Looking at a 1998 C5 - Need Knowledge
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
Looking at a 1998 C5 - Need Knowledge
Hey ALL!!
I'm close to purchasing a 1998 c5 with 30000 miles 6 speed.
The car seems very solid and drives very nice.
I have heard of oil pump problems??? I'm unable to find any info. on the net about it though. What have you all heard of this?
Any other big problems I should look at while I'm at the car or item specifics I should ask?
Thanks in advance for all your responses!!
MC
I'm close to purchasing a 1998 c5 with 30000 miles 6 speed.
The car seems very solid and drives very nice.
I have heard of oil pump problems??? I'm unable to find any info. on the net about it though. What have you all heard of this?
Any other big problems I should look at while I'm at the car or item specifics I should ask?
Thanks in advance for all your responses!!
MC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 5
From: Knoxville TN
I own 98 6 speed that I bought new in June 98, I now have 80K+ miles the only issues I have had were:
1. Col lock (covered in recall)
2. fuel pump, was out of warranty had to pay it myself
3. stock battery leaked and killed PCM,
the oil pump issue was that some 97's and early 98's had a loud oil pump.
1. Col lock (covered in recall)
2. fuel pump, was out of warranty had to pay it myself
3. stock battery leaked and killed PCM,
the oil pump issue was that some 97's and early 98's had a loud oil pump.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 332
Likes: 10
From: Toms River NJ
I have a 98 too and havent heard of any oil pump problems. Bought mine with 67000 miles and now i have 93000 miles and all I had to replace was the belts and a couple pulleys. Overall it runs pretty good for a 8yr car. expect your gas gauge to go to empty when you fill it its a common problem..If it does that go to pep boys and get a bottle of techron that will cure it..I can think of anything else so good luck!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 953
Likes: 4
From: Guelph Ontario
Originally Posted by dc3plt
Hey ALL!!
I'm close to purchasing a 1998 c5 with 30000 miles 6 speed.
The car seems very solid and drives very nice.
I have heard of oil pump problems??? I'm unable to find any info. on the net about it though. What have you all heard of this?
Any other big problems I should look at while I'm at the car or item specifics I should ask?
Thanks in advance for all your responses!!
MC
I'm close to purchasing a 1998 c5 with 30000 miles 6 speed.
The car seems very solid and drives very nice.
I have heard of oil pump problems??? I'm unable to find any info. on the net about it though. What have you all heard of this?
Any other big problems I should look at while I'm at the car or item specifics I should ask?
Thanks in advance for all your responses!!
MC
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
My first was a 98. Its problems were bad reverse syncro? Which was never fixed, so I am assuming it was a bad syncro. Oil Pressure sending unit went bad, cost me $30 or so and 2 hours on a Saturday. Bad reverse light switch, $15 and 30 minutes.
Gas gauge was flakey below 1/4 tank.
Never heard of bad oil pump. I have heard some of the 98s had loud fuel pumps. Mine got replaced by first owner.
Column Lock issues seem common.
I agree with WTC5. Do a thorough inspection by someone who knows corvettes. Get maintenance history and have a dealer run an inspection report. They are solid cars.
Gas gauge was flakey below 1/4 tank.
Never heard of bad oil pump. I have heard some of the 98s had loud fuel pumps. Mine got replaced by first owner.
Column Lock issues seem common.
I agree with WTC5. Do a thorough inspection by someone who knows corvettes. Get maintenance history and have a dealer run an inspection report. They are solid cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,268
Likes: 6
From: New Orleans La.
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06
Regarding the fuel pump problem.....before buying my 98 the gas tank stayed around 1/4 full. I didn't notice any noise until I filled it up.It is a lot louder with a full tank. I just turn up the tunes......
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 1
From: cAshburn VA
I do not remember about hearing of any oil pump issues, there were some people with oil consumption issues (fixed usually by dealer with a re-ring). Seem to remember a few complaining of piston slap on cold engines, haven't heard that one in a while.
Enjoy and Good Luck!
Enjoy and Good Luck!
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 401
From: Palm City
St. Jude Donor '06-'11
I have a 1998 with 50k miles, the only probs I have had are the Col. lock, just installed a CLB, and my A/C went out. But that could happen with any car. I would invest a little money into a inspection. Run a Computer check. Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 4
From: EXTON PA
98 troubles
Like at the DIC codes after taking the car for a spin. Run hard and brake hard with car at normal operating temps. Your looking to see if the Traction Control / ABS codes flash cause this can be a expensive fix, Look at Harmonic balancer up front for any wiggle - wobble cause it is a expensive fix. good luck.....and listen to the other posts
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
I have a 98 with 160,000 miles and the oil pump never had any issues. Yiu want to look under the battery. Most leaked and would ruin the plastic vaccum lines and electronics located under it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
Bought my 98 with 33K on it, nearing 50k. Only problem was a steering wheel correlation issue. Fixed by cleaning the grounds. Check out the sticky at the top of the forum. Written by Bill Curlee, includes pics and diagrams.
My 98 was built in November 97, so its one of the early ones with the EBTCM mounted in the rear. No problems at all. No piston slap, no loud oil pump.
Just one thing though, IF you have the transparent top, check the right (passenger) side for delamination. Its a streak about 3 1/2" wide running from the front to the rear. It was / is a manufacturing defect. There is no fix for it except to buy a new one (out of your own pocket).
Otherwise, enjoy it, I think it was a good year for Vettes.
My 98 was built in November 97, so its one of the early ones with the EBTCM mounted in the rear. No problems at all. No piston slap, no loud oil pump.
Just one thing though, IF you have the transparent top, check the right (passenger) side for delamination. Its a streak about 3 1/2" wide running from the front to the rear. It was / is a manufacturing defect. There is no fix for it except to buy a new one (out of your own pocket).
Otherwise, enjoy it, I think it was a good year for Vettes.
