New to Forum. Need advice
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
New to Forum. Need advice
Greetings from a retired Army 1SG. POL on the move! Finally, at age 68 I became a Corvette owner. I have a 2003 yellow convertible. with 30,152 miles. I have had it a year, not driven it too much. Its in perfect shape. I am the third owner. Its always been garaged. In my younger days, I was always working on cars. Those days are pretty much done with today's newer cars. I still turn a wrench on occasion. When I got the car, I checked the age on the tires. They looked great but they were 12 years old so I replaced them. I have some general maintenance records but nothing too specific. I am thinking that as a start I should replace the serpentine belt, flush out the braked and the cooling system. Looking for additional advice. Thank you all for your assistance!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 1,213
I'd change all the fluids. PS, Trans, differential.
Clutch fluid is a painful process without a remote bleeder. Ranger method is better than nothing but far from ideal.
I wouldn't change the belt unless it looks worn. It certainly won't hurt.
Inspect your harmonic balancer for wobble and/or signs of separation.
Clean your udders. (probably not bad since garaged)
Battery tender is recommended if not driving it frequently. If it often sits for days it should be on a tender.
Clutch fluid is a painful process without a remote bleeder. Ranger method is better than nothing but far from ideal.
I wouldn't change the belt unless it looks worn. It certainly won't hurt.
Inspect your harmonic balancer for wobble and/or signs of separation.
Clean your udders. (probably not bad since garaged)
Battery tender is recommended if not driving it frequently. If it often sits for days it should be on a tender.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Before replacing anything further, you may want to find a local Vette shop that can do an inspection on the car and sort out any current or future mechanical/electrical problems. A good source for recommendations is the local Corvette Club.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 111
Likes: 50
From: Thunder Bay
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 377
From: SW Ohio
All great advice above. The C5 is a surprisingly durable, simple, and solid setup. Not much beyond what you are used to with old school cars, other than an ECU, BCM, and the random electrical issues that are almost always ground or battery related. I would check the harmonic balancer, belts and hoses; change the plugs, wires, fluids, and inspect for leaks, and then enjoy the hell out of the car!
More so, congrats on your retirement and the car. Us combat veterans are an aging population and should enjoy every damn minute we can.
More so, congrats on your retirement and the car. Us combat veterans are an aging population and should enjoy every damn minute we can.
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 651
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From: North Port Florida
Greetings from a retired Army 1SG. POL on the move! Finally, at age 68 I became a Corvette owner. I have a 2003 yellow convertible. with 30,152 miles. I have had it a year, not driven it too much. Its in perfect shape. I am the third owner. Its always been garaged. In my younger days, I was always working on cars. Those days are pretty much done with today's newer cars. I still turn a wrench on occasion. When I got the car, I checked the age on the tires. They looked great but they were 12 years old so I replaced them. I have some general maintenance records but nothing too specific. I am thinking that as a start I should replace the serpentine belt, flush out the braked and the cooling system. Looking for additional advice. Thank you all for your assistance!!