Basically I'm headed about 2 hours away to look at buying a 99 Z28 6 speed.

I'm looking for advice on what to check. I usually do a compression test on every cylinder, but I have heard that getting to the spark plugs on a LS1 can be a pain. I'm also planning on doing a coolant system pressure test. Are there any common problem areas on these cars that I should be paying attention to?

Thanks ahead of time

 

Rear end mostly. They are noisy to start with, but pay attention to any high pitched whining, howling or squeaking. Listen for piston slap, it is fairly common and isn't a huge deal, but its something to keep in mind. If its a TTop car, look at the weatherstripping on each top to make sure they are fully intact. Look for paint bubbling or peeling on the sail panel; this is pretty common as well unfortunately.

 

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much

 

One thing to add, pop the T-tops off and look at the corners of the seals. The seals have a screw hole in them. The screw hole can tear over time and will leak (very slowly, but it will drip and **** you off). Easy fix, but knowing that the seals are $200+ at the dealer can pull some off the price. When you get it home, rtv it... if its torn... $5 fix, $400 savings...

If its a stick listen for rattle under the shifter. its an indicator of mounts wearing down, or that a shift gate is lose. They wouldn't stop me from buying, but they would knock the price down.

 

Take a white paper towel. Use the papter towel to wipe off the dip stick try to get the oil to pool in the paper towel as much as possible. After a few seconds the oil should absorb in the the towel. Now check out the paper towel, of course you are looking for any metal but also look a the little indents in the paper towel. If it looks stained like the rest of the towel all is good but if there are little pools of a dark jell like stuff that is STP or like oil additive. That is not a good sign. Try the paper towel test a a couple of cars you know do not have STP in it before you go.

Also read up on Vacuum gages if you get a chance, they will tell you more about the over all condition of the mechanics of a motor then a compression test.

Double check the floors on any T top cars. Camaros tend to rust out right at the feet of someone sitting in the back seat.

Good luck.

 

hes right about the bubbles in the paint..they delaminate in places between the back glass and T-Tops...you will see bubbles...They are very very hard to get the paint to stick even if you strip them..Its like powder and teh paint just wont stick..you have to order a new roof to fix that problem..but its a problem that the 99s had..I have one and its getting fixed as we speak..