Problems, problems and more problems

[Huckleberry]

Well, I'm about ready to give up on this beast.

1. Besides the intake manifold gasket leaking, now I have a front main seal leak.

2. Sometimes when driving the car over 60 miles an hour, it shakes violently. Had the tires balanced and an alignment done. Still happens.Technician at the tire store said that one of the tires is "out of round", meaning it's screwed up.
All 4 tires have about had it.

3. They had trouble doing the alignment because of the slack in the steering. They say that I will probably need a new steering rack in the near future. Plus the steering column still has play in it after doing the suggested fix (tightening the torx head bolts). Probably something cracked in the lower steering column assembly?

Several less expensive things wrong. I curse the previous 2 owners for not taking proper care of this car, and I curse myself for not properly checking things over beforre buying it.

Anyone want to buy a 93 Ruby with just over 50,000 miles on it?

 

[Edmond]

Huck,

Don't get discouraged here. One of the great things about Corvette's is that there are mostly problems that you can fix yourself. Fixing something yourself is very special because you did the work.

Some of the more technically knowledgeable members will be here shortly with suggestions and feedback.

 

[JohnnyC]

Sorry to hear about your auto problems. I am not super technical, but all seem to be "fixable" problems. Not sure how much each of them cost, but I would say just take one at a time.

Edmond is right, there are lots of people here with tons of knowlegde about Corvettes.

Some owners destroy their Vettes, they dump them on the next guy. I myself, got a few problems I would never have seen the first time i inspected or drove my Corvette. I gotta live with them, and eventually fix them. With corrective action now, you can start to save this one.

How would you feel dumping your car on someone, knowing the problems it has? I would say, find yourself a good local mechanic, and give him the business. You'll thank yourself next car show, when you show off the pride of your 40th annv ruby red Corvette.

Good luck,
John

 

[Huckleberry]

Actually, I would tell the prospective buyer everything. I know that would cost me $$ in the sale price, but my conscience wouldn't let me do anything less. I'm not trying to act holier than thou. That's just the way I am.

I am convinced the guy I bought it from didn't know about all of the problems it had. His dad is rich and will be passing his wealth on to him. Believe me, this guy isn't bright enough to think his way out of a paper bag. His brother gave him a job just to keep him off of the streets. He also had an 89 Mustang GT convertible (25th anniversary) that sat out in the hot Texas sun along with the Corvette. He actually thought he could get big bucks for the Mustang, even though it looked like crap. It obviously never occured to him to store both of the cars.

I just had Corvette on the brain and didn't check everything over like I should have. I was the fool on this deal.

 

[rrubel]

Look at this as some opportunity. New tires = better performing ones AND you can kill the old ones at the strip first. New steering rack = z51 or quick-ratio. Intake manifold gasket = Edelbrock intake plenum and adjustable fuel regulator...

My Vette had more problems than I originally anticipated AND I'd had it looked over by a master mechanic. Upgrade time... it's a project. Never ends, never stops costing money, but is always fun.


At least you HAVE a Vette and appreciate it.
[RICHR]

 

[poorboys831]

hey huck-don't give up the ship just yet-check out the upgrades against OEM -the car only has 50k ,mine has 134k.Your fixes can be a bear if you pay labor costs but if you can turn a wrench and follow some well given and intelligent instructions you will be surprised on how good it feels when the problems are fixed and that baby and you are running down the road blowin' the doors off mustangs.LT1's are strong engines.Go to www.corvettefever.com and put in your year ect. and problems and I'll bet you find out how easy some of these things are to fix.Join a club in your area have some fun-dennis

 

[Fiddler's Gold]

Right on.

Do you have any place to work on your car?
Do you have any tools and experience with doing any DIY work on your Vette?

I know that with your love of Vettes and the ownership of this really nice 40th special edition, you will do a great job.

