Chevrolet Identifies Valve-Coating Defect After Multiple IndyCar Engine Changes
GM with engine partner Ilmor replaced coatings and valves on swapped engines before Sunday’s Detroit Grand Prix to contain a supplier-quality fault
Overview
- Chevrolet teams carried out a wave of engine swaps at the Detroit Grand Prix after recurring problems first seen during Indy 500 practice were traced to the valve and valve-guide coating.
- General Motors president Mark Reuss confirmed during IndyCar warmup on Sunday that a wrong coating on the valve or guide can cause valve fatigue and separation over time.
- Teams had seven Chevrolet engines replaced on Saturday, including Christian Lundgaard’s No. 7 unit being changed twice, and several replacement engines received new coatings and valves ahead of the race.
- The failures affected multiple teams such as Arrow McLaren, Juncos Hollinger Racing and Team Penske and disrupted practice and qualifying preparations for prominent drivers.
- Chevrolet is monitoring the situation through race operations while the issue has competitive implications because Honda has dominated recent races and leads the manufacturer standings.