Hope you have many years of enjoyment with your new toy.
New C4 Owner
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
New C4 Owner
Just purchased an 88 conv with 60K miles...runs great but want to take it to a garage and have it serviced, but am looking for recommendations on what exactly to have done? Oil change, change Overdrive Fluid, replace the Spark Plugs, lubricate chassis, etc.
Thanks to all for the advice....hope you can see the pic. A couple quick follow-on questions if anyone has time:
Coolant reservoir is close to empty...after reading numerous posts, I'm confused on what type to add. Any suggestions?
Clutch fluid reservoir is low - same thing, the more I read, the less confidence I have in buying the right stuff!
Oil - again, previous owner said he only used 5W30 Royal Purple XPR, but others say it has to have ZDDP in it for 75-88 Vettes.
Coolant and brake flushes... Getting them done next week and want to be specific with the garage as to what to use. Living in Hawaii, my choices are limited and 2 places on Saturday told me they would not work on 'that old of a car'!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
-Tim
Thanks to all for the advice....hope you can see the pic. A couple quick follow-on questions if anyone has time:
Coolant reservoir is close to empty...after reading numerous posts, I'm confused on what type to add. Any suggestions?
Clutch fluid reservoir is low - same thing, the more I read, the less confidence I have in buying the right stuff!
Oil - again, previous owner said he only used 5W30 Royal Purple XPR, but others say it has to have ZDDP in it for 75-88 Vettes.
Coolant and brake flushes... Getting them done next week and want to be specific with the garage as to what to use. Living in Hawaii, my choices are limited and 2 places on Saturday told me they would not work on 'that old of a car'!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
-Tim
Last edited by cfwp.n41; Apr 7, 2013 at 11:56 AM. Reason: Update
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Welcome - a lot of trash accumulates between the radiator and the AC condenser as the C4 acts like a vacuum cleaner. Not uncommon to find plastic bags, leaves, road kill in there. Makes it run hot.
Another thing to replace is the fuel injectors. Expensive to do at the dealer though. You can buy them a lot cheaper from Fuel Injector Connection and have a backyard mechanic friend put them in. You can find how-to videos on YouTube. Have the throttle body and Idle Air Control cleaned too.
Another thing to replace is the fuel injectors. Expensive to do at the dealer though. You can buy them a lot cheaper from Fuel Injector Connection and have a backyard mechanic friend put them in. You can find how-to videos on YouTube. Have the throttle body and Idle Air Control cleaned too.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 14
From: Nampa Idaho
Congrats on your first vette! If your unsure of the previous maintenance, I would go with a complete fluid change (oil, coolant tranny, differential, brake) Also a tune up (plugs, wires, cap, rotor and air cleaner) wouldn't hurt either, that way you know exactly where you stand!
I would also inspect the hoses and serpentine belt for cracks!
I would also inspect the hoses and serpentine belt for cracks!
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Just remembered some other tips. Clean your weatherstripping and put a light coat of dialectric grease on them then wipe it off. Keeps these soft and pliable. There is a tube that drains water out of the bib that surrounds the fuel cap. Run a wire down there to make sure it is clear. This prevents water from being sucked into your fuel tank. Check your spare tire to make sure it is aired up. While there check to see if you have a jack and lug wrench along with the key to the locking lug on the wheels. Lube the jack screw.
Check those rubber brake lines too - if they are original then it is time for a change. Have the brake fluid flushed and refilled with new.
Others will check in with more tasks. How's your Visa card balance?
Check those rubber brake lines too - if they are original then it is time for a change. Have the brake fluid flushed and refilled with new.
Others will check in with more tasks. How's your Visa card balance?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Thanks for all the advice! Hope you can see the pic I posted. A couple quick questions if you have time:
Coolant reservoir is close to empty...after reading numerous posts, I'm confused on what type to add. Any suggestions?
Clutch fluid reservoir is low - same thing, the more I read, the less confidence I have in buying the right stuff!
Oil - again, previous owner said he only used 5W30 Royal Purple XPR, but others say it has to have ZDDP in it for 75-88 Vettes.
Coolant and brake flushes... Getting them done next week.
After the science project to get the hood open (cable broke) and still having an issue getting the top down (right side cable missing and I'll be doggoned if I can figure it out!), I'm looking for a quick win!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
-Tim
Coolant reservoir is close to empty...after reading numerous posts, I'm confused on what type to add. Any suggestions?
Clutch fluid reservoir is low - same thing, the more I read, the less confidence I have in buying the right stuff!
Oil - again, previous owner said he only used 5W30 Royal Purple XPR, but others say it has to have ZDDP in it for 75-88 Vettes.
Coolant and brake flushes... Getting them done next week.
After the science project to get the hood open (cable broke) and still having an issue getting the top down (right side cable missing and I'll be doggoned if I can figure it out!), I'm looking for a quick win!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
-Tim
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
Is the rt side cable broken or actually missing? On my 95 vert I have the cables attached to a solenoid.When you push the release button the solenoid opens the catch for the top. You can manually open the top if you turn the catch mechanism by hand.Study the left side and you will see where the cable goes .Its that part that you will have to manually release.I replaced my solenoid with a new assembly.They are very hard to locate.Maybe a used auto parts for vettes may have one.Good luck
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 476
Likes: 4
Welcome to the Forum Tim!
As others have said, get ALL the fluids changed. Any GOOD shop will know what type coolant and clutch fluids to use.
I'll add that a Factory Service Manual will be your next wise purchase.
Also check for threads in the tech. section on those hood release cables.
Replace them if they look frayed or damaged. And lubricate the latch mechanisms.
There are some great guys here that will help you with any problems that may arise.
Good luck with your new toy!
As others have said, get ALL the fluids changed. Any GOOD shop will know what type coolant and clutch fluids to use.
I'll add that a Factory Service Manual will be your next wise purchase.
Also check for threads in the tech. section on those hood release cables.
Replace them if they look frayed or damaged. And lubricate the latch mechanisms.
There are some great guys here that will help you with any problems that may arise.
Good luck with your new toy!
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From: Compound in the Grove, Ga.
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St. Jude Donor '16
Congrats, watch the clutch fluid when you put the black cup back in after refill do not let it go over the full mark if anything stay just under it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Thank You all very much...already rigged my own wire for the hood and it works like a charm...have the 'real' ones on order and will install this week.
Will be talking to a shop tomorrow who can actually do the flushes and fluid changes.
As HD Fire said 'there are a lot of great guys her to help you with any problems'...I was impressed before I had a Vette at the professionalism of this forum and even more impressed now that I'm actually using it...thanks everyone for helping this military guy living in Hawaii out!
Will be talking to a shop tomorrow who can actually do the flushes and fluid changes.
As HD Fire said 'there are a lot of great guys her to help you with any problems'...I was impressed before I had a Vette at the professionalism of this forum and even more impressed now that I'm actually using it...thanks everyone for helping this military guy living in Hawaii out!