Don't assume that all of the work will be easy, but likewise don't assume that you need to pay someone $65/hr just to turn some screws and bolts that you can do yourself and then in turn teach someone else --- like your future or current children or other members of a local Corvette club. It is true that the work you do yourself will have a FAR greater impact and will stay with you SO MUCH LONGER than paying someone else to figure out your problems. (plus you will be proud of yourself and maybe even have a few extra $ to take your female friend out for some fun)

Life is a journey -- enjoy the stops, the rain, the winds, the sun, the people that you meet on the road and the path leading to your home. Have fun and remember that life is all that you make it. Stay with the Vette and fix the problems!


Fiddler

 

[Huckleberry]

Just think of Corvette ownership as parenting. Oh sure they act up every once in a while, they're prone to tantrums anf fits, moody during puberty but at the graduation ceremony you'll be holding your head up in pride over how your attention, perseverence AND money have paid off.
Considering it's an anniversary edition, I would take one problem at a time and do what rich suggested. Upgrade instead of just replacing. I think you'll find it well worth it. Besides, there are no guarantees the next vette won't be trouble free.

Len my .02

Well, I hate to say it, but this experience has kind of soured me on Corvettes. Yes, the past 2 owners have neglected the car, but the overall build quality of these cars is questionable. I don't know if I would get another unless it was under warranty.

That being said, I still feel great when I drive it, even with the uncomfortable sport seat, auto trans and 2:59 gears. I always get lots of looks, especially from women, which makes a soon to be 44 year old feel pretty good! The ruby color looks much better since 75% of the car was repainted, even though I have to take it back because it has imperfections on the front of the cowl. And, of course, the performance is great.

All you guys are pretty convincing and I will consider keeping it.
If I do, and I decide to fix things myself, I'm going to be asking a lot of dumb questions, since I have very little mechanical experience. Just don't lose patience with me.

Thanks for all of the courteous replies so far. I did a bit of complaining on another Corvette forum a few months ago and while most were helpful, there were some flames that I didn't appreciate.

 

[cntrhub]

Bring on the questions Huck. I know about furstrations first hand. I'm here to help. Working on cars to me is somewhat easy. I'll walk you through the process as much as my experience can give. You learn by doing, as they say. Tackle it, and keep ladies looking.
You won't hear a "Flame" out of me. I'm like a wet pack of matches in a hurricane.

 

[vigman]

Huck

One problem at a time... which one would you like to tackle first.. I am familiar with all 3.

The question is which one first?

Are YOU going to do it?

If not we will teach you the theory so you won't get ripped by your mechanic.


Do not judge this car due to STUPID OWNERS!

It is up to you to fix it.....

and

It is up to us to help you....

That's part of being a CAC member!

Vig!

 

[rrubel]

And don't worry about asking stupid questions. If these guys will answer mine, they'll answer anyone's .

All C4's have questionable build quality - they're GM cars, for heaven's sake! Even early C5's had issues (like windows popping out of their tracks at 100 MPH). My 86 is full of cheap plastic, huge panel gaps, and hard touch surfaces. But it's one step in an evolution that has taken 50 years... Only sports cars out there with better heritage, IMHO, are Porsches (rear-engine ones only) and Ferraris, and both are *well* out of my price range. And they have their issues as well.

[RICHR]

 

[Edmond]

Huck,

I think you should first get yourself a repair manual. After looking through it, you will see that it's not as difficult as one might imagine. Repair books are inexpensive (like $15 or so) and the knowledge, not to mention pictures, they provide are priceless.

Most of the time, I find that removing rusted items is a bigger pain than anything else.

 

[Ethan]

oil leak

Well budy seems we have oil leaks in common. Mine was and still is the intake rear end seal. While I replaced this said to myself good time to go to the LT4 hot cam kit. Well got through headache and I do say HEADACHE! Now quess what the same oil leak same spot so here we go again pull the intake and redo it again.Well enough of my SOAPBOX good luck and get you one of those little adjustable mirrors where you can see behind the intake to see if thats where its coming from.

