C4 Problems. Help needed fast, please

[Moscowbo]

Hi to you all.
I am at the moment living in Moscow, Russia, and am looking for a Corvette to bring home.
I have just been looking / driving one, about 800 Miles from Moscow.
WOOA. Really a dream to drive in, but there are some feaults.
Before I buy it, I would be happy if one of you could give me some help. Problems I saw:
1: The Automatic gearbox with Overdrive. It gives a "clunck" when the car is taken from any positions. Is that normal or what could be the reason ?
2: There is a little noise from backend of the car. Normal ?
3: Lot of "tire" noise inside the car.
4: Computer. Service "needed" and low oil is showed on the display. Oil level and pressure is normal, acc to Shevrolet service. Then have no tool to access the computer :-(
5: Display of Miles/h is not shoving value (speed) ?
6: Remote for the orig alarm has been lost. Another alarm system has been implemented, but if a door is unlocked manually, the alarm goes on. Only way to stop it is removing of battery wire, and look at all settings of locks etc in the car. Is easy to get a new remote for the alarm system + reprogram it to new code ?

Service facilities are not very good in Russia, so I need to take it to an Aut Service in Europe later. But I need to drive the car for about 1500 Miles. It will take some time.

But all in all. I really love this car. Fantastic movement as well speed, accelerating and turning

Statistics:
1990 Corvette Automatic with Overdrive. Coupe.
165000 Km acc to computer
Was orig Black. he painted it into white. I wish to make it red.
Leather sport seats, 6 way adjust electrical
275*40*17 front. 285*40*17 rear.
2*4 exhoust pipes in rear. (output)
Standard engine acc to VIN, but Owner says it has 375HP and top speed more than 250Km/h. Road conditions in his area gived maximum speed of 250. I could not run it totally out as well.
I have pictures of the engine, and would like to know if I can identify the engine output anyway ?

I hope someone can help me very fast, as I need to give him an answer.

Best of Regards
Morten

Update: At this moment, I would like to say thanks to you all, but what about the problems. Can anyone give me some advices ?
I am a kind of a "handy-man" and can do minor repairs myself.
Morten

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Hi,
I lived in Saint Petersburg for a while and visited Moscow many times. Where are you going to drive the Vette? The car only has an 11cm ground clearance. I broke my rear spring and took the exhaust off driving on the NEW motorway in Poland. I am not trying to talk you out of a Corvette but you should be aware of the car’s limitations as well as its qualities.

A well maintained Vette is total pleasure to own, look at and drive. A badly maintained Vette is a nightmare. From what you have said the one you are looking at is poorly maintained. Unless you are paying less than $6000. (Russian tax not included) you should look for another Corvette.

You can access the ECM fault codes by following this link .

The factory alarm, VATS, does not have a remote. It sets when you lock the doors and re-sets when you use the key to unlock one of the doors. It also uses a special ignition key that has a resistance pellet made into the key. The factory VATS is not a good alarm-antitheft system. You will need to install a top quality alarm system.

Go here to search for Corvettes in Europe

I would sell you my 90 which has been maintained by some of the best mechanics in Europe for $13500. Including a custom paint job to your specs.

Good luck, whatever you do the people here at will help you with your Vette.

Have a hot bowl of Solyanka for me.

 

[Daryllawman]

Hello and Welcome to the Corvette Action Center.........Well as for the Vette........:eek ........Sounds like alot of the Tender Loving Care, flew by the way side.......The owner didn't keep it up at all, it looks like......I agree with SpanishVette......You prob. need to hold off and find a better one.....Good Luck......Hang in there you will find one...... The Lawman Has Spoken........

 

[kingman]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Listen to Spanishvette, he knows what he is talking about, this could wind up costing you allot of rubles!

Alan

 

[Bonnell]

One little note on the alarm:

I purchased my 1988 coupe in November and I have the same problem; I'd unlock the door and that alarm would sound. I relative finally told me to turn the key first to the right (to disarm) and then to the left to open.

This works.

Just to confirm what you have been told already, my car had 88,000 miles on it when I purchased it. It seems to be well maintained but I still had to tune it up, have the ECM changed (I'd do it myself in the future and save more than $200), and my a/c does not seem to hold a charge. I've spent more than $1,000 on the above. I'd hate to think of what it would cost if I had a truely poorly maintained Vette.

Good luck.

Once you have a good Vette, WHAT A PLEASURE!

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Moscowbo e-mailed me the following:
Thanks for your respond at corvetteactioncenter.
The price at the moment is actually 6000$. I am sure I can get it down to 6000$ incl transport to Moscow and painted at Chevrolet Service center into Corvette Red. They will dismantle the car, paint and put it together again. 10 working days.
I am specially interested in finding out, if I visually can see if it is a 375 HP engine.
Also the "clunch" when I take it from P to D is something I would like to know is Normal or not Normal.
I have some pictures of Motor and Car.
My plan is to own it for 6 months here in Moscow, and then export it to Denmark, where I am from. I am stopping working here at new year.
You can contact me directly at: Moscowbo@yahoo.com

Best of regards, and thanks for now
Morten

I do not want to be the ¨expert¨ I am not qualified, so you folks with transmission/engine experience jump in.

Moscowbo, This is going to be a project car. Chevy did not build a 375hp with automatic in 1990, if you have 375hp the engine has been highly modified or swapped. The only way to know the true HP is to DYNO it.

To help you we need more info. Please post the following:
VIN #
Photos, engine, body, interior, underside.
Have a compression test done on the motor and post the results!!!
Before buying have a look at this.

 

[Moscowbo]

Picture of the engine

Hi again to you all.

I am also confused about the engine.

As I know it looks like a standard engine ?

I have attached a picture. I have several more if needed.

Best of regards.

Moscowbo

And the reason I e-mailed is, that some of the informations in the mail, was not ment to be here :-(

 

[Moscowbo]

Thanks

Hi again to you all.

Thanks for your reponds, even that most of the responds were not related to my questions

Now I have to finish the deal, so I have to make a decision.

At this moment it looks as I have found a qualified service center with resonable prices, so I just hope it wont be in the service center all the time, if I buy it.

Once again.
Thanks to you all.

From Russia
Morten

 

[RedRagTop]

It appears there is a cover missing over the coil at the far right side of pic. Sounds like the car in general may be too roughto salvage without lots of bucks.