When your ZL1 needs service - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

bradt800 · 11-01-2014, 03:58 AM

OK ZL1 Camaro fans. Here is some news you may not be aware of. What happens when your ZL1 needs service, breaks down? Has anybody had this issue yet? Well I did, let me explain.
I was driving back in my ZL1 from upstate NY. Just driving along passing cars like they were moving backwards, having a wonderful time. Had the tunes cranking, no Troopers on the road as far as the eye could see. Then all of a sudden I get close to the GW bridge. The GW bridge has 60 minute delays on the upper level, and 45 minute delays on the lower level going into NYC (end of game Giants traffic). So I slow it down. So slow I can see grass growing. Its stop and stop traffic at this point. So first gear is the only gear I can be in. Within 15 minutes of this stop and stop traffic in first gear, I start smelling rubber burning, seeing smoke coming from under my hood, the clutch is pulsating, and the tranny is getting hot. I am thinking WTF!? So I get home luckily, and the following day I call the closest Chevy dealer service department near me. I tell the guy on the phone what happened, he takes down my information, and sends a tow to my house to pick up the car, no problem. Before I get off the phone I tell him "No worries, take your time checking the car out, and find out what is wrong." He thanks me. 2 days later he calls me and says "Sir, you did not tell me your Camaro was a ZL1. The only mechanic I have that is certified to work on ZL1's is out sick and not expected back for some time. We can not service your car here." So I go "What? The only guy? Are you telling me there is only one guy in your service department at your dealership who is authorized to work on ZL1s?" He states "yes". So I start calling other dealership service departments and one dealership service department told me they could not get my ZL1 in to be looked at till January of 2015 (Its the end of October 2014). By any chance did the sales man who sold you, your ZL1 happen to mention that if something breaks down on your ZL1 only one person can service your car? Or that the wait for your ZL1 to be serviced by this person is going to be about a month or more depending on where you live? Mines did not. Special car, special price, special problem, how special is that? For the kind of money we laid out for the ZL1, the mechanic should drive up to your house, service the car, and then you take you out to dinner/lunch and a movie. I couldn't believe it.
So the moral of my story is, if your ZL1 Camaro breaks down (hopefully it won't), pray there is a certified ZL1 mechanic at the dealership you live by, and be prepared...very prepared to wait.

vatechguy3 · 11-01-2014, 06:25 AM

I asked when i bought mine, and same story only one mechanic at the dealership has the ZL1 cert.

Tony

Scott@Bjorn3D · 11-01-2014, 07:00 AM

Most dealers only have one tech that is certified for the performance division. At my dealer they have one tech that does both Camaro and Corvette.

jayno20 · 11-01-2014, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott@Bjorn3D

Most dealers only have one tech that is certified for the performance division. At my dealer they have one tech that does both Camaro and Corvette.

Same here. I actually LOVE the idea of it considering the Performance tech at my local shop is an older guy that seems very well educated on the cars. I'd much rather someone who knows his stuff be messing with my car.

OP, call around you are bound to find someone somewhere that can take you sooner than that.

HDRDTD · 11-01-2014, 03:48 PM

Never had a problem getting my ZL1 serviced at my local dealer in over two years.

2013 ZL1 #7860 · 11-01-2014, 03:57 PM

Any tech they have can give the car a look over, drive it to recreate the issue and scan for check engine codes. Its a freaking GM LS motor with a supercharger on it. It doesn't get much simpler than that. Fixing the issue may be another matter depending upon what it is, but the dealer should be able to figure out what is wrong and where to look.

aurora · 11-01-2014, 09:41 PM

I would rather wait for that certified ZL1 mechanic…even getting an oil change, there should be one in the house, otherwise they are bound to treat it like an ordinary car and use the wrong oil etc. Some of the techs, even if they can read manuals can be pretty green, like zit faced deers in headlights. At my last visit to GM I was getting my first oil change and the techs there were not aware of the break in period or what oil to use for ZL1, and I found that a bit unnerving.

I think a wait is to be expected. Its a drawback for any high performance vehicle, but at least there are a lot of GM dealers around, even in smaller towns. This is the reason I did not get a Range Rover for winter vehicle, servicing it would be a nightmare especially if something happened when out of town.

