ZL1 Engine Failure

[LeanPocket]

The only logical explanation is premature detonation.

Gasoline does go bad after a while, depending how long its been since he topped off the tank or the gasoline was not the proper octane when it was poured into the gas tank, (gas station error not customer error..this practice is more common than you think). Different oil weight (5w30 vs 10w-30 for example) will not cause a piston to grenade. Lack of oil will, however, for prolonged periods of time.

Another explanation could be criminal mischeif, you were after all, at a car show. Why do you think they cover the zoomie pipes on rat rods/hot rods at some shows? Hell, i even throw my trash into diesel stacks because i think they look stupid.

[SSOOCH]

I can assure you this owner didn't put in 87 octane.

[LeanPocket]

Originally Posted by jackka

Wow, that is just too unfortunate, even if GM replaces the whole engine at no cost to the owner.

I would feel very sad at having spent 60k on a bleeding-edge car only to have the engine replaced after it blew up in the hood.

yup

like i said early, good luck with any type of resale value at a auction or selling it down the road to a car collector. If these cars go classic that is like the older zl1's did.

[LeanPocket]

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

I can assure you this owner didn't put in 87 octane.

I meant the gas station couldve poured in 87 into their storage tanks, its happened more often than you would assume. Not saying its the zl1 owners fault.

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Originally Posted by Unreal

My friend Trevor has a 2012 ZL1. On the way home from a car show last night the motor let go. Was just cruising home. Car is bone stock besides wheels/tires. Picked a piece of piston up so definitely a major failure. I've never heard of issues like this on LSAs so it will be interesting to see what the dealer finds.

Updates:








Attachment 477915

Please, relay to Trevor that we are very sorry to read about the engine failure he has had with his ZL1. It’s good to read the dealership seems to on top of this and taking care of it. We happy to help where we can if needed and we look forward to reading more updates about his situation.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service assisting Brandon

[v6sonoma]

Originally Posted by LeanPocket

yup

like i said early, good luck with any type of resale value at a auction or selling it down the road to a car collector. If these cars go classic that is like the older zl1's did.

I'm pretty sure he would be able to find someone that will take it off his hands. These are great cars. Not everyone buys them to preserve them.

Some of the best classics are the ones that aren't original. You don't worry about harming them and are free to just drive em like you stole em!

[fastvee]

valve dropped I bet.

[My Caroline]

One time, I was behind a car that suffered catastrophic clutch failure. Literally blew a hole in the floor board.

The good thing is that GM will have no excuse to not fix the car.

[Unreal]

Originally Posted by LeanPocket

The only logical explanation is premature detonation.

Gasoline does go bad after a while, depending how long its been since he topped off the tank or the gasoline was not the proper octane when it was poured into the gas tank, (gas station error not customer error..this practice is more common than you think). Different oil weight (5w30 vs 10w-30 for example) will not cause a piston to grenade. Lack of oil will, however, for prolonged periods of time.

Another explanation could be criminal mischeif, you were after all, at a car show. Why do you think they cover the zoomie pipes on rat rods/hot rods at some shows? Hell, i even throw my trash into diesel stacks because i think they look stupid.

Detonation did not cause this. This is a major part failure. Bad valve, piston, rod, etc. The car is daily driven and gets gas often. Even if it did get a tank of 87 octane he never beats on it and the car has knock sensors/etc to prevent it.

I think people are assuming it is just a piston that failed. No one knows yet. We need to see the damage. My friends z06 dropped a valve and he was picking up pieces of piston just like this. Valve drops, chews piston up then the rod punches a hole in the side of the block. I bet this is what happened in this case but until the dealer gets the motor out, who knows.

[Rapid Runner]

Kinda corny that some people were implying that the owner was probably at fault

I also suspect a valve dropped.. I would also have the tech scan every inch of the engine bay, under the car, suspension.. everything!

when that block blew.. It was a shotgun with buckshot!

[fastvee]

Yeah detonation isn't going to blow the piston like that lol. If it did blow as bad as it seems I'd get evert thing checked out also. It's amazing what them little metal fragments can do.

[RubyCamaro]

:( That Sux. Hope his permagrin is restored ASAP.

[LeanPocket]

Originally Posted by v6sonoma

I'm pretty sure he would be able to find someone that will take it off his hands. These are great cars. Not everyone buys them to preserve them.

Some of the best classics are the ones that aren't original. You don't worry about harming them and are free to just drive em like you stole em!

Ok let me put it this way.

Get the exact same make/model, same trim, same color, same mileage, same owner history. Have them appraised by the same person on the same day.

Only difference being that the entire power-train for one of them was replaced for whatever reason.

Lets keep in mind here, this is a certified ZL1 without the original motor, not a generic fully loaded SS model, but is now considered a potential lemon.

Which one will have the higher resale value?

Lets not forget all the cosmetic damage that is not shown in the engine bay.

[fastvee]

^^^^

I'd ask for a new car