Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

Budajoe · 10-30-2002, 05:21 PM

Dear all,

Well, after only 110 miles in my new 03, the tranny went out. Just sitting at a light ready to go, and poof! Wouldn't go into any gear! Finally managed to get her into 2nd and drive to a Chevy Dealership. Anyhow, they're putting in a factory new transmission. Hopefully, this problem will not return.

How many other people have had this problem? I've done some research on this forum and it seems that a lot of people are having tranny problems. Is it just my tranny was defective or is there an some sort of engineering flaw?

One last thing guys, I have a subtle clicking noise, coming from the engine. Don't know if its normal engine noise, or not. It's consistent, not too loud, goes away at idle, and only when accelerating do you hear it. If I crank up my sterio a bit, you can't hear it at all

Is there anyone who has a Z in and around the So Cal area that could listen to it and put my worrying soul at ease?

Appreciate any feedback.

any

Nytro · 10-30-2002, 05:27 PM

Sorry to hear about your trans. My car has 5000 miles on it and the engine makes no such noise as you described. When its cold out between 40-50 degrees the intake whistles a little but no clicking.

ZO6 DUST · 10-30-2002, 05:32 PM

Wow,

Mine makes that subtle clicking noise, I noticed it started on the second day. Let me know what you find out, I noticed it when going through the gears accelerating-like a feather clicking noise.

WA 2 FST · 10-30-2002, 05:34 PM

The "clicking" is best described, IMHO, as a "sewing machine". Every Z06 I've been around has this mechanical sound to it. It's not harsh like any type of banging, but it is definitely valvetrain noise.

I would not concern yourself with that at all. Some people honestly do not notice it, as its subtle.

Sorry to hear about the trans. Someone else (zul8r) just picked up a new Z and on the drive home from an out-of-town dealer, the trans started acting up really bad. Hers is in for service as well.

As long as they are replacing the trans and not messing around trying to diagnose and fix it, I think you're gonna be in good shape.

ZO6 DUST · 10-30-2002, 05:42 PM

Glad to hear its nothing to worry about, I'm real sensitive to noises like that because of the power.

Thanks

zul8r · 10-30-2002, 09:07 PM

You sound like me- I had mine for 200 miles(3 hrs) and now in the shop- they say its the clutch but I have a feeling before its all over with a new tranny will be put in.

Sg

ZO6LS6 · 10-30-2002, 09:24 PM

zul8r,
When you first posted this, I was afraid it was the trannie..still do.....either way, i hope they get it fixed/replaced post haste..i can only imagine how you feel.......

Budajoe,
the clicking is like Wes said.........my '01 didn't do it, and my '02 drives me nuts if I let it......
He drove mine, and said his did it too..........

I later found a dead hamster in a wire wheel..........( poor little fella, couldn't keep up), now the clicking's gone, until I get a new one....hamster.....

The trannie issue, is a hit or miss defect......

I don't know, and the one/s that DO know aren't talking, because they can't...............

The good news, ( if you can call it that, again Wes is right)...they usually just yank it, and replace.....

Budajoe · 10-30-2002, 10:10 PM

Thanks guys for your answers. I'm just glad they're replacing the whole tranny, and not trying to screw around and fix it.

But that clicking noise has got me worried. I did a search of this forum; lots of stuff on "clicking noise." Seems like a lot of people with Z's have experienced it. Some say it's not normal, others say, dont worry bout it. How do I tell?

One thing is for sure, this forum and the people on it are the best on the net!

Z06ified · 10-31-2002, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Budajoe
But that clicking noise has got me worried. I did a search of this forum; lots of stuff on "clicking noise." Seems like a lot of people with Z's have experienced it. Some say it's not normal, others say, dont worry bout it. How do I tell?

Mine clicks too. More like clacks actually. On my car, I've narrowed it down to the clacking noise is definitely a noisy lifter that only makes noise between idle and 2,000 RPMs, only while decelerating, and only while the car is warming up with oil temps between 100 and 160F. Dealer told me its normal to do that during warm up. I'm not sure about that, as I haven't heard any other Z06s make this kind of clatter (although all of them have quite a bit of valvetrain noise, clicking, etc.). The only other cars I've heard this sound on are old taxi cabs with 200k+ miles on them

Kind of embarrassing sometimes driving a nice new Z06 that sounds like an old taxi at times. Oddly enough, the clacking completely goes away once the oil temp is fully warmed up.

