With These C3's It NEVER Stops

[toobroketoretire]

I got my missing #2 cylinder problem solved and now I find my windshield washer fluid has all leaked out and the electric pump has quit working. The leak is in the pump's motor housing so I would imagine the fluid has destroyed the insides of the motor. The pump is only about 1-1/2 years old but it didn't cost very much; about $12 if I recall with free shipping. With these C3's it never stops, huh?

 

[stevolwevol]

I got my missing #2 cylinder problem solved and now I find my windshield washer fluid has all leaked out and the electric pump has quit working. The leak is in the pump's motor housing so I would imagine the fluid has destroyed the insides of the motor. The pump is only about 1-1/2 years old but it didn't cost very much; about $12 if I recall with free shipping. With these C3's it never stops, huh?

Well toobroke, it never seems to quit no matter what car ya drive. Although you probably were sold an inferior part, do you really you that feature? I only use washer fluid with cars I drive through the winter to remove road salt.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

If you've got an electric washer pump on an early C3, it must be an aftermarket mod. Can't blame the failure on the car.

 

[toobroketoretire]

The point I'm making is there is ALWAYS something wrong with my '71. The washer pump is for the later C3's that use electric pumps. The pump in my '82 lasted about 25 years using straight Windex glass cleaner so I expected to get more than 1-1/2 years out of this one. The new one is a TRICO so it should be a quality pump.

 

[stevolwevol]

The point I'm making is there is ALWAYS something wrong with my '71. The washer pump is for the later C3's that use electric pumps. The pump in my '82 lasted about 25 years using straight Windex glass cleaner so I expected to get more than 1-1/2 years out of this one. The new one is a TRICO so it should be a quality pump.

Isn't the irony of having a car that's 30-40 something years old, is they weren't designed to last this long, but you're still driving it today?

 

[toobroketoretire]

Isn't the irony of having a car that's 30-40 something years old, is they weren't designed to last this long, but you're still driving it today?

The OEM parts always lasted a very long time but it seems most aftermarket parts fail within a couple of years. I have always used straight Windex glass cleaner in my '82 so it shouldn't affect the pump. Fortunately it's easy to replace and not very expensive.

 

[SVO]

Don't feed the troll, Don't feed the troll, BUT

I can't decide if you are the most un-luckiest Corvette owner I have never met or if you are a tinker who is always F'ing with your car and creating your own problems. In 45 years of Corvette ownership, I can't think of a single person who has had such a running list of problems with their car that you have posted here.

 

[toobroketoretire]

Remember, my '71 is a daily driver that gets driven 25,000+ miles every year.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Isn't the irony of having a car that's 30-40 something years old, is they weren't designed to last this long, but you're still driving it today?

But the stuff that breaks on his car is not the original stuff or GM replacement. In this case it was a cheap aftermarket piece that suffered an early death.

Again- can't blame the car. Would have failed on any installation, not just a C3.

 

[stevolwevol]

Remember, my '71 is a daily driver that gets driven 25,000+ miles every year.

Well that's cool about the daily driver thing. People spend a lot more for a new Mercedes sport ute or what ever do daily drive. I only drive my Vette when it's dry, and NEVER in the winter, so I'll naturally have less to go wrong than you will. Have you ever thought of getting a beater for daily driving, and keeping your 71 for occasional use? Remember, you are driving an antique relic.

 

[toobroketoretire]

Another Problem

I installed my new HEI 3-terminal plugin (it connects to the module and cap) and my cap wouldn't sit down solid as it was hitting the cover on the plugin. I had to remove the cover of the plugin and THEN my cap sat flush. Like most everything else made now days the plugin was probably made in China.

 

[xkeots]

Parts

I got my missing #2 cylinder problem solved and now I find my windshield washer fluid has all leaked out and the electric pump has quit working. The leak is in the pump's motor housing so I would imagine the fluid has destroyed the insides of the motor. The pump is only about 1-1/2 years old but it didn't cost very much; about $12 if I recall with free shipping. With these C3's it never stops, huh?

One thing I have learned after spending much money on parts is this. (I have quite a few cars that I maintain myself) If the part needed is something that the car will not run without buy it in a store. But................as you are doing anything, web surfing, car swap meets, anything like that try to find OEM parts and that part you just bought. They might cost more but in the long run, but you will do the job once, as long as they are original AC Delco/ Chevrolet installed parts. Parts made in China in my book translate to Made to Fail! I have had bolts fail not USA made. Quality control outside the States sucks. BTW, check the part inside the box. Lots of shady people out there and lots of copied OEM boxes with new made in oshkosh parts inside. I sent back to a seller on Ebay recently a new part in an old Ford box for my 1931 Ford Model A. I Paid OEM price too. Part was Chinese that was aged to look new/old and sitting over 80 years. Never a dull moment with the Car hobby. Seek and you shall find.

Best
Jack
1962 Corvette
1963 Corvette SWC
1977 Corvette L-82

 

[toobroketoretire]

I found my power steering pump was flopping around this morning. The rear nut and washer had vibrated off so I put new ones on and tightened the nut TIGHT. Hopefully it'll stay tight. Always something it seems!

 

[toobroketoretire]

Does it Ever Stop?

Just when I thought my '71 didn't need any more work I found my upper and lower control arm bushings were shot. Does it ever stop? Well, as I hate to have things broken I dove into it and got them changed. About $72 and a whole bunch of work. It's times like this when I wish I had a lift so I could work on it without having to crawl around on my back. Many years ago I actually enjoyed doing major repairs on my cars but age has caught up with me and now I dread those major repairs. It seems for every month I drive my '71 it spends a whole week on safety stands. It's a lot of work keeping these old C3's going but every time I see someone give me a "thumbs up" sign I momentarily forget how much work it is.

 

[Peer81]

It took me a few year to compleet the body off next to my study but now it's finished i only have to wash it and put oil and fuel in it.

Greetings Peter

 

[toobroketoretire]

I was happy to find my upper and lower ball joints were still reasonably tight after 100,000 miles so I used them over again. But they will need to be replaced next time.

 

[toobroketoretire]

It Never Stops

Now I am beginning to lose coolant as every few days I find my coolant recovery reservoir is empty and my radiator is 2" to 3" low. It might be coming out of my water pump's weep hole when I'm driving it but so far I see no sign of any leakage from anywhere. All I can do is keep my eye on it and see of something shows up. As I have a 500 mile trip coming up I want it to be leak-free.

 

[stevolwevol]

Now I am beginning to lose coolant as every few days I find my coolant recovery reservoir is empty and my radiator is 2" to 3" low. It might be coming out of my water pump's weep hole when I'm driving it but so far I see no sign of any leakage from anywhere. All I can do is keep my eye on it and see of something shows up. As I have a 500 mile trip coming up I want it to be leak-free.

You could have a cracked head. This happened to a truck I owned with a 350. I did notice that the temp gauge was
fluctuating more than usual. Go to your exhaust and sniff, but don't over do it, or you might get brain damage.

 

[toobroketoretire]

It Never Stops

Over the years I have told people "to own/operate a C3 you have to be filthy rich or be a mechanic". At times I wonder why I keep my C3's when they are so much trouble. But then as I really enjoy my C3's I am willing to deal with their never-ending issues. When I drive my C3's and get those "thumbs up" signs from people I suddenly forget how much trouble they are.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I've never seen any unique feature of a C3 Corvette that causes it to require more maintenance than any other car of the era.

Must be you.