Question from new member
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
omg, please don't let a "mechanic" convince you into a new timing chain, a valve job and a new computer
^
some will know what I'm talking about
Anyways, welcome to the forum, glad you could join. Already you are light years ahead of the curve with the wealth of technical info here. Tremendous money, time, energy, resource, and life saving forum!
Get a manual for the car, and consult this forum for all issues.
Change your coolant soon and keep it fresh evry 6-12 months. These motors of ours don't have the best head gaskets.
Let's see some pics of your machine and it's new owners
^
some will know what I'm talking about
Anyways, welcome to the forum, glad you could join. Already you are light years ahead of the curve with the wealth of technical info here. Tremendous money, time, energy, resource, and life saving forum!
Get a manual for the car, and consult this forum for all issues.
Change your coolant soon and keep it fresh evry 6-12 months. These motors of ours don't have the best head gaskets.
Let's see some pics of your machine and it's new owners
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: 1984 crossfire, Alhaurin de la Torre Malaga, Spain
Originally Posted by SHADOW91
. This is my first post on Corvette Forum. I have always wanted a Corvette and last Xmas my dear wife surprised me with a 1991 Quasar Blue. Its has 46.000 miles and is overall in very good condition. I have just started driving it around town and getting a feel for the car. This is my first experience driving a C4, and I am LOVING IT.
Not knowing the history of the car, I am thinking of getting all the fluids changed. This is not cheap. I did examine the fluids and they seem like they are in good shape. Specially the trans fluid. Any opinions on this would be appreciated.
The noise I am hearing from the engine only occurs when the engine heats up. It is a higher pitched tapping sound that seems to be coming from the front of the motor.
I am thinking water pump. However, according the gage the car is not running hot. In fact the car is performing to my knowledge very well. Good smooth power, idles well etc. Because the sound is a tapping sound I am concerned it is coming from the valves. This Friday I have an appointment with a local garage to have the car checked over. My wife bought the car from a dealer with a 3000 mile warranty. Any tips from you experts on what I should look at or ask the mechanic to check would be appreciated.
FYI the car has had four owners, two in the last 5 years. My wife bought it from a dealership in Buffalo New York (it was a trade) and had it shipped home to Ottawa, Canada. We joined the Capital City Corvette Club and are looking forward some sunny hot cruising weather and good times.
Not knowing the history of the car, I am thinking of getting all the fluids changed. This is not cheap. I did examine the fluids and they seem like they are in good shape. Specially the trans fluid. Any opinions on this would be appreciated.
The noise I am hearing from the engine only occurs when the engine heats up. It is a higher pitched tapping sound that seems to be coming from the front of the motor.
I am thinking water pump. However, according the gage the car is not running hot. In fact the car is performing to my knowledge very well. Good smooth power, idles well etc. Because the sound is a tapping sound I am concerned it is coming from the valves. This Friday I have an appointment with a local garage to have the car checked over. My wife bought the car from a dealer with a 3000 mile warranty. Any tips from you experts on what I should look at or ask the mechanic to check would be appreciated.
FYI the car has had four owners, two in the last 5 years. My wife bought it from a dealership in Buffalo New York (it was a trade) and had it shipped home to Ottawa, Canada. We joined the Capital City Corvette Club and are looking forward some sunny hot cruising weather and good times.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Whitby Ontario
Fluids
Welcome to the boards, I too have 1991 L98. I would say the first thing to do is change all the fluids . If you have no record of when they were last changed ........I say when in doubt throw them out when it comes to fluids.
Brake Fluid can contain moisture after a few years of use , oils break down ,coolant looses it's cool etc etc .
I have 150,000 miles on mine and it runs great and passes emmissions everytime !!
Fluids are the blood of your car ....clean blood is good !!!
Brake Fluid can contain moisture after a few years of use , oils break down ,coolant looses it's cool etc etc .
I have 150,000 miles on mine and it runs great and passes emmissions everytime !!
Fluids are the blood of your car ....clean blood is good !!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 475
Likes: 21
From: CLAREMONT Ca
Welcome
Originally Posted by SHADOW91
. This is my first post on Corvette Forum. I have always wanted a Corvette and last Xmas my dear wife surprised me with a 1991 Quasar Blue. Its has 46.000 miles and is overall in very good condition. I have just started driving it around town and getting a feel for the car. This is my first experience driving a C4, and I am LOVING IT.
Not knowing the history of the car, I am thinking of getting all the fluids changed. This is not cheap. I did examine the fluids and they seem like they are in good shape. Specially the trans fluid. Any opinions on this would be appreciated.
The noise I am hearing from the engine only occurs when the engine heats up. It is a higher pitched tapping sound that seems to be coming from the front of the motor.
I am thinking water pump. However, according the gage the car is not running hot. In fact the car is performing to my knowledge very well. Good smooth power, idles well etc. Because the sound is a tapping sound I am concerned it is coming from the valves. This Friday I have an appointment with a local garage to have the car checked over. My wife bought the car from a dealer with a 3000 mile warranty. Any tips from you experts on what I should look at or ask the mechanic to check would be appreciated.
FYI the car has had four owners, two in the last 5 years. My wife bought it from a dealership in Buffalo New York (it was a trade) and had it shipped home to Ottawa, Canada. We joined the Capital City Corvette Club and are looking forward some sunny hot cruising weather and good times.
Not knowing the history of the car, I am thinking of getting all the fluids changed. This is not cheap. I did examine the fluids and they seem like they are in good shape. Specially the trans fluid. Any opinions on this would be appreciated.
