If you using AC delco type of battery, that usually dies in 13 months as soon as there warranty gets over. Go for good brand battery like Trane, INCO, Solite and they will atleast last 2-3 years. Same happen with me few years back and now i actually prefer maint battery than maint free which lasts much longer and only maint is required topping up water every six months.
Thats quite crap to hear captiva.
Why you didnt sell in outside market than to dealers. You could have sold for very good price with minimal loss of 10k instead of 20k dirhams. Secondary market cars is better to be sold thru classified site and gulf news ads.
Sean: check the starter fuse check too first
Simijoyji: Sharjah industrial area have plenty of used car spare parts shops closer to BM road and maza signal. Take a walk with sample in your hand and you will get lucky in 30 mins.
Best idea is to search the garage and see how many car they have of American brand and Chevy in specific. Its hard to find person specializes only in one type cars: camaro. I know your car is special being Z28 beauty, but most of these engineering is pretty common in all GM or Chevy cars. Stroll around Rashidiya, Al quoz, Ghusais in Dubai and BM Road, Industrial area, behind al falah plaza in shj. Good luck.
Is the fuel pump working is yes then these two things are not connected. The wire must have damaged when replacing the fuel pump that is causing the smoke.
Check if its not the heat shield rubbing down somewhere to drive shaft making grinding noise.
If sure its gear, then its good to change the gear oil and filter as a first rule of thumb when in doubt.