Well it was time to renew the registration and since it had been two years I had to go in for emissions. Well, here in Colorado they recently revised the emissions standards, and they are much tougher. In chatting with the workers there, I got the impression that a lot of cars are failing these days.

Well I've got high-flow cats so I failed the first test. I just barely failed, and perhaps if I had driven around longer and got the Cats really hot I might have done better. I havent been home to drive the Vette in the last couple years so with a little over a quarter tank of old gas, the first thing I did was top it off with some fresh V-power. I also decided to go get it a fresh drink of Mobil 1 at my favorite lube shop. Fresh gas and oil in hand I gave the test another try, and failed even worse than the first time. I'll admit I should have driven around more after the lube job, but really the issue is the high-flow Cats.

Anyway, I drove over to the local dealer and showed them the results, we talked about the high-flow cats and they recommended the guys at Corvette Connections here in Denver. I dont know why I had not heard of this place before, I just wasnt looking. This is a great shop and we talked about O2 sensors and simulators and set up time for a proper tune. I have not had the car tuned since the intake and exhaust changes, so I left feeling confident that with their help I could pass the test.

But then I go out to start the Vette and CRACK!RATTLE!RATTLE!!RATTLE!!! WTF !!!! I've been hearing a little rattle when it starts up lately but finally the starter gave out...cracked right in half. The only saving grace is that this happened in the parking lot of Corvette Connections. Well they've got a guy that can get rebuilt starters at a good cost, but they are gonna have to move at least one of the long headers to get to it...more labor.

So what I thought would be a simple trip to the emissions station and DMV has turned into at least a $1200 affair. And I still have to pass emissions and get it registered. The worst part of it all is that I was getting this done so I could put it up for sale. The recession is hurting and I have little choice, and now this...well whoever gets it wont have to worry about the old starter, or emissions for two years.

 

So you took it to this place and the starter broke. They just happened to have a connection to get rebuilt starters and you ended up dropping $1200 at this shop? Just an unfortunate series of events that happened to be completely beneficial for the shop? Man my bells would be ringing.

Did you get a chance to look at the starter that cracked in half?

Anyway, that sucks... I hope you get it to pass this time.

 

Sorry for your bad luck!

 

Well i didnt need to see the starter, I could hear it broken. As for it being cracked, I trust they will show it to me when I go in to pick up the Vette, since they couldnt use the core anyway. The point is I couldn't get a core charge and having LT headers makes changing the starter more of a pain. I also dont find it at all strange that a specialist corvette shop would have a local connection for rebuilt starters. I sure as hell can't afford an new one from the dealership. The tune up and emissions adjustment is part of the $1200 and this is not the kind of shop that needs to jerk me around. They have been nothing but helpful and understanding of my current financial situation. Anyway I will post the results of my next trip to emissions when it happens...

 

Sorry to hear about your bad day. Best of luck getting it to pass emissions. We have that **** here in TX too. I just look for some 18 year old insector and hand him a $50 or $100 and it passes the first time every time.

 

For a starter to "crack in half" it would seem there would have to be some VERY serious kickback from the compression/engine. Very serious.

Red flags indeed that this could happen just after they "tuned" your engine and system. Take a good look at your starter gear and flywheel. If there is "backwards" damage...like the engine/compression kicking back the other way due to their work....they are at fault.

I might very well be talking out me **** here but a starter won't break like that without some very serious resistance.

Something is askew here....

 

Man that sucks. Good luck to you down the road.

 

very odd indeed.

 

Good luck with getting pass those emission testing and selling your Vette

 

Thats Bad Luck! !

 

new starter = $175 at autozone... just check last week.cracked mine in half when my engine seized up and I was being stupid and cranked it over and cracked it in half just like that

 

 

Wow...And I thought I had a bad day a couple of days ago. You win.

Sorry to hear that. Hope it all works out for you.

 

They have not tuned the engine yet. To be honest it had been rattling for some time before hand and I neglected to consider it thoughtfully. It is a ten year old starter. Anyway the good news is that I've had two job opportuinities pop up since this bad day, so I might not have to sell it after all...I hope. Nothing worse than having to sell a car right after you work all the bugs out...

 

Cool, hope you get to keep it.

 

Sounds like your luck may be turning for the better!! Good luck with the job offer and we all hope you get to keep your baby!!