125k miles. What should I look out for?

[JRS_C5]

I just bought a 98 automatic with 125,000 miles. It has an intake and a custom exhaust. The car seems SUPER clean and "apparently" well taken car of. The engine bay looks like the car only has 500 miles. I'll probably SeaFoam the car tomorrow as the idle is a little bit rough. It runs fine, except that at WOT it won't shift to 3rd gear. Still don't know what it could be :/
With that many miles, should I look for anything in particular that tends to break/wear at this mileage? Except the transmission I already see that ad

 

[kingman]

Hi

First of all good luck with your new ride.

The problems not only have to do with mileage but with age. The transmission could be anything so have it checked out with a trusted mechanic before you do anything else.

The most important thing is to have it gone over to make sure there are not any surprise's. Of course you have to check out the brakes and then the tie rods and anything that has to do with the front end. Also check all of the obvious things like belts, plugs and hoses. Being that you live in Fla. l would take care of all of the weather stripping with a sauve designed to protect and soften. This is a pricey thing to replace.

Also run a Vin# report to see what the vehicle's history is so you can see what was done. Keep in mind that if he did all of the work himself or at an independent shop it would not appear on the Vin report but it will show what was done while it was under warranty.

Did the seller give you any records?

Alan

 

[JRS_C5]

There are no records for any installations or service on the car. I do have a carfax report and the only "shady" thing there is an inconsistent odometer reading. On 3/20/02 it had 33k miles. Then on 6/12/03 it had 64k miles. And 7/18/03 it says 40k miles. 11/02/05 60k miles. So it seems like a clerical error on 6/12/03.

The only "service " on the carfax says "Body electrical system checked" back in 2002

 

[Gearhead Jim]

If the car has the 2.73 (?) rear axle ratio that was standard, I was once told that it achieves top speed in 3rd gear and won't shift into 4th under full throttle. The 3.15 (?) performance axle shifted to 4th around 135 mph under full throttle on my 2001.
Either way, Enjoy!

 

[JRS_C5]

If the car has the 2.73 (?) rear axle ratio that was standard, I was once told that it achieves top speed in 3rd gear and won't shift into 4th under full throttle. The 3.15 (?) performance axle shifted to 4th around 135 mph under full throttle on my 2001.
Either way, Enjoy!

Well doing the 75mph test in 3rd it seems like I have the 3.15 axle. Even if it were the 2.73 my car tops out at 90mph then hits the rev limiter. Still not sure what to do or where to look..might have to dish out 100 bux to get it diagnosed, but I really hate transmission shops, or any type of repair shop. Or I might use that 100 and buy a rebuilt valve body, put it in and see what happens.

 

[65-to-00]

Ain't it a shame that they don't give out those .... 100,000, 200,000 mile club badges ... like they did with Mercedes and Volvo and stuff?

They would look soooooooo cool over the flags and ....

I'll behave now! I think.

 

[njlouc]

Look in your glovebox and you will find the build codes.
GU2 = 2.73 standard
G92 = 3.15 optional HP
I took a digital picture of the entire sheet and later printed it so I didnt have to write it all out. Dont forget the macro setting.

 

[fixvet]

Ain't it a shame that they don't give out those .... 100,000, 200,000 mile club badges ... like they did with Mercedes and Volvo and stuff?

They would look soooooooo cool over the flags and ....

I'll behave now! I think.

FYI.....MidAmerica Motorworks has a High Mileage Club. I was a member when I had my 175,000 mile '88 C4. They sent me a cool pin and a letter.

 

[bugman34202]

Welcome

I just bought a 98 automatic with 125,000 miles. It has an intake and a custom exhaust. The car seems SUPER clean and "apparently" well taken car of. The engine bay looks like the car only has 500 miles. I'll probably SeaFoam the car tomorrow as the idle is a little bit rough. It runs fine, except that at WOT it won't shift to 4th gear. Still don't know what it could be :/
With that many miles, should I look for anything in particular that tends to break/wear at this mileage? Except the transmission I already see that ad

Welcome to the site and welcome to the neighborhood, I am east of I-75 off SR70. I own a 2000 A4, 2:73 gear, with 153,000+.

Cold Air Intake, B&B Bullits, mod MAF, smoothie coupler, MSD plugwires, 170tstat, C6-Z06 Shocks, C6-Z06 sway bars, C5-Z06 Calipers, GMPP D/S Rotors, Ceramic Pads,... and other stuff.

Looks and drives like a Garage Queen, but this is a Road Warrior. Sounds like you may have one too.

Your Auto will not shift into 4th at WOT, you have to let off the gas a bit.

Since you don't have any service history with your car, I would change all the primary fluids, oil-tranny-diff-brake-coolant-p/s. This way you know they are fresh.

We will be at the Corvettes on the Circle Show on May 2nd at St.Armands Circle. Look us up. An Arctic White vert with Red interior and a Millineum Yellow vert with Black interior.

Congrats and Good Luck with your new Vette.

Bug

 

[bugman34202]

FYI.....MidAmerica Motorworks has a High Mileage Club. I was a member when I had my 175,000 mile '88 C4. They sent me a cool pin and a letter.

I will check int that...Thanks.

Bug

 

[bugman34202]

90???

Well doing the 75mph test in 3rd it seems like I have the 3.15 axle. Even if it were the 2.73 my car tops out at 90mph then hits the rev limiter. Still not sure what to do or where to look..might have to dish out 100 bux to get it diagnosed, but I really hate transmission shops, or any type of repair shop. Or I might use that 100 and buy a rebuilt valve body, put it in and see what happens.

Are you saying your car will not go any faster than 90mph and then the rev limiter kicks in? If that is the case then you have a serious problem with your drive line.

Bug.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

...
Your Auto will not shift into 4th at WOT, you have to let off the gas a bit.
...
Bug

Our totally stock 2001 w/ 3.15 would shift into 4th at WOT, but the shift seemed to take several seconds. I explained it by saying that the shift started at 135 mph and finished at 139 mph. The big rpm drop after the shift was completed, left no doubt that it was in 4th ! Not sure if that's typical of other cars or other years.

 

[JRS_C5]

Are you saying your car will not go any faster than 90mph and then the rev limiter kicks in? If that is the case then you have a serious problem with your drive line.

Bug.

Hey Bug, I live right off SR70 also, but just west of 301. i missed the show on saturday, I spent all day switching out the valve body in the transmission, but that did not solve the problem and now the 1-2 shift is pretty harsh.
At full throttle I cannot get above 90 it hits the limiter. Unless i back off the gas then try again. Thinking about it...I think i meant I have no 2-3 shift at WOT, which happens at about 90mph.