 

[CarDemon04]

I suggest you keep the car, the problems you mentioned are certainly things that you can fix if you want to. I mean serously what do you have to lose? you spend a little money on parts, expand your knowledge of cars and other such mechanical things(with a little guidance), make a few new friends and in the end you'll have a 40th anneversary corvette that you can enjoy and be proud of.... and if you then decide the whole grease monkey and corvette bit isn't your thing, you can turn around and sell it for a good chunk of change. and as for the whole thing about being "flamed" at other site.... I doubt you have to worry about that here. I haven't been a member long, but I get the impression that any mean spirited remarks would not be tolerated by the other members...so ask all the questions you want(I do, lol), it's better to ask for help than break something expensive. and good luck with that Vette, you'll have to show us some pictures when you get her runnin good and lookin pretty.

 

[taegdh]

KEEP IT!!!!! or UPGRADE to a C-6!!!!

Seriously, all the previous guys have typed in the right words. I gotta tell ya, you got to have service manuals! Read them, seriously, page front to back, and then back to the front again. You might also look at buying a Haynes or Chiltons to have in the glove compartment. In emergencies, you'll have all the answers.

I've had a similar experience with tires that sat with low (almost nnnoooo) pressure for an extended period, and the tire cord got a kink in it and wouldn't balance and eventually the steel belts started to delaminate, (not a fun time or feeling). This is a fine opportunity to put good new rubber on it.

 

[Moonunit 451]

One problem at a time... which one would you like to tackle first.. I am familiar with all 3.

The question is which one first?

Are YOU going to do it?

If not we will teach you the theory so you won't get ripped by your mechanic.


Do not judge this car due to STUPID OWNERS!

It is up to you to fix it.....

and

It is up to us to help you....

That's part of being a CAC member!

Vig!

VIG! Great to see you! I haven't seen a post from you for so long I didn't know if you were still around.

Huck, Get some new tires and a manual first. If you decide to take a crack at it. Virtually evryone who comes to these forums needs some kind of help. Vigman was one of the first to ever help me here and he has a wealth of knowlege

You will have to be patient to get assistance here at times, but, the help will come There is litterally nothing that these cars require or desire that you can not get assistance with here. It's ALL been done by someone, and we are here to help and be helped. I have replaced or repaired the entire drivetrain on my car from the radiator back on my car over the last year.

And, yes, this is my first vette, and, I too thought I had a good one. It didn't take long before I had to start fixing and replacing stuff, and within six months of my purchase, the motor went away right out of the blue

Sure I was discouraged and upset, but it only took a few days of research and advice for me to KNOW it wasn't going back together stock. It took a lot of time and money to get a car that'll do low 12's, and I still work on it 2-3 days a week, tweaking, fixing, tinkering. It's a labor of LOVE my freind You need to figure out if you've got the heart. If you do we'll be here for ya

 

[rrubel]

He's not still around... check the date! Almost 18 months ago.

I got suckered by one of these dredged-up posts, too... sucks having a bad memory!
[RICHR]

 

[Moonunit 451]

He's not still around... check the date! Almost 18 months ago.

I got suckered by one of these dredged-up posts, too... sucks having a bad memory!
[RICHR]

I don't get it Rich :confused Who would (could) do that? What happened to VIG? Just checked his profile and I see the one problem. Didn't know about it. What's this about the memory?

 

[rrubel]

New members going through old threads will sometimes reply to something that's out of date... looks like that's what happened here.

The bad memory relates to not remembering when these threads were posted the FIRST time around (though in my defense, the one that I responded to was posted before I ever joined). Actually, this one was before your time, so you have the same defense .
[RICHR]

 

[Moonunit 451]

Yea, and I wasn't very active on this forum while I was procuring parts and puting things together for a few months last year. There are several people that I don't see anymore who were a great deal of help to me :cry