Anyways...good luck with your car, hope its back on the road soon.

kevinw · 11-01-2014, 10:37 PM

i dont understand why the dealer service department cant look at a ZL1. can they look at SS or 1 LE?

OP, i feel for you. for what you paid for that car, I WOULD demand someone look at it immediately (who is qualified, of course) .thats BS . what if it was your only car and daily driver? they have to look at it. i would be such a PITA that they would look at it to get rid of me and not make a scene.

good luck and hopefully you get if fixed timely manner. you obviously under warranty, but any wait beyound a week is unreasonable again for waht you paid for that car.

good luck!

jayno20 · 11-02-2014, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurora

I would rather wait for that certified ZL1 mechanic…even getting an oil change, there should be one in the house, otherwise they are bound to treat it like an ordinary car and use the wrong oil etc. Some of the techs, even if they can read manuals can be pretty green, like zit faced deers in headlights. At my last visit to GM I was getting my first oil change and the techs there were not aware of the break in period or what oil to use for ZL1, and I found that a bit unnerving.

I think a wait is to be expected. Its a drawback for any high performance vehicle, but at least there are a lot of GM dealers around, even in smaller towns. This is the reason I did not get a Range Rover for winter vehicle, servicing it would be a nightmare especially if something happened when out of town.

Anyways...good luck with your car, hope its back on the road soon.

I feel the same way. I love that there is a specific guy just for the higher end cars at my dealership. More consistent work that way IMO.

ZL1-V · 11-02-2014, 12:20 PM

I was told at my first oil change by my dealer that they only allow the certified mechanics to work on the higher end models. Including the oil changes. They replaced my noisy supercharger with no issues. I'll wait and have it done right by someone not "guessing" what to do. If they feel that way there is a specific reason for it.

Jbrick11 · 11-12-2014, 09:31 PM

Find the dealer that sales a lot of corvette in your are they most likely will have more trained mechanics.

TOO.BAD · 11-13-2014, 03:47 PM

Brad, Maritime Motors of Fairfield Ct. is the Best. They have at least 3 Ace Mechanics on staff that could help you out. Ask for Ralph or Matt and they'll hook you up!

11-01-2014, 03:58 AM	#1
bradt800 BradT800 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Ashen Gray Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 15 View My Garage	When your ZL1 needs service OK ZL1 Camaro fans. Here is some news you may not be aware of. What happens when your ZL1 needs service, breaks down? Has anybody had this issue yet? Well I did, let me explain. I was driving back in my ZL1 from upstate NY. Just driving along passing cars like they were moving backwards, having a wonderful time. Had the tunes cranking, no Troopers on the road as far as the eye could see. Then all of a sudden I get close to the GW bridge. The GW bridge has 60 minute delays on the upper level, and 45 minute delays on the lower level going into NYC (end of game Giants traffic). So I slow it down. So slow I can see grass growing. Its stop and stop traffic at this point. So first gear is the only gear I can be in. Within 15 minutes of this stop and stop traffic in first gear, I start smelling rubber burning, seeing smoke coming from under my hood, the clutch is pulsating, and the tranny is getting hot. I am thinking WTF!? So I get home luckily, and the following day I call the closest Chevy dealer service department near me. I tell the guy on the phone what happened, he takes down my information, and sends a tow to my house to pick up the car, no problem. Before I get off the phone I tell him "No worries, take your time checking the car out, and find out what is wrong." He thanks me. 2 days later he calls me and says "Sir, you did not tell me your Camaro was a ZL1. The only mechanic I have that is certified to work on ZL1's is out sick and not expected back for some time. We can not service your car here." So I go "What? The only guy? Are you telling me there is only one guy in your service department at your dealership who is authorized to work on ZL1s?" He states "yes". So I start calling other dealership service departments and one dealership service department told me they could not get my ZL1 in to be looked at till January of 2015 (Its the end of October 2014). By any chance did the sales man who sold you, your ZL1 happen to mention that if something breaks down on your ZL1 only one person can service your car? Or that the wait for your ZL1 to be serviced by this person is going to be about a month or more depending on where you live? Mines did not. Special car, special price, special problem, how special is that? For the kind of money we laid out for the ZL1, the mechanic should drive up to your house, service the car, and then you take you out to dinner/lunch and a movie. I couldn't believe it. So the moral of my story is, if your ZL1 Camaro breaks down (hopefully it won't), pray there is a certified ZL1 mechanic at the dealership you live by, and be prepared...very prepared to wait.