I know someone who had an '01 Z06 that had defective lifters (the rollers were seized) which lunched the cam in the process. He listened to my car and said that its definitely not the same problem: his car would clack loudly at ANY RPM and any condition. I think thats the only time you should be concerned about the noise.

I've decided to ignore it for now and see if it gets better with more mileage (I only have 4,500 miles on it now). The car runs great and strong, so I'm not too concerned now. And if it ever breaks in the next 3 years, roadside assist is only a cell phone call away, and then its GM's problem, not mine - that's whats nice about a warranty and a new car.

emf · 10-31-2002, 08:13 AM

I listened to mine [and, had just about anyone that I could find listening] for a bit before I came to the same conclusion . . . valvetrain noise. It's the same type of scenario, too -- barely perceptable at idle, a little more noisy winding up . . . moreso when it's cold.

What part of LA are you in, BTW -- let me know when the dealer has your tranny installed, and you've got your Z back . . . although the dealer can likely say that "it's all normal", I'd be happy to take a quick listen.

Budajoe · 10-31-2002, 08:27 AM

emf,

I'm in the San Fernando Valley, minutes out of LA. I should be getting my tranny in on Monday the 4th or Tuesday the 5th. They told me it takes about 3 to 5 days to ship this thing from Michigan. Makes me kinda worried that my car has been sitting there for over a week. But I'd rather have a new tranny than a repaired one.

If you could have a listen, oh man, that would be great! I just want some reassurance that everything is in order. Just send me a PM.

Thanks all for your posts. More opinions/comments/suggestions would be great!

Glenns · 10-31-2002, 08:33 AM

With the hood up in the garage and its quite mine makes a sewing machine like noise. I guess it due to all those moving parts.

When I shutdown the engine with the car in neutral is with the clutch released the tranny makes a wind down like sound (see one of my first posts) It must be the moving parts in the tranny.

I want to Mod the car and leave it stock. So, early in the morining in the middle of the night I wake up thinking of stock Mods.

Just kidding, I'm like you:
whats that noise?/whats that sound?/why did I bother with an extended warrenty?/Is my car okay?/will this void any and all warrenties?/Damn its got a scratch/Damn its dirty cause I drove it 20 miles/If I can keep it mint for 25 years I'll have a BG survivor.

The engine is strong. The car is strong. Some problems here and there sure. But they can be fixed.

When it all starts to get to me I remember this.

Of all the heavy Chevy's the vette is the heaviest. Its a stong car.

OmahaZ06 · 10-31-2002, 08:35 AM

no clicking here - no sewing machines, old taxi cabs, or other issues. keep the faith - i'm sure you'll get it fixed to your satisfaction and enjoy your rocket when you get it back. good luck!

Jerry Velders · 10-31-2002, 08:38 AM

The tranny problem's a tough break, but GM'll deal with it. As to the ticking, mine's been ticking for 10,000 miles and has never had a problem. I get a light tick between 1500-2000 rpm under light load on a warm engine. It's always done it. It reminds me of a solid-lifter engine but not nearly as loud. I like the 'sewing machine' description .. that seems to fit it best. Turn up the radio. Seriously, don't worry about it. If something's going to break, it will, so let it ... then your warranty will fix it. Don't let it interfere with your enjoyment ... especially since this noise is so widely reported and seldom if ever seems related to any real problem.

WA 2 FST · 10-31-2002, 10:11 AM

I'm with Jerry. I can only hear the noise at low rpms, at a gradual increase in throttle. If I stomp on it, the noise goes away ... LOL, the exhaust note takes over, of course.

Anyway, my car runs fine, doesn't burn oil, dyno's the same two days ago as it did 6 months ago.

If it breaks, I'll get a new engine.

Not sure who will pay for it, but I'm not worried about it happening any time soon.