New here - 2002 Corvette
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
New here - 2002 Corvette
Hi! I have my 02 Corvette Convertible with 105K miles in a local recommended shop from some of ya'll in PA. I have some questions on what they've written up though. I'm not tech savvy i just love driving her and want her to last. I've gotten away with pretty much oil changes, 2 sets of tires for 6 years. Not even brakes needed!
Urgent one!! I'm told the Driver side seat track won't pass inspection as it has play in it, nor can they find one. Any thoughts on this? "While cost est. for the replacement is $1875.00 + tax. We can not get the part. The labor portion is $325.00 + tax"
What do you think of this pricing: Oil pressure gauge pinned (oil pressure switch) - cost est. for repair is $900.00 + tax (not needed for inspection)
Another 100K service they recommended are these below - what is this and is it necessary?
I'm also looking where to price out these parts bc they cannot find them:
Any one else get a leak when rains down by brakes/clutch?
Thanks for any help!
Jes
Urgent one!! I'm told the Driver side seat track won't pass inspection as it has play in it, nor can they find one. Any thoughts on this? "While cost est. for the replacement is $1875.00 + tax. We can not get the part. The labor portion is $325.00 + tax"
What do you think of this pricing: Oil pressure gauge pinned (oil pressure switch) - cost est. for repair is $900.00 + tax (not needed for inspection)
Another 100K service they recommended are these below - what is this and is it necessary?
- Fuel injection service for $150
- Decarbonization service for $150
I'm also looking where to price out these parts bc they cannot find them:
- HVAC control head - all the lights are out
- Inside mirror light failing (light out) and mirror is no longer available
- Interior trim parts no longer available (hud cracked & key bezel cracked, trim plate
- Passenger back of headrest lever snapped
- Right side convertible handle missing triangular plug
Any one else get a leak when rains down by brakes/clutch?
Thanks for any help!
Jes
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
If you have mechanical skills, I would follow the advise given in previous post, outrageous prices to pay for some of the work needed. I personally repaired my cars rocking seat problem, plenty of internet videos if you want to tackle it yourself.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 108
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From: Norfolk, UK
Pro
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 547
Likes: 230
If you have any mechanical ability at all, the LS1 intake is dumb easy to remove as there is no water going through the intake manifold. The trick is to hold the 2 back bolts up with clothespins when you take the manifold off and put it back on. The manifold only weighs about 15 pounds including the fuel system. You can get the cheapest fuel line disconnect tool from Harbor Freight and it works fine to disconnect the flex line(s).
Removing the manifold on my C5 took me an hour from start to finish, and I had never touched an LS before.
Removing the manifold on my C5 took me an hour from start to finish, and I had never touched an LS before.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
Holy cow - that was the same one I looked at ...GUESS what shop checked it out and and said they will go with doing it this way! Labor is $415 each seat. From video it does take a bit of time. I don't have the tools to do this so assuming prob best i just pay them! Saved me a TON of money with this - thank you!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
Thank you! Found a cheaper one here: https://www.ecklerscorvette.com/1997-2004-corvette-ignition-switch-lock-cylinder-bezel-25-212777-1.html [ecklerscorvette.com]
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
If you have any mechanical ability at all, the LS1 intake is dumb easy to remove as there is no water going through the intake manifold. The trick is to hold the 2 back bolts up with clothespins when you take the manifold off and put it back on. The manifold only weighs about 15 pounds including the fuel system. You can get the cheapest fuel line disconnect tool from Harbor Freight and it works fine to disconnect the flex line(s).
Removing the manifold on my C5 took me an hour from start to finish, and I had never touched an LS before.
Removing the manifold on my C5 took me an hour from start to finish, and I had never touched an LS before.
Nope, no mechanical ability at all and not even 1 tool. I'm a 50 year old woman that gets her nails done weekly and owns 100 pairs of heels HAHAHAH .....i'm all up for saving money or finding parts or even learning but this is way above my level LOL
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
1. seat track play? Is it just a slight rocking back and forth? If so, check out the fix for rocking chair on this forum. Easy fix
2. oil pressure sensor replacement. Cheap part but intake manifold has to come off
3. I’d skip the fuel service just use some Techron
4. hvac dim lights absfixer.com $75
5. Cracked hud bezel - there’s a guy on Facebook that sells them I’ll try to find the link or just google it it’ll pop up
6. key bezel check out eBay or a junk yard
7. passenger head rear lever also check junk yards or eBay
All your issues are very common and easy fixes!!!!!
Go to google and just type in “corvette c5” and then type your issue and you’ll find tons of threads with these issues
you’ll get lost in all the reading 😂
2. oil pressure sensor replacement. Cheap part but intake manifold has to come off
3. I’d skip the fuel service just use some Techron
4. hvac dim lights absfixer.com $75
5. Cracked hud bezel - there’s a guy on Facebook that sells them I’ll try to find the link or just google it it’ll pop up
6. key bezel check out eBay or a junk yard
7. passenger head rear lever also check junk yards or eBay
All your issues are very common and easy fixes!!!!!
