Nice find on the low miles, Pics ???
Fluids....what to change
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Fluids....what to change
I am picking up a 1990 with 15k on the odo. Oil was just changed. I was thinking of flushing the coolant system. What about brake and clutch? They are original.
Plugs??? It has new injectors from a past issue with stabl.
Plugs??? It has new injectors from a past issue with stabl.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Change ALL fluids unless you have confirmation they were done recently. Brake fluid, clutch fluid, trans oil, PS fluid, coolant, diff oil.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Sounds as though the car has sat a lot. Consider changing the fuel filter, the flexible brake lines at all 4 wheels and flush/re-fill the brake fluid. I wold also change the upper and lower radiator hoses if they are original and check the condition of the serp belt.
If the tires are the originals, toss them and get new tires. 24-year old tires are going to be rock hard and I would expect to see cracking in the tread and possible the sidewalls.
If the tires are the originals, toss them and get new tires. 24-year old tires are going to be rock hard and I would expect to see cracking in the tread and possible the sidewalls.
Last edited by c4cruiser; May 23, 2013 at 09:22 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: mckinney texas
I bought my 91 Coupe last summer. Injectors had been replaced and had regular oil changes. Annual inspection was perfotmed two weeks ago. It passed, however, we discovered the brake fluid had never been flushed. It was almost dark black. The car has 22k miles without any fluid changes. I changed out all fluids and the fuel filter. Brakes were no longer spongy and the performance improved due to the new fuel filter. I should have changed all fluids when I bought it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 28
From: South Riding VA
100%. I just changed mine (except the diff... still gettin to that). Most of my fluids were black. It's the time that's your enemy here, not necessarily the mileage. Check the condition of all your hoses too... Any of them can leave you stranded...( I just replaced all of mine too)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 43
From: shavertown Pa.
Use synthetic fluids wherever you can, new technology helps our old cars last longer.
Anywhere I can use synthetics I use them, they work better and help the parts last longer because of reduced wear to metals.
Anywhere I can use synthetics I use them, they work better and help the parts last longer because of reduced wear to metals.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: mckinney texas
100%. I just changed mine (except the diff... still gettin to that). Most of my fluids were black. It's the time that's your enemy here, not necessarily the mileage. Check the condition of all your hoses too... Any of them can leave you stranded...( I just replaced all of mine too)
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
No. Change all fluids, PERIOD. I don't care if you did them. I want it changed. I don't trust the quality of product you use. When I sell a car, I am not going to put premium stuff in it. If I am forced to sell a car, it probably won't happen overnight so I might be shoddy in the maintenance and use lower quality stuff. Thanks but no thanks. Dump everything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
Likes: 312
From: Lino Lakes MN
No. Change all fluids, PERIOD. I don't care if you did them. I want it changed. I don't trust the quality of product you use. When I sell a car, I am not going to put premium stuff in it. If I am forced to sell a car, it probably won't happen overnight so I might be shoddy in the maintenance and use lower quality stuff. Thanks but no thanks. Dump everything.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: New Haven County CT
St. Jude Donor '15
Was this good info?
We dumped everything including gear oil in our 4-speed '76 L-82 (74k miles when bought) when we got that about 12 years ago. And we haven't had any issues yet.
That said, we just got a '96 base-model coupe with 118k miles and I am hesitant to touch the auto-trans fluid. The fluid looks good and smells fine. And if it has any lurking issues, I'd like to wait a few years before having to deal with that if possible.
-Doug
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Too bad we can't have any real science to back it up. I think it is just a CYA for the trans shop bexause of the "hail mary" customers who hope a trans flush will fix a trans on the way out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,497
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
I brought it to a shop to clean out the trans by dropping the pan and changing the filter. After which, we flush it to get the older fluid out.