200k Miles....what Should I Look For?

[sahls01gmc]

I have an 01 GMC SIERRA 2500 (NON HD!!!!), and it just turned 200k not too long ago. I love this truck, and it stills runs way too good to want to get rid of it.

 

Within the last few months I have replaced the following:

Front wheel bearing (both sides)

Belt Tensioner

Idler pulley

Serpentine belt

Front pads (all 4 corners had new pads and rotors 3 years ago)

 

I have noticed an oil leak that drips from where the motor meets the transmission. Is this the rear main seal, or possibly the valve covers? I haven't looked too closely to see exactly where, but i know that it is a problem

 

 

What are some other items that I should have addressed with this turning of the page? As long as I'm spending less a month on parts than I am on a new truck payment, I have no problem doing this.

 

Thanks for any tips

 

 

James Sahl

[chevydriver37]

I have an 01 GMC SIERRA 2500 (NON HD!!!!), and it just turned 200k not too long ago. I love this truck, and it stills runs way too good to want to get rid of it.

 

Within the last few months I have replaced the following:

Front wheel bearing (both sides)

Belt Tensioner

Idler pulley

Serpentine belt

Front pads (all 4 corners had new pads and rotors 3 years ago)

 

I have noticed an oil leak that drips from where the motor meets the transmission. Is this the rear main seal, or possibly the valve covers? I haven't looked too closely to see exactly where, but i know that it is a problem

 

 

What are some other items that I should have addressed with this turning of the page? As long as I'm spending less a month on parts than I am on a new truck payment, I have no problem doing this.

 

Thanks for any tips

 

 

James Sahl

 

At 200K it'd be hard to say. Gotta be one or the other - could even be seeping off the back of the intake. Start with the easiest stuff first and go from there. The best way though, would be to have some oilleak dye put in the crankcase and have yer tech look at it under a light to trace the leak. Good luck, hope ya get another 200k!

[sahls01gmc]

Ok, I'll look into that. One thing that I notice is it seems to leak more when the motor is first started, it kind of leaks like a faucet drip. But after it warms up, it seems to leak considerably less.

[SouthCo]

I hear you on keeping it. My '03 Tahoe has 177K miles and still runs great too. The inside and outside are also in great condition. I thought about trading it in when I bought the Sierra but decided it wasn't worth it. Keep rolling and let us know when you find out what's leaking.

[sahls01gmc]

One thing that has caused some concern is my brakes. Lately, there has been a day or 2 time period where the brakes feel squishy. I have to push the pedal a lot more to get the truck to stop. The (P)(!) brake light never goes off, but I definitely know that something is going on. The gasket on the cap was ripped, so I replaced that but it is still a problem.

 

What all am I looking at to flush the brake lines....by myself?

 

Gotta wait for some warmer non-snowy weather before I can tear into the oil leak issue.

 

Thanks guys for your posts!

[HawkScot]

If it is 4WD, you should consider the transfer case fix that is discussed on other threads.

[ChevyTech77]

Yes, I would flush the brake fluid if the master cap seal was torn at one time. You will need the GM scan tool to properly bleed that system though.

 

As for the oil leak, it could be the rear main or the rear main seal adapter. Both require some special tools to get everything lined back up when it is going back together so if you can, see if you can get a good deal on the repairs being done at a comperable repair facility. I'm not sure if all of the necessary alignment tools are available aftermarket

yet, for the rear main seal repairs, but if so an aftermarket shop should even be able to do it for you.

 

I know what you're saying too. My '98 has 195k on it and is still going strong enough for me to keep driving it. The thought of getting something new is on my mind from time to time but this one refuses to die so I have a hard time

giving up on it to buy new.

[sahls01gmc]

If it is 4WD, you should consider the transfer case fix that is discussed on other threads.

Where would I find some threads on that? My search skills need some work....

[sahls01gmc]

One thing to add about the transfer case. I did have a bad U-joint on the output shaft that caused a bad vibration. I replaced it a while back, but I know that my 4wd is not working properly. I can hear the "motor" engage into 4wd, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Fearing that the transfer case needs to be rebuilt, I haven't looked into it too much as the cost scares me, and I don't need to have functioning 4wd to get from A to B.

 

Anyone think that the bad vibration caused some internal damage to the transfer case? What are somes good tips to look for?

 

 

Thanks to everyone for submitting your thoughts.

 

 

James

[sahls01gmc]

What things should I look into with the transfer case? I tried to search around and I couldn't find a good maintenence tip for it.

 

 

James