URGENT - need South Orange County repair place for C5Z06
09-24-2018, 10:23 AM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
URGENT - need South Orange County repair place for C5Z06
Car just conked out on me while pulling outta driveway. I'm just outside of Laguna Niguel. Am new to the area, can someone recommend a good Vette mechanic/specialist to have it towed to?
Thanks a ton.
Thanks a ton.
09-24-2018, 12:03 PM
#4
Race Director
Thread Starter
Thanks folks I did forum search for a name and am taking it to Bedard Automotive in Anaheim. Hopefully good service there. Anyone have experience with them (besides the member who posted their info awhile back)?
09-25-2018, 12:10 AM
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
thanks a bunch.
i was thinking, maybe erroneously, that the california fuel is messing with my east coast-based tune. i've only gone through 1.5-2 tanks since being here west coast the past couple months.
dunno if the gas is different here (more ethanol?).
i was thinking, maybe erroneously, that the california fuel is messing with my east coast-based tune. i've only gone through 1.5-2 tanks since being here west coast the past couple months.
dunno if the gas is different here (more ethanol?).
10-03-2018, 03:41 PM
#8
Team Owner
Shouldn't cause the car to die. Now WOT pulls...yeah, you may want to look into a new tune for the local fuel. Any updates?
10-07-2018, 11:43 PM
#10
Race Director
Thread Starter
MTP & Blue Blood: It's been somewhat of a saga. Mechanics couldn't replicate the issue until wed or thurs, try as they might. The main mechanic at Bedard, has been great about continuing to try and diagnose and keep me infomed. He said if it wasn't a problem for me, they'd like to keep at it until they figured it out. For two weeks it started right up and drove fine. No codes were thrown that would indicate what's going wrong. Frustrating.
Then finally on wed or thurs they were tinkering with something minor electrical, finished it, then brought the lift down to drive it. And then it wouldn't start. Turned over but just wouldn't run. Finally!
The mechanic spoke with a colleague at Corvette Mike to try & see what else it might be. Next up is pressure testing the fuel system, as it might be getting starved. Supposedly this kind of thing can happen in the '04 since it's a different fuel system, esp if cars sit alot (which mine does, a great deal in fact).
Worst case, they have to replace the fuel pump(s), and then while in there replace fuel lines too. That means dropping the transmission to get in there, right? If so, that suck$$$$!!!!!!!
Then finally on wed or thurs they were tinkering with something minor electrical, finished it, then brought the lift down to drive it. And then it wouldn't start. Turned over but just wouldn't run. Finally!
The mechanic spoke with a colleague at Corvette Mike to try & see what else it might be. Next up is pressure testing the fuel system, as it might be getting starved. Supposedly this kind of thing can happen in the '04 since it's a different fuel system, esp if cars sit alot (which mine does, a great deal in fact).
Worst case, they have to replace the fuel pump(s), and then while in there replace fuel lines too. That means dropping the transmission to get in there, right? If so, that suck$$$$!!!!!!!
10-08-2018, 02:04 PM
#11
Team Owner
It could be something like the fuel relay as well. Intermittent issues are definitely a PITA. The tanks are split with a crossover tube connecting both sides, so no...the trans doesn't need to some out. How many miles on the car? I owned an '03 C5Z for may years, and it sat frequently as well (sold it in 2012 w/32K miles). The fuel sending unit became problematic until I started adding techron bottles in the tank as part of a regular regimen. I would buy a case of it at Costco and add it to every other or every third tank, and the sending unit issues went away.
If your guys are having trouble diagnosing, I highly suggest taking the car to AHP...the shop Patches mentioned in post #2. I lived in SoCal my whole life until moving to HI in 2015...I was last in San Juan Capistrano for 10 years, and took my C6Z to Kohle at AHP any time I needed something done. The drive is not that bad...especially if you can catch off peak traffic hours. AHP is one of the most honest and meticulous shops I've dealt with over the years, and they pride themselves on superior customer service. I highly recommend taking it there to have your tune looked at if your car wasn't tuned for CA 91 octane.
CMS in Murrieta would've been another great LS specialty shop to refer you to, but they are unfortunately leaving CA for TX at the moment. They did work on my C5Z for many years, and some work to my C6Z as well...it was always a fun little drive over Ortega Hwy to get there.
If your guys are having trouble diagnosing, I highly suggest taking the car to AHP...the shop Patches mentioned in post #2. I lived in SoCal my whole life until moving to HI in 2015...I was last in San Juan Capistrano for 10 years, and took my C6Z to Kohle at AHP any time I needed something done. The drive is not that bad...especially if you can catch off peak traffic hours. AHP is one of the most honest and meticulous shops I've dealt with over the years, and they pride themselves on superior customer service. I highly recommend taking it there to have your tune looked at if your car wasn't tuned for CA 91 octane.
CMS in Murrieta would've been another great LS specialty shop to refer you to, but they are unfortunately leaving CA for TX at the moment. They did work on my C5Z for many years, and some work to my C6Z as well...it was always a fun little drive over Ortega Hwy to get there.
Last edited by MTPZ06; 10-08-2018 at 05:06 PM. Reason: spl
10-08-2018, 04:37 PM
#12
Race Director
Thread Starter
Thanks MTP. I will mention this.
Update: they said it's a mechanical check valve that's causing the issue, which resides in the fuel pump. Sitting for any excessive amounts of time will exacerbate the issue. In which case I need to turn key, let system prime, then turn the engine over.
Ultimately they indicated I'd need to replace the fuel pump, but for now, more frequent driving will help as well keeping in mind the "prime" thing. He mentioned fuel system pressure was just fine.
Update: they said it's a mechanical check valve that's causing the issue, which resides in the fuel pump. Sitting for any excessive amounts of time will exacerbate the issue. In which case I need to turn key, let system prime, then turn the engine over.
Ultimately they indicated I'd need to replace the fuel pump, but for now, more frequent driving will help as well keeping in mind the "prime" thing. He mentioned fuel system pressure was just fine.
Last edited by SLO VETTE; 10-08-2018 at 04:47 PM.
10-11-2018, 11:18 AM
#13
Drifting
Bedard Automotive
Bedard Automotive in Anaheim is a great place to take a Corvette for diagnostics/repairs as long as you can leave it there for a few days if needed. Matt and his Dad (owners) are great mechanics who are experienced with Vettes. Only down side...they are always busy with customers and you may have to leave your car for non routine services.
10-11-2018, 01:28 PM
#14
Race Director
Thread Starter
^^ Thanks Retro guy, I ended up at Bedard because of your post from awhile back, I was desperate at that moment when car was stranded on side of road at crack of dawn, and did a forum search looking for south OC shops. Your comment showed up and thankfully they were open early! It worked out. Am picking up car today. Matt's been terrific every step of the way.
Last edited by SLO VETTE; 10-11-2018 at 01:29 PM.
