Chev Tahoe

Anyone own an older 98-00 Chev with the Vortec V8? I am looking at an older truck for various stuff and would like some opinions on how they last. Please no Dodge vs. Chev stuff, just wondering if you guys are getting alot of miles out of these engines? Thanks!!

Besox,
I’m not much of a motor head, but I drove a 99 GMC Yukon that had a V8 5.7 liter. Not sure if it was a Vortec engine. The one I had was the standard V8 that most Chev and GMC had. I got it with 25K on it and drove it for 7 years. I traded it in with over 150K and never had any troubles with the motor. It ran like a champ. Never burned or leaked any oil.

I had a truck with that motor in it a few years ago. Bought it with 68k on it and sold it with 178k on it 3 and a half years later. I had the manifold gaskets go out on it, but that was it.

~SKINEBOY~

I have a 97 Silverado with the Vortec V8. Over 180K on it now…still my daily driver. I had the AC compressor go out, but other than that I haven’t done anything to it besides oil changes every 3k.

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I had the manifold gaskets go out on it, but that was it.

~SKINEBOY~

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Other than the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets which WILL have to be replaced “a bit spendy” they are pretty rock solid engines…

Over 200k on my 96 Chevy. Still runnin with the original factory exhaust too!

Thanks for info!! I am looking at one with 114XXX on it and would hope to get a few years from it!

I bought a 99 last year with 90K and have 134K on it now. No problems so far…..About the most common probblem with these vehicles will be some minor electrical issues. Nothing serious but enough to irritate you. The more serious problem with GM trucks are the fuel pumps shorting out(in my experience). Mine went out on a ’98 just before I got the 99. 2 weeks ago, leaving for a fishing tournament my buddy’s Tahoe broke down in my driveway(fuel pump). Coming back home from that tournament another friend’s fuel pump went out when he tried to leave and that was on a Suburban… My Brother-in-law works for Firestone as a mechanic and he told me when mine went out thats pretty much all he did one winter was replacing fuel pumps in GM trucks…Its an expensive repair too just because the pump is in the gas tank and its a real mother to deal with. cheap part, but the labor is ridiculous. I am pretty mechanically inclined and I gave up on replacing after I came to the conclusion that the easiest way to do it was to take the box off the truck or cut an access hole through the bed…I want to say it was right around $700.00 to replace. One tip they gave me was when its super cold out, don’t let your tank get low (for obvious reasons) but another is that the fuel pump will get warm and you put super cold gas in the tank and its like a temperature shock to the thing causing it to short out

Most people cant believe it, but we have a 96 Chevy with a 5.7 Vortec and it just rolled over 300k. We have put intake gaskets in it, like every Vortec. And an AC compressor and alternator. Original tranny and engine. I was a mechanic for 5 years, so it got good care.

I had a 95 with 150k. Oil cooler lines blew apart and toasted the engine. GM’s oil cooler lines need to be watched closely but other than that with routine maintenance and not beating the engines they last just fine. I hated the fuel mileage, power, and poor handling. Plus it was a turd to start in cold weather. I’d never own an older one like it again for those reasons but durability shouldn’t be a concern for the most part.

I have a 2001 Tahoe LT, bought it new in 2001, it has 147,000 miles on it – mint condition, will be selling it in 2 weeks, new one on the way. No problems with the motor, done the normal things with the Tahoe, fuel pump, intake manifold, been an excellent vechile. Run synthetic Amsoil in it.

From my observations, the two common problems was the use of dexcool (anitfreeze) from the factory. The factories antifreeze(orange) would deteriate the intake gaskets. If you flush the original antifreeze out, you’ll be set. Otherwise it was likely to replace the gets before it hits 100,000 miles, if not much sooner. Also, there have been issues with oil cooler lines leaking, but this can be fixed easily by replacing the fitting if it begins to leak, a simple fix.
Otherwise it is just regular maintence. It is a very popular vehicle, so so the parts are usually reasonable and cheaper than other makes. If regular maintence is performed, they will run for a long time.

The fuel pumps are about 2 1/2 hours labor and around $250 for the pump.

I own a 2000 Tahoe LT w/ 5.7 Vortek.. bought it w/ 120k on it.. have about 165K on it now.. haven’t had any engine issues.. replaced some U joints and a fuel sending unit.. and thats about it.. can’t really complain a bit! Knocking on wood!!

Craig D – PM sent.

I have a 1998 Tahoe 5.7 liter Vortec purchased with 120K on it. It now has 190K and has been a good truck & strong engine for me. I only had 1 issue with the engine since I’ve owned it.. a valve spring broke perfectly in half. I replaced the valve spring and did a compression test. I found a bent exhaust valve. I took both heads off & had them machined.. Put it all back together with new cap, rotor, plugs wires, cleaned the intake etc…On 2 occasions I’ve also had to replace oil cooler lines cause of oil leaks. Common problems. I’ve never had a problem since. I tow a boat whenever there is open water & have always had enough power.

Also.. mine was $6000 with 120k on it 3.5 years ago. Purchased from Northland Motors in Lino Lakes.

Dad has a 96 and a 97 both with close to or over 200K. I drove the 96 for a year and still trying to talk him into selling it to me. 17-19 MPG and more power than should be leagal. Only problem I had was the 107 shutdown

The 5.7’s are easy 250,000 mile engines. The Vortec series started in ’96.