Went from driving home to grenaded engine 2 nights ago with no warning - C'mon Chevy! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

captaincog · 04-27-2018, 11:57 PM

So I bought my 1LS new in February 2013 and as of 2 nights ago it is DOA.

I am upset to the point I cannot scream or cry or whatever.

I never abused my Camaro and I always used synthetic oil and did all of my oil changes on time. I got 93k miles from the original tires and I am still on the original brakes at 114K miles.

I just really did not expect the engine to grenade without any warning.

No temp overheats ever. No lights. Driving through an open road at about 60 with the AC on and suddenly the engine light flashes, Service Stabilitrak soon and then a vibration followed by the engine shutting off.

Pulled the spark plug and the electrode is hammered into the core and the center core is pushed up. No good.

Of course no warranty and no help. Just after dealing with my wife's breast cancer coming back 2 years ago and having to work and then care for her. She is surviving......much better than my Camaro engine.

I really was foolish to think that this engine would last 200k to 300k.

We towed it to the dealer tonight after I had pulled the plug to inspect.

Any ideas on what to do? Rebuild or new engine or scrap?

Anyone I could plead my case to that this should not happen?

Thank you for listening!

Welker2 · 04-28-2018, 12:16 AM

Since you had towed to a dealer, I'd wait to see what see what they have to say, then repost here; there are a lot of folks here that may be able to guide you to as to what to do next. Hopefully it won't be anything to serious, As a cancer survivor myself, I wish and pray for your wife's continued success in her winning the battle.

Tyestick · 04-28-2018, 01:53 AM

That’s unfortunate, and that’s probably an understatement.

Like Welker2 said, wait to see what the dealer says.

Do you have FULL insurance coverage? Is it possible they could help you in some sort of way?

Plan for the absolute worst, which sounds like a engine replacement, or a rebuild. Anything above that, would be good to go.

Wizard1183 · 04-28-2018, 06:22 AM

93k on original perellis! I call bullshit. Sorry that happened to you but most of the engines can hit 2-300k no prob

Edit: oops V6. No Perellis

Memphis SS · 04-28-2018, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyestick

That’s unfortunate, and that’s probably an understatement.

Like Welker2 said, wait to see what the dealer says.

Do you have FULL insurance coverage? Is it possible they could help you in some sort of way?

Plan for the absolute worst, which sounds like a engine replacement, or a rebuild. Anything above that, would be good to go.

I would say no, my wife has been in insurance for 30 years and his doesn't look to be a claim that falls under any normal policy. This is a worn part failure not an accident, your insurance is for damage caused by others or you when you have a unexpected incident. Not a factory failure.. that would be a extended warranty

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard1183

93k on original perellis! I call bullshit. Sorry that happened to you but most of the engines can hit 2-300k no prob

Edit: oops V6. No Perellis

He said the brakes are still good at 114,000 miles so more than 93k but I agree it's still way to soon to have a engine failure

Memphis SS · 04-28-2018, 06:35 AM

I agree with the group on seeing what the dealer says.. if your the original owner and there was some type of campaign on a part that failed maybe the dealer could go back to GM for relief to help out.
Wish you the best for you and your wife

Moto-Mojo · 04-28-2018, 08:51 AM

Sux, to be sure. I think best case scenario is GM / dealer feels it was premature too and makes some type of concession. Being a mechanical device built and designed by flawed human beings, ‘it’ happens on occasion. Keep us posted and best of luck.

Gasoholic · 04-28-2018, 09:00 AM

Heres a thought,
rather than sink money into it, see if the dealership is willing to give you anything for a trade in.
You said you bought it new? Did you take it to the same dealer you bought it from?
Never know, they might be willing to give you book value for a trade? I've seen dealers do stuff like that for their preferred customers.
Something about driving home a new car that makes a person forget all their troubles.
Praying and hoping things work out for you and your wife!

Avenging Orange · 04-28-2018, 09:21 AM

I have a hard time believing this. If you got 93k out of original tires and 114k out of original brakes.....how many miles did you get out of your oil....30k?

MrChrisLS3 · 04-28-2018, 10:00 AM

With 114K on the engine, I would hardly call that a manufacturer's defect. In no way am I suggesting it's your fault, but a defect would have shown up long before now.

