Reliability items
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Reliability items
Had my '92 coupe 3 months, I've put over 2500 miles on it, and it runs fine. The odometer is not accurate (the seller was very up-front about it) but probably has 60-70K miles on the car.
Next summer we plan to take it to the Canadian Rockies for three weeks or so. Naturally I'm hoping for a trouble-free trip since Corvette specialists are few and far between there. Things DO wear out, but it's also possible to get a bum part when replacing things. Any suggestions on what items I should consider replacing now, even though they are OK (Opti??) versus just having the local Vette shop give it a good look-over and drive it as is?
I don't want to randomly replace things for no reason but also don't want to start walking half way through North Dakota or Manitoba!
Thanks!
Next summer we plan to take it to the Canadian Rockies for three weeks or so. Naturally I'm hoping for a trouble-free trip since Corvette specialists are few and far between there. Things DO wear out, but it's also possible to get a bum part when replacing things. Any suggestions on what items I should consider replacing now, even though they are OK (Opti??) versus just having the local Vette shop give it a good look-over and drive it as is?
I don't want to randomly replace things for no reason but also don't want to start walking half way through North Dakota or Manitoba!
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Don't worry about it and enjoy your trip, you've already tested it out.
If ya own a gun don't take it to Canada and the beer? Is at room tempature just like my ex's. Stop in to see Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota, it rips.
If ya own a gun don't take it to Canada and the beer? Is at room tempature just like my ex's. Stop in to see Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota, it rips.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,158
Likes: 9,464
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
if you are that woried about your old car and its parts. go sell it and buy a new one. if you trust it then go over all your fluids, check all your tires that means the spair. give it a wash and wax. and go enjoy your self and the trip. and take lots of pictures
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Charleston WV
Do you have manual transmission? If so When was the clutch replaced?
Underhood temperatures in a Vette can get hot, especially mountain driving. Coolant, Hoses, Brake Fluid (flush brakes and clutch), and oil should be in good condition. Always check your oil level, also on the road while gassing up etc.
How old are the tires? You may want to check if they are older than 10 years.
It is always a good idea for a Corvette specialist to look it over. I would start from their recommendation and check with maintenance history of the car.
C4ZF6nut
Underhood temperatures in a Vette can get hot, especially mountain driving. Coolant, Hoses, Brake Fluid (flush brakes and clutch), and oil should be in good condition. Always check your oil level, also on the road while gassing up etc.
How old are the tires? You may want to check if they are older than 10 years.
It is always a good idea for a Corvette specialist to look it over. I would start from their recommendation and check with maintenance history of the car.
C4ZF6nut
Had my '92 coupe 3 months, I've put over 2500 miles on it, and it runs fine. The odometer is not accurate (the seller was very up-front about it) but probably has 60-70K miles on the car.
Next summer we plan to take it to the Canadian Rockies for three weeks or so. Naturally I'm hoping for a trouble-free trip since Corvette specialists are few and far between there. Things DO wear out, but it's also possible to get a bum part when replacing things. Any suggestions on what items I should consider replacing now, even though they are OK (Opti??) versus just having the local Vette shop give it a good look-over and drive it as is?
I don't want to randomly replace things for no reason but also don't want to start walking half way through North Dakota or Manitoba!
Thanks!
Next summer we plan to take it to the Canadian Rockies for three weeks or so. Naturally I'm hoping for a trouble-free trip since Corvette specialists are few and far between there. Things DO wear out, but it's also possible to get a bum part when replacing things. Any suggestions on what items I should consider replacing now, even though they are OK (Opti??) versus just having the local Vette shop give it a good look-over and drive it as is?
I don't want to randomly replace things for no reason but also don't want to start walking half way through North Dakota or Manitoba!
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 10
From: Apple Valley MN
Check to make sure there isn't any dampness under the water pump, or any signs of coolant spray on the underside of the hood. If you're uncertain about the age of your battery, it might be a good idea to have it tested. Check your serpentine belt and hoses for warning signs. And make sure your tires are up to the task - check the DOT code to make sure they're not two weeks older than dirt.
We drove our '96 out to Pennsylvania this summer, loved every minute of it. Hope you have a great trip!
We drove our '96 out to Pennsylvania this summer, loved every minute of it. Hope you have a great trip!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: LA
Check these items, they are the most common problems areas that will shut you down on the road.
Tires, breaks and wheel bearings.
Fluids; all. Check break, coolant, oil, transmission and power streering. Replace any that look funny. Check for leaks.
Be sure the battery is good. If you have any doubt, get it replaced.
All lights.
All of these are in the owners manual along with recommended service intervals.
One thing that will shut you down dead is the fuel pump. It is easy to replace. Be sure you have a spare or know where you can get one on the road. Some after market pumps come with poor quality hose and will fail due to hose rupture shortly after being installed. It's easy to fix but it's a pain in the a** to pull it twice to get going.
FYI - I've found the Corvettes to be very reliable and will get you home even if a lot of things are broken.
Tires, breaks and wheel bearings.
Fluids; all. Check break, coolant, oil, transmission and power streering. Replace any that look funny. Check for leaks.
Be sure the battery is good. If you have any doubt, get it replaced.
All lights.
All of these are in the owners manual along with recommended service intervals.
One thing that will shut you down dead is the fuel pump. It is easy to replace. Be sure you have a spare or know where you can get one on the road. Some after market pumps come with poor quality hose and will fail due to hose rupture shortly after being installed. It's easy to fix but it's a pain in the a** to pull it twice to get going.
FYI - I've found the Corvettes to be very reliable and will get you home even if a lot of things are broken.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 33,073
Likes: 6,634
From: Rochester NY
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
Some very good tips there - thank you! It's an auto so no clutch worries, and I already have 2 new tires and planned on replacing the other 2 next spring. The sending unit for the fuel gauge is squirrelly so I figured a pump at the same time would be prudent - I'll take the current one along as a spare which I had not thought of. And I already figured on having the local Corvette specialist look it over.
I'm not paranoid or afraid to drive it, just trying to do my homework now instead of with some moose looking over my shoulder!
I appreciate the input. My first two cars were Vettes, and two others after that, but I went 30+ years without, doing the kids and house thing. I must say it's tremendous having this site and the help of so much knowledge - "back then" you were pretty much reliant on the guys in the club and - if you were lucky - a local vette shop. Yes, it's mostly common sense stuff preparing for a trip but having input from those who have already dealt with the issues is good preventive medicine.
I'm not paranoid or afraid to drive it, just trying to do my homework now instead of with some moose looking over my shoulder!
I appreciate the input. My first two cars were Vettes, and two others after that, but I went 30+ years without, doing the kids and house thing. I must say it's tremendous having this site and the help of so much knowledge - "back then" you were pretty much reliant on the guys in the club and - if you were lucky - a local vette shop. Yes, it's mostly common sense stuff preparing for a trip but having input from those who have already dealt with the issues is good preventive medicine.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 3
From: Maine
I would replace all fluids including your oil and fuel filters. Change your radiator hoses. Clean out any debris between your radiator and condensor.
Some other things to consider which are among the most likely parts to leave you stranded are your tires, optispark, water pump, serpentine belt, battery, alternator, and starter.
Some other things to consider which are among the most likely parts to leave you stranded are your tires, optispark, water pump, serpentine belt, battery, alternator, and starter.
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