I've had my vette for a year now. Chased her for 4 years, bought her from a friend. She's in good shape but needs some things. I do a lot of reading on here and have learned a lot but I'm not really able to do the work myself.

U-joints $1,380

AIR pump $509 (from what I've read, this isn't really a necessary fix)

Valve cover gaskets $525

Intake plenum gasket $321

Heater core $540

Trans flush $180 (which the previous owner told me when I bought == don't do and I've read that I shouldn't)

Wiper 1st module/motor $592


I guess the u-joints are the most important. My husband has worked on all of our cars at one point or another but he is somewhat hesitant with the vette...probably since I'm obsessive.

The fellow I bought the car from did some engine work at 90K...she now has 168K. He redid the heads, valves and seals on the valves. He replaced the plenum gasket (and I don't think it is leaking).

So, how hard is this work for us novices to undertake?

(I just bought sawblades that are awesome looking..need to get a new pic, two new Michelin Pilot tires and Iggee seat covers).

 

As far as I am concerned, being "obessive" is pointless. These are cars... and they have a tax. $1300 for ujoints? ****, I could get rich doing them at that rate. Talk about a rip off. buy a press and do the ujoints yourself and/or let your husband do it. It will take a day, and a cheap press will cost 120.00, but it will be worth it.

$525 for valve cover gaskets? another rip off. 3 hour job, max.

Intake gaskets and valve cover gaskets are done at the same time.

heater core... is it leaking? If so, that's a good price, but I will warn you, if this is preventative, don't bother... the replacement parts are garbage. Replacing the core is a real bitch... the first step is to take the car apart.

trans flush is too late to fix anything, but it won't hurt. At 165k miles, whatever is wrong with with the seals won't be helped now. Unless the tranny has been rebuilt... However, you can DIY! Remove the top tranny line and clamp about 5 ft of rubber hose to it, put end into 5 gallon bucket. Insert a funnel into the fill tube. Get a couple cases of Dextron III (I recommend Mobil 1). Start the car, and let the fluid pump into the bucket. Start adding fluid. After about 5 or 6 quarts, it's been flushed. Shut down and fill to level. Check after it's warmed up. adding a bottle of SeaFoam tranny tune up first and letting that clean up the guts won't hurt, either.

I hate sawblades... they are just so common. besides, the wheels you have are unique. Thats just my opinion.

 

The heater core was shot when I bought it...the guy gave me a the part but he had just bought a 90 ZR1 and just didn't bother with the 89 anymore.

I had to get wheels because the chrome was peeling so badly on the ones that were on the car. I kept the wheels..maybe someday I can get them cleaned up and rechromed.

As far as the valve and intake gaskets, I figured we could do those.

Hubby looked at the pictures of the u-joint replacement and figured it might be easier to have somebody else do it. The shop told me they'd have to remove part of the exhaust, etc.

I've just read where if you mess with the transmission it will often crap out shortly thereafter.

I appreciate your reply. What about the wiper motor? That can't be that difficult??

 

89VetteDream, is that a list of repairs and the prices you were quoted?? If so, I can say without the slightest hesitation--someone is taking serious advantage of you. And that's putting it mildly and politely!

Might be time to network and find a recommendation for a new mechanic in your area. And if you've been the one dealing with a mechanic, it might be time to send hubby in with the repair list.

Unbelievable!!

 

They are very highly respected in our area. Been in business for a long time and have a lot of customers with corvettes. We both talked to them. I guess we need to look into just doing the work ourselves.

We have no interest in doing the heater core. If I have to opt for a shop to do only one thing, that would be it.

 

With all due respect, I find it hard to believe any mechaninc charging $1400 to do u-joints has any customers left at all. I've worked in the business. Someone is seeing "Corvette money" and not a u-joint repair.

I just checked my service records, cost me $200 to have two joints done a couple years ago - parts & labor.

 

Get thee to a local Corvette club and ask for help. Attend a meeting and state your case. I'll bet you will find folks who will help with either muscle power or advice.
Now, if they are a bunch of snobs who look down on C4s then find a different club.
Keep us posted!

 

Thanks for the input. I do believe "Corvette money" has something to do with it.

I have a friend with a C5 who belongs to a local club. I'll contact him.