11-01-2014, 06:25 AM	#2
vatechguy3 Drives: 2014 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Virginia Posts: 493	I asked when i bought mine, and same story only one mechanic at the dealership has the ZL1 cert. Tony __________________ 2014 ZL1 M6 Bone stock, for now! 2001 Z28 M6 !cags, !air, FTP 85mm Lid, Z06 85mm MAF, P&P TB !4x4, Strano Springs, Strano Sways, Koni 4/4s, Watts Link ARH LTs, ARH catted Y, SLP catback with Dual/Dual Muffler, SLP CME and Valance OE Wheels Machined Face C5 DDs, 18x10.5s, with 295/35-18s on all 4 corners! 352rwhp and 366rwtq

11-01-2014, 07:00 AM	#3
Scott@Bjorn3D Drives: Kami, 2013 2SS LS3 Luvin Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Eufaula, Alabama Posts: 6,427	Most dealers only have one tech that is certified for the performance division. At my dealer they have one tech that does both Camaro and Corvette.

11-01-2014, 03:48 PM	#5
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,046	Never had a problem getting my ZL1 serviced at my local dealer in over two years.

11-01-2014, 03:57 PM	#6
2013 ZL1 #7860 Drives: 2013 ZL1 A6 #7860 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: CO, USA Posts: 1,279	Any tech they have can give the car a look over, drive it to recreate the issue and scan for check engine codes. Its a freaking GM LS motor with a supercharger on it. It doesn't get much simpler than that. Fixing the issue may be another matter depending upon what it is, but the dealer should be able to figure out what is wrong and where to look.

11-01-2014, 09:41 PM	#7
aurora Drives: 2015 Black ZL1; 2012 Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 169 View My Garage	I would rather wait for that certified ZL1 mechanic…even getting an oil change, there should be one in the house, otherwise they are bound to treat it like an ordinary car and use the wrong oil etc. Some of the techs, even if they can read manuals can be pretty green, like zit faced deers in headlights. At my last visit to GM I was getting my first oil change and the techs there were not aware of the break in period or what oil to use for ZL1, and I found that a bit unnerving. I think a wait is to be expected. Its a drawback for any high performance vehicle, but at least there are a lot of GM dealers around, even in smaller towns. This is the reason I did not get a Range Rover for winter vehicle, servicing it would be a nightmare especially if something happened when out of town. Anyways...good luck with your car, hope its back on the road soon.

11-01-2014, 10:37 PM	#8
kevinw Drives: 2013 Black 2 LT vert Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: kansas city Posts: 1,764	i dont understand why the dealer service department cant look at a ZL1. can they look at SS or 1 LE? OP, i feel for you. for what you paid for that car, I WOULD demand someone look at it immediately (who is qualified, of course) .thats BS . what if it was your only car and daily driver? they have to look at it. i would be such a PITA that they would look at it to get rid of me and not make a scene. good luck and hopefully you get if fixed timely manner. you obviously under warranty, but any wait beyound a week is unreasonable again for waht you paid for that car. good luck!

11-02-2014, 12:20 PM	#10
ZL1-V Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,154	I was told at my first oil change by my dealer that they only allow the certified mechanics to work on the higher end models. Including the oil changes. They replaced my noisy supercharger with no issues. I'll wait and have it done right by someone not "guessing" what to do. If they feel that way there is a specific reason for it.

11-12-2014, 09:31 PM	#11
Jbrick11 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Kansas city Mo Posts: 95 View My Garage	Find the dealer that sales a lot of corvette in your are they most likely will have more trained mechanics.

11-13-2014, 03:47 PM	#12
TOO.BAD Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 260 View My Garage	Brad, Maritime Motors of Fairfield Ct. is the Best. They have at least 3 Ace Mechanics on staff that could help you out. Ask for Ralph or Matt and they'll hook you up!