It's an engine. There are many moving parts, in a very high stress environment. Sometimes stuff breaks.

Sounds to me like it is an issue with a dropped valve or timing. If the plug was destroyed, it was destroyed by something else that broke loose, either a valve dropped or timing went off and piston hit the valve. Or it could be a chunk of carbon came off the valve stem and stuck the valve. If that's the case, it's a casualty of direct injection.

Olddudesrule · 04-28-2018, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

Sux, to be sure. I think best case scenario is GM / dealer feels it was premature too and makes some type of concession. Being a mechanical device built and designed by flawed human beings, ‘it’ happens on occasion. Keep us posted and best of luck.

Agree 100%... Sorry to hear it, but not all well cared for engines last. You do what you can, and keep your fingers crossed. Some good advice so far, and I'd say, if you still want the car, find the most cost effective way to get it back up and running. No sense in dropping mucho $$ into it now. Have a good quality rebuild dropped in there, have the trans serviced, and go for another 100K.

Moto-Mojo · 04-28-2018, 12:14 PM

Ok, this is a bit of a confession and I’ll bet I’m not alone. I simply don’t drive my Camaro like I do my other cars. My foot is in it a LOT! I don’t mean bouncing off the rev limiter daily but I drive it like the performance car it was billed to be. And for the most part, LS engines are a fortress but when mine gets to 114K miles, they certainly all won’t be the ‘driven to church on Sunday’ miles. That may play into ‘premature’ fails. Dunno. What say y’all?

Silver14 · 04-28-2018, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

Sux, to be sure. I think best case scenario is GM / dealer feels it was premature too and makes some type of concession. Being a mechanical device built and designed by flawed human beings, ‘it’ happens on occasion. Keep us posted and best of luck.

Lol, premature failure is during the warranty period. It lasted beyond that. Whether defect, bad luck, failed part, human error, etc., it went beyond what the manufacturer warranted it for.

junkman · 04-28-2018, 12:35 PM

Well, I def wouldn't consider it the norm, but things do happen. I had a 2009 camry that started burning a quart of oil in 1000 miles at 75k miles. I'm not very familiar with the 6cyl cars or what year model motors interchange, but I do know they put it in several platforms and are common enough it shouldn't be too difficult or expensive to find a low mileage pullout to swap in. A quick search looks like LKQ has one from a 2015 with 23k miles for $1040 shipped. I've bought quite a few ls motors from them with no issues, I think they offer a 6 month warranty. It would be on you for the swap out, but if you still have that 71 on the road you're not a stranger to turning wrenches.

04-27-2018, 11:57 PM	#1
captaincog Drives: 1971 350RS/SS 4sp Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rialto Posts: 166	Went from driving home to grenaded engine 2 nights ago with no warning - C'mon Chevy! So I bought my 1LS new in February 2013 and as of 2 nights ago it is DOA. I am upset to the point I cannot scream or cry or whatever. I never abused my Camaro and I always used synthetic oil and did all of my oil changes on time. I got 93k miles from the original tires and I am still on the original brakes at 114K miles. I just really did not expect the engine to grenade without any warning. No temp overheats ever. No lights. Driving through an open road at about 60 with the AC on and suddenly the engine light flashes, Service Stabilitrak soon and then a vibration followed by the engine shutting off. Pulled the spark plug and the electrode is hammered into the core and the center core is pushed up. No good. Of course no warranty and no help. Just after dealing with my wife's breast cancer coming back 2 years ago and having to work and then care for her. She is surviving......much better than my Camaro engine. I really was foolish to think that this engine would last 200k to 300k. We towed it to the dealer tonight after I had pulled the plug to inspect. Any ideas on what to do? Rebuild or new engine or scrap? Anyone I could plead my case to that this should not happen? Thank you for listening! __________________ Camaros currently owned: 1 2013 1LS 6speed.... Blue Ray Metallic now gone and still have my first Camaro made 42 years before: 1971 RS/SS 350 4 speed Teal Green

04-28-2018, 12:16 AM	#2
Welker2 Ret AF, cancer survivor Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS & 2006 Corvette Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Mesquite, NV Posts: 2,741 View My Garage	Since you had towed to a dealer, I'd wait to see what see what they have to say, then repost here; there are a lot of folks here that may be able to guide you to as to what to do next. Hopefully it won't be anything to serious, As a cancer survivor myself, I wish and pray for your wife's continued success in her winning the battle. __________________

04-28-2018, 06:22 AM	#4
Wizard1183 Drives: ABM SS2/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lafayette,LA Posts: 2,234	93k on original perellis! I call bullshit. Sorry that happened to you but most of the engines can hit 2-300k no prob Edit: oops V6. No Perellis __________________ Life is short, drive it like you stole it!

