The most common C7 Corvette part failure ❗😠 we see at our shop

[@kellsAC1]

Lyle, you're a blessing man. We are very thankful that you're giving out this information for free!

[@scottspitler1443]

Love this channel because it makes me smarter Corvette owner. Thank you.

[@smokey4343]

I just took my belt tensioner off my 2014 C7... It had black crud on it...Not sure if it's road crud or an oil leak...I was hearing a kind of roaring coming from the front of the engine.. Gave me a chance to change the antifreeze , air filter and thermostat while i was at it.. Only have 37k miles on it...

[@romie7054]

LoL, cause I heard the same thing when that happened to mine.

[@8eEnManZ28]

Did an oil change last week and this video popped up right after. Lone behold the “shock absorber” looks just like this one. Parts already on order thanks for the tip!!!

[@mikestevens6587]

Thank you very much Lyle, I’ll check on mine asap.

[@dukeman7595]

Lyle, I say it again, you are appreciated for the wealth of knowledge you share!

[@joebowers3060]

Right on the money with this. Just replaced my belt tensioner 2 months ago. 2015 Z06 @ 9800 miles.

[@miguellopez7118]

You are the man Lyle! Thank you for all of the critical and very useful information you provide for us 🙏. BTW I am the proud owner of 2017 Grand Sport.

[@Chris-ly3lv]

Love it, My 2019 C7 Grandsport has had the following items replaced, Torque Tube and new Fluid added the new version of transmission fluid, both headlights had water moisture buildup inside, drivers identified cooling seat blower, front door panel rattles, all under warranty and it only has 19k .

[@benedictdonald4338]

GM is GM.

[@Chris-ly3lv]

@@benedictdonald4338 correct. GM (Gready Motherfkers)

[@jaywax]

Just had my 2016 C7 Stingray tensioner replaced under extended warranty based off this channel. Went in for radio replacement, but told them to also look at belt tensioner. It was leaking. Replaced. Thanks for the info.

[@CalifTom-p1i]

I changed mine (2015) when I had the serpentine timing belt changed. The mechanic thought it was a good call...noted that some fluid was leaking out from the tensioner. I had 93K miles on it.

[@eazypersonalaccount7978]

Agreed! I have a 2017 GS and I just changed mine. You’re spot on.

[@marblox9300]

The Torque Tube in C5s, C6s and C7s are the reason I am giving up on the Corvette. C8 will have it's own problems. These cars are getting ridiculously over complicated and expensive to fix.

[@thewho2482]

I've always wanted to get a corvette and finally I'm in position. But these problems scary me. I had a camaro and had repairs to make on things that broke because they used plastic. It's seem like every year it was costing me 1200 dollars to repair that car.

[@PassengerInMortality]

It’s the AFM that kills the torque tube. I bought a OBD plug in that keeps it from going into eco mode.

[@EmanSemek]

@@PassengerInMortality what is the name of it?

[@Vstyle13]

@@PassengerInMortality😮😮

[@PassengerInMortality]

@@EmanSemek Ranger

[@ImportDomestic2006]

Lyle is absolutely correct. This tensioner pulley is very difficult to get to, but if you are mechanically inclined. You should be able to perform this replacement on the weekend. It took me 2 1/2 hours to replace this tensioner pulley. You will need a ratcheting wrench to remove the two bolts and a whole Lotta patience. While you’re in there, replace the coolant reservoir. They tend to leak after you’ve driven your Corvette over 30,000 miles. Depending on the climate that you live in, you might have to replace your coolant hoses as well otherwise you should be OK. Remove your air intake box with intake tube remove thermostat, coolant, hose, upper and lower. Once you remove all those items you should have just enough space to remove those two bolts.

[@glen8449]

Thank you, Lyle.

[@GG-xs8vt]

Wow ,very good info. Thanks. Belt Tensioner. I’m ready. Have to check your Torque Tube video.

