Coolant leak.

[killain]

I had a good friend look at it last night and we discovered it is leaking from the passenger's side water pump seal. How bad can it get? Any recommendations? Water pump replacement? Opti and plugs and wires at the same time? Wire and plugs have never been changed and it now has 93K on the clock. Problem is, this is gonna KILL us. We have to choose between foreclosure or car. PLUS, I have my brain MRI today, plus my ex-wife is so hateful of my new wife I can't see my kids, but other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how'd you like the play? If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all.

I call my mechanic today, he was in PA for the last week. I KNOW it won't be pretty.

Paul

Paul, it's none of my business, but you need to drain the cooling system and put a cover over the car. Maybe find something REAL cheap to run around in and by far, the MOST IMPORTANT thing is your health and your wifes situation. NOTHING matters as much as your health. I'd drain the cooling system so ther's no chance of getting coolant in the opti-spark unit. And once you get back on your feet, you can deal with the water pump. My health isn't great and often I've found the best thing I can do for everything is cover it up and wait out the immediate future. I'm praying for you and your wife, please take care of yourself and this water pump thing is something that can be attended to later. If I lived closer I'd come down and change the pump for you. anyway, Good luck!

Killain

 

[Paul Higg]

That's just the problem, we can't even afford a cheap car. We'll survive. God always seems to provide at the last minute. A neighbor is driving me to the hospital today. We get a rental car tomorrow while it is in the shop. But we will lose the house over it. No big deal as Wells Fargo cursed at me on the phone. I will not do business with company like that and they will not work with me so they can eat a house that will sit in a brand new subdivision with two other foreclosures and ELEVEN BRAND NEW three year old UNSOLD homes. If they don't want to help me as I have been asking for months then they can have it. We will find somewhere cheaper to live. As for my health, well, I won't know the results till September 9th unless they find something major on the MRI. I have replaced so many things on this car there's no WAY I can sell it. It is what we call in the aircraft business, "zero timed" on most systems. If I replace the pump, opti, plugs and wires, what else can go wrong? You should see my maintenance log of what I have replaced.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Paul, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. I've always found that prayer works but, I'm sure you know that already. Unfortunately Mortgage companies (and often, my Vette) are not faith-based entities.

As for the Vette; If you've gotten 93K mi. out of an Opti you have indeed been blessed! Most guys replace both pump and opti at the same time due to the labor involved. If you do the pump and the opti dies in another 5K mi, you'll pay more in labor than you did to have the pump replaced (at least $300 + partsad) and, since it's all apart, that's the best time to do the plugs and wires; attack it all at once!

You can do all that yourself in a weekend (I have). At least part of the reason I do most of my own work is that when I'm focused on the car, it helps get my head out of all the other stuff. Hope something in all that helps-

My best to you and your family.
Richard ("Reverend Dick")

 

[killain]

That's just the problem, we can't even afford a cheap car. We'll survive. God always seems to provide at the last minute. A neighbor is driving me to the hospital today. We get a rental car tomorrow while it is in the shop. But we will lose the house over it. No big deal as Wells Fargo cursed at me on the phone. I will not do business with company like that and they will not work with me so they can eat a house that will sit in a brand new subdivision with two other foreclosures and ELEVEN BRAND NEW three year old UNSOLD homes. If they don't want to help me as I have been asking for months then they can have it. We will find somewhere cheaper to live. As for my health, well, I won't know the results till September 9th unless they find something major on the MRI. I have replaced so many things on this car there's no WAY I can sell it. It is what we call in the aircraft business, "zero timed" on most systems. If I replace the pump, opti, plugs and wires, what else can go wrong? You should see my maintenance log of what I have replaced.

This is off the topic, but the Government has just issued new plans for home owners in default, Before you give up I'd contact my local govt. rep ( congressmen or senator) and see if they can interceed on your behalf. Hope everything economic and medical works out for you. This is a tough time and god never gives you more than you can handle or less then you need. Good luck !

 

[Paul Higg]

Thank you Reverend Dick. I am going to have them replace the pump, opti, plugs and wires.

Paul

 

[Paul Higg]

Thanks for the advice killain. I will indeed contact them.

Paul

 

[Toms007]

Paul, hang in there, I can't say when, but things will get better. It seems like when it rains it pours and you've had your share here recently. I do hope the best in all your situations.

 

[Paul Higg]

Bless your heart Tom. I am anxiously awaiting the results of the MRI I just had. You are right and it is POURING on me. This little camel God created is having a hard time with all the straws piled on him. But I will not give up. We will get the car fixed and move on. God has a plan and I am just along for the ride. If not for God I do not know what to do. Hey! At least my car will be almost like new with all the work I have done on it.

