1990 Nitro/Tracker 180FS

[MrGiggles]

6 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Well I just bought a '04 Tahoe.  167kmiles for 4500.00 (clean as a whistle, couldn't pass it up).  Anything I should know about that year class?

Guess I'll sell the Suburban, and I'm still shopping for another pickup truck.

5.3?

There was a run of bad heads that can crack and leak coolant into the engine. If you have coolant disappearing, that's probably the issue. Dex-cool does not milkshake when mixed with oil like regular coolant, but makes black sludge that sits in the bottom of the pan. Google "5.3 Castech Heads" for more info.

The 4L60E trans in those is not really known for longevity. Lifespan is 150-200k. A carry out rebuild is ~700 bucks. 

At higher mileage, the O-ring on the oil pickup tube will harden, resulting in low oil pressure and lifter noise, especially on an incline. Have to drop the oil pan or go in through the front cover. Cheap repair, but labor intensive. 

Look at the sticker in the glovebox, see if code G80 is listed. That is the factory locking rear diff option, which are very well known for catastrophic failure if abused in the 1500s.

Lastly, the stepper motors for the gauges are known to go haywire. Cheap fix if you are handy with a soldering iron.

I have an 06 Silverado 5.3 with 288k. I just did the oil pickup O-ring today. Pan had not been opened up until now. I really do like the truck, very well laid out, easy to work on, comfortable, rides good, but they have their issues like anything else.

 

[fishinwrench]

Right on.  So not much different from my 99 Silverado LS Z71.  Never had actual oil pressure issues but have replaced that pressure sensor behind the intake 3 times, and the 4L60E puked at 196k (but nobody is harder on transmissions than I am).  I "fixed" the coolant leak with that stuff in a can.....worked good, but partially plugged the heater core.

I expected the Tahoe to have a G80 locker but don't see that on the sticker in the glovebox.

[MrGiggles]

On 6/24/2018 at 9:53 PM, fishinwrench said:

Right on.  So not much different from my 99 Silverado LS Z71.  Never had actual oil pressure issues but have replaced that pressure sensor behind the intake 3 times, and the 4L60E puked at 196k (but nobody is harder on transmissions than I am).  I "fixed" the coolant leak with that stuff in a can.....worked good, but partially plugged the heater core.

I expected the Tahoe to have a G80 locker but don't see that on the sticker in the glovebox.

Yeah pretty much, those engines are largely unchanged from 99-06. In 07 (the next generation) they added displacement on demand and all that nonsense.

[fishinwrench]

The fun has already began.  Previous owner added really sweet 18" wheels but didn't add the sensor equipped valve stems.  Went to grab some today (so I don't have to look at the SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR billboard on the dash anymore). 

52.00 apiece....for valve stems, plus 32.50 to reflash the control module.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

19 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

The fun has already began.  Previous owner added really sweet 18" wheels but didn't add the sensor equipped valve stems.  Went to grab some today (so I don't have to look at the SERVICE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR billboard on the dash anymore). 

52.00 apiece....for valve stems, plus 32.50 to reflash the control module.

Or you can just pull the fuse. 

[fishinwrench]

36 minutes ago, Daryk Campbell Sr said:

Or you can just pull the fuse. 

That deletes the constant message on the dash panel?   If so which fuse is it?  Because I'm perfectly capable of knowing when I have a dogdamned flat!  Besides, I run BFG A/T KO 10ply's and flats don't happen.   The truck could get demolished by a freight train and the one thing you'd be able to salvage would be those tires. I don't even bother carring a spare.  They don't even require air in them to get you back home unless you're hauling a heavy load.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

7 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

That deletes the constant message on the dash panel?   If so which fuse is it?  Because I'm perfectly capable of knowing when I have a dogdamned flat!  Besides, I run BFG A/T KO 10ply's and flats don't happen.   The truck could get demolished by a freight train and the one thing you'd be able to salvage would be those tires. I don't even bother carring a spare.  They don't even require air in them to get you back home unless you're hauling a heavy load.

Not certain on the dash message center.  I know it works for the low pressure idiot light. 

[MrGiggles]

8 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

That deletes the constant message on the dash panel?   If so which fuse is it?  Because I'm perfectly capable of knowing when I have a dogdamned flat!  Besides, I run BFG A/T KO 10ply's and flats don't happen.   The truck could get demolished by a freight train and the one thing you'd be able to salvage would be those tires. I don't even bother carring a spare.  They don't even require air in them to get you back home unless you're hauling a heavy load.

I have read that you can build a 6" PVC vessel with a valve stem, throw the sensors inside and pump it up. Then throw it behind the seat or something.

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, Daryk Campbell Sr said:

Not certain on the dash message center.  I know it works for the low pressure idiot light. 

Hmm, thinking it's highly unlikely that a single sensor function circuit is protected by its own fuse.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I am skeptical myself, but have many customers who have told me of success stories.  I'm too lazy.