High RPM Damage?

[cerberus]

I let a good friend drive my 02 Coupe last Saturday afternoon (21k miles on it). He asked if he could spin the tires, to which I said of course and turned off the traction control. Then followed a 1st gear burnout that had it bouncing off the rev limiter a couple of times (maybe 3-5 seconds total). Not totally pleased that he went a little overboard with the tire spinning, but hey, what are buddies for?

Anyway, still runs like a dream. No problems or codes or anything, and the oil level was at the max mark Sunday morning, and I drove it that day maybe 50-75 miles. When wifey and I went to take it for a summer evening drive last night, I noticed it was now about 1/8 to 1/4 quart below the max mark. This is checking after it's sat overnight on level garage floor. It's never burned oil before, and has always been changed about every 2000-2500 miles. Normal, no big deal, or possible damage? Am I being paranoid?

 

[Tuna]

I've bounced mine off the rev-limiter a few times without problem. Damage isn't supposed to happen but one never knows. I supposed your buddy isn't going to be allows to drive your car anymore.

 

[bossvette]

Don't worry about it I "bounce" mine off the rev limiter all the time
I wish I had one back in the sixties; the rev limiter does just what its designed to do - keep the engine rpms below the point where damage will occur.

it gets up there rather quickly doesnt it

 

[tlong]

I pulled the trans down into 2nd at 85 mph by mistake and experienced the rev limiter. There is no detent from D to 2. Thank goodness; it would have blown fer shur. Maybe top it off to the top of the cross-hatch cold and level, then check cold and level after use a few days. Oil has to be burnt or leak, both of which leave evidence as smoke or puddles or milky oil. Vette engines are tough and are designed to spin up every now and then.

Lesson learned, eh? I am the only possible driver that can harm my car. Let them sacrifice and suffer and fret with their own damn vette.

 

[cerberus]

I've noticed no smoke, etc., and no leaks on the floor. But, I had read on CAC that these cars will tend to burn a little oil during "spirited" driving. I'm definitley no stranger to willful destruction of machinery in the name of fun, just not in my first Corvette, which at 32 years of age, is the nicest and priciest toy I've yet had.

The buddy in question has owned many fun toys over the years, some of which I've had the opportunity to abuse, so I kind of "owed" him this particular burnout.

 

[tlong]

It's obviously ruined. I'll give ya $7,500 sight unseen. And overlook that it's the color and year I love. That's cash money, mister.

 

[cerberus]

Well, if that's the case I at least want to keep it for this year's demolition derby at the Platte County Fair. I think I can drum up an old 250 cubic inch inline 6 to run in it..... how do you think I'll do?

 

[DRTH VTR]

It's obviously ruined. I'll give ya $7,500 sight unseen. And overlook that it's the color and year I love. That's cash money, mister.

I will give $8000!

 

[cerberus]

Sorry. It's demo derby bound.

 

[bossvette]

Sorry. It's demo derby bound.

It wouldn't stand a chance out here:

 

[mqqn]

Hi cerberus -

Not likely any damage caused by bumping the fuel-cutoff.

The factory set this limit with warranty costs in mind.

The only RPM related damage I have personally heard of is from force-revving by accidentally hitting a lower gear (say go from third to second etc.).

I will add that when you spin them up, they will use some oil.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[cerberus]

Hi cerberus -

Not likely any damage caused by bumping the fuel-cutoff.

The factory set this limit with warranty costs in mind.

The only RPM related damage I have personally heard of is from force-revving by accidentally hitting a lower gear (say go from third to second etc.).

I will add that when you spin them up, they will use some oil.

best regards -

mqqn

mqqn:

Thanks for the reply. That will make me sleep better tonight. The car does have an extended warranty to 60k miles, but I'd just as soon not have to use it.

 

[cerberus]

Oh yeah, I did make it to Wally World (Wal-Mart) over lunch and picked up some Mobil 1. I bought the same weight as it originally called for, but wondered if anybody used the 15W-50 in the summer or for hard driving?

 

[DRTH VTR]

Am I being paranoid?

Maybe a little bit. The rev limiter is there to prevent damage, valve float, etc. If the engine could be damaged by hitting the limiter a couple of times, then the RPM limit was set too high. It is OK.

 

[mqqn]

Oh yeah, I did make it to Wally World (Wal-Mart) over lunch and picked up some Mobil 1. I bought the same weight as it originally called for, but wondered if anybody used the 15W-50 in the summer or for hard driving?

Hi cerberus -

No - I would not use that viscosity. I have heard some use 10w30 in sumer - but not I.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[jrose7004]

That Mobil 1 is designed to protect your car a bit longer than 2500 miles, unless of course you just like giving more money to Mobil!

 

[cerberus]

This is true. But I figure, heck, it's just money, and fresh oil definitely won't HURT anything. I've read some posts on here where folks change the oil before putting it into storage for the winter and then change it again first thing in the spring (0 miles, just 3 months). Now that's anal.

Usually, I just change it when my oil life percentage gets down to around 60%. This is usually around 2500 or so.

 

[LLC5]

That Mobil 1 is designed to protect your car a bit longer than 2500 miles, unless of course you just like giving more money to Mobil!

It's not the oil going bad that's the issue. Getting the contaminates out of your engine is the reason to change your oil frequently.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Hey Cerberus, can i spin the tires on your car too . I promise I'll keep the revs away from the limiter.....just kidding. I agree that the puters in these cars have been programed to keep the revs out of the danger zone. That is unless you tune them to disable the limiter. I've had mine close a few times while putting a spanking on ricers but I've never pushed it up to the limiter. I do try not to spin the tires though. $1400 bucks for a set is just a bit to much to pay Mr. goodyear .


H.D.

 

[mqqn]

That Mobil 1 is designed to protect your car a bit longer than 2500 miles, unless of course you just like giving more money to Mobil!

Hi jrose7004 -

I agree - and I run mobil 1 to 6k miles in my lumina and my truck, but I change it at 3500 in my vettes -

Not that I want to make mobil executives richer, I just like to play under my vettes....It's like therapy for me....

best regards -

mqqn