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So after almost a ten year absence I'm back in another Corvette. Picked up this 2002 M6 vert today. I had forgotten how much fun these cars are to drive. This one has 137K miles so it's a little rough around the edges but has good bones as they say.
A couple little interior things to fix, has a turn sig light out, creaks a bit but just the type of car I was looking for. I sold my Porsche 911 last year because it was too nice and I always worried about it. This one is a driver quality car that I will use as often as I can, park it anywhere and not worry so much.
I do have one concern about it getting hot. I met up with the seller at lake Tahoe and then driving home I climb from about 6500 to 7500 feet elevation. Ambient temp was about 75. Engine temp started to climb up to 240 or so? It was half way between the 220 mark and the red zone. I backed off the throttle a little and it dropped some but was still hot until I got over the hill. Then down the big grade it dropped to maybe 180. Once in town (about 5000 ft elevation) it was right at 220 until I slowed way down to enter a housing tract to see my buddy. Then it climbed back up to where it was coming out of the lake.
A few hours later I drove the 30 miles home and it ran about 200 all the way until I got to my one mile long dirt road. It slowly crept up until it hit about 230. I could here the electric fans running when I got home so I know they are working.
I checked the coolant level and it was okay (I checked it cold before I left my buddy's house). It did look pretty weak and diluted though (barely green). I have to check the manual but aren't these supposed to run orange Dexcool? The seller provided me with maintenance records from since 2007 so I'll see when it was last flushed and replaced.
I'm thinking the radiator is probably clogged with leaves and debris so I'll be cleaning it asap. My thinking is that it gets enough air flow at speed but not when going slowly. Anything else I should look for?
Other than that, I'm pretty happy with the car. Drive smooth and straight, good power (all stock) and of course handles like a Corvette!
Last edited by ChiliPepperGarage; 06-23-2019 at 10:45 PM.
Car looks good, welcome back. I bet that was a nice little cruise back home. I would definitely check and clean the fins on the radiator as I'm willing to bet it's covered in leaves and twigs. I'd also go ahead and knock out a radiator flush on the car, and then add in some water wetter.
Take a quick look in the front air intake bet you will find a bunch at the top of the radiator, have seen lots of leaves and a plastic bag on a friends car. Like you said a good cleaning and flush will help. I have also found out if you turn on the air conditioner the fans come on then. Mine will heat in traffic to the 220 to 230 mark turn a/c on drops to about 212 and stays there. I think the fans are programed to turn on at 235.
Good advice above. It might be a good idea to clean your udders while you're at it.If full, they can flood the windshield wiper motor and other types of problem.
06-23-2019, 10:43 PM
I'm Back! (in a C5)
