The arrival of the new Corvette Z06 has brought unfathomable joy to countless Chevrolet fans, however, a small clutch of owners have reported irreparable problems with its supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8Â engine (we’ve reported problems with three Z06s so far: here, here and here).
Speaking with The Truth About Cars, a GM spokesperson said all disastrous engine failures seem to have three things in common: low miles (less than 2,000), early production builds, and oil contamination issues.
Now, it appears Chevrolet has finally issued a solution that will prevent the car’s alleged engine issues. The fix? Change the oil ASA(F)P.
Chevrolet says engine contaminants in the oil cycle through the engine during the break-in period. The company says it will upgrade the build process to minimize the risk of oil contamination, saying the cause could be thread shavings for the oil filter that make their way into the oil pan when the threads are tapped.
Consequently, Chevrolet is asking Z06 owners to change their break-in oil as soon as they clock 500 miles on the odometer.
“We now encourage all owners to change their oil at 500 miles to remove possible contaminants created during the engine break-in process. And, as always, we encourage the use of Mobil 1 synthetic oil – which is a factory fill for all Z06 models, and Stingray Z51 models – and encourage owners to follow the engine break-in process detailed in the owner’s manual,”said the news outlet, quoting Chevrolet spokesperson Monte Doran.
Owners are still reporting heat soak problems and infrequent power steering problems despite the fix, according to the news outlet.
The company says less than one percent of the 9,000 Z06s on the road have experienced engine problems.
Hopefully, Chevy’s new fix will finally put the issue to rest once and for all.
Comments
Anyone who pays $100K+ for a high performance car, and doesn’t change the oil at 500, 1000, and 3,000 miles needs to have their car broken. These things are high strung Quarter Horses, not Ford Mustangs. Regardless of what the owner’s manual said, I’ve always done my first oil change on any performance car I’ve ever owned at 500, then 1,000. I plan to drive it like I stole it for many years to come. And even then, I don’t put my foot to the floor til the valves have fully seated at least at 3,000 miles.
So you think the Coyote and Voodoo are archaic powerplants in the same league as your garden tractor?
JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) and competent engineers would disagree.
Haha, so we should take advice from someone who doesn’t run their new performance car hard until after 3,000 miles? Ever wonder why your car dyno’s 20 hp down to others (if you have ever even been on a dyno)? You should be more concerned with seating the pistons rings first which you my friend are not doing… You should have your car taken away (breaking a nice performance car is completely against the car guy rules fyi) and given to a proper enthusiast you will utilize the vehicle in question.
In most cases this is an unnecessary time table unless you are tracking the car (which you are not) as running around picking up new sunglasses and hitting the links does warrant an extreme enough environment to frequent oil changes that often. Now is it is bad idea to remove the oil in the first 1,000 miles just to be safe? Sure, will it hurt the engine? Probably not in most cases, especially those babied by elders and never taken about 3,000 rpms in DD duties.
Ooh, ouch. That would hurt if I had feelings. I’m not a tech guy, Tyler, nor am I mechanic. I’m just a fast car enthusiast who goes by the rules that have worked well for me for 35 years. And above all else, I’m not someone who feels the need to insult others for self-validation. But I do know a lot of people like you, and I feel bad for them. You? Not so much.
On crate engines Chevy recommends the first oil change at 1 hour or 30 miles. And the second at 12 to 15 hours or 500 miles. These engines are built on the same line. If you buy an engine that is already installed in a car why would you wait longer to change the oil.
That’s a shame to see these engines failing. But I thought the whole metal shavings in the engine thing was a thing of the past. But I guess not!
If it’s got tits or tires it’s gonna give you trouble….
This article should have said, “Corvette Z06 and Z51 Stingray owners: Change your oil after 500 miles”.
Silicone sealants in the Dry Sump gaskets degrade the oil’s anti-foaming agents and can lead to oil leaking out
from the air cleaner assembly. Reference number Global Connect G_0000205212 dated 11/24/2014.
Then on 1/13/2015 GM issued a memo to all dealers requiring Mobil 1 when performing oil changes on ALL
2014-2015 Corvettes through the Chevrolet Complete Care Program. (Reference G_0000208346)
Unfortunately, GM should have instituted a Campaign to all owners to have this done. They did not!
As a ’14 Z51 owner I can attest to the fact that I did not receive a message from GM, or, my dealer instructing me to change the oil at 500 miles. I read the 500 mile advisement on my own and brought my C7 in at about 1500 miles. My dealer changed the oil using Mobile 1 and all is well.
This is my fourth new Vette in nine years [2006, 2008, 2010, 2014] and the first time that a 500 mile oil change has been recommended. Something certainly has changed in the engine build process to warrant a 500 mile oil change!