How Reliable?

I'm planning on adding a Tahoe to my collection of vehicles. I want to get the 2000 and up style. How reliable are these trucks? I'm gonna get it used. Around 40,000 miles...... With normal driving and maintinance how long will these trucks last? Are they really big gas guzzlers? Most likely I'll get dual flowmasters or just one, will this effect my trucks life? How about 22 inch rims? When I get them, will it effect my tranny. Once again, I plan to do normal driving. I own other cars and may use a car to go to work but I may only use this truck on the weekends only....... Please Help.... Thanks

I have been working on these trucks for awhile now they seem to hold up pretty good with the proper maintenance done to them.

As for being gas hogs anything made by GM with a V8 sucks gas the V6 are smaller use less gas and the base engine is the same design. It is up to you for what engine you want. What purpose you need get what will work.

As for 22" wheels the computer on these trucks needs to be programmed for the size tires you have. GM has many different sizes you can use as long as it is listed and apporved you can put that size tire and rim on. If you use an unapproved tire you can have trans, abs, engine problems so make sure it will work before you spend the money.

Thanks for the reply, your definition of "hold up pretty good". Is that pretty good over 100,000 miles? I see people still driving the 95 Tahoe's and the k-blazer so it seems these trucks last pretty long. So its recommended to get one of these trucks over an Explorer or Expedition?

The reason I say they hold up pretty good is because I work on them for a living and I only see them when they are broken or need serviced. Hardly ever do I need to fix anything that is above service work> Just for the record I only drive GM, I breathe GM and I only speak GM, just call it loyal to my job.

Originally posted by Flatrater
I have been working on these trucks for awhile now they seem to hold up pretty good with the proper maintenance done to them.

As for being gas hogs anything made by GM with a V8 sucks gas the V6 are smaller use less gas and the base engine is the same design. It is up to you for what engine you want. What purpose you need get what will work.

As for 22" wheels the computer on these trucks needs to be programmed for the size tires you have. GM has many different sizes you can use as long as it is listed and apporved you can put that size tire and rim on. If you use an unapproved tire you can have trans, abs, engine problems so make sure it will work before you spend the money.

I own 2 Chevy's with 350 V8's, a '93 Ext cab p/u and a '99 Tahoe 4X4 and they both average 17-18 MPG's which is very reasonable for vehicles of their size and power. I've known owners of Blazer's with the 4.3 V6 that get the same mileage I do.

I don't know how reliable the newest style of Tahoes are. I can attest to the reliability and toughness of my '99. It is an ex-Ranger's vehicle and it has been off road 50% of it's life. It's been driven hard and it's been on some realy bad roads. The good thing is that it was serviced regularly. I bought it at an auction with 89,000 miles. I have had it for over a year now and it has just over 100,000 miles and is still running strong and the body is still tight. I have the all the service records from new and it never needed anything major. Knock on wood. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Originally posted by kaskillah
I don't know how reliable the newest style of Tahoes are.
The 2000 & up are great except for the 5.3 litre engine. This engine is utter crap & will die long before 100,000 miles. Avoid it at all costs.

Originally posted by DMC12

The 2000 & up are great except for the 5.3 litre engine. This engine is utter crap & will die long before 100,000 miles. Avoid it at all costs.

I haven't seen the type of problems you have had with the 5.3L! Lets hope yours was the exception! I work on these trucks everyday and I have yet to do any major engine work!

I think I'm sold, I'll be getting a black one within the next 2 months.....

Originally posted by Flatrater
I haven't seen the type of problems you have had with the 5.3L! Lets hope yours was the exception! I work on these trucks everyday and I have yet to do any major engine work!
:icon16: Too bad I'm not located near you... I'd love to have an expert mechanic look at the thing to determine what the F is wrong.

