not a car expert, but i would think the engine is supposed to be able to take high reving.

if you have few miles on your car, and the thing broke even if you were red lining, then there's something wrong with the engine and warranty should cover it.

i'd expect gm to pick this up because of the warranty. always remember, and i'm an attorney, being polite and professional always works better. don't be demanding, but stand your ground.

Yes I totally agree, I am talking nicely, however insisting that I have not abused the car and have expectations of being treated fairly.

Thanks for your input.

canadian ss · 07-15-2010, 02:53 PM

You can clearly see the metal defect in the pin!!! It has a bad cast. I've never seen a pin brake from over revving without any other damage. I would seem to think that a bent push rod or valve would be the first indication of over rev. Even then, if it breaks the first time you over rev it, GM has put a low quality part in a high power output engine. They don't make sense. I thought these cars were built for punishment and the occasional miss shift or over rev? Man, I guess the engine is non-forgiving?
I would like to hear the engineers explanation to the theory of over revving and how this happened due to it.

RedJewel2SS · 07-15-2010, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gm service

Ed
Your issue has been discussed and resolved. Call your dealer. Welcome to the new GM and thanks for buying a Camaro.

that's a first! unless it is someone playing a prank

edneyens · 07-15-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedJewel2SS

that's a first! unless it is someone playing a prank

Nope it doesn't seem to be a prank - got a call from my service manager telling me GM is going to put a new engine in my Camaro...

If it is a prank (the post here) it was a lucky guess.

BillAz5.0 · 07-15-2010, 05:14 PM

One of the guys at a reputable performance speed shop informed me that the lifters have occasionally been know fail due to pin slippage and are 'assembled' in Mexico. He also used the word cheap to describe them but I have never personally experienced problems with previous LS1/LS2s. Maybe the assembler was hungover and used a BFH to install the lifter pin !

firestone_ss · 07-16-2010, 01:17 AM

wasnt there a tsb for the Ls3 lifters a while back?

07-14-2010, 03:09 PM	#1
edneyens Drives: 1SS/RS/M6-White/Beige Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 161	LS3 Lifter problem My car is in the shop for valve train noise issues on passenger side - not extreme, but not normal either, does not go away after start up (this is a LS3 engine). Dealer initially said he would look into oil pressure-blockage issues on that side. 1st report back from dealer yesterday, was they have determined problem is with components associated with cylinder #6 - ruled out accessible top side components, leaving problem to be either a bad lifter or bad cam. Report today is that the lifter roller pin broke; dealer claims GM is saying only way this could happen is over rev of engine. I have never hit red line yet (still breaking in <1,200 miles), and only came close to red line a couple times under light acceleration - besides I thought we have a rev limiter. Anyway if anyone knows of other instances of a lifter roller pin breaking, please let me know. I may have a fight with GM on this. :( __________________ Last edited by edneyens; 07-14-2010 at 08:50 PM.

07-14-2010, 04:04 PM	#2
edneyens Drives: 1SS/RS/M6-White/Beige Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 161	Anyone have any information? __________________

07-14-2010, 04:05 PM	#3
edneyens Drives: 1SS/RS/M6-White/Beige Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 161	Well I am heading out to dealer to get some pictures... Will post them later. __________________

07-14-2010, 08:02 PM	#4
edneyens Drives: 1SS/RS/M6-White/Beige Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 161	Well here are some pictures. I was surprised how big the pin is and I am amazed that it could break. Strange thing is all of the parts were in place no missing needle bearings, no apparent damage to valve, push rod, rocker arm or cam. Quite puzzling. Big issue is damage done by broken pin - it scraped the "lifter cylinder" as it worked its way out of the lifter. May have toasted the block. Attached Images __________________

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
AFM: how does it works?	tommygun6644	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	9	02-28-2010 03:36 PM
We need help with Electronics wiring diagrams	2SSRS@Gen5diy	Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Navigation, Radar, Electronics Forum	11	12-13-2009 05:58 PM
Pin stipes	alfie43	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	17	11-08-2009 11:30 AM
L99 Delete Whats involved?	jsharp	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	59	05-26-2009 10:54 PM
L99 AFM -- It's REALLY a tough choice, for some. Step Inside.	2KZ28_For_Now	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	128	04-03-2009 04:03 PM

07-14-2010, 09:13 PM	#5
BillAz5.0 Drives: 2011 DOHC 5.0 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Az Posts: 6	Mission Control - What we have here is a factory defective LS3 lifter - the dealer should fix this engine promptly - over reved my ass !!!

07-14-2010, 09:14 PM	#6
electlatino Drives: 2SS with RS and Ground Effects Join Date: May 2009 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 273	not a car expert, but i would think the engine is supposed to be able to take high reving. if you have few miles on your car, and the thing broke even if you were red lining, then there's something wrong with the engine and warranty should cover it. i'd expect gm to pick this up because of the warranty. always remember, and i'm an attorney, being polite and professional always works better. don't be demanding, but stand your ground. __________________ JBA full system, RotoFab CAI and w/w relocated, ADM scoop, tune, NLP spoiler....more to come

07-15-2010, 02:53 PM	#8
canadian ss Psycho on day pass Drives: 2010 yellow 1ss m6 -GM tech Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: grimsby, ont. Posts: 487 View My Garage	You can clearly see the metal defect in the pin!!! It has a bad cast. I've never seen a pin brake from over revving without any other damage. I would seem to think that a bent push rod or valve would be the first indication of over rev. Even then, if it breaks the first time you over rev it, GM has put a low quality part in a high power output engine. They don't make sense. I thought these cars were built for punishment and the occasional miss shift or over rev? Man, I guess the engine is non-forgiving? I would like to hear the engineers explanation to the theory of over revving and how this happened due to it.

07-15-2010, 05:14 PM	#11
BillAz5.0 Drives: 2011 DOHC 5.0 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Az Posts: 6	One of the guys at a reputable performance speed shop informed me that the lifters have occasionally been know fail due to pin slippage and are 'assembled' in Mexico. He also used the word cheap to describe them but I have never personally experienced problems with previous LS1/LS2s. Maybe the assembler was hungover and used a BFH to install the lifter pin !

07-16-2010, 01:17 AM	#12
firestone_ss Drives: 2010 camaro ss Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 779	wasnt there a tsb for the Ls3 lifters a while back?