new 86 corvette
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
new 86 corvette
just bought a 86 with the 4+3 in it for 1500. Its not even trying to start the guy i bought it from said that hes pretty sure the throw out bearing went out and thats the reason why is not starting or he said it might just need a new clutch. but im not sure thats whats wrong with it. Shouldn't it still start even though the clutch or throw out bearing is bad. has anybody ever had a throw out bearing go out and not be able to start the car.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
No - he is full of schnitzel and yanking your wankee.
Man oh man. You gonna be pouring some big bucks into this puppy.
The first thing you need to do is to buy a Field Service Manual and start exploring the "does not start" section.
I hope you have a garage and some tools.
You should also consider going to the Events and Regional section here on the Forum and attempt to find someone who lives nearby and is willing to share their C4 knowledge.
I would also advise to to print off this checklist, go over the car and make a list of what needs fixin.
Good luck!
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/prepurchase.htm
Man oh man. You gonna be pouring some big bucks into this puppy.
The first thing you need to do is to buy a Field Service Manual and start exploring the "does not start" section.
I hope you have a garage and some tools.
You should also consider going to the Events and Regional section here on the Forum and attempt to find someone who lives nearby and is willing to share their C4 knowledge.
I would also advise to to print off this checklist, go over the car and make a list of what needs fixin.
Good luck!
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/prepurchase.htm
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 10
From: New York New York
No - he is full of schnitzel and yanking your wankee.
Man oh man. You gonna be pouring some big bucks into this puppy.
The first thing you need to do is to buy a Field Service Manual and start exploring the "does not start" section.
I hope you have a garage and some tools.
You should also consider going to the Events and Regional section here on the Forum and attempt to find someone who lives nearby and is willing to share their C4 knowledge.
I would also advise to to print off this checklist, go over the car and make a list of what needs fixin.
Good luck!
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/prepurchase.htm
Man oh man. You gonna be pouring some big bucks into this puppy.
The first thing you need to do is to buy a Field Service Manual and start exploring the "does not start" section.
I hope you have a garage and some tools.
You should also consider going to the Events and Regional section here on the Forum and attempt to find someone who lives nearby and is willing to share their C4 knowledge.
I would also advise to to print off this checklist, go over the car and make a list of what needs fixin.
Good luck!
http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/prepurchase.htm
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
OK OK....let me get this straight. You bought a used up Corvette for $1500 and you're posting an "it won't start" thread because you need help. No offense, but owning this car may not be a real good idea if you're wrenching skills aren't up to snuff.....and given how vague your question was, and the "throwout bearing" comment, I don't think it's a long reach to make that assumption. Nevertheless, you asked for our best advice, and we're here to help.
My advice? Sell it immediately before you get $10K into it and still have a piece of junk. Ron is correct....this car is going to bankrupt you.
Don't want to sell it and move on to something more suited to your needs? Didn't think so. Well, then let the games commence. Do exactly what we tell you and we can make it run....assuming the motor isn't grenaded, hydrolocked, seized, etc.
First...when you say it won't start, do you mean it won't crank, or it cranks and won't fire. I can't go any further until I know that.
My advice? Sell it immediately before you get $10K into it and still have a piece of junk. Ron is correct....this car is going to bankrupt you.
Don't want to sell it and move on to something more suited to your needs? Didn't think so. Well, then let the games commence. Do exactly what we tell you and we can make it run....assuming the motor isn't grenaded, hydrolocked, seized, etc.
First...when you say it won't start, do you mean it won't crank, or it cranks and won't fire. I can't go any further until I know that.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
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From: Maryville Tn
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
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Damn Brother...I hope you got a kiss with that screwing. I'd chalk that up to a $1500 dollar lesson and dump it quick (or part it out). Fixer upper Vettes are never cheap to restore and get running. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
What they said 
Sounds like your knowledge is very limited this may be more expensive and frustrating for you that you think. GL, listen to the guys they will point you in the right direction.
BTW Where do you live?
Last edited by ch@0s; Apr 15, 2010 at 11:53 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Montrose Mi
Not the best purchase.But again, assuming you are looking to dive into this...Like Frizlefrak asked...are we talking it does nothing or it turns over but wont start? Are you even getting a click when you turn the key?
We can bring it back...were just going to need a lot of info...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Damn, some "tough love" in here. I just spoke with a guy who picked up a 89 Z51 6speed with 70k for 2k. It didn't start. It was VATS, reprogrammed the chip, now he has a mint C4 for 2k. Would you tell him to sell that car too?
Back to the point he asked...
Like the other guys said:
Does the car even try to turn over?
If not it could be the VATS, get a manual and figure out how to bypass that.
If it does but won't catch, check:
Fuel, Spark, Air.
