24th Dec 2004, 09:56

In 2/02 I purchased a Silverado Z71 NEW with 7 miles on it. I loved it all the way, even now; however, I have to tell you I am really not pleased with it at all now.

In the last year I have had the transmission rebuilt 3 times under warranty each time same problem. The dealership never complains about me bringing it in to have it worked on and they always have a rental paid for waiting for me.

Yesterday the truck turned 81K a mere 6K away from the 12K warranty given on the last transmission overhaul/rebuild the dealership preformed. Experiencing the same issues as the (3) prior episodes I take it in only to find out they blame the transmission issues on the blown Intake Manifod Gasket. To fix this they quoted $700-$800 dollars. The latest issues with the transmission occurred 2-3 days prior to the check engin light came on; however, when they pulled codes they say nothing is wrong with the transmission only the intake gasket.

No work will be preformed at this time, maybe next week I will just trade it in for a Ford.

2nd Feb 2005, 11:00

Well, looks like I'm not alone in my misery. Just picked up my truck...97 Chevy Suburban 4wd from the dealer after having the intake manifold gasket replaced. Truth is, I love the truck, and it's gotten just over 160,000 miles, but at a cost. This is my second intake gasket replacement at $400 bucks a pop, a couple of master brake cylinders, a couple of water pumps, one pittman arm, two idler arms. Seems the stinking thing can't stay aligned to save it's life, and the interior door handles break easier than egg shells. About a year ago the tranny started slipping between 1 and 2 and 2 and 3. I had a flush and fill that solved it for about a 1000 miles. I'm going to try the TCC relay that someone suggested and see what happens. I generally take good care of the truck, but I've put close to $7,000.00 of repairs into it since paying nearly $38,000 for it in 97. I'm test driving a Toyota Sequoia tomorrow... Sorry GM, you just are not built to last.

24th Feb 2005, 13:04

I have a 1998 Silverado, 5.7L engine, automatic transmission, and it has about 95,000 miles on it. It has been flawless since I bought it, used, with about 43,000 miles on it.

Recently, I have noticed a bit of coolant loss (maybe a quart per month), and a whiff of coolant odor when I get out of the truck after driving it a while. But I can never find even the tiniest puddle under the truck, or on the block anywhere. Not only that, the odor, and the disappearing coolant are VERY intermittent (I haven't had any this past week).

Bearing in mind that I'll lose coolant much faster than this, and see a good bit of white smoke in the exhaust if it's really leaking into the combustion chambers, I'm going to wait to make sure it isn't just some silly drip that burns off the engine, before I tear off the manifold.

My previous truck was an 89 Silverado with the 5.7L V8. At about 100,000 miles, it suddenly developed a SERIOUS manifold coolant leak (as in white smoke out the tailpipe big-time, and it would use up a gallon of coolant in an hour of driving). A dealership replaced the intake manifold gasket, and a blown head gasket, and charged me $700. That's a lot of money, but it did fix the problem, and I never had trouble with the truck again all the way until I traded it at about 192,000 miles.

Question: I see a lot of problems in '97 and '99 Silverados, but not many with the 98's. Was 98 a luck year or something?

2nd Mar 2005, 10:06

I guess I have mixed feelings on my 1998 GMC Z-71. I too am having the water leak from the intake. I will take it in today for repair. I am at 130,000 miles and have not had much trouble except for the brake booster going out and causing me to run a red light in heavy Dallas traffic. Missed all the cars somehow! I have basically abused this truck from the get-go. It routinely pulls a race car trailer fully loaded which is about 8,000lbs. It has also seen it's fair share of four wheeling. I guess outside of normal maintainance, I have spent less than 300 dollars on this truck and it's been paid for for over 3 years. I would probably buy another one.

16th Nov 2005, 23:17

I have a 1997 chevy silverado with a 5.7L v8 in it. It has 78,000 miles. I've had it for 5 years and I've had to replace the water pump. Lately my engine coolant has been leaking and I can't find the leak. It has an automatic transmission and two days ago it started jerking when the first gear changes out. It only does it if I drive it for like an hour without stopping and turning it off somewhere. I'm going to take it to a mechanic sometime this week and find out what the problem is hopefully. Looks like everyone has these problems with these model trucks.

13th Dec 2005, 23:08

1998 Chevy 1500 2wd. With 167,000 miles, I have had transmission repaired three times since purchased new. Of course all was after warranty ran out. Its paid for so I just keep repairing, but it sure burns my tail that these transmissions are so weak. I do not pull anything, but a small trailer. I have added a additional transmission cooler that I hope will help.

Also had to replace water pump at about 110,000, had door hinges replaced, Power steering pump leak repaired, oil sensor replaced and front rotors replaced.

My new problem today is missing coolant. It runs a little rough at idle so I am assuming it's a head gasket or intake gasket. Spark plugs look fine (replaced 5000 miles back) except they are a little frosty.

28th Dec 2005, 13:37

Add me to the list of '97 Chevy 1500, 5.7L engines with the apparent intake manifold leak.Can't find any other source for the leak which is getting progressively worse. Sounds like $400 is the going rate; $1000 is a rip-off.Haven't had any other major problems. Replaced alternator and A/C compressor, don't remember the miles, got 96K now. Truck has been great up to now. Bought it new and has only pulled a 23' OB a couple of times. Want to drive it at least until 125K miles. Will probably invest for the repairs.

30th Dec 2005, 15:42

I own a 91 Chev Silverado C1500 Diesel. For the most part I like this truck better than my two previous Fords, but I have had to repair many things on it. Fortunately, the intake manifold only needed a good cleaning, to the tune of $400 CDN. I am currently experiencing problems with the transmission jerking (when shifting) and not sure what it is. I guess I can consider myself lucky though that it's made it to 295,000 kms on the original tranny! It's in the dealership shop as I write this, because of stalling problems, but will probably get a transmission flush while it's there and hope that helps the jerking problem. If anyone has ideas about what the jerking might be, please put in a comment. :)