I borrowed my friend's snap-on scanner & came out with two errors. We can't figure out why:frown:

Originally posted by MaximusGTR
I think I'm sold, I'll be getting a black one within the next 2 months.....
So you're getting the newer style? If so, you'll LOVE the handling! makes you wanna do some autocrossing:bigthumb:

what an idiot the 5.3s are the best engines great horse power torqe i own a 99 z71 and a98 ssthe truck is great no fucking problems like ford and dodge i drive pure chevy my friend ha a 5.3 and runs like a brand new chevy man your dumb dmc12

Originally posted by speeder94
what an idiot the 5.3s are the best engines great horse power torqe i own a 99 z71 and a98 ssthe truck is great no fucking problems like ford and dodge i drive pure chevy my friend ha a 5.3 and runs like a brand new chevy man your dumb dmc12
Consider yourself warned, SPEEDER94. If you have a beef with me then send me a PM... otherwise don't waste my time:screwy:

Researching the 5.3 engine in the Tahoe/Suburban will yield all sorts of concerns over an engine knocking/ticking noise, with no real resolution from Chevy.

Prior to owning my 99 Tahoe (127k miles), I did not own an american car for years. Of the big 3 automakers, I believe that GM has consistently put out the highest quality product. The Tahoe has been, accommodating and a pleasure to drive...not to mention fun!

All suv's have their idiosyncrasies, but I've found that the Tahoe's are easy to live with. Parts and service are affordable, and driven responsibly, the Tahoe gets decent gas mileage.

As with any vehicle, the key to longevity is diligent maintenance. I've an acquaintance with over 300k on his Tahoe, I'm aiming for the same. Good luck with your purchase.

I have 2 2000 GM vehicles, a Silverado Z71 and a Tahoe LS. Both are 5.3L V8. I see approx 17-18 MPG consistently, the truck especially so due to the cover I fitted on the bed.

The Silverado is an amazing vehicle and has been a complete joy to own, however the Tahoe has been lack luster to say the least. To put it mildly, I submitted it as a lemon because I was so disappointed with it and being continually fobbed off by the dealership. It runs fine now, but the power window reliability is poor.

I am not saying that other Tahoes are bad, only mine, but I would recommend you get the 5 year warranty if you buy one.

I have had no real probs with the engines, the Tahoe started knocking at start up, which cleared up mysteriously.

Originally posted by andrewd_cohen
Tahoe started knocking at start up, which cleared up mysteriously.
Any change in fuel brand/octane or motor oil?

I tried "top end cleaner", and a fuel system treatment from an auto shop... but that did nothing (other than drain my wallet). For now, I'm switching to Chevron super unleaded & adding an octane booster. Or maybe my knocking/ticking problem is a result of the engine being too clean? :bloated:

No, nothing. It just seemed to come and go :)

Originally posted by DMC12

Any change in fuel brand/octane or motor oil?

I tried "top end cleaner", and a fuel system treatment from an auto shop... but that did nothing (other than drain my wallet). For now, I'm switching to Chevron super unleaded & adding an octane booster. Or maybe my knocking/ticking problem is a result of the engine being too clean? :bloated:

You shouldn't really have to use an octane booster nor any higher octane fuel than what your owner's manual suggests. The engine is controlled by a computer and adusts the ignition timing automatically depending on the loads it encounters. Using aditives may affect the computer as it updates the fuel air mixtures it measures by sensors in the fuel/intake system. I believe your owner's manual may have warnings about using any additional additives. I hope you didn't make matters worse by doing that "top end cleaner". What was done exactly?
My '99 Tahoe runs fine all day on regular grade fuel without the slightest complaint and it has over 100K miles on it.

A knocking noise upon start up means that all oil has drained down into the oil pan or the cam bearings are worn in excess of tolerances. Check your brand of oil filter, does it have an anti-drainback valve?

My knock turned out to be the GM piston slap problem. I phoned GM and moaned and they gave me an extended warranty for the engine. They don't know what causes this apparently, but it has gone so I am keeping my extremities crossed that it doesnt happen again.

I have never done anything other than run it on regular gas.

As you can imagine I have zero faith in the car as it seems to be an accident waiting to happen.

Unfortunately that's the way I feel about all new cars now, especially browsing around all the forums and reading all the problems everyone is having. The thing that gets me is how expensive a new car can be and to have the kind of problems I've been reading is a complete outrage. I eventually plan on getting rid of all my newer cars(those less than 20 yrs old) and just keep the ones that have been easy to service and dependable. I like to be able to work on my own cars. The cars they make nowadays takes a rocket scientist to even begin to remotely understand how they work. No wonder some mechanics are unable to properly repair an ailing modern automobile.

