Jeffs1997

Lets talk about mechanical issues yours has encountered to it's current mileage. Please leave out oil changes, tuneups, brakes, lights, tires and stuff like that.

Please only ORIGINAL BUYERS

Mine is a 1997 3.8 with automatic. Currently at 15x,xxx .... Purchased new at center chevrolet in november 1997.

My work done has been

Radiator replaced
upper lower radiator hoses replaced
heater hose replaced
belt tensioner
plastic elbows for coolant
catalytic converter
fuel lines from trans area to motor
2 alternators
driveshaft (warranty)
DRL issues fixed
Muffler
fuel pump

Aside from this major work mine still runs and drives very nice, very minimal rattles. A/C still blows Ice cold (had about 3lbs of freon added over the years) .. Shocks are still original to the car.

Paint still in great shape, interior in excellent shape except for stains on drivers foot area carpet.

No ecm or sensor issues or any electrical issues aside from the DRL.


So how has yours held up ?????? If you want add how your paint and interior have weathered the years as well.

rngilliland

94 Z28 Auto 99,000 miles. Purchased in Dec 1993.

Starter, ABS computer replaced under warranty.

Opti-Spark replaced due to failed bearing.

A/C clutch bearing replaced.

All three Bose amps repaired.

Headliner replaced.

It's always been garaged and paint and interior are in very good condition. I have
probably only driven it 15,000 miles in the last ten years but everything still works.

Jeffs1997

How has the window switch bezels, plastic dash piece that goes to windshield base & weatherstripping held up?

My plastic dash piece and one window switch bezel has cracked. My dash pad is still like new, I stored my factory floor mat after I bought it. My weather stripping still looks like new.

Mine is a daily driver but covered all the time and a California car.

GaryDoug

1998 Trans Am - Bright Red - 92k miles presently - purchased off the showroom floor May 1998 at local dealer - daily driver for 14 years - garaged

Engine:
2 water pumps, leaking at 71k miles (replacement was defective within a year)
spark plugs at 90k miles with wires (originals still working fine)
shorted alternator at 89k miles
coolant level sensor (shorted by coolant intrusion) 40k miles
all idler and tensioner pulleys, trying to eliminate belt squeak (90k miles)
Transmission. drivetrain (none)
Brakes, new front pads 47k miles and 88k miles
Electrical:
park lamp sockets at 79k miles (water damaged)
driver side window motor
both sides headlamp gears
Misc:
new A/C compressor (leaking slowly) at 60k miles
rotted short hose for EVAP vent valve (code P0442)
Paint is like new except for a few small scratches
driver seat worn through at left side edge (swapped cover with passenger side)
small latch broken for console compartment (repaired with small metal strap)
visor material drooping slightly, driver side visor form flex-seam broken
mats soiled slightly, new ones on order from GM (4 pcs for $48+sh)

Jeffs1997

One other thing ... of you original owner how many of your cars met or exceeded the extended life things on these cars such as ....

coolant
trans services
tuneups

On my 3.8 it exceeded the 100k first tuneup, first was at 108k miles. Just plugs were changed plug wires still original. and exceeded it first trans services.

However it failed on the coolant, it trashed my entire cooling system, when radiator was replaced 3 months ago I flushed my system and filled with green extended life.

I have started to notice oil drippage from trans and possibly power steering. But must say as the owner of a new 3rd gen trans am back in 85, my 97 has held up much better.

97z28k&N

stay away from dexcool. It definitely does not last anywhere close to what it claims to.


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FirebirdGT

255,000+

3800 V6

Alternator (failed)
AC Compressor (failed)
LIM gasket (leak)
PS Pump (leak)
Plastic pulleys (now steel)
Clutch Master and Slave (worn)
MAF Sensor (failed)


Other than that - items that wear out - belts, hoses, clutch, plugs, wires

Lots of upgrade mods however

Synthetic oil, high grade filters, Dex-cool changes, GM Clutch fluid
.

GaryDoug

My car has had the organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze DexCool since new and has it now (92k miles). I have only added to it as necessary. So far, the only significant item replaced in the cooling system has been the water pump which lasted longer than ones (3 over 110k miles)) in a previously owned non-DexCool car (1986 Trans Am). You may make the case that the low coolant sensor. made with a poorly designed plastic case, may have failed due to DexCool coolant intrusion, and that may not have happened with other coolants.

Jeffs1997

What plastic pullies? Or is this a newer then 97 3.8? As far as I know my pullies are metal but could be wrong.

Of you guys with a/c compressor failures, how many of these cars sat with a/c system not run? I run my a/c at least once a week in the off seasons for a hour, so far it has never given me issues at 150k still will freeze me out on 100 degree day.

stopthatman

94Z still on Prestone green, it loves it. my waterpump lasted to 110,000 and my opti too. i wish i had changed both at 90K because the car runs better w/ the new delphi opti, improved throttle response down low and better mpg.
check your coil wire also after disconnecting the battery, it seems to build corrosion quicker than the other wires

radiator lasted to 85K. original fuel pump too. stock clutch lasted to 60K

GaryDoug

Used in Florida, so obviously used almost every week, usually every day.
Was always working fine, but leaked enought to need a recharge every 6 months at the end. Leak was in a seam of the metal case, not a seal.

pgerst

120K miles on Z28 M6; I bought it new in 1995. The "stock" failures:

air pump retrofit under warranty.
2 convertible tops under warranty (trunk filled with water in the rain, apparently they had a batch of tops that had a rear window flap sewn in wrong).
Clutch at about 65k (seems low to me but I am due another one now at 120k so either they don't last long or I am breaking them).
Opti failure at about 40k.
Timing chain got so loose at about 100k it was ticking against the cover.

6SpdLT1Z

I don't see why original owner has anything to do with it; some of us have the maintenance history for our vehicles.

This should be a pretty complete list, off the top of my head. 1997 w/ 155k mi

• Fuel Pump/Fuel Filter
• Opti
• Waterpump
• Battery
• Coolant level Indicator
• Clutch
• Pinion Seal, Crank Seal, etc.

Jeffs1997

How can you possibly know every possible thing that has went wrong from the day it was first sold. You might have service records but some get lost etc. That is why I specified ORIGINAL buyers.

Jeffs1997

Like I said, prefer that only original buyers chime in.