[@billiebobbienorton2556]

Repaired mine in advance. THANKS ! ! !

[@jeffstieren4474]

I greatly appreciate your tip.

[@tomfaltash9634]

Yet another great tip. I do have a c7 grand sport though it only has 6500 kilometres, which is around 4700 miles. So I think I’m safe for now. Either way, yours is my favourite vlog to watch about everything corvette.

[@murlhennigan3456]

Just bought my first vette, 2015 Z51 C7. Found your site while doing my homework (after the fact, naturally) listened to the podcast, went right out and checked, sure enough, grease all over the tensioner. Rest of the engine compartment is spotless. Looking for a mechanic now, will change immediately. What great info. I am subscribed and will be scooping up everything you got. I also watched the C7 buyers guide video about the trannie issues, bummer. I have already found out there is no tow hook receiver, no spare tire (tires are new but not run flats). This just gets worse by the day. But I am stubborn and determined to love this car, I have been waiting 52 years to buy my dream car and I am keeping it forever. Man I love a vette. Any info on tow hook receiver installs? That is next on the list. oh and when will the red bandit module be available?

[@shaark92]

I bought a tow strap which connects to the frame where the front lift pucks are inserted, just below the door hinges. not as handy as a tow hook, but I hope I'm not using it anymore often than jumper cables, or the tire plugs/fixaflat can I carry. (just hung Michelin Cup 2s ... SAHN! can you say "slot car?")

[@jeffb243]

As always, great job Lyle!

[@kenberan4875]

Thanks Lyle , always great info from #1 corvette man !

[@speedysbarbershop]

I really enjoy your podcast! I am a car guy/ Corvette owner. I have a brother in Sarasota and next time I go visit him I am gonna come check out your shop

[@csvette]

You are more than welcome! Come On by! :) Lyle

[@sloreo8278]

Bought a C7 a few days ago and head the belt squeaking a bit this morning. Of course this is the first "common problem" video I find!! Definitely going to take a look tomorrow, thank you!

[@billfleming8281]

Always great info , thanks Lyle !

[@Torch4Life]

Great video C & S Corvettes & spot on. I have a '14 (z51) I bought new & it's idler went bad right at 50k mi, making the belt squeal at & just off idle, just slightly. Replaced it & the belt (since I was there) myself & it was solved. I'm at 74k mi now & it's still fine, but I expect to have to do it again at 100k. the car's been great otherwise, perfect actually, still gets 32mpg actual highway at 70 mph, corners over 1.25g on as4s. Orig brake pads still half left.

[@Torch4Life]

It was a bit of a pia to replace too.

[@shaark92]

thank you sir ... I read through a few dozen comments in search ... didn't find ... in your experience, what is the typical failure time ... miles, I presume? or calendar age? I'm a year into owning a Z51. Had 18K on it. I've driven the thing. Now has almost 38K. I installed the "range device" to inhibit the AFM almost immediately (before 20K) .... so I hope my experience is like one of your viewers who commented they tuned their AFM out at around 10K and has had no torque tube problems. btw ... your bumper is just long enough for me to "skip ads" and reinstate the audio from "mute." PERFECT! :P

[@416to212]

Just got my C7 Grand Sport and because I watched this video I knew to keep an eye out for this repair. Replaced the belt and tensioner because I knew exactly what to look out for. Is there a link to leaking shocks for the C7 Mag Ride system?

[@TBagr]

Just had a new torque tube installed on my ‘19 Z06 last week. I guess I need to look at this part also.

[@terrycosey2904]

You really helped me during my week first purchase of a Stringray 2015 and it was going bad along with the Torque Tube. Thanks for sharing your knowledge I'm a subscriber now ❤

[@vincedangerio546]

Thank you! I just purchased at used 2019 base manual corvette with 8k miles. The torque tube and on automatics, the cylinder deactivation seem to be the biggies. Knowing this one as well is helpful. Thanks!