04-28-2018, 06:35 AM	#6
Memphis SS Drives: 2017 SS A8 Hyper Blue/White Stripes Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Arlington, TN. Posts: 1,874	I agree with the group on seeing what the dealer says.. if your the original owner and there was some type of campaign on a part that failed maybe the dealer could go back to GM for relief to help out. Wish you the best for you and your wife __________________ *2017 Camaro 2SS Hyper Blue* *2011 Camaro 2SS* *2004 Corvette CE SOLD*

04-28-2018, 08:51 AM	#7
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,978	Sux, to be sure. I think best case scenario is GM / dealer feels it was premature too and makes some type of concession. Being a mechanical device built and designed by flawed human beings, ‘it’ happens on occasion. Keep us posted and best of luck. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

04-28-2018, 01:53 AM	#3
Tyestick Drives: 19’ Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 309	That’s unfortunate, and that’s probably an understatement. Like Welker2 said, wait to see what the dealer says. Do you have FULL insurance coverage? Is it possible they could help you in some sort of way? Plan for the absolute worst, which sounds like a engine replacement, or a rebuild. Anything above that, would be good to go.

04-28-2018, 09:00 AM	#8
Gasoholic Drives: o Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: under a rock Posts: 220	Heres a thought, rather than sink money into it, see if the dealership is willing to give you anything for a trade in. You said you bought it new? Did you take it to the same dealer you bought it from? Never know, they might be willing to give you book value for a trade? I've seen dealers do stuff like that for their preferred customers. Something about driving home a new car that makes a person forget all their troubles. Praying and hoping things work out for you and your wife!

04-28-2018, 09:21 AM	#9
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	I have a hard time believing this. If you got 93k out of original tires and 114k out of original brakes.....how many miles did you get out of your oil....30k? __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

04-28-2018, 10:00 AM	#10
MrChrisLS3 Drives: 2018 1SS M6 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,617	With 114K on the engine, I would hardly call that a manufacturer's defect. In no way am I suggesting it's your fault, but a defect would have shown up long before now. It's an engine. There are many moving parts, in a very high stress environment. Sometimes stuff breaks. Sounds to me like it is an issue with a dropped valve or timing. If the plug was destroyed, it was destroyed by something else that broke loose, either a valve dropped or timing went off and piston hit the valve. Or it could be a chunk of carbon came off the valve stem and stuck the valve. If that's the case, it's a casualty of direct injection.

04-28-2018, 12:14 PM	#12
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,978	Ok, this is a bit of a confession and I’ll bet I’m not alone. I simply don’t drive my Camaro like I do my other cars. My foot is in it a LOT! I don’t mean bouncing off the rev limiter daily but I drive it like the performance car it was billed to be. And for the most part, LS engines are a fortress but when mine gets to 114K miles, they certainly all won’t be the ‘driven to church on Sunday’ miles. That may play into ‘premature’ fails. Dunno. What say y’all? __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

04-28-2018, 12:35 PM	#14
junkman Drives: 14ss Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: metrpolis il Posts: 5	Well, I def wouldn't consider it the norm, but things do happen. I had a 2009 camry that started burning a quart of oil in 1000 miles at 75k miles. I'm not very familiar with the 6cyl cars or what year model motors interchange, but I do know they put it in several platforms and are common enough it shouldn't be too difficult or expensive to find a low mileage pullout to swap in. A quick search looks like LKQ has one from a 2015 with 23k miles for $1040 shipped. I've bought quite a few ls motors from them with no issues, I think they offer a 6 month warranty. It would be on you for the swap out, but if you still have that 71 on the road you're not a stranger to turning wrenches.