Looking to buy, what are common issues?

[mjweimer]

Group,

I am looking at a 2000 1500 4x4 with 85k miles auto and the 4.8. What are common issues I should know about when I go take a closer look and a test drive? I am most concerned with the function of the 4wd and anything related to the engine.

I am currently driving an '87 GMC 3/4 Ton 2wd so I am not too familiar with the newer trucks.

Matt

[truckdude239]

intake gasket leaks are the only thing i now to look for any kinda of leak that sort of thing

[mjweimer]

Thanks David. Interesting that the intake gasket leak is common, I looked at a truck last week that recently had these replaced but there were other issues I did not want to deal with...

Matt

Originally Posted by truckdude239

intake gasket leaks are the only thing i now to look for any kinda of leak that sort of thing

[truckdude239]

the problem is that gm installed the wrong kind of gasket on most of there motors and they aren't compatble with the dex cool antifreeze.

[dailydragger03]

Gen 3 chevrolet motors do not have coolant passages in the intake manifold. It is impossible for antifreeze to ruin the gaskets or the manifold because neither ever come in contact with coolant. This was a common issue on the 4.3 and 5.7 vortec motors in the late 90's. Dexcool is a horrible product and if your vehicle has it you should flush it out and use regular ethylene glycol antifreeze. Dexcool has been known to eat gaskets and pit metal. I had to replace water pump gaskets on my 5.3 T code at 40k miles. This is when I flushed out the dexcool and replaced it with regular antifreeze and a pint of rust inhibitor. The gen 3 motors are extremely solid I have heard of very little problems other than dexcool. Tune them up at about 100k miles and drive the wheels off of em.

[Spray-Bomb]

I agree on the Dexcool, plus it will crystallize & can ruin your engine

[truckdude239]

i forgot all about the inakes dont see any coolant forgot all about it

[bwood]

99-02 (maybe 03) 4.8, 5.3 & 6.0 had some issues with engine noise on cold start up. GM diagnosed it as piston slap and made adjustments to the warr on the engines. I may have the years wrong. I believe they fixed it with a revised piston on the newer models. Here is a link to a sticky on the Full Size Chevy Forum with more info (read through it as it also contains other recall info): http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/...nock-info.html