[@jrparker4804]

Agreed. I bought a 2016 C7 base with the A8 transmission. There is a NHTSA bulletin out there that requires triple flushing the original hygroscopic transmission fluid. This eliminated my shuddering in V4, but I also bought the Range Technology OBD2 port plugin to bypass AFM and stop the nonsense with V4. It’s V8 at all times now! So much happier!

[@btp1552]

Does the manual have the the afm?

[@Orgazmicsausages]

yep , had a cam installed and needed that part replaced too around 90k miles

[@wwilliams1358]

Great Info on what to look for as preventative maintenance! Does anyone make a more robust part to avoid having to change every so many thousand miles?

[@csvette]

Not as of yet...

[@G_Vegas22]

I have little nitnoid things fail like that belt tensioner and the gas door actuator. Luckily I was not in a road trip because I had to pull wheel well off to get gas door open. I just disabled it completely

[@ClaytonYatescarenthusiast]

The 6th gen camaro is the same. Mine leaked some at 20k miles and stayed about the same till it was totaled at 50k and it was a track road course car. So they can last a while even after some leakage

[@ImportDomestic2006]

Don’t forget to recommend the thermostat on a 2014 through 2019 Corvette C7. Ours failed at just before 30,000 miles. Not to mention the battery will eventually die after eight years even if you use your trickle charger when not driving. Our 2014 C7 Corvette stingray battery finally died even after driving it for 49,000 miles. I just ordered a brand new AC Delco gold battery replacement.

[@dvwash145]

Just got a 2017 GS and changing up a few things as many are still factory like the battery (6 yrs old now)... is this what you replaced yours with? ACDELCO GOLD 42 MONTH WARRANTY HIGH RESERVE BCI GROUP 48 BATTERY GM Part # 88866212; ACDelco Part # 48GHRA

[@FredFlintstone21]

What battery maintainer are you using? I bought a 2013 bmw M5 from a fella who babied the car, he used a ctek MXS 5.0 battery maintainer, keeping the original AGM battery (now 10 years old, as engraved on the battery terminal) in good health. I recalled hearing that's all Jay leno uses on his cars, and went out and bought em for all my vehicles. I've heard the corvette comes with a corvette maintainer, which is made by ctek.

[@lukeschamer9103]

Thanks so much for sharing this!!

[@henrymontenegro1159]

Thank you so much!

[@Kevs442]

How prevalent is torque converter premature wear due to the cylinder deactivation? 1 in 10? 1 in 100? or 1 in 10,000, etc.

[@Paulie1232]

Good information, thanks for sharing

[@rogerpullin8997]

Maybe it is time for an after market replacement part that is improved, do you know if the C-8 uses a similar part, and if so how difficult they made it to get to and replace

[@stuartsherman5975]

Thank you for your informative videos. I had a question. Is an oil temp of 242f for a c7 z06 too high under normal street conditions when the engine coolant was only at 225f. The ac was running as well. Weather was sunny day at 86f. Trying to figure out if I should be concerned. Any light you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[@boondockpaint]

Mine had the loose hmi wire causing the dash and screen to go blank intermittently

[@EmanSemek]

how did you fix it?

[@jr8958]

Can you state the miles at which you see these parts fail please!

[@csvette]

We see them fail with age more frequently than due to high mileage, but I would be wary of a tensioner with 35K miles or more on it...it would at least be reasonable to check it regularly at that mileage. Lyle

[@jr8958]

@cscorvetteify understandable.. sounds like a driving habit type of thing. Ty

[@DennisMurphey]

Ok i need to ask. 2014, z51 auto. 11,000 miles. I am retired and just don't go out much. Are there hidden rubber parts i need to check after 8-9 years old??? Thank You, Dennis

[@djdeex-manfreestylemusic3441]

Hello sir. Would you know how to fix a Park to Drive delayed engagement and harsh kick issue on my 2015 Stingrsy 2LT? It only happens when the car sits overnight or it’s cold. The dealer tells me the delay is at 2 second and therefore, it is considered normal according to their latest TSB. They did a TCM relearn a few months ago and it was fine, but the “normal” not normal delay came back approx. 2 months later. Especially after temps drop.

