[Z06] Checklist when buying a Z06
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Checklist when buying a Z06
What would you look for or at if you were about to purchase a C5 Z06? What indicates abuse?
What should oil pressure be at idle, water temp, normal idle RPM,what sounds or actions are indicative of a problem?
What kind of road test would you do to detect typical Z problems?
What typically wears in 25-30K miles?
How do I determine if problems like the column lock or that shift eliminator has been performed?
What about body fit, leaks,electronics on dash etc?
I'm about to buy one and I'd like some tips from you guys that already have one.
Thanks in advance.
What should oil pressure be at idle, water temp, normal idle RPM,what sounds or actions are indicative of a problem?
What kind of road test would you do to detect typical Z problems?
What typically wears in 25-30K miles?
How do I determine if problems like the column lock or that shift eliminator has been performed?
What about body fit, leaks,electronics on dash etc?
I'm about to buy one and I'd like some tips from you guys that already have one.
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
I suggest getting w/ some Corvette forum members in yor immediate area and have them give you a helpfull hand in securring a decent car. I'm sure there are a few in your area that would be willing to help you out here. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
A quick search revealed these...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ecklist+buying
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Posted by 6pac on 10-20-2007, 12:57 AM
1. Check out carfax make sure not too many owners, mileage is reasonable for condition, no rebuilt titles
2. Upon seeing the car for the first time run your fingers behind the edge of the hood making sure it was not painted. Run your fingers on the car panels making sure they line up. Open the door then close the door to make sure it opens and closes smoothly (accident check).
3. Check the brake pedal and drivers seat to make sure the condition matches up with the mileage (odometer check)
4. Check the air conditioning.
5. Look under the battery making sure no corrosion leaked on the computer.
6. Make sure the lights come up.
7. Check the vin number on the dash, door sticker, frame to make sure they all match
8. Make sure the brakes work.
9. Make sure the tires are good.
10. Look at records to make sure oil changes have been done
11. Make sure there are no codes popping up (before you drive clear them). Hold down options #4 then press #1 a few times.
12. When buying the car make sure to check the person's id and match it to the title.
13. Make sure the car shifts smoothly. Make sure the alignment is straight. Look at the engine to make sure there are no oil leaks and under the car where it is usually parked.
HTH
Speed
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ecklist+buying
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=984927
Posted by 6pac on 10-20-2007, 12:57 AM
1. Check out carfax make sure not too many owners, mileage is reasonable for condition, no rebuilt titles
2. Upon seeing the car for the first time run your fingers behind the edge of the hood making sure it was not painted. Run your fingers on the car panels making sure they line up. Open the door then close the door to make sure it opens and closes smoothly (accident check).
3. Check the brake pedal and drivers seat to make sure the condition matches up with the mileage (odometer check)
4. Check the air conditioning.
5. Look under the battery making sure no corrosion leaked on the computer.
6. Make sure the lights come up.
7. Check the vin number on the dash, door sticker, frame to make sure they all match
8. Make sure the brakes work.
9. Make sure the tires are good.
10. Look at records to make sure oil changes have been done
11. Make sure there are no codes popping up (before you drive clear them). Hold down options #4 then press #1 a few times.
12. When buying the car make sure to check the person's id and match it to the title.
13. Make sure the car shifts smoothly. Make sure the alignment is straight. Look at the engine to make sure there are no oil leaks and under the car where it is usually parked.
HTH
Speed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 13
From: Anywhere where Cones need hit
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
CI-X Auto-X Champ (race tires)
St. Jude Donor '07-'09
thanks for the great checklist... I'm shopping for one as well, and while there was many things there I DID check, there was a number of things I never thought of.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 143
Likes: 4
From: Wichita KS
Also look for a leaking differential (aka Leaky Butt syndrome). This is fairly common.
You may also want to verify that the column lock issue has been addressed. If not, it needs to be - it's just a matter of time.
