High Mileage Repair Issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 206
Likes: 9
From: Springfield, MO
High Mileage Repair Issues
As some of you may remember, I gave my 1997 C5 to my daughter in St. Louis. We think we have found a very honest, high-quality, reasonably-priced repair shop in a small town 30 minutes outside the metro area. The car has 180,000 miles on it which isn't high mileage for a 25-year old car but it is high mileage for a Corvette. What are some of the issues faced by a high-mileage Corvette?
My buddy and I have replaced the shocks with Z06 shocks, the power steering, the water pump, the rear wheel hubs and an assortment of other stuff. I am having the AC system pretty much completely redone this week.
The car burns some oil, which is either valves or rings. What are the typical high-mileage repair jobs which inevitably need to be done and what's a ballpark cost at a reasonably-priced Midwestern shop?
Thanks.
Jeff
My buddy and I have replaced the shocks with Z06 shocks, the power steering, the water pump, the rear wheel hubs and an assortment of other stuff. I am having the AC system pretty much completely redone this week.
The car burns some oil, which is either valves or rings. What are the typical high-mileage repair jobs which inevitably need to be done and what's a ballpark cost at a reasonably-priced Midwestern shop?
Thanks.
Jeff
Last edited by JeffreyDurbin; Jul 14, 2021 at 11:54 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 386
From: Chandler AZ
I really don't know on high mileage C5 Corvettes, my 1999 is creeping up on 95,000 miles.
They say the engine can go 200 or 300 thousand before needing rebuild/replacement.
However I wonder if the timing chain lasts that long.
Also could it be worn valve seals or PVC system causing oil loss/burning?
Car auto or manual?
Is car stock, and gets oil changes often enough with transmission fluid exchange, rear gear oil change, brake fluid, coolant etc.
Maybe just drive it and maintain, and plan for one day for something to break or wear out.
Did you hear the story about the guy who donated his C5 to Corvette museum, it had 750,000 or so miles on it, on original engine.
They say the engine can go 200 or 300 thousand before needing rebuild/replacement.
However I wonder if the timing chain lasts that long.
Also could it be worn valve seals or PVC system causing oil loss/burning?
Car auto or manual?
Is car stock, and gets oil changes often enough with transmission fluid exchange, rear gear oil change, brake fluid, coolant etc.
Maybe just drive it and maintain, and plan for one day for something to break or wear out.
Did you hear the story about the guy who donated his C5 to Corvette museum, it had 750,000 or so miles on it, on original engine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 206
Likes: 9
From: Springfield, MO
Car is bone stock and gets regular Mobil 1 oil changes. Using the high mileage oil. Automatic.
My buddy and I changed the brake fluid the last time we changed the brakes. Had the coolant changed when the radiator was changed.
Good to hear the engines can keep running and running. I also really like that much of these cars are simply GM cars. Parts and labor are cheap compared to my BMW 645 which is now gone and the Porsche 928.
Thank you.
My buddy and I changed the brake fluid the last time we changed the brakes. Had the coolant changed when the radiator was changed.
Good to hear the engines can keep running and running. I also really like that much of these cars are simply GM cars. Parts and labor are cheap compared to my BMW 645 which is now gone and the Porsche 928.
Thank you.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 289
Likes: 102
From: Texas
I'd probably also run it until I couldn't stand the oil issue and then either rebuild it myself in the garage with nothing fancy (re-ring kit and new valve seals as part of the cleanup) and throw the engine back in there.
Or, find a used LS motor and swap it in. An LS1 alum or iron block should drop right back in.
What does your daughter want to do with it? Just cruise around? Or something more aggressive like race it?
Or, find a used LS motor and swap it in. An LS1 alum or iron block should drop right back in.
What does your daughter want to do with it? Just cruise around? Or something more aggressive like race it?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 206
Likes: 9
From: Springfield, MO
I'd probably also run it until I couldn't stand the oil issue and then either rebuild it myself in the garage with nothing fancy (re-ring kit and new valve seals as part of the cleanup) and throw the engine back in there.
Or, find a used LS motor and swap it in. An LS1 alum or iron block should drop right back in.
What does your daughter want to do with it? Just cruise around? Or something more aggressive like race it?
Or, find a used LS motor and swap it in. An LS1 alum or iron block should drop right back in.
What does your daughter want to do with it? Just cruise around? Or something more aggressive like race it?
My big concern is the big costly engine or transmission repair. As long as they don't get too bad and she keeps it away from the stealership I am happy.