[@cw5865]

Any mileage norm for the starting of the failure?

[@karter9908]

My 15 failed in 2022 at 15,000mi.... Bought & installed myself. Comes with special instructions!! Driveshaft makes ugly noises since 2000 mi!!!! Of course gm denies it's bad...... Fuel door solenoid failed... Made in China. Had to buy entire assy to get a cheesy solenoid. I won't let gm touch car ever again.

[@kennyjames4679]

My tensioner went out in year 3 at around 10k miles. No other problems with the car at 23k miles 5 years.

[@markoseyohannes5542]

thank you very much for information

[@gabrielsantos4387]

Thank you

[@mikeurbina1863]

Hi, good morning I just want to say I love your channel it's full of knowledge I have a question , I been having trouble with my A/C it makes a hissing noise and a trembling noise from the engine My car / 2019 corvette stingray Any tips?

[@csvette]

Mike, check the belt tensioner for excessive wobble as mentioned in the video...that can cause the trembling you describe. As for the hissing in the HVAC system, I have no idea. It could be a vacuum leak behind the dash, but that is only a guess. IT will require hands-on diagnosis. Lyle

[@Good-ke5tk]

When you see one coming in at how many miles do you usually see?

[@csvette]

IT has as much to do with age as it does with mileage in our experience. I have seen 10K cars and 80K cars have the original tensioner fail in the same way. Lyle

[@agentvette9331]

Hey thanks for the video! I'm hearing what sounds like a supercharger whine (I don't have a supercharger), does this problem sound like that?

[@franklategano1915]

Does this happen with c6’s? Mine has a squeak but my mechanic says it’s not the harmonic balancer. And it goes away as the engine warms up,

[@mikehuffman8208]

hey Lyle ... thanks! Just discovered my '14 Stingray's belt tensioner is leaking fluid, evidenced by gunk all over the lower part of the unit, and all over the lower cross member. Just under 14k miles. The tensioner isn't making any noise, however. I'm curious if this is just a really stout spring in there, why lubrication is even necessary? At any rate, I ordered the latest $71 replacement part from GM and it's now featuring a hard plastic cover over the damping mechanism, vs. rubber boot that is on the old one. I'm just wondering how this is going to prevent it from leaking again, or did they change the design? I hate to be going through the effort of replacing junk with more junk. Kind of surprised the aftermarket hasn't offered up a more bulletproof/reliable solution. Seems like a really terrible design on GM's part.

[@lyleaulwurm9486]

Mike, that is the "improved" design--time will tell just how much improved it turns out to be. Lyle

[@SUBIESAMURAI07]

Sir thanks for the video. I have an rattle sound in lower rpm. I don’t know if it’s that part on your video or the torque tube . Strange enough it makes sound only on lower rpm so when I hit the paddle a little bit , it disappears. It’s an automatic and btw when I drive the car it’s oke and also shifts very good without a noise

[@lyleaulwurm9486]

Rattles at low RPM can be indicative of torque tube issues, for sure. Need to get it in the air and have a tech listen to the tube itself. Lyle

[@SUBIESAMURAI07]

@@lyleaulwurm9486 how ? It also does it on drive and park or nutral

[@csvette]

@@SUBIESAMURAI07 Your driveshaft is always turning in an automatic C5/6/7 if the engine is running, therefore the torque tube is active at all times. Hence, the rattle in all low-rpm conditions. Lyle

[@SUBIESAMURAI07]

@@csvette oops … well it’s obvious that that’s the problem then . I have to call the dealership. Strange enough it’s not rattling while shifting

[@SUBIESAMURAI07]

@@csvette can I send you a video on email? Please ?