You may also want to verify that the column lock issue has been addressed. If not, it needs to be - it's just a matter of time.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 632
Likes: 2
From: Columbus Ohio
Here is what I put together when I was looking for mine. I would put a check under very bad, ok, very good for each item
Before Inspection/Test Drive
Year
Mileage
Carfax/Autocheck
GM Service History
Ask about Column Lock Recall/Roof Leaks?
Bring Rag, Pen, Checklist, DTC Code List
Walk around Entire Vehicle
Paint Chips
Paint Mismatch
Body Panel Alignment
Front Bumper
Scrapes
Bumper
Crash Bar
Parking light lenses
Pass. Front Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Body Side Mouldings Installed?
Window Clips Installed?
Open/Close Pass. Door
Check Seat Bolster/Plastic Surround
Check Jamb for Overspray/Different Color
Scrapes on Pass Rocker Panel/Brake Ducts
Open Gas Door
Check for Overspray
Pass Rear Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Release/Close hatch
Pop?
Inflator Kit
Transmission/Rearend
DTE Brace?
Leaks at Case Both Sides?
Brakes lines routed neatly with black clips?
Driver Rear Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Open/Close Driver Door
Check Seat Bolster / Plastic Surround
Check Jamb for Overspray/Different Color
Scrapes on Pass Rocker Panel/Brake Ducts
Driver Front Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Body Side Mouldings Installed?
Window Clips Installed?
A-pillar/door trim piece broken?
Before Inspection/Test Drive
Year
Mileage
Carfax/Autocheck
GM Service History
Ask about Column Lock Recall/Roof Leaks?
Bring Rag, Pen, Checklist, DTC Code List
Walk around Entire Vehicle
Paint Chips
Paint Mismatch
Body Panel Alignment
Front Bumper
Scrapes
Bumper
Crash Bar
Parking light lenses
Pass. Front Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Body Side Mouldings Installed?
Window Clips Installed?
Open/Close Pass. Door
Check Seat Bolster/Plastic Surround
Check Jamb for Overspray/Different Color
Scrapes on Pass Rocker Panel/Brake Ducts
Open Gas Door
Check for Overspray
Pass Rear Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Release/Close hatch
Pop?
Inflator Kit
Transmission/Rearend
DTE Brace?
Leaks at Case Both Sides?
Brakes lines routed neatly with black clips?
Driver Rear Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Open/Close Driver Door
Check Seat Bolster / Plastic Surround
Check Jamb for Overspray/Different Color
Scrapes on Pass Rocker Panel/Brake Ducts
Driver Front Wheel
Rotor Cracked/Pad Life
Tire Brand, Overall Wear, Inside Edge Wear
Wheel Rash/Corrosion
Body Side Mouldings Installed?
Window Clips Installed?
A-pillar/door trim piece broken?
Last edited by hpfiend; Aug 25, 2008 at 09:23 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 632
Likes: 2
From: Columbus Ohio
Page 2
Interior
Leather/Dash Condition
Carpet Condition
Lock/Unlock Doors
Windows Up/Down w/ Express
Power Mirrors?
Ratchet Parking Brake
Headlights On/Off
Key ON Engine OFF
Try Radio and then turn OFF
HUD All Functions/Buttons
Oil Pressure at 0
Press RESET on HUD
Hold OPTIONS and then press FUEL (4) times (AUTO MODE)
Press GAUGES for forward and FUEL for back (MANUAL MODE)
Write down all DTCs
Press E/M to Exit
Start Engine
Idle?
Turn A/C on Max Cold
Change vents from defrost/dash/etc
A/C display working?
Turn engine OFF
Column Lock ZZZT or Soft Click
Pop Hood
Engine Compartment
Engine Cleanliness
Overspray
Oil Level/Clean - Other Fluid Levels
Bolt heads damaged/cleaner than rest of engine
Battery Cable Corrosion
Remove Battery (At Min. Inspect Below Batt. Feel for Corrosion)
Remove Tray
Replace Battery/Tray
Hood close
Start Engine
Turn on Heat and Drive
Try at least third gear under decent throttle
Put window down and coast back slowly to lot, turn wheels
Leave car running, check for drips.
