Early stages of "Gaffiganitis" setting in... - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

Ccmano · 08-18-2009

Very early and mild symptoms to be sure but the signs are unmistakable. For those that don't know "Gaffiganitis" typically presents itself when doing the most mundane and tedious jobs on your Z. You know, changing the oil, replacing spark plugs, getting gas (or not) replacing some wear item like a clutch or slave cylinder. What happens though, if you catch it, something goes wrong, terribly wrong.... It usually starts small, something seemingly very innocent. Things just don't go right. Things don't come apart right, they don't go back together right, threads are stripped, things break. Just when things look really bleak, just when the average person would stop, those afflicted start a second Z project, only to run into the same problems. In it worst form the affliction results in your Z becoming completely paralyzed (in operable). In some severe cases multiple Z's owned by the same owner are immobilized. Terrible indeed...

In my case it started tonight, I pulled my spark plugs to check how they looked then went ahead and re-gapped them from 0.050" to 0.035". Then it happened. I've gapped dozens of plugs without an issue. When I attempted to adjust one of my NGK Iridium plugs I broke the center electrode. I've never broken an electrode in my life! Of course none of the local parts stores have a replacement immediately. (has to be ordered) Leaving my Z immobilized. The thought even crossed my mind to go ahead and change my oil while the car was stuck in the garage. I resisted that...
Tomorrow I'll get the replacement plug. But I won't touch the car till the weekend, hoping the afliction will pass.

Wish me luck

PS.. Any inference to our own "Lgaff" is purely accidental. Characters in this piece are strictly fictional.

Did I mention I hung out with Lee on Sunday....? Contagious

H

A26B · 08-18-2009

Hans,
This is a serious, very serious affliction. The only cure I am aware of is to sterilize ones personal consumption system with copious amounts of alcohol. It can be acquired in many different forms ranging from very mild and actually quite tasty, to damn near lethal concentrations, usually colorless.

Dose frequently and approach only simple tasks (absolutely no oil filters!) like maybe wiper blades to insure the treatment is working.

I'll pray for you.

XfireZ51 · 08-18-2009

Hans

This is dire news because your experience represents a more virulent form of the disease. Up to now the strain of this disease has been limited to those owning 2 or more ZR-1s.However, your experience indicates that there has been a mutation in this virus and could spread more quickly. Please make sure you report this to the
Center for Disease Control and the NHTSA

Paul Workman · 08-18-2009

You mean, my experience with installing new pumps, only to find a shop rag in the tank, and then one of the new pumps had to be pulled (again) cuz it was kaput out of the box, or after installing a freshly ported top end and headers to find a cylinder mysteriously went south??? EEEE-GAD! I think there is a serious case of it over here this summer too! Could it be my Z is the source?? (After all, my case began before Lee came over. [gasp!]

P.

LGAFF · 08-18-2009

Hans,

Did you need any help moving back to CA? Also, I got your PM, I will be over this weekend to help remove that Cam cover bolt you broke off earlier this spring

Ccmano · 08-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Hans,

Did you need any help moving back to CA? Also, I got your PM, I will be over this weekend to help remove that Cam cover bolt you broke off earlier this spring

OMG!

It started much earlier than I thought! I forgot about the cam cover bolt. This explains so many things.... Paul, your in trouble! I understand the bowels your engine have been exposed. I recommend getting the engine over to Dr. Pete ASAP, while there's still time.

Lee... this is all in good fun, hope your not offended.

Looks like your case of the disease is easing. One of your Z's is now running again.
H

tomtom72 · 08-18-2009

Oh, Now I know why I had to order gaskets! I didn't think it was a virus. I thought it was my own ineptness....proly still is!

change coils, get a DTC 42......I always wanted to probe the ECM harness in my Z! Ooooh, was it good for you honey?

