Detailing the Vette yesterday, Checked the oil, way over full. Checked the coolant, black sludge. Head gasket? Intake gasket? Any ideas? The dealership is sending a flatbed for it today. 311 mile since I bought it. 51 K total. Any suggestions would be appreciatted. Thanks Tom

 

generally, if you have oil in the coolant, it is a sign of a bad head gasket. i believe that a bad intake gasket would show signs oe puddling around the car, overheating, so on.

 

Hey Patrick, It's mon morning and the place the dealership took it to has not torn it down yet. Do you think there could be bearing damage from it running with coolant in the crankcase? It drove up on the flatbed with no problem, It didn't overheat. Oil temp was always between 185 and 200. Probably just a gasket, she'll be fine right? I'm just scared because everything on that motor is exspensive. Has anyone tried Lucas oil stabilyzer in an LT1? It did wonders for my 100k L98 IROCZ. Tom

 

She's Back.

 

any good news??

 

Well Patrick, They, The dealership say that it was 1/2 qt. overfilled on oil, the coolant was Dex cool mixed with standard coolant hence the sludge. They claimed to have flushed the cooling system, They didn't. Just cleaned and refilled the coolant overflow bottle with new dex cool installed, turning to slugde as I type this. I'm probably going to have to flush it myself to get it right. Any tips? I could really go off on these turkeys but I won't for now. I'll call them when I'm a bit more calm.
Tom

 

Eagle223,
For reasons that you have just stated I just don't trust most dealership's service departments. If you can find a local independent shop that you trust I believe you will be more satisfied. Several years ago I had a 97 Cadillac and took it to a local dealer for LOF. While there the service manager told me I needed a new engine because of a recall, and that Cadillac would pay for the entire switch. I told them I would bring the car in the next day
. I went home and etched a code on the lower block to identify my old engine. I took the car back to them.
Two weeks later they callled me, saying my engine had been replaced and I could pick my car. The car was absolutely filthy on the outside. I had the car washed on the way home. I later checked the block for my code and it was still there. Nothing had been replaced!
Even though I didn't spend a penny Cadillac Division was charged for the "new engine". If they will rip-off their parent company what do you think they will do to you or me?

 

Greetings Doc, Don't you wonder why people jest about car dealers ehtics? The place I bought my car (used) must have thought I was an idiot. I have always felt if you want something done correctly you should do it yourself. I took the Corvette to my sisters commercial garage, rented a rack from her and spent the day getting intimate with the LT1 cooling system. She also lent me the 1995 GM Chev/ Pontiac LT1 service manual. (They are F body fans). Took all day to totally flush the cooling system, clean the Rad. and condenser, about 6 hrs. The crap that came out of the cooling system was nasty. I had to clean the garage floor when I was done. She runs cool now, Bout time. Filled her up with that new yellow non specific extended life coolant. Does any one know a reputable garage that works on Corvettes near Pgh. Pa. for stuff like alignments or computer problems? All the nuts and bolts I'll handle myself from here on in. Also any good websites on LT1 tech would be appreciated.
Thanks, Tom