Leather/Dash Condition
Carpet Condition
Lock/Unlock Doors
Windows Up/Down w/ Express
Power Mirrors?
Ratchet Parking Brake
Headlights On/Off
Key ON Engine OFF
Try Radio and then turn OFF
HUD All Functions/Buttons
Oil Pressure at 0
Press RESET on HUD
Hold OPTIONS and then press FUEL (4) times (AUTO MODE)
Press GAUGES for forward and FUEL for back (MANUAL MODE)
Write down all DTCs
Press E/M to Exit
Start Engine
Idle?
Turn A/C on Max Cold
Change vents from defrost/dash/etc
A/C display working?
Turn engine OFF
Column Lock ZZZT or Soft Click
Pop Hood
Engine Compartment
Engine Cleanliness
Overspray
Oil Level/Clean - Other Fluid Levels
Bolt heads damaged/cleaner than rest of engine
Battery Cable Corrosion
Remove Battery (At Min. Inspect Below Batt. Feel for Corrosion)
Remove Tray
Replace Battery/Tray
Hood close
Start Engine
Turn on Heat and Drive
Try at least third gear under decent throttle
Put window down and coast back slowly to lot, turn wheels
Leave car running, check for drips.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Heath Texas
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Obviously you will get a large variance in the temps depending upon outside temps, engine temps when starting (driven recently, stored inside or out, etc).
But, in general, within a couple of miles of sub 3K rpm driving you should reach 180 ish in both coolant and oil temps. Most don't push the engine until the oil reaches 160 +. The coolant will rise faster than the oil temp, so if you are watching temps, watch the oil.
Speed
But, in general, within a couple of miles of sub 3K rpm driving you should reach 180 ish in both coolant and oil temps. Most don't push the engine until the oil reaches 160 +. The coolant will rise faster than the oil temp, so if you are watching temps, watch the oil.
Speed
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 632
Likes: 2
From: Columbus Ohio
If you hear the zzt the column lock has not been bypassed- mine does this and apparently one recall of many has been done but not the one that stops you from being stranded (cross my fingers it doesn't happen before I figure out what needs to be done)... most of the cars I drove had no zzzt sound at all.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
All the obvious visual inspections, listening for noises, etc., should give you enough of an impression on the general condition of the car.
If it were me, the ONLY thing I would insist on is this...
have the owner/driver drive the car for a good 15 minutes, that means DRIVE, not SIT in traffic for 20 minutes. Then get the car out on the open road (or somewhere secluded), and run through the first 4 gears, shifting the car above 5,000 RPMs (closer to 6k RPM if the seller will allow). A sticky clutch should give the driver trouble by 3rd or 4th gear. This is, by far, the most frustrating, performance hindering flaw of these cars. It sounds a bit harsh on a car that is not yet yours, but a Z06 should easily endure this with "flying colors".
A sticky clutch would not necessarily discourage me from a purchase, but I would be looking for a $900-$1,500 discount on the purchase price.
Don't let them tell you a simple fluid change will fix it 'like new'.
If it were me, the ONLY thing I would insist on is this...
have the owner/driver drive the car for a good 15 minutes, that means DRIVE, not SIT in traffic for 20 minutes. Then get the car out on the open road (or somewhere secluded), and run through the first 4 gears, shifting the car above 5,000 RPMs (closer to 6k RPM if the seller will allow). A sticky clutch should give the driver trouble by 3rd or 4th gear. This is, by far, the most frustrating, performance hindering flaw of these cars. It sounds a bit harsh on a car that is not yet yours, but a Z06 should easily endure this with "flying colors".
A sticky clutch would not necessarily discourage me from a purchase, but I would be looking for a $900-$1,500 discount on the purchase price.
Don't let them tell you a simple fluid change will fix it 'like new'.
My 03 with 21000 on the clock runs about the same. At 40mph in third it reads around 50psi.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Oil Country
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Tyler
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Tyler