08-18-2009	#1
Ccmano Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 2,852	Early stages of "Gaffiganitis" setting in... Very early and mild symptoms to be sure but the signs are unmistakable. For those that don't know "Gaffiganitis" typically presents itself when doing the most mundane and tedious jobs on your Z. You know, changing the oil, replacing spark plugs, getting gas (or not) replacing some wear item like a clutch or slave cylinder. What happens though, if you catch it, something goes wrong, terribly wrong.... It usually starts small, something seemingly very innocent. Things just don't go right. Things don't come apart right, they don't go back together right, threads are stripped, things break. Just when things look really bleak, just when the average person would stop, those afflicted start a second Z project, only to run into the same problems. In it worst form the affliction results in your Z becoming completely paralyzed (in operable). In some severe cases multiple Z's owned by the same owner are immobilized. Terrible indeed... In my case it started tonight, I pulled my spark plugs to check how they looked then went ahead and re-gapped them from 0.050" to 0.035". Then it happened. I've gapped dozens of plugs without an issue. When I attempted to adjust one of my NGK Iridium plugs I broke the center electrode. I've never broken an electrode in my life! Of course none of the local parts stores have a replacement immediately. (has to be ordered) Leaving my Z immobilized. The thought even crossed my mind to go ahead and change my oil while the car was stuck in the garage. I resisted that... Tomorrow I'll get the replacement plug. But I won't touch the car till the weekend, hoping the afliction will pass. Wish me luck PS.. Any inference to our own "Lgaff" is purely accidental. Characters in this piece are strictly fictional. Did I mention I hung out with Lee on Sunday....? Contagious H __________________ 90'ZR-1 #1461 Red/Black Ported Intake, Degreed Cams, OBX Headers & Exhaust, Fidanza FW, Secondary Delete, Custom tune, C6 GS Wheels. Sold 08 C6 Z51 Crystal Red Metallic Sold Vararam Intake, Tune, Sold 05 C6 Z51 Red/Black Sold 90'ZR-1 #1723 Black/Gray Sold but not forgotten 91' Z51 L98 White Vert. My First, you always remember your first. Sold. Last edited by Ccmano; 08-18-2009 at 07:44 AM.

08-18-2009	#2
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,393	Re: Early stages of "Gaffiganitis" setting in... Hans, This is a serious, very serious affliction. The only cure I am aware of is to sterilize ones personal consumption system with copious amounts of alcohol. It can be acquired in many different forms ranging from very mild and actually quite tasty, to damn near lethal concentrations, usually colorless. Dose frequently and approach only simple tasks (absolutely no oil filters!) like maybe wiper blades to insure the treatment is working. I'll pray for you. __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1*, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed.

08-18-2009	#3
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,704	Re: Early stages of "Gaffiganitis" setting in... Hans This is dire news because your experience represents a more virulent form of the disease. Up to now the strain of this disease has been limited to those owning 2 or more ZR-1s.However, your experience indicates that there has been a mutation in this virus and could spread more quickly. Please make sure you report this to the Center for Disease Control and the NHTSA

08-18-2009	#4
Paul Workman Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Squires (near Ava MO in the Mark Twain N'tl Forest) - Missouri Posts: 6,493	Re: Early stages of "Gaffiganitis" setting in... You mean, my experience with installing new pumps, only to find a shop rag in the tank, and then one of the new pumps had to be pulled (again) cuz it was kaput out of the box, or after installing a freshly ported top end and headers to find a cylinder mysteriously went south??? EEEE-GAD! I think there is a serious case of it over here this summer too! Could it be my Z is the source?? (After all, my case began before Lee came over. [gasp!] P. __________________ Good carz, good food, good friendz = the best of timez! 90 #1202 "FBI" top end ported & relieved Cam timing by "Pete the Greek" Sans secondaries Chip & dyno tuning by Haibeck Automotive SW headers, X-pipe, MF muffs Former Secretary, ZR-1 Net Registry

08-18-2009	#5
LGAFF Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 7,193	Re: Early stages of "Gaffiganitis" setting in... Hans, Did you need any help moving back to CA? Also, I got your PM, I will be over this weekend to help remove that Cam cover bolt you broke off earlier this spring __________________ LGAFF 90 #966-150K miles-sold 92 #234-sold 1987 Callaway TT #17 1991 ZR-1 #1359

08-18-2009	#7
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: Early stages of "Gaffiganitis" setting in... Oh, Now I know why I had to order gaskets! I didn't think it was a virus. I thought it was my own ineptness....proly still is! change coils, get a DTC 42......I always wanted to probe the ECM harness in my Z! Ooooh, was it good for you honey? __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

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