I borrowed my friend's snap-on scanner & came out with two errors. We can't figure out why

DMC,

I see your still having problems, what codes did you pull out of her?
Give me an update on her, I saw where it was still stalling on you..?
What do you think Flat? Plane tickets and some chillies? Up for a road trip?

I drive an 01 4x4 with the 5.3

The engine is great, plenty of power and response. Its got a nice sound when you mash it to the floor.

I havent had to do much with it besides oil and belts. Its been in 2 accidents!

anyways, DMC consider yourself a minority. The 5.3 is a good engine and will last a long time if properly taken care of, yours obviously has some issues.

As far as I know everyone that has one loves them, great cruising machines and handling thats to die for.

I wasnt sure if you were kidding or not when you posted:cwm27:

All I know is my 94 silverado (350) ext cab 4x4 has over 216,000 miles on it! And that is on the original engine with no major problems, just good maitenence. The tranny even made it to 187,000...She is still going strong so I am going to drive it till it dies.:biggrin:

Hope this is all readable... I didn't want to leave 6 different posts as responses:


I hope you didn't make matters worse by doing that "top end cleaner". What was done exactly?
Bought a bottle of modern engine-safe cleaner specified for this type of thing. Didn't do any damage... was probably just "snake oil".

My '99 Tahoe runs fine all day on regular grade fuel without the slightest complaint and it has over 100K miles on it.
Do they '99 Tahoes have the same 5.3L engine in the current vehicles? If not, then we can't compare engines. The 5.3 is different that 4.8, 5.7, 6, etc...

does it have an anti-drainback valve?
Which brands have this valve... dealer stock?

My knock turned out to be the GM piston slap problem. I phoned GM and moaned and they gave me an extended warranty for the engine.
Was your existing warranty up when they agreed? Mine expired this year... What did you say to get them to bend?

what codes did you pull out of her?
I'd have to run the test again because my friend didn't properly save the data. As I remember, the advance jumped WAY up when accellerating (but might be normal). The errors were with the ignition system, I believe. When we checked the waveform from the spark wires we saw big dropouts on the graph in two of the cylinders. Sorry to be so unscientific about the reporting here!

As far as I know everyone that has one loves them, great cruising machines and handling thats to die for.
I love mine, too - just not the engine. Maybe I'll replace it with a crate engine when I get the chance (or find a way around the smog checks). It just sucks to realize that a new $30K car is a "fixer-upper".

I love mine, too - just not the engine. Maybe I'll replace it with a crate engine when I get the chance (or find a way around the smog checks). It just sucks to realize that a new $30K car is a "fixer-upper".

Here's a nice crate engine I can sugguest for you. GM Parts Direct.com has a "special" on the limited production RAM JET ZL1 ALL ALUMINUM 454. For "only" $20,454.00 you can get one of only 200 produced. Now that would be an nice replacement for your 5.3L V8. http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/part_images/RAMJET%20ZL1.gif

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My '99 Tahoe runs fine all day on regular grade fuel without the slightest complaint and it has over 100K miles on it.
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Do they '99 Tahoes have the same 5.3L engine in the current vehicles? If not, then we can't compare engines. The 5.3 is different that 4.8, 5.7, 6, etc...


No, my '99 has the old reliable all iron 350 which is pretty much the same engine Chevy began producing in 1955.
I think GM made a terrible decision to discontinue this old workhorse for their light trucks and SUV's but I'm not sure what the commercial truck line is using now.
I'm still not convinced the new engines will be as good as the old 350's.
GM has had a lot of reliability issues concerning the use of aluminum for their engines.

Originally posted by kaskillah
my '99 has the old reliable all iron 350 which is pretty much the same engine Chevy began producing in 1955.
I agree 100%. The 350 is a great engine that has been time-tested:ylsuper:

You guys seem to know things. Help me on my problem with sudder/vibration! Read my story, 4 postings before this. Help!!