Service Bulletin #N202302720 On Track Performance Engine Overheating Extends Special Coverage on 2015 – 2018 Z06 Corvettes that may Experience Overheating on the Track
Many of us that routinely compete in high performance driving events have heard of some C7 Z06 owners experiencing heat soak and overheating while driving on a track during high ambient temperatures. GM found that most of these overheating issues were happening on 2015 – 2016 Corvette Z06s equipped with the automatic transmission.
After driving on a track for a short period of time when the outside temperature was in excess of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the LT4 engine would suddenly reduce power and go into limp-home mode until the engine temperature decreased. This left some owners stranded on the side of the track wondering if there was something seriously wrong with their Corvette.
In 2017, Corvette engineers addressed the issue by raising the center of the Z06 hood, modifying the engine and transmission calibrations, beefing up the cooling system and raising the height of the intercooler cover.
Below, you can see the difference between the height of the two intercooler covers:
While these improvements did help, they didn’t completely alleviate the problem.
This afternoon GM issued a Service Bulletin extending a special coverage adjustment on the 2015 – 2016 Corvette Z06 equipped with RPO MEK Manual Transmission, and the 2015 – 2018 Corvette Z06 equipped with RPO M5U Automatic Transmission.
As outlined below Z06 Corvettes that fall under this special coverage adjustment are to receive an upgraded radiator package and updated shift-point calibrations at no additional cost to the customer. Scroll down to see additional details:
Special Coverage Adjustment
N202302720 On Track Performance Engine Overheating
Release Date: December 2020
Revision: 00
Condition: Certain 2015-2018 model year Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vehicles may have a condition where the vehicle may overheat and enter a reduced power mode when driven on a track at sustained high speeds in high ambient temperatures.
Special Coverage Adjustment: This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 7 years or 72,000 miles (116,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle was originally placed in service, regardless of ownership.
For vehicles covered by Vehicle Service Contracts, all eligible claims with repair orders on or after December 17, 2020, are covered by this special coverage and must be submitted using the labor operation codes provided with this bulletin. Claims with repair orders prior to December 17, 2020, must be submitted to the Service Contract provider.
Vehicle owners or lessees who paid for repairs referenced in this Special Coverage (“Customers”) are eligible for reimbursement of their reasonable and customary expenses in accordance with the procedures specified below. The conditional right to reimbursement is provided by GM solely in the interest of customer satisfaction and is personal to Customers. Customers may not assign and GM does not consent to any assignment of any Customer’s right to submit reimbursement claims, or to receive reimbursement, or any other rights granted by this Special Coverage to any third party, including but not limited to service contract providers, and this Special Coverage is not intended to and does not confer any third party beneficiary, subrogation or contribution rights, or any other rights to reimbursement, against GM, whether in law, equity or otherwise, on any third parties.
Correction: Dealers are to install an updated radiator package and, for automatic transmission vehicles, updated shift-point calibration software. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer. The customer must provide evidence of an overheating condition in the form of one of the following: Diagnostic Trouble Code, photos, or videos. The dealer should make a copy of any customer evidence provided and file with the warranty claim.
It is estimated that there are only 5% of involved vehicles that will require parts being replaced.
If you own a 2015 – 2018 Corvette Z06 and feel that this special coverage adjustment may apply to your car, contact your local Chevrolet Service Department for more details.
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