What can I expect/watch out for in 88?

[RedRagTop]

Just bought 88 L98 z51 rag auto with about 70,000 miles on it. I have got resposes regarding previous probs posted, just wondering if anyone has info/advice regarding future probs? Meaning, have other owners of this year experienced common, inevitable snags that are likely to manifest in mine? Maybe can prevent if know what to watch out for...
So far: SES light intermittantly, still not sure why (MAF, relay, K&N OIL etc)
-pulse in ABS, strong and noisy(something to do with anti-corrosive lube on sensors or something I think) Will getting rid of the ABS altogether fix this? How done?
All else seems OK for now. A lot of us can only talk about them right now account this neverending winter so may as well scare me with things to come...
RJS
PS- Don't get me wrong, love the car and want to be buried in it but there is a bit of a mechanical history to these things...

 

[Daryllawman]

:cool Well I have a 88 Vette also. The only real major problem I have had is The fuel pump and the pump sensor. :cry After the tow bill, labor, new pump and sensor from the dealer and tax.......933.00 dollars....The senser is dealer Item only.....WOW..what a hit it was.......But all in all it is a great car.......a real head turner for sure.......Well good luck......and keep those Vetts Rolling.......

 

[Bonnell]

'88 Vette

Hi,

I purchased my '88 Vette (L98, Auto) in November. It had 89K miles and I immediately had to change the ECM and recharge the A/C (It seems that it needs another charge so I hope that I am not looking at a new coil).

It recently started missing and I had a tune up done and it runs great now.

Other items:

1) Windsheild washer does not function - Another member posted a reply to my request for help and described exactly how to get to the washer pump. I'll check this out as soon as our snow and ice is gone (please, please give me spring! ).

2) The wiper switch works but needs to be replaced.

3) Right rear speaker whines. I need to change the filter caps in the amp (another member has posted photo instructions as to finding and replacing these).

Otherwise, my car seems very solid and I really have a great time in it.

You will find that members of this forum are very knowledgeable and very helpful. I am no mechanic so I rely a great deal on advice found here. So far I have received sound advice every time.

J

 

[Edmond]

I would look into the alternator and my advice is that if yours poops, get a new one instead of the junk yard. One sign that the alternator isn't doing well is a drop in MPG for no obvious reason.

I'd say just basic stuff that you'd expect to replace for a 15 year old car. I've replaced all 3 cats, exhaust manifolds, heads, etc...

 

[Mad-Mic]

i don't own an 88 but i got an 87 with 40k in miles and have only replaced the altinator and the fuel pump. everything else seems solid.

 

[paintdaddy]

Well I have a 88 Vette also. The only real major problem I have had is The fuel pump and the pump sensor. After the tow bill, labor, new pump and sensor from the dealer and tax.......933.00 dollars....The senser is dealer Item only.....WOW..what a hit it was.......But all in all it is a great car.......a real head turner for sure.......Well good luck......and

I kinda had the same thing happen.My car sits alot so its a bad example,but the fuel float in the tank got stuck and I ran out of gas with the guage showing 1/3 of a tank.About a thousand dollars later the dealer tells me I ran out of gas.ad :duh

 

[Baldie88]

I bought my 88 in Nov 2001. Only had 33000 miles. So far I've replaced the exhaust from the cats back, flushed the radiator (and replaced the coolant temp switch to turn on the fans sooner), had a tuneup and that's about it. I've done some cosmetic things like new front air dam and emblems but basically the 3 previous owners took pretty good care of it. Only problem right now is an intermittant door ajar light which I'm still messing with. Climate control lights flicker occasionally but I just need to clean the unit good. Already have instructions on how to fix it. I'm very happy with it but I have found that it costs 3X as much to fix anything just because it's a Corvette. Enjoy it!!!

 

[88canadianvette]

my,

water pump went
heater controls went
fuel pump and relay went

with labour and parts about 2000 bucks. but i still love the car

 

[MRANT212]

Love my car too. Only have 25k on it . the prior owners really never used it. I got mine in 9/01 and had to throw in a master cylinder and unfortunatley a transmission. When i bought it they said a trans service was done. To make a long story short something got clogged and the trans let go( everything was original). Otherwise the car is a ball to drive!!!!

 

[jester]

I bought mine in the spring of '97 with 19k miles on it. All I did for the first 4 years was drive it and put in two alternators and the accessory drive belt. (Spend the money for the AC rebuilts. Don't buy the parts store rebuilts.)

In the last two years I have replaced:

Battery (dead)
Shocks (originals were giving a pretty hard ride)
Tires
Fuel injectors (leaking)
Fuel pressure regulator (Preventive maintenance while apart to replace injectors)
lumbar pumps

This year I need to replace the antenna mast. (Wouldn't retract when I shut it off for the last time last fall.)

I'm very happy with the car. We took a 5200 mile road trip with it last summer (Part of the reason for the shocks, and tires.) and loved every mile of it. The '88 is a great year.

John