C5 Maintenance
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 192
Likes: 10
C5 Maintenance
Good Afternoon,
I have an 02 couple with 57xxx miles on the clock. The car is bone stock except for an aftermarket CAI. Oil is changed once every season no matter what. Plugs, wires belts, timing chain, fuel filters, transmission fluid, filters, gaskets and seals etc are all original to the car. Is there anything that I should change? I am having no issues with the car, but I wanted to make sure that I am doing all that I can to keep it running strong.
J
I have an 02 couple with 57xxx miles on the clock. The car is bone stock except for an aftermarket CAI. Oil is changed once every season no matter what. Plugs, wires belts, timing chain, fuel filters, transmission fluid, filters, gaskets and seals etc are all original to the car. Is there anything that I should change? I am having no issues with the car, but I wanted to make sure that I am doing all that I can to keep it running strong.
J
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,632
Likes: 3,333
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
You'll want all new fluids (and corresponding filters), and check the brake pads for wear. You will also want to check the serpentine belt.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 192
Likes: 10
J
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,632
Likes: 3,333
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
A bad belt can certainly be the cause of a squealing sound under the hood. I just remembered, you should also check to make sure that your harmonic balancer isn't wobbling.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Could be. Check physical condition of the belt. Don't use any gimmicky belt dressing products on it. Inspect the harmonic balancer for play as well - very common source of squeaks and noises on belts on these cars at this age.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,632
Likes: 3,333
From: Virginia
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
Could be. Check physical condition of the belt. Don't use any gimmicky belt dressing products on it. Inspect the harmonic balancer for play as well - very common source of squeaks and noises on belts on these cars at this age.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
this is good advice.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 192
Likes: 10
Could be. Check physical condition of the belt. Don't use any gimmicky belt dressing products on it. Inspect the harmonic balancer for play as well - very common source of squeaks and noises on belts on these cars at this age.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 192
Likes: 10
Could be. Check physical condition of the belt. Don't use any gimmicky belt dressing products on it. Inspect the harmonic balancer for play as well - very common source of squeaks and noises on belts on these cars at this age.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
I would leave the plugs and wires alone with 57k miles, personally. Zero reason to open the motor up and look inside if it isn't making noises/exhibiting symptoms. Both of the LS cars in my household have high miles (215k on our 02 Escalade, 271k on the Corvette before the motor was murdered by a flood) with minimal issues.
Also, I know the harmonic balancer is not an expensive part. But since its down by the crank, and labor intensive what's a usually harmonic balancer job cost?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
A good replacement without the two piece rubber design will run you about $200 (Powerbond, Summit, TrickFlow) and labor... well that one I can't speak to. I had a buddy do it for me and he was cheap.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
If the car came with Iridium plugs, he's probably OK@57,000. I also have a CTS AWD, came with Iridium plugs. Supposed to last 100,000 miles. They did. But the last 5,000 miles the cars fuel mileage was slightly down, at least 3mpg average around town. But it was about normal on the highway. When I changed them@104,000 miles, they looked perfect. Gap was as new@.038"-.040". But mileage has gone up better than ever!! So it was time for the change. OP-1 thing I would definitely do is buy a bottle of dry gas, wait until car is under 1/4 tank, and dump the dry gas in at a gas station, then top off the tank(s). My C5 started cutting out at higher rpm@full throttle. I suspected some water in the tank(s), and the drygas fixed the problem. You probably don't know the kind of fuel the PO used thru the years. I recommend Top Tier Premium, Shell, Chevron, BP, etc. Drygas is cheap, and can't hurt. Best of luck to you......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 192
Likes: 10
If the car came with Iridium plugs, he's probably OK@57,000. I also have a CTS AWD, came with Iridium plugs. Supposed to last 100,000 miles. They did. But the last 5,000 miles the cars fuel mileage was slightly down, at least 3mpg average around town. But it was about normal on the highway. When I changed them@104,000 miles, they looked perfect. Gap was as new@.038"-.040". But mileage has gone up better than ever!! So it was time for the change. OP-1 thing I would definitely do is buy a bottle of dry gas, wait until car is under 1/4 tank, and dump the dry gas in at a gas station, then top off the tank(s). My C5 started cutting out at higher rpm@full throttle. I suspected some water in the tank(s), and the drygas fixed the problem. You probably don't know the kind of fuel the PO used thru the years. I recommend Top Tier Premium, Shell, Chevron, BP, etc. Drygas is cheap, and can't hurt. Best of luck to you......
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,542
Likes: 24,834
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If you do not know when the fluids were changed, definitely do the brake fluid and coolant. Check all your belts/hoses (including brake lines) and make sure the tires are not excessively old.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 192
Likes: 10
Thanks for that. I have never changed the fluids in the car. Tires are brand new, just put them on 2 years ago.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 129
Likes: 45
From: Northeast USA
Good Afternoon,
I have an 02 couple with 57xxx miles on the clock. The car is bone stock except for an aftermarket CAI. Oil is changed once every season no matter what. Plugs, wires belts, timing chain, fuel filters, transmission fluid, filters, gaskets and seals etc are all original to the car. Is there anything that I should change? I am having no issues with the car, but I wanted to make sure that I am doing all that I can to keep it running strong.
J
I have an 02 couple with 57xxx miles on the clock. The car is bone stock except for an aftermarket CAI. Oil is changed once every season no matter what. Plugs, wires belts, timing chain, fuel filters, transmission fluid, filters, gaskets and seals etc are all original to the car. Is there anything that I should change? I am having no issues with the car, but I wanted to make sure that I am doing all that I can to keep it running strong.
J
- Check your spark plug wires just to ensure they're not dry rotted or cracked - if they feel stiff and dry then change them.
- All fluids - coolant, rear differential, steering, brakes, transmission.
- Filters - fuel, transmission.
- Check all hoses for damage or failure.
- Grease all hinges and latches - I use a lithium spray.
- Wipe down weatherstripping and apply silicone grease as a protectant.
- Check rain ducts aka udders - plenty of YouTube videos with instructions.
- Inspect battery - battery acid is bad because of neighboring electrical components.
- Squeaky belt - I'd probably replace belt & tensioner. If squeal remains, take to mechanic.
- Check tires for dry rot - if they're original 20 year old tires, I'd have them changed.
- Many people simply wipe down interior plastics with a damp rag. I prefer 303 Protectant for plastics that are looking dry.
- Mild saddle soap on leather if needed.
- If the car is going to sit for a while, use fuel stabilizer before filling the tank and drive around a bit so it mixes with the fuel.
- Make sure the area under the mesh windshield cowl is clean and clear of debris.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,669