[@j1035ak]

I'm looking at buying a 2016 zo6 convertible manual transmission with 9000 miles on it. Is it possible to replace the supercharger lid with a 2017-2019?

[@Derek25341]

I got a question Lyle, if you have time please hit me up. I'm about to change out the transmission and I need some help. I'll pay. I'm a disabled vet who bought a vette and when it was new I got robbed. 😢

[@nickgarcia9472]

Hey Lyle quick question, how long does the labor take for a torque tube replacement on a c7? Thank you!

[@csvette]

Depends on whether the car is a Z51 car or not. Non-Z51 cars take 10-12 hours to do while Z51 cars take an additional 2 hours. Lyle

[@732Stang]

Mine needed to be changed at 15,000mi

[@CFurnace-72]

Fors the LT4 engine have the same problems?

[@sammyhodges9741]

Hey Lyle, just came across your videos , hope you can help. my 2007 corvettes battery died. aaa came out and got me in and jumped. Hazards have been on since,windows wont shut,trunk wont open, try to start it clicks all dash lights go haywire and it will randomly start,but not change any of issues. Bought brand new battery,same issues.put scanner on it,says all is good. any help you can give,if thats how this works. I just trying everything to figure out .thanks

[@csvette]

RE-index your windows first...super simple and procedure is online in a bunch of places. LEt me know what happens after. Lyle

[@scotty2221]

I have a 16' Stingray z51. Do I need to have the dealer clean the injectors for $299? Seems like a scam to me knowing I use Techron every 3k miles or so in the gas.

[@csvette]

I would use the techron or SeaFoam in the first few tanks of fuel. It will be less expensive and leave you the option to do a professional cleaning at a later date. Lyle :)

[@pablodiaz2792]

Lyle, thank you for this info. I think I had this issue...my C7 just broke down and seems to sound like its misfiring (think of a cammed C7) could this be because this specific part broke? Thanks in advance.

[@csvette]

Pablo, that is hard to say--I definitely think your car needs to be seen by a professional immedietely, though! Lyle

[@SUBIESAMURAI07]

Sir ! My car rattles and I found out that my belt tensioner is leaking! Could that be the problem?

[@Gearheadallday]

Old design on the tensioner shock absorber. Mercedes did it in the 80s.

[@soccerpro221]

I have a 2016 c7 with 17,000 miles and it is making a whistle sound every time I accelerate,do you think this is the problem?

[@csvette]

Possibly. It needs to be looked at by someone in your area who can put their eyes and hands on it. Lyle

[@derricklassiter6753]

Hello Lyle, I've been trying to reach you. I'm in birmingham alabama and have a 2016 stingray. I have a touque tube question. What's the best time to reach you? Thankz

[@csvette]

CAll me between 10-11 am. best time of the day to get me. Lyle

[@robertneff923]

What is the average miles this part will last that you’ve seen?

[@csvette]

I'm seeing failures starting at 36000 miles....

[@dukeman7595]

128,278.7 miles, give or take 50,000 miles.

[@randybills3848]

i have a question what is the round hole for behind the front plate on a 95 im making an air intake for the front and found this hole there allready

[@csvette]

Send a picture to [e-mail]

[@josephhernandez5986]

I have a 16 z06 auto 13k miles. I have this issue when I have the AC on full blast and in drive or reverse and the car oil is fully warmed up to 210°F or higher I hear a noise coming from the front of the engine it sounds like rattling kind of like if something is loose. It only happens in days when it's over 80°F outside. If i revv the car a bit while in gear holding the brake I hear it too. It goes away when in park or neutral. I never hear it in the winter. Is this normal? I know it's AC related because if i turn it off, sound goes away. My thought too was that the AC is over working to keep the cabin cool since the supercharger is making the engine bay really hot. I tried looking all over Google for this issue but no luck. I just want to make sure everything is okay. If I take it to the dealer just to look at it, there goes $135 and sits at the dealer for a week. I took it once to the dealer for a noise coming from the front. Spent a week there only to find out it was the ac filter airbox that wasn't secured right.

