9th Feb 2007, 11:58

1998 Yukon - bought the truck in 2000 with about 40K miles on it. I now have 139,700 miles on it and performing my first major repair. You guessed it - intake coolant leak. I plan to tackle the job this weekend. Prior comments on this site will certainly help me. I will report back once the job is complete for those of you plagued with the same job.

I am surprised to read so many problems with the GM trucks on this site. I must be fortunate with a strong truck. I love it and plan to keep it going strong.

17th Feb 2007, 14:05

My '98 Z-71 5.7L has been great for seven years now, but little things are starting to add up. Just replaced leaking oil cooler lines at 83,000 miles for $300 at the local dealer. He told me I have a water pump leak, but I can't afford to let him fix it. I bought a new after-market pump, but I haven't yet figured out where/how to access the radiator drain petcock. The only thing I see that looks like it might be a drain is at the bottom left corner of the radiator, and I can't get there from here. Is there a trick to it?

Replaced driver's door hinges at about 80,000 miles. Broke the serpentine belt tensioner at about 75,000 miles, replaced it myself. No other major problems except gas mileage. About 16 mpg is eating my lunch at the pump.

My wife bought a 2003 Honda CRV a couple of years ago, and so far I'll take a Chevy any day. The Honda's interior materials seem inferior. Driver's seat cover is wearing through, and the steering wheel rubber is flaking off. The air conditioner compressor came unglued at 40,000 miles, which cost me $595 for labor with the Honda dealer paying for the parts.

My next purchase likely will be GM of some sort.

24th Mar 2007, 12:01

I've had similar experiences too many who have posted here. I bought a used 1997 Suburban 4x4 about 6 months ago, and have had to replace both front ball joint, pitman, idler arm, tie rod ends, front brake pads (twice), master brake cylinder, rear shoes, U-joint... and the transmission set a 1870 code, developed a leak at the transfer case, and finally lost 3rd and 4th and will need replacing. The brakes are still mushy after bleeding system several times. The A/C compressor has failed. The in-tank fuel pump quit in the middle of a trip ($400 towing charge, plus $185 parts). The fuel tank developed a leak because grit and salt gets between the skid plate and the tank and causes corrosion. Ditto for fuel and lines. I can hardly wait to see what fails next! If I can get everything working OK for a week, I'll try to unload this problem-prone gas guzzler before the intake manifold leak shows up!

__Bill in BC.

30th Mar 2007, 19:01

I bought a new GMC suburban 4x4 1500 in 1997. I now have 73,000 miles on it and have had virtually no problems. Replaced brake pads a couple of times and have just replaced a serpentine belt tensioner all of which I consider maintenance. I am delighted with it; its comfort for long distance driving, its towing ability and its handling and hope that it'll continue to behave as well as it has to date!

20th May 2007, 19:55

I have a 97 Z71, pretty good truck, but has just left me stranded. ecm b 20amp fuse popped. now you can't even put a fuse in it before it pops. unplugged everything in that circuit and no results, can't even find any burnt wires. Also I can't find the oil pressure, fuel pressure switch? I've got GM schematics and a chiltons manual, no help on it, a little help please.

29th Jul 2007, 07:40

I bought this truck in 2003 w65000 miles on it. Intake leaks repaired twice in the past 3 yrs. Upgraded to 140 amp alternator. Replaced waterpump twice. And now no reverse. Going forward is a problem to. This is a well maintained truck. Other than the above problems above. I love this truck.

21st Aug 2007, 23:04

Just bought a used 98 Z71 Silverado. Very clean for the year. Got it home first day and noticed water just inside the driver door. I've pulled all the interior panels and hosed it down. Cannot find the leak anywhere. Any past or similar issues out there? What did you do to fix them?

19th Sep 2007, 08:51

I bought a '97 silverado 5.0L with 120,000 miles. I love my truck and the previous owner took great care of it. it looks almost brand new, he even sewed on the seat covers the day he bought it so that when I cut them off the seats looked brand new. It pulls to the right and I had the problem corrected, but now it does it again. I have also replaced the brakes (rotors, pads) because they were starting to go. The steering hose had a leak which I fixed and My brake booster was the last thing that went on me. Besides these minor problems the truck starts right up and runs like a champ, I love to drive it! It does shift hard after driving for over 45 min. but I am installing a tranny oil cooler to see if that helps, I am also thinking about putting in a supercharger (roots) and a programmer. I already have intake and exhaust work done. I basically love the 5.0 and would rather have the small block than the 5.7, but I want to out perform the bigger engines by adding on to mine. Any suggestions to achieve this? comments?

19th Oct 2007, 18:39

I purchased my 97 Chevrolet Silverado brand new and have had it for ten years. I have had nothing, but problems with it since. I've replaced the brake booster 3 times, had the intake manifold gaskets replaced, the fuel pump, water pump, and the alternator. My windshield wipers also had the same defect, and I have also had both door handles break on the inside, and the tailgate latch stopped working as well. Oh, and I too had the hard shifting experience that is so frequently mentioned. I will never buy another Chevrolet again...ever.

28th Oct 2007, 15:26

I have a 1997 Chevy extended cab Z71 that I bought new. It now has 156,000 miles and has been one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. I have replaced the alternator once, front brakes once, battery twice, tires once (Michelin LT4's have over 100,000 on them), water pump at 140k, steering sensor once, drivers inside door handle about 2 weeks ago, belt once, fuel filter every year, air filter once, transmission flushed twice and fluid and filter once (every 50,000), oil and filter changed every 3000 miles. It has been used to pull a 32 foot fifth wheel camper and 4000 lb boat regularly. It does have the 3.73 rear end with factory transmission and engine oil cooler. I drive it to work every day and anywhere else I need to go. Before this truck I've had a 85 suburban and 1993 C 1500 reg cab. Both of them had transmission rebuilds, but otherwise good vehicles. I don't know, but the regular tranny service and coolers must have helped. I like my Chevy because it rides and drives good and is easy to work on. My wife has had some Fords and she liked them, but to me they were hard to work on and not as comfortable. As for Toyota (that everybody on here seems to tout as great); they probably are good vehicles (my dad had one) but if you need a full size pickup I think that Ford, Chevy, or Dodge are better because they have been making them longer, and parts and service are cheaper and more available. Also I think that right now GM has them all beat on gas mileage and probably price. Buy what you like and take care of your vehicle and it will probably take care of you.