Go to google and just type in “corvette c5” and then type your issue and you’ll find tons of threads with these issues
you’ll get lost in all the reading 😂
thank you so much! Ya'll saved me some money so far!!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 201
From: Montgomery City, MO
Same here. The trickiest part was getting the lower left throttle body bolt in. Be careful here b/c they can fall into places you don't want to have to get them out of.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 547
Likes: 230
Understood. One thing that you can get from my post is that the shop time for doing the oil sending unit shouldn't be more than 2 or 3 hours tops The sender itself is less than $50, so you should be looking at more like $300 - $400 out the door for that job depending on the shop rate.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
Understood. One thing that you can get from my post is that the shop time for doing the oil sending unit shouldn't be more than 2 or 3 hours tops The sender itself is less than $50, so you should be looking at more like $300 - $400 out the door for that job depending on the shop rate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
We're all glad we can help you save some money on correcting problems with your car. Unfortunate that some shops tend to take advantage of women who walk into their shops and quote them very high prices for repairs be assured that members of this forum have your back.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
So a few more things I can't locate if anyone can chime in!
- headrest lever behind on passengers seat snapped
- triangular plug on convertible handle is missing
- center console latch (someone did a crappy gorilla glue on it!) Grrrrr
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
Welcome to the forum!
I have to LMAO at the "seat won't pass inspection" statement. I'm sorry if it offends you, but for me this is a HUGE red flag!! A seat which moves back and forth 1/4"-3/8" is no one's idea of imminent danger!!! BTW, many here call it a seat "rocking" problem, which, in my experience on the forum, usually means a back and forth motion, NOT an actual rocking motion. The rocking motion does exist on some cars, but most of the posts I've read are actually NOT rocking, they're sliding. So make sure to identify exactly what motion you're getting so you can do the proper fix.
I have to LMAO at the "seat won't pass inspection" statement. I'm sorry if it offends you, but for me this is a HUGE red flag!! A seat which moves back and forth 1/4"-3/8" is no one's idea of imminent danger!!! BTW, many here call it a seat "rocking" problem, which, in my experience on the forum, usually means a back and forth motion, NOT an actual rocking motion. The rocking motion does exist on some cars, but most of the posts I've read are actually NOT rocking, they're sliding. So make sure to identify exactly what motion you're getting so you can do the proper fix. 
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,642
Likes: 7,291
From: CT
Run run run away from that shop. They see you coming from miles away and are actively trying to rip you off and then also price gouge you.
Find your local PA Corvette Club website and call/e-mail the president. Ask for shop recommendations in your area for someone to trust. It won't be cheap, but they won't be trying to rip you off either.
Nails don't preclude you from spinning a wrench, and the problems listed her would involve minimal skill or tools. My ex wife was a Vogue couture model but boy could she drive a tractor and ride a horse too! Likewise, I've mucked my share of stalls coming home and doing it wearing a suit. You are absolutely capable if you choose to be - and amen to the Imelda Marcos life. My wife is like that. I had to build her a custom set of shelves to store all her shoes!
Find your local PA Corvette Club website and call/e-mail the president. Ask for shop recommendations in your area for someone to trust. It won't be cheap, but they won't be trying to rip you off either.
Nails don't preclude you from spinning a wrench, and the problems listed her would involve minimal skill or tools. My ex wife was a Vogue couture model but boy could she drive a tractor and ride a horse too! Likewise, I've mucked my share of stalls coming home and doing it wearing a suit. You are absolutely capable if you choose to be - and amen to the Imelda Marcos life. My wife is like that. I had to build her a custom set of shelves to store all her shoes!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Philly
Quick update - I found this shop via suggestions on this forum (Bryners Chev in Colmar PA - Steve Spencer is the mechanic) ....so I took my vette there....Service Manager called me today snippy on the time they are spending going over the car. I swear women are treated so much differently than a man!
Service Manager was having a cow bc of the hours they are spending on going over the car. Um that is what I am paying you to do? I asked for this appt specifically to tell me what work needs to be done and a list I provided to give me an estimate. I'm about to drop prob $5K there and prob more over the next phase of things I want to do, I'm not going to waste it having to do something in the same area of the car when it can be done then.
I'm honestly shocked on how he came at me! Almost apologized for bringing them my business and if they would prefer I go elsewhere
For example - this response one of you gave me about my oil pressure gauge is pinned. They want $900 to fix that! Ya'll here told me - no way..that's crazy and manifold doesn't have to come out. So I took it back to them with a video and he wanted nothing to do with it. I don't think I will go back to this shop....service manager has ruined it with his attitude that I'm wasting their time.
This is when is sucks to be single and not knowing much about the car.
Jes
Service Manager was having a cow bc of the hours they are spending on going over the car. Um that is what I am paying you to do? I asked for this appt specifically to tell me what work needs to be done and a list I provided to give me an estimate. I'm about to drop prob $5K there and prob more over the next phase of things I want to do, I'm not going to waste it having to do something in the same area of the car when it can be done then.
I'm honestly shocked on how he came at me! Almost apologized for bringing them my business and if they would prefer I go elsewhere
For example - this response one of you gave me about my oil pressure gauge is pinned. They want $900 to fix that! Ya'll here told me - no way..that's crazy and manifold doesn't have to come out. So I took it back to them with a video and he wanted nothing to do with it. I don't think I will go back to this shop....service manager has ruined it with his attitude that I'm wasting their time.
This is when is sucks to be single and not knowing much about the car.
Jes