The noise I am hearing from the engine only occurs when the engine heats up. It is a higher pitched tapping sound that seems to be coming from the front of the motor.
I am thinking water pump. However, according the gage the car is not running hot. In fact the car is performing to my knowledge very well. Good smooth power, idles well etc. Because the sound is a tapping sound I am concerned it is coming from the valves. This Friday I have an appointment with a local garage to have the car checked over. My wife bought the car from a dealer with a 3000 mile warranty. Any tips from you experts on what I should look at or ask the mechanic to check would be appreciated.
FYI the car has had four owners, two in the last 5 years. My wife bought it from a dealership in Buffalo New York (it was a trade) and had it shipped home to Ottawa, Canada. We joined the Capital City Corvette Club and are looking forward some sunny hot cruising weather and good times.
Aminch is right on the money. Don't attempt to wash your engine without reading about the subject here on the forum. DO NOT WET THE OPTISPARK-DISTRIBUTOR underneath the waterpump.
TONS of great advice from all the pepole here. If it weren't for this forum, I would not even own a C4.
Spend lots of time on this forum and absorb as much as you can before you attempt anything on your new passion.
Good luck and welcome aboard.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 475
Likes: 21
From: CLAREMONT Ca
Originally Posted by SHADOW91
I might be wrong but I believe my car has the L98. Also to answer your other post I washed the engine compartment last night at the jet spray. I did keep my fingers crossed when I started it and drove home.
Luckily I had no problems.
Luckily I had no problems.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
Guys he has an L-98
Welcome to the forum. Quasar is the most beautiful color available on c4s Ditto on the accessory belt idea.. what a simple way to find out if its an accessory or not. Change your fluids and i'd advise to do your plugs/wires/fuel filter/air fiilter etc.. all the little stuff. Also i suggest keeping the miles within warranty range until you find out what the tapping is.
Welcome to the forum. Quasar is the most beautiful color available on c4s
Ditto on the accessory belt idea.. what a simple way to find out if its an accessory or not. Change your fluids and i'd advise to do your plugs/wires/fuel filter/air fiilter etc.. all the little stuff. Also i suggest keeping the miles within warranty range until you find out what the tapping is.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thankyou I will take your advice. I didin't consider a new fuel filter and other points you made .. Tomorrow is the big day! I am bringing the vette in for it's check up. I will let you know how it goes and what the cause of the noise is. I have to agree the Quasar Blue is a stunning colour on the vette.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
Originally Posted by Pete K
If you want to see if the noise is in the engine, or on the front of the engine, disconnect the serp belt and start the car. Only let it run for 10 or 20 seconds though. If the noise is gone, it is an accessory. If not, it is internal.
Welcome to the forum
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
The noise is the air pump now what do I do?
I got the vette checked over today. The mechanic was very impressed with the car. He checked it from bumper to bumper and gave it two thumbs ups. The noise which had me concerned, turn's out to be the air pump. A part of the pollution system. The mechanic said it was nothing to be concerned about. However, I find the noise bothersome. Is there a way of eliminating the noise? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Is it a metallic grinding sound(internal pump bearings) or a sound air being moved around(blown gasket between the pump and the black tube) might make? You could simply swap out the pump with a new one (readily available and economical at major auto supply.....also very easy to swap out).
Get that coolant flushed and replaced with fresh stuff(distilled water mixed with green ethylyne glycol). I don't want to scare you, but the head gaskets in our cars are notoriuos for blowing due to galvanic corrosion. The coolant(old) reacts with the iron engine block and the aluminum head. The head gasket usually blows.
You might remove the snorkel and clean the throttle body blades (held wide open by hand) with a clean shop rag or shop towel sprayed with throttle body cleaner. This will clean any carbon deposits that choke the idle orifices and give a high, hunting, or rough idle.
Get that coolant flushed and replaced with fresh stuff(distilled water mixed with green ethylyne glycol). I don't want to scare you, but the head gaskets in our cars are notoriuos for blowing due to galvanic corrosion. The coolant(old) reacts with the iron engine block and the aluminum head. The head gasket usually blows.
You might remove the snorkel and clean the throttle body blades (held wide open by hand) with a clean shop rag or shop towel sprayed with throttle body cleaner. This will clean any carbon deposits that choke the idle orifices and give a high, hunting, or rough idle.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,445
Likes: 0
From: Robert Lee Texas
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by Scooter 94
Welcome to the forum. Post pics of your car when you get a chance.
Tons of great advice in this thread...
I have a '91 Quasar Blue L-98, bought last year, and loving every minute of it.....
Have fun....
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thank you for the info. The mechanic checked out the coolant and said it was in good condition. After reading your post, I will good ahead and get it flushed. I do have a very minor oil leak on the left head gasket. The noise coming from the air pump doesn't sound so much like bearings. If you pinch the hose going into the black box (air pump?) the noise stops completely. Please consider the fact that the L98 is completely foreign to me and I am not mechanically inclined. I am going on a road tour with the corvette club this Sunday. First one of the season. I am hoping that I will get some good information from some of the more experienced corvette owners on how to address the problem.
I should mention that I have found a wealth of information on this site for all aspects of corvette ownership. Great site, awsome members.
Cheers
I should mention that I have found a wealth of information on this site for all aspects of corvette ownership. Great site, awsome members.
Cheers
Last edited by SHADOW91; Apr 30, 2006 at 06:52 PM.