New right manifold
All new u-joints
All new tie rods
All new Bilsteins
All new ball joints
All new leaf spring bushings
Removed and cleaned the TB
New TPS
Removed and serviced the radiator
Fixed manifold oil leak
New headlight Delrin bushings
New machined metal headlight horseshoe bracket bushings
New cigarette lighter
New wiper blades
New stereo
New radiator cap
New serpentine belt
New rear view auto dimming mirror
Did that mod on the right door
New rag joint
New A frame bushings
New sun visors
New engine coolant sensor
New Kuhmos
New transmission fluid and filter
New PCV valve
Cleaned EGR and IAC
New fuel filter
Serviced A/C
New inboard brake line fixture
WHEW!

God help me.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

WOW! That's one big list o' parts! At least we never have to replace the automatic ego booster which, of course, comes standard on every Vette!

 

[Paul Higg]

HAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHHA

I KNOW of which you speak!

However, I am 49 and this is my first Vette. I have been accused of having a mid-life crisis but nothing can be further from the truth. It was just that I could FINALLY afford one. I have been a "Vettehead" since I was six years old. My GRANDMOTHER owned one! I have books, magazines, calendars, clocks, models, Matchbox cars, photos, you name it. I have ALWAYS considered a Vette to be more a work of art than a car. I told people this a zillion times, I would take a Corvette with a lawn mower engine in it just because they look so futuristic. I tell my friends to look at a 280Z, fully restored, it STILL doesn't look as sleek and futuristic as a Vette from that same model year. I don't know about others but I have always held an affinity for Vettes because they should be hanging on an art museum's walls.

 

[G Winter]

HAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHHA

I KNOW of which you speak!

However, I am 49 and this is my first Vette. I have been accused of having a mid-life crisis but nothing can be further from the truth.

So what do they call it when you get your first corvette at age 57 ? People didn't know what to accuse me of. Was the same deal, able to afford it.... well sort of. I noticed people watch and see how I get in and out of a corvette at age 60 and over 6 ft.
Remembering you in my prayers.

Glenn

 

[Paul Higg]

Glenn, thanks a LOT for your prayers. God has indeed blessed me with good people here.

I agree, the mid-life crisis thing is a bunch of . That is GREAT that you are 80 and can still get in and out of a Vette. Nothing wrong with that. Good for you! Why not have fun in life? Why drive a stodgy sedan when you can drive a REAL sports car. The BEST sports car on this planet in my opinion.

I also tell people that if someone GAVE me a Ferrari I would SELL it and buy Vettes with it! Now THAT is a fanatic!

 

[G Winter]

had a little typo there.... not 80 , 60 lol
hope I can still get in at 80 my dad did at 81, he had a blast driving it , 6 speed and all. He is now 84 need to get him to drive it at least one more time.

Glenn

 

[Paul Higg]

Well good for him too! I hope we ALL have such long lives!

I take it to the shop tomorrow and from what I have been reading and saving I am going to have the water pump replaced, (it is OLD), the opti (while they're there), the plugs and wires (never been replaced). After all the parts I replaced it is almost like new! I could possibly get out of it what I put in it in say 100 years!

 

[So Bay Vetter]

I got mine when I was 49 as well (now I'm 52 and many Benjamin’s lighter for it!). Whenever someone comments on my car and talks about buying a Vette I always give them the same advice (based on experience . . .) Buying a Vette and affording a Vette are two different things - be willing to pony up a grand or two a year to keep it running and looking good (especially a C4!) and don't kid yourself; it WILL cost that much, no matter how nice it looks.

But, to quote Tommy Lee Jones in Men In Black

"Oh yea . . . it's worth it . . .!"

 

[Paul Higg]

You're right on THAT score! At least I don't have monthly payments! However, with all the money down the old Vette hole I might as well have bought a 2009 ZO6! otfl

 

[G Winter]

be willing to pony up a grand or two a year to keep it running and looking good (especially a C4!) and don't kid yourself; it WILL cost that much, no matter how nice it looks.

But, to quote Tommy Lee Jones in Men In Black

"Oh yea . . . it's worth it . . .!"

You might not be to far off on that. I have had mine for the fourth summer now, just over three yrs. First yr not to bad, about $200,alt and brakes. second yr, tires, intake gasket ,two new injectors, just about the grand. This yr clutch and flywheel , slave cyl and line. almost up to $1500 and needing to install the rest of the injectors.
Not complaining.. depreciation has been way less than the last three cars I owned, so that offsets some of the costs. Mind you I do all my own work and shop a long time for my parts.
Just love driving a corvette.
Glenn

 

[Paul Higg]

Bad news. The work on my car will cost $1500. It is all I have to drive so I have no choice. So now we have to foreclose because of a car. I guess what God gives He takes.

Plus, if it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all. I found out today that my MRI of yesterday cannot be looked at for 48 hours because of computer problems at the hospital. How cool is that? I guess I can relate to good old Job. I have more problems than a math book!

;help:Wugh

 

[G Winter]

Have you looked into refinancing ? They advertise on TV all the time about the new bill that was passed. Would think there would be something out there.I just can't believe the mortgage company wants to sit on and empty house and get nothing. ad

Glenn

 

[Paul Higg]

Hi Glenn, I have tried about a zillion finance companies and all I get is a big fat no. I have resigned myself to the fact that some people get good breaks in life and some do not. Cest la vie.