C5 Z06 Maintenance/Common Problems

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Mar 25, 2019 | 07:07 PM

MStrong

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Mar 2019

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Dallas, TX

C5 Z06 Maintenance/Common Problems

Hello everyone! Right off the bat just want to say sorry if this has been asked and answered or if I am posting in the wrong section. If so I would appreciate a link to that thread. With that being said I am looking at purchasing a C5 Z06 and want to know how the typical maintenance cost is and if there are any common major problems that I should be aware of. The car I am looking at is a 2003 with 86k miles. From everything I know about them I believe if it is properly maintained it should not have many issues and should be very reliable, but just wanted to check. Any information is appreciated!

Mar 25, 2019 | 07:15 PM

gimp

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 1,844

Likes: 375

From: San Jose, CA

Did you read the stickies?

Mar 25, 2019 | 07:22 PM

MStrong

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Mar 2019

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From: Dallas, TX

I did, but I did not notice anything. However, now that I am looking again I see a buying guide by calvins in the general stickies. My apologies.

Mar 25, 2019 | 07:29 PM

gimp

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 1,844

Likes: 375

From: San Jose, CA

All good. Feel free to ask more specific questions when you have em

Mar 25, 2019 | 11:07 PM

~~~Josh~~

Banned Scam/Spammer

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 15,685

Likes: 1,330

From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise

Okay on my c5z I’ve done all the work 69k miles . Imagine paying for labor:

Rebuilt transmission (popping out of 2nd gear)
new clutch,slave and master cylinder (pedal sticking to the floor)
rebuilt torque tube (bearings making noise)
new hub bearings (front had abs code, one rear was humming, changed all)
new axles (one was binding on reinstallation of trans, changed both)
harmonic balancer (wobble)
radiator (drain broke when doing the balancer)
removed cylinder heads to remove carbon (detonation codes, ended up building entire engine)
ebcm (twice)
Headlight gears
oil pressure sending unit (twice)
fuel door release

the rest of the stuff are upgrades and maintenance but it would match the above list in length and complexity.

If you have tools and knowledge go ahead, if you need a shop I’d RUN.

Mar 26, 2019 | 11:02 AM

STRMLNE

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 2,515

Likes: 441

From: Arizona

2001 with 60k miles. I’ve done the following in the last year. It’s been a rough going for this 20 yr old car recently.

Oil sending Unit
steering wheel position sensor
water pump
harmonic balancer
Valve cover gaskets
Upper and lower oil pan gaskets
rear main seal
valley pan gasket
2 power steering hoses
All 4 stabilizer end links
hvac dimming issue
front air dam
updated radiator cap
hvac actuator issue repaired
both window regulators replaced
both headlight gears
EBCM (currently out for repair)

Last edited by STRMLNE; Mar 26, 2019 at 02:22 PM.

Mar 26, 2019 | 02:18 PM

Bill Curlee

Tech Contributor

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 32,910

Likes: 2,402

From: Anthony TX

CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet

St. Jude Donor '08

The last two posters have some very good common C5 ailments. Thanks for posting!

There are some FRC/ZO6 specific issues that you should be aware of....

The roof to windshield to roof gutter is sealed with a factory putty. The putty shrinks and causes a severe LEAK that will collect in the drivers AND OR passengers foot well. VERY COMMON FIXED ROOF COUPE / ZO6 issue. 90% of the FRC/ZO6 cars will be effected by this issue. The factory putty / sealer sucks and will fail!!!

The roof gutters are NO LONGER PRODUCED! DO NOT damage them.

Learn to use the DIC to pull up and read the C5 DTC. It is done from the drivers seat and gives you access to ALL the error codes (DTCs) and allows you to clear them. You don't need no stinking scanner!! LOL!

There are free PDF Copies of the each year C5 OWNERS MANUALS on the net. Find the one.. READ it and become ONE with all the C5 Corvette functions and oddities for the year car you desire!!. It will serve you well when you find a car that you desire to purchase..

Bill

Mar 26, 2019 | 04:36 PM

Leftlane_1

Instructor

Joined: Nov 2008

Posts: 147

Likes: 8

From: Nashville, TN

04 C5Z purchased in '13 with 63k, now it has 212k. Mine is a daily driver. I put around 450 miles a week on it.

-replaced front right wheel bearing twice, and front left is on the way out
-just replaced the starter
-replaced alternator a few years ago
-plugs, wires
-main serpentine belt
-front swaybar end links
-radiator
-coolant resevoir

Basically just general maintenance and the usual stuff that goes out on any car over the years. I haven't had any major repairs needed thankfully. I'm really surprised my clutch hasn't gone yet. Nor have I had to replace any headlight/tailights.
-fuel cap
-front turn signal bulbs