Ken
Gone but not forgotten
I recently purchased a book entitled How To Understand, Service and Modify CORVETTE Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Management by Charles O. Probst. It covers the model years 1982 through 2001 and the L83, L98, LT1, LT4, LS1, LS6 and the LT5 (ZR-1) engines.
I may include a review of this book sometime in the future in our REVIEWS section, but I wanted to share these tips with you first. I should tell you that I didn't bother requesting permission to use them here, because they are all simple, common sense, rules we should all follow as we perform maintenance chores on our vehicles. That and the fact that I added some of my own suggestions.
PLEASE READ THESE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK
I may include a review of this book sometime in the future in our REVIEWS section, but I wanted to share these tips with you first. I should tell you that I didn't bother requesting permission to use them here, because they are all simple, common sense, rules we should all follow as we perform maintenance chores on our vehicles. That and the fact that I added some of my own suggestions.
PLEASE READ THESE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WORK
- Some repairs are beyond our capability. If you lack the skills, tools and equipment, or a suitable workplace for any procedure described in your manual, it is suggested you leave such repairs to an authorized Corvette dealer service department or other qualified shop.
- Before starting a job, make sure you have all the necessary tools and parts on hand. Read all the instructions thoroughly, do not attempt shortcuts. (KS: I know that will be hard for some of you to do. :L ) Use tools appropriate to the work and use only replacement parts meeting Corvette specifications. Makeshift tools, parts and procedures will not make good repairs.
- Be mindful of the environment and ecology. Do not pour any leftover automotive liquids onto the ground, down a drain, or into a stream, pond or lake. Dispose of in accordance with Federal, State and Local laws.
- Never work under a lifted car unless it is solidly supported on stands designed for the purpose. Do not support a car on cinder blocks, hollow tires or other props that may crumble under continuous load. Never work under a car that is supported solely by a jack. The vehicle lifting jack supplied with the vehicle is intended for tire changes only. A heavy-duty floor jack should be used to lift vehicle before installing jack stands. Never work under the car while the engine is running.
- If you are going to work under a car on the ground, make sure that the ground is level. Block the wheels to keep the car from rolling. Disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal (ground strap) to prevent others from starting the car while you are under it.
- Never run an engine unless the work area is well-ventilated. Carbon monoxide kills.
- Tie long hair behind your head. Do not wear a necktie, a scarf, loose clothing, or jewelry when you work near machine tools or running engines. If anything were to get caught in the machinery, severe injury could result.
- Do not attempt to work on your car if you do not feel well. You increase the danger of injury to yourself and others if you are tired, upset or have taken medication or any other substance that may keep you from being fully alert.
KS: Hear that all you garage beer drinkers? :L - Illuminate your work area adequately but safely. Use a portable safety light for working inside or under the car. Make sure the bulb is enclosed by a wire cage. The hot filament of an accidently broken bulb can ignite spilled fuel or oil.
KS: There are many other choices in the marketplace now for the cooler flourescent tube type lights, but those still should be handled with care when using around fuel spills, etc. - Always observe good workshop practices. Wear goggles when you operate machine tools or work with battery acid, or when grinding. Gloves or other protective clothing should be worn whenever the job requires working with harmful substances. Read any manufacturer's instructions and warnings carefully. Avoid direct skin contact. And always keep sparks, matches and open flame away from the area.
- Disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal (ground strap) whenever you work on the fuel system or the electrical system. Do not smoke or work near heaters or other fire hazards. Keep an approved fire extinguisher handy.
- Do not re-use any fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use. Many fasteners are designed to be used only once and become unreliable and may fail when used a second time. This includes, but is not limited to, nuts, bolts, washers, self-locking nuts or bolts, circlips and cotter pins. Always replace these fasteners with new parts.
- Use pneumatic and electric tools only to loosen threaded parts and fasteners. Never use these tools to tighten fasteners, especially on light alloy parts. Always use a torque wrench to tighten fasteners to the tightening torque specification listed.
- Friction materials (such as brake pads or shoes or clutch discs) contain asbestos fibers or other friction materials. Do not create dust by grinding, sanding, or by cleaning with compressed air. Avoid breathing dust. Breathing any friction material dust can lead to serious diseases and may result in death.
- Connect and disconnect battery cables, jumper cables or a battery charger only with the ignition switched off, to prevent sparks. Always make sure ignition is off before disconnecting battery.
KS: There it is again! Remember this came up before when I posted about the C4 jumper block? Anybody care to explain, or elaborate? - The air conditioning system is filled with chemical refrigerant, which is hazardous. The A/C system should be serviced only by trained technicians using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment, trained in related safety precautions, and familiar with regulations governng the discharging and disposal of automotive chemical refrigerants.
- The ignition system produces high voltages that can be fatal. Avoid contact with exposed terminals and use extreme care when working on a car with an engine running or the ignition switched on.
- Aerosol cleaners and solvents may contain hazardous or deadly vapors and are highly flammable. Use only in a well-ventilated area. Do not use on hot surfaces (engines, brakes, etc.).
- Do not remove coolant reservoir or radiator cap with the engine hot. Danger of burns and engine damage.
- Label battery cables before disconnecting. On some models, battery cables are not color-coded.
- Disconnecting the battery may erase fault code(s) stored in control module memory. Using special diagnostic equipment, check for fault codes prior to disconnecting the battery cables.
- If a normal or rapid charger is used to charge battery, the battery must be disconnected and removed from the vehicle in order to avoid damage to the paint or the interior.
- Do not quick-charge the battery (for boost starting) for longer than one minute. Wait at least one minute before boosting the battery a second time.
- Connect and disconnect a battery charger only with the battery charger switched off.
- Sealed or "maintenance free" batteries should be slow-charged only, at an amperage rate that is approximately 10% of the battery's ampere-hour (Ah) rating.
- Do not allow battery charging voltage to exceed 16.5 volts. If the battery begins producing gas or boiling violently, reduce the charging rate. Boosting a sulfated battery at a high charging rate can cause an explosion.
