[Z06] Dealer Issue
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 10
From: Avon Indiana
Dealer Issue
I recently had my 2004 Z06 in to a local Chevy dealer for an oil change. Before they lowerd the car off the rack, they showed me what appeared to be a wet spot around a gasket on the engine end of the transmission. They said it was a leak and needed looked into.
So, I brought the car back a few days later and dropped it off for them to look at. They said it would be $600 to replace that gasket if nothing else was wrong. They later called and said it was now going to be $1400. With my BS meter pegged, I told them to leave it alone and picked it up later that afternoon.
The odd things is that there are no drip spots on the floor of my garage.
If I'm going to have to pay that kind of money to fix a leaky gasket, I think I'll just go ahead and replace the whole tranny with an RPM one.
What do ya'll think?
So, I brought the car back a few days later and dropped it off for them to look at. They said it would be $600 to replace that gasket if nothing else was wrong. They later called and said it was now going to be $1400. With my BS meter pegged, I told them to leave it alone and picked it up later that afternoon.
The odd things is that there are no drip spots on the floor of my garage.
If I'm going to have to pay that kind of money to fix a leaky gasket, I think I'll just go ahead and replace the whole tranny with an RPM one.
What do ya'll think?
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Independence OR
I built a couple experimental airplanes. We had to fab the fuel tank from sheet aluminum, ribs, sealer, and rivets. It was hard to get them built with no leaks. I had leaks in both of mine and was unhappy until an old timer said "If it leaves a puddle, fix it. If it just stains the tank, leave it." That is my philosophy and it worked great for me. IMHO watch for a puddle and until then don't lose sleep or spend a bunch of money on an unnecessary tranny. But what else was wrong according to the shop?
jim
jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 10
From: Avon Indiana
There wasn't anything wrong so far as I could tell. I never let them tear into it. I stopped them when they more than doubled their estimate to replace the gasket. My gut instincts were telling me I was being hustled to okay work that wasn't necessary. I just couldn't stop thinking that they purposely wet that seal. Like I said, there are no spots on the floor of my garage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
"What do ya'll think?"
I think you need to get with other members in your area & see where they take their C5 Corvettes, when needing work.
Good luck.
I think you need to get with other members in your area & see where they take their C5 Corvettes, when needing work.
Good luck.
Last edited by bumble-z; Mar 26, 2012 at 01:36 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
There wasn't anything wrong so far as I could tell. I never let them tear into it. I stopped them when they more than doubled their estimate to replace the gasket. My gut instincts were telling me I was being hustled to okay work that wasn't necessary. I just couldn't stop thinking that they purposely wet that seal. Like I said, there are no spots on the floor of my garage.
If you're going to have someone else do the work, expect to pay their rates. That's a good reason to have an extended warranty. Or find an independent shop to do the work for you. Maybe their rates will be less.
You can always buy the shop manuals, the tools and the shop supplies and do the work yourself. It's a bonding experience.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 26, 2012 at 01:53 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 312
From: P-town Baby! Virginia
It could be starting to seep....sounds like your rear main seal. This happened on one of mine...and it wasn't a cheap repair...but I went ahead and had it repaired in conjunction w putting in a new clutch...so I came out better on the labor that way. don't know if you need a new tranny...but that and the clutch would be good to do under the same labor of replacing the rear main seal.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 10
From: Avon Indiana
As low as a Corvette is and owners (not to be confused with enthusiasts) who have someone else do their preventative maintenance, I'll bet there's a lot of '97-04 cars with oil seepage that goes unnoticed until they see evidence on the garage floor.
If you're going to have someone else do the work, expect to pay their rates. That's a good reason to have an extended warranty. Or find an independent shop to do the work for you. Maybe their rates will be less.
You can always buy the shop manuals, the tools and the shop supplies and do the work yourself. It's a bonding experience.
If you're going to have someone else do the work, expect to pay their rates. That's a good reason to have an extended warranty. Or find an independent shop to do the work for you. Maybe their rates will be less.
You can always buy the shop manuals, the tools and the shop supplies and do the work yourself. It's a bonding experience.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 219
Likes: 10
From: Avon Indiana
It could be starting to seep....sounds like your rear main seal. This happened on one of mine...and it wasn't a cheap repair...but I went ahead and had it repaired in conjunction w putting in a new clutch...so I came out better on the labor that way. don't know if you need a new tranny...but that and the clutch would be good to do under the same labor of replacing the rear main seal.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski