I am very interested in buying a C5 and was wondering what the typical problems are with the car esp. considering my lead foot syndrome.(Problems as far as breaking or malfunctioning parts, expensive or not) Should I be prepared to face a little financial problems for a lot of fun? Open to any insight...whats happened to your car? Friends? etc.? Thanks.

 

BOught my 1998 6-speed coupe in 2002. The transmission went out of it. 6th gear was popping out. Gm replaced it under warrantee.2

 

Here goes the list of common big ticket problems:
1. Some 2000-2001 C5 had an oil consumption problem due to bad rings.
This had something to do with light tension oil control rings and when way the person drove his car. High RPM and light load combinations. This caused ring flutter and excessive oil usage.
2. Rear end output shaft seal leaks.
3. Clutch slippage. If the car was run hard it will need to be replaced!
4. Steering wheel column lock problems. Column lock bypass kit will fix the problem around $45-50. Bucks if it is not already installed.
5. Battery acid leak problems from original AC Delco battery. Destroys wiring harness, PCM and vacuum lines under the battery. Costly!!!
6. Wet carpets due to AC air box drains plugging up.
7. Windshield cowl drains clogging up causing wiper motor to fail! Easy fix if you catch it prior to destroying the wiper motor!!!
8. Drivers seat tracks wear causing the seat to rock when you accelerate or brake.
9. Emergency flasher switch failure. Expensive part! Very expensive labor to replace it!!
10. Right and left door control electronic module failures.
11. Head light motor (stripped plastic driven gear) "just like the C4"). Same fix, replace with brass!
12. Tire pressure sensor module failures.
13. Head light motor control module failures.
14. Driver seat leather wear on the seat back outboard bolsters.
I have given you 14 of the problems that you see a lot of on the forum. I have only seen 2,3,4, 6,7 and 8 happen to me, but I would not give my car up for ANYTHING!

 

Here's a thread I found useful.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...re+valve+locks

 

Welcome to the Forum ...and good luck findiing the right new ride.

 

Here's a thread that I find very informative, and is located at the top of this page as a "sticky".....

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927

Welcome to our humble abode and home away from home!

 

Here's a small list of issues that I've compiled with the motor. When buying used, this is all just a case-by-case basis, most should not have any problems at all, but these would be the ones to look for:

· Things to look for would be if it knocks at start up (cold). If it does, it should go away within a minute or two. If it doesn't, there may be a piston slap issue.

· 99+ LS1's use a center bolt valve cover setup with the coil packs mounted on a bracket (instead of perimeter bolted and the coils mount directly to the valve cover on 97/98's. This could note that someone may have swapped an engine.

· Look for homemade oil return plumbing from the heads into the oil pan OR look for seepage on the bottom of the motor between the oil pan and trans. The LS1 has an oil return problem at high rpm (7k and up), so the homemade plumbing or additional oil in the crankcase are the cures. This will tell you if they wound it up.

· Otherwise, it's pretty much standard stuff you'd look at on any car. Check the oil and coolant in case they ran N20 or something else to blow a head gasket, etc.

Overall it seems like a very solid vehicle (I've only had mine for less than a month )

 

That about covers it - GO FOR IT!

 

Thanks for the welcome, and helpful reply guys. I appreciate all advice and look forward to many more post

 

Tickets.

 

Too funny!