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Maintenance Question on 08 Z

3K views 16 replies 9 participants last post by  SR71blkbrd 
#1 ·
Hello everyone, I have a 2008 Z06 6 speed, purchased new. Currently I have only 6800 miles on her. I have searched this forum but was unable to find exactly what I want. My Z is 100% bone stock. The question that I have is focused on changing all of the fluids. Currently I do not have a place to perform this activity, so the dealer will be doing this. I plan on replacing the following:
Oil/Filter (yes I change the oil very often)
Transmission Fluid
Clutch Fluid
Brake Fluid
Diff Fluid

I am not sure of the radiator fluid, but may just drain/flush/refill myself.
I plan on using the factory fluid. I know that in regards to the mileage, according to the owners manual, the fluids should be good, but I am more worried about the timeframe since the car in getting almost 5 years.
I have changed the battery this spring- so that is good now.

Is there anything else that I should be mindful of?

Thanks again,
 
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#2 ·
Sounds to me like you've hit all the bases with one exception. You need to exercise the odometer a lot more. Drive that puppy!

Seriously, you're doing all the right things. Just remind the dealer when they do the brake fluid flush, they need to use a Tech II to completely flush the ABS module.
 
#4 ·
I ndo the same thing w/ any used car i buy. Good move. But ask your dealer if they are very familiar w/ servicing corvettes and Zo6's also. Alot of mistakes at incompetent dealers. You forgot the power steering fluid also. I just use a turkey baster suck it out and fill and run and then do it again a week later for a good refresh.
 
#7 ·
All the fluids EXCEPT the anti-freeze are not time limited.

If you really want to gain more from this is go on the blackstone-labs.
website, they will send you free testkits.
Then get a small sample of engine oil and trannie fluid of what car has now and send that to them before doing fluid change

At least then you'll get a good idea of how internal parts are doing and have a good history of wear

You also can buy test strips to determine quality of brakes and clutch since both use brake fluid.
I like the electronic test tool for doing this rather then the strips but even those are OK.

What also to check out is the quality of the pulleys belt to see if that has dried out

If you to save the money dealer will wack you, do the changes yourself.
As to complete brakes flush see if a friend has a OBD scanner that does bi-directional control which could send the commands to the ETBCM to open/close each line for ABS flow.
 
#8 ·
Thanks all- all of you have some very good advice. I will look into Blackstone Labs to see what the timeframe is for them to validate the fluids. Yes, I agree that the Dealer will sock it to me, but at the moment, i do not have a place at this time to change the fluids myself- hopefully that will change in the very near future. Again, thanks to all that responded- good friends, great community and tons of very useful information on this site.. Thanks.. Rick
 
#11 ·
Trans fluid is more a mileage interval than a time one. Coolant, Dexcool in particular has a 5 year service life before it starts breaking down. Power steering fluid seems to last forever, so that is more of a mileage thing too. Clutch / brake fluid is a porous fluid, and loves to absorb moisture. Get the test strips to determine the moisture content and change fluids accordingly. Rear end IMO should be changed once ever couple years. And the gears need to be massaged after the fluid change, and then rechecked.
 
#12 ·
Thanks konigandy6 for the information. since the car is 5 years old and I am planning on keeping it for a long time, I do want to make sure that at a minimum, all of the fluids are changed and current. I was planning on taking it to a dealer, but after discussing it with them- I was not getting a good feeling that thye have a corvette specialist to work on my car, so I will have to search and find another dealer. I do plan on changing all of the fluids myself- change of plans since my first post. The service writer did not seem that he new what a Tech II tool was- so that raised my suspisions a bit- maybe he does not need to know, only the mechanic knows, but still not a good feeling. so with the exception of brake fluid, I can change the remaining fluids. I have searched over this forum and found some very useful information about changing the various fluids. now if I could just find someone with a lift in my area, that would be perfect.lol.
 
#13 · (Edited)
The service writer did not seem that he knew what a Tech II tool was- so that raised my suspisions a bit- maybe he does not need to know, only the mechanic knows, but still not a good feeling.
The Tech II is a standard scan tool used by GM and if the service writer didn't know what one is, they aren't much of a service writer. Run, don't walk away from that dealership. Let your gut instincts take over. When you find another dealership, ask to talk to the one who is going to do the work on your car. If they won't let you do that, find a dealer who will. This way you can feel out if they have a clue on what they are going to do and you can ask them about their experience with Corvettes.

The Tech II has routine(s) built into it to do brake flushes that opens up the abs system (the abs pump makes this god awful noise when it is doing the flush). Very specific, enter make, model etc...start at rear passenger wheel and bleed, then move to the rear driver side and bleed etc.. I had a Corvette mechanic come to my house with his own personal GM Tech II and we did a brake flush in my driveway with me behind the wheel pumping the brake pedal watching the Tech II that was hung over my steering wheel. Really nice tool to have except they cost an arm and a leg for the good ones.
 
#14 ·
YmuaZ06- yes- I ran or I should say- ended conversatio and hung up phone. THe other dealership in my area, well horror story- the service writer said I could drive in the bay- well the Tech who was supposed to be a vette specialist, stopped me at the bay door and he insisted in driving it in, and it was only for a state inspection- well, as I was watching him- he could not figure out how to open the hood- he was looking under the front area for the hood latch- well, long story short- I told the service writer that I needed to leave, got my car and ran like hell. have not been back since- and sad part is that is where I bought the car-- oh well- the search continues.. Thanks again for advice on the Tech II.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Which dealership was that? Hopefully none of the below.

Call Koons in Tysons. I'm not sure if Joe Malo is still there, but he is one of the best Vette wrenches in the DC area.
Also - Sterling Chevy is supposed to have some good ones. They host one of the local Vette clubs regularly.
Curry's in Chantilly also might be worth a try. They do tech inspections for Corvette track days at Summit Point.
 
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