Thinking on a Z06 purchase. What problems do I need to be concerned with on a 2002 -04 purchase? Do they have the same valve guide problems as the 06-08? Car has really low miles.
Thanks
Dave

 

There was a time period that had valve spring issues and the 04s had a crossover (gas tank) pipe issue. Those are the only two items that come to mind.​​​. Otherwise read the stickies (in the General section) regarding C5 purchase.

 

No valve guide problems on 02-04, just some valve spring issues on SOME 02-03's. See sticky at top of the page on it. Very simple fix, for parts it's $80 for new gm valve springs, plus install if you are not able to yourself. That's the biggest issue. Do a search here you'll find other posts going over the rest.

 

The valvesprings are really the only Z06-specific issue to worry about, should definitely be replaced with the newer design blue springs but the cost isn't too bad...should be around $500-700 including parts and labor. If the owner already had this done, I would pay a little more for the car over others, IMO.

There are other base C5 issues that can affect a C5Z, namely a wobbling harmonic balancer (replace with aftermarket, not OEM). Other design issues are minor/low cost in nature so wouldn't worry about them too much.

 

FRC/Z06s can leak when it rains. It's annoying and time consuming to fix if they do.

 

Valve springs and water leaks. Some C5 vettes also have issues with the steering wheel lock mechanism but this is also easily fixable.

I had waterleaks that I fixed using 3M rope caulk. There are writeups showing where you want to seal.

I also changed the valvesprings to a fresh set of LS6 springs. Other than that, my car is solid. It's an 02 Z06 with 93K.

 

Not much to add that has not already been said. The C5Zs do not have the valve guide problem that the 427 small blocks had.

The LS6 engines are pretty much bulletproof when stock or modded correctly and within reason.

 

issues? zo6?

water leaks, abs, dim a/c control panel, typical lsx engine leaks, diff leaks, column lock, valve springs issue and a few more i cant think of right now lol

with all that said i've experienced leaky diff, water leaks, column lock, window regulator & dim a/c control panel & abs between my current zo6 and last one

for the most part they are pretty reliable fun cars but you will probably have to fix something along the way but thats with any car really i daily my car in the summer if that tells you any thing

 

I just had my valve springs done along with the cooling system hoses as precautionary maintenance. My ZO6 has 60,600 miles and never had a problem until a few days ago. My check engine light came on. The car runs fine. As I type this, I am waiting in the John L Sullivan Chevrolet Customer Lounge using their computer waiting for the prognosis on what the code is.

I never had to have any warranty work done on my car. If my memory serves me right, the only thing that was done was the steering wheel lock recall was performed many years ago and that was the only thing except for the routine maintenance and a set of tires. The Michelin tires I have on the car now are 10 years old and those will be replaced in a couple of months because of age, not wear.

 

The Check Valve is bad and apparently there are two of them. I told them to replace both valves because it will be my luck that the second valve will go bad tomorrow and throw another Check Engine Light and I will need to make another 1 hour one-way trip to John L Sullivan Chevrolet in Roseville again.

This is the first time that something has failed on my ZO6 since it has been brand new.

 

Just an FYI but you can see them yourself on the DIC, no special computers required....


How to Pull Codes:
1. Turn your key to the "ON" position, but do not start the engine.
2. Clear any present messages by pressing the RESET button.
3. Hold the OPTIONS button down, and press the FUEL button 4 times. (This will get you into the "codes" section of the DIC.
4. The computer will automatically display all the codes your car has created. It will cycle through each code every 3 seconds. (Have a pen and paper handy to write down the codes)

Note: Any code that ends in an "H" is a history code (something that has occurred in the past, but is not reporting as an error currently.)

5. Once the computer has finished going through all of its codes, press RESET to enter Manual Configuration mode. It should start with a module and show "NO CODES" or "# Codes."
6. To optionally reset codes once in manual mode, press and hold RESET until is displays "NO CODES."
7. Press OPTIONS to go into the next module (ie, from PCM, or Powertrain Control Module, to TCS, or Traction Control System.)
8. Repeat Step 6 until you have reset all the codes in all the computer modules.

Note: Only reset the codes if you want to- it is not necessary to reset them every time you pull the codes.

9. When finished, simply take your key out of the ignition.

 

Thank you for the info. I knew there was a procedure to pull the codes from the DIC but, I couldn't remember what the procedure was. I'm going to make a copy of the procedure and put it in my owner's manual for future reference.

I should have checked in the owner's manual to see if that procedure was listed but, I doubt that they (GM) would want people to know that because GM would rather have you take your car to the dealer.

Thanks again for the info.