Timing, Water Pump, & coil packs... when to do it?
07-30-2016, 06:53 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Timing, Water Pump, & coil packs... when to do it?
My car has just ticked over 43,000 miles and I'm getting ready to do Headwork.
Is now a good time to do the coilpacks, water pump, and timing chain? This is my first corvette so I'm not sure when to do these things. With my german cars, I had to do the timing belt, serpentine belt, and water pump at or before 70,000 miles. Not sure what all maint. I should be considering as I approach the 50,000 mile marker for my C5.
Do those 3 things sound like a good idea (water pump, coilpacks, timing chain)? If so, should I be doing some other routine maintenance at this time? How about the fuel pump?
I just put in a new clutch/flywheel/pressureplate, new spark plugs, spark plug wires, and changed the fuel filter.
Thanks!
Is now a good time to do the coilpacks, water pump, and timing chain? This is my first corvette so I'm not sure when to do these things. With my german cars, I had to do the timing belt, serpentine belt, and water pump at or before 70,000 miles. Not sure what all maint. I should be considering as I approach the 50,000 mile marker for my C5.
Do those 3 things sound like a good idea (water pump, coilpacks, timing chain)? If so, should I be doing some other routine maintenance at this time? How about the fuel pump?
I just put in a new clutch/flywheel/pressureplate, new spark plugs, spark plug wires, and changed the fuel filter.
Thanks!
Last edited by C5Superleggera; 07-30-2016 at 06:54 AM.
07-30-2016, 07:44 AM
#2
Melting Slicks
Lots of different opinions, but I wouldn't bother with any of them.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
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C5Superleggera (07-30-2016)
07-30-2016, 10:48 AM
#3
Team Owner
Lots of different opinions, but I wouldn't bother with any of them.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
Coil packs don't "wear out".
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C5Superleggera (07-30-2016)
07-30-2016, 01:07 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
Lots of different opinions, but I wouldn't bother with any of them.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
Thanks guys, looks like the C5 is a lot less picky than the options from Europe. When I bought the car it already has a bigger cam in it but the mileage was so low I don't think they bothered replacing any of those 3.
07-30-2016, 11:41 PM
#5
Drifting
Why are you doing head work? Is something wrong or do you have a performance project? Coils, Water Pump, Timing chain. I would wait until there is indication of a problem. I have 110,000 mi and have replaced none of that. 2004 still runs like new ... sometimes I think better.
08-01-2016, 02:26 AM
#6
Instructor
Thread Starter
Why are you doing head work? Is something wrong or do you have a performance project? Coils, Water Pump, Timing chain. I would wait until there is indication of a problem. I have 110,000 mi and have replaced none of that. 2004 still runs like new ... sometimes I think better.
08-01-2016, 08:11 AM
#7
Team Owner
To the OP, Corvettes are way less finicky that the European imports. Secondly, I sometimes think the European manufacturers like to constantly support their dealer's service departments, by suggesting (requiring) crazy short part replacement intervals.
One thing I would most definitely suggest, however, is replacing the harmonic balancer, if it's the original. They have been known to be a potential problem part.
One thing I would most definitely suggest, however, is replacing the harmonic balancer, if it's the original. They have been known to be a potential problem part.
08-01-2016, 06:50 PM
#8
Drifting
To the OP, Corvettes are way less finicky that the European imports. Secondly, I sometimes think the European manufacturers like to constantly support their dealer's service departments, by suggesting (requiring) crazy short part replacement intervals.
One thing I would most definitely suggest, however, is replacing the harmonic balancer, if it's the original. They have been known to be a potential problem part.
One thing I would most definitely suggest, however, is replacing the harmonic balancer, if it's the original. They have been known to be a potential problem part.
I have not had harmonic balancer issue ... YET. But have seen it on others. Does not seem a matter of if, but when. Don't know if it helps but when I do oil change, I spray some lithium grease in back of balancer.
08-01-2016, 07:00 PM
#9
Team Owner
08-01-2016, 08:01 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Don't worry about the fuel pumps unless you need more fuel flow for your project. I replaced mine at 200k miles because one of my fuel senders malfunctioned and figured I might as well while I was in there.
08-01-2016, 10:05 PM
#11
Team Owner
08-01-2016, 11:05 PM
#12
Drifting
Balancers I have seen replaced have a groove worn in shaft causing leak. I imagined some additional lube might delay that.
I have not seen a C5 balance do what two of my C3 balances did. That is separate at the rubber liner. I'm sure some do.
May not be worthwhile, but 110k miles and 12 years and it ain't hurt
I have not seen a C5 balance do what two of my C3 balances did. That is separate at the rubber liner. I'm sure some do.
May not be worthwhile, but 110k miles and 12 years and it ain't hurt
08-01-2016, 11:06 PM
#13
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Lots of different opinions, but I wouldn't bother with any of them.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
You rarely hear of GM coil packs giving any issues (knock on wood)
Water pumps can last 150,000 miles, and when they go, they're not that hard to replace (it does not have to be removed during head change or the answer would be different)
Timing chains the same as above; rarely have any issues, (belts a different story) Getting to the timing chain is a job you DON'T want to do unless you are replacing a cam.
As I referenced above; If you ever replace your cam, then is a good time to replace water pump, timing chain, and oil pump.
No sense doing work that is not required.
08-01-2016, 11:15 PM
#15
1/4 mile/AutoX
I bought my vette with 50,000 miles on it, three years later I have a 16 year old car with 68,000 on it. I have not replaced any of those things, it did have new belts on it when I bought it.
08-02-2016, 04:29 AM
#16
Instructor
My stock water pump went at 96k. Replaced it with an ls2 unit which is an upgrade in both Gpm and rotational mass so that was a win win. A water pump will let you know when it's giving up, once you smell antifreeze cooking when you get outta the car that's tr likely culprit. Leave the chain and coil packs alone.
Now would be the time to pick up at least an ls6 intake manifold though if you don't have it already.
Now would be the time to pick up at least an ls6 intake manifold though if you don't have it already.
08-02-2016, 06:44 AM
#17
Instructor
Thread Starter
My stock water pump went at 96k. Replaced it with an ls2 unit which is an upgrade in both Gpm and rotational mass so that was a win win. A water pump will let you know when it's giving up, once you smell antifreeze cooking when you get outta the car that's tr likely culprit. Leave the chain and coil packs alone.
Now would be the time to pick up at least an ls6 intake manifold though if you don't have it already.
Now would be the time to pick up at least an ls6 intake manifold though if you don't have it already.
08-02-2016, 07:23 AM
#18
Team Owner
Balancers I have seen replaced have a groove worn in shaft causing leak. I imagined some additional lube might delay that.
I have not seen a C5 balance do what two of my C3 balances did. That is separate at the rubber liner. I'm sure some do.
May not be worthwhile, but 110k miles and 12 years and it ain't hurt
I have not seen a C5 balance do what two of my C3 balances did. That is separate at the rubber liner. I'm sure some do.
May not be worthwhile, but 110k miles and 12 years and it ain't hurt
08-02-2016, 09:47 AM
#19
Team Owner
The usual cause for failure of C-5 balancers, is the rubber de-lamination that you're referring to. With respect to the groove being worn in the hub, yes, I've seen that. However, consider this....the seal keeps it's circular shape by a spring that's inside a groove on the back of the seal. This sprigs does cause some wear, but it also keep the seal tight around the balancer's hub.
Btw, I have seen numerous pictures of new OE HBs, and they all appear to have a type of "groove" already. It's the way they're made. It's not really a "groove" per se, but the hub diameter is not an even, constant diameter like the aftermarket units are.
https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/asse.../sku/59469.jpg
http://www.eastcoastvette.com/images...arge/11870.jpg