[@csvette]

Hi Joseph! Check your belt tensioner--it is the most common cause of the symptoms you are describing. Lyle

[@josephhernandez5986]

@@csvette awesome thanks! Yeah it's weird it only makes noise when the engine starts to overheat a little bit after some spirited driving.

[@GG-xs8vt]

I purchased my Used 2015 ZO6 in Nov 2021 . 8100mlies. 8800 mls now. Maybe some of the issues were taken care of already. Belt Tensioner, Cracked wheels,etc. I did buy the bumper to bumper warranty from the dealer. So far so good.

[@LayneSteighlee]

hello, sir! I have a 16 C7 with 5k miles...and I get a weird whine when decelerating (not accelerating at all)...and I was told this could be the belt tensioner. Out of curiosity, what do you all and other shops generally charge to replace the belt tensioner? I still have powertrain warranty on my car, I wonder it is covered by the factory. Thanks for your awesome videos!

[@csvette]

The part is around $140 if memory serves, and takes about 1.5 hours to change. It could be the issue--most likely suspect anyway. Lyle

[@LayneSteighlee]

@@csvette ahh dang! I thought the whine/whistle was only happening whenever a person accelerated…my sound happens if I let off the gas.

[@gk-cl7so]

Thank you sir

[@TheChuchurs]

My c7 leaks in the exhaust manifold gasket!!!

[@jacksondaniels8169]

So who will be first to create a solution?

[@jayc4715]

Replace it or buy a toyota

[@werewolf227]

would i be able to replace the tail light bulbs for led bulbs on a 2006 z06 without having any issues or having to install resistors

[@csvette]

No. If you are replacing bulbs only, resistors or a hyper-flash harness plug-in would be necessary. Lyle

[@jtbrown5801]

Good info, thanks

[@johannkanahootza4873]

The most common thing that goes is the stereo screen lol

[@ramirezbrian86]

Why does it take forever to freaking fuel up, it cuts off every time

[@terryspray2319]

Try Katech they make a much better one!!!!

[@phillipgarrow2297]

Man I hope I don't have that problem I have a 8k supercharger in front of that

[@Terry-Hairfinatic]

I can't figure out what the lever on the driver side floor is for? can u help me out- thanks

[@csvette]

That is the manual release for the driver's door--that way, if your battery fails or the electronic latch doesn't work you can still exit the car. Lyle

[@houztx]

Whats the average mileage on the car are you seeing these start to go bad ?

[@lyleaulwurm9486]

Mileage is all over the board--time seems to be the culprit here. Lyle

[@Th3An0malyy]

tf? i think that's the same one as on the LAMBDA V6 from hyundai and they fail just the same way

[@jimharrow8104]

Dam... It's Friday already ???

[@richarddobreny6664]

interesting how all corvettes have issues. i wonder how the harmonic balancers are doing?

[@panzerwaffen2873]

Some people don't really tell the amount of issues they have but vettes are full of problems ...I'm in my second vette a c6 I had a c5 ... These cars are beautiful and fast but electrical gremlins and some parts break so easy ..

[@y2j1490yahoo]

this has been a problem with vettes since 97, embarrassing.

[@jeffstieren4474]

I love your channel

[@mikebasson3798]

Thank you so much!

[@paulkeplinger3565]

thank you

[@richarddobreny6664]

interesting how all corvettes have issues. i wonder how the harmonic balancers are doing?

[@gabrielsantos4387]

Mine is good so far with 20k later on my 19 Z06

[@richard7981]

Every make and model of car has issues

[@notbuyingit8047]

Why ask about the balancer, is it a known problem common among other models that use this part number balancer?

[@panzerwaffen2873]

No just the balancer ...electrical issues are on every generation...

[@jayc4715]

@@richard7981 except Toyotas