Pull a spark plug wire and set it next to something metal. Do you have spark when someone cranks it?
Fuel. Can you hear the fuel pump priming, can you check fuel pressure? Should be around 43psi.
FYI, for tech questions. Post in the C4 Tech/Performance section.
Back to the point he asked...
Like the other guys said:
Does the car even try to turn over?
If not it could be the VATS, get a manual and figure out how to bypass that.
If it does but won't catch, check:
Fuel, Spark, Air.
Pull a spark plug wire and set it next to something metal. Do you have spark when someone cranks it?
Fuel. Can you hear the fuel pump priming, can you check fuel pressure? Should be around 43psi.
FYI, for tech questions. Post in the C4 Tech/Performance section.
Last edited by USAsOnlyWay; Apr 15, 2010 at 05:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
^^I'm not sure "hater" is the correct term.....more along the lines of "tough love"
And if the OP thinks that the TO Bearing has anything to do with the car not starting...what are we to do after that zinger? Granted, "Sell the car" is a bit harsh...but not out of the question. These cars are easy for a guy like me...and I am only an amateur at best...but at least I got to the amateur level prior to entering this game.
OP. Chris Reynolds, seriously, give us a hand here, we're going to tell you like it is but we'll lend a hand.....
And if the OP thinks that the TO Bearing has anything to do with the car not starting...what are we to do after that zinger? Granted, "Sell the car" is a bit harsh...but not out of the question. These cars are easy for a guy like me...and I am only an amateur at best...but at least I got to the amateur level prior to entering this game.
OP. Chris Reynolds, seriously, give us a hand here, we're going to tell you like it is but we'll lend a hand.....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Yes, we're guilty of the "tough love" thing a bit, but I'd rather have someone get their feelings bent a bit than wind up pouring a small fortune into a bottomless pit. All we're really doing is looking out for someone's best interests here.
And with a little more info, maybe we can get the car running. That's what we do. And then the OP can decide if he's up to sorting out the car or if he wants to move on. They're much easier to sell when they run.
And with a little more info, maybe we can get the car running. That's what we do. And then the OP can decide if he's up to sorting out the car or if he wants to move on. They're much easier to sell when they run.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 64
From: Roanoke Va
LOL Well.... if you get tired of trying to make it run.....
And don't mess anything more up ill give u 1500$ for it.
If u frak everything up and peices are everywhere ill give you between 600 and 1k for depending on how bad it is...
And don't mess anything more up ill give u 1500$ for it.
If u frak everything up and peices are everywhere ill give you between 600 and 1k for depending on how bad it is...
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
just bought a 86 with the 4+3 in it for 1500. Its not even trying to start the guy i bought it from said that hes pretty sure the throw out bearing went out and thats the reason why is not starting or he said it might just need a new clutch. but im not sure thats whats wrong with it. Shouldn't it still start even though the clutch or throw out bearing is bad. has anybody ever had a throw out bearing go out and not be able to start the car.
The throwout bearing won't have anything to do with your problem. Does it crank over at all? What kind of shape is the electrical system in? Before you spend money chasing this problem, hook up with a good mechanic and get his advice on pursuing the repair. For the $1500.00 you bought it for, you will probably need to spend a few grand just to get it roadworthy again. The seller was either an idiot or a thief to give you that explaination for it not starting. Good luck and I hope your problem is a small one.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove CA
Damn, I think you guys ran him out - couldn't you have held back your worst fears until more was known. He may not have extensive car repair knowledge, but the seller may not have known much either.
Suggestion for the OP: if you are still interested in this forum start a new topic, begin by stating the exact basic of car cranks, car does not crank. Then we can direct you in a quick stepwise diagnostics for fuel, spark, vats, etc. If the seller told you the throw out bearing is the reason why the starter cannot crank the engine over...well then you probably have just bought a car with a seized engine. In which case all of the above replies were on target.
Good luck, Thomas
Suggestion for the OP: if you are still interested in this forum start a new topic, begin by stating the exact basic of car cranks, car does not crank. Then we can direct you in a quick stepwise diagnostics for fuel, spark, vats, etc. If the seller told you the throw out bearing is the reason why the starter cannot crank the engine over...well then you probably have just bought a car with a seized engine. In which case all of the above replies were on target.
Good luck, Thomas
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
sorry for the delay but i figured it out yes the guy i bought it from was an idiot there was a rats nest behind the dash and a couple of the wires were chewed i fixed the wires and boom it fires right up. and stays running and sounds very well it doesn't seem to be missing at all. the clutch is completely out im proably going to need a whole clutch kit anybody know were a good deal is for a good clutch? BUt yeah i payed 1500 for it. and it runs now and its got brand new cooper cobra tires on it so i dont think i got to bad of a deal on it. sorry for asking newb questions this is my first corvette lol