2001 Yukon w/ 8.1L engine

GunWorx32 · December 18, 2021

Hey guys, glad to be a part of the forum! I’ve owned several silverados between 1999-2006 as well as suburbans, tahoes and Yukons. However, none of them have had the 8.1L monster in them. I found a very clean 2001 Yukon XL SLT 2500 with 265k miles on it for sale local and I think I’m going to pull the trigger. I’m seeing conflicting posts, does the Yukon XL/Suburban with the 8.1L have an Allison trans or 4L80/85? Those of you who have owned one, how did you like it? How well does the engine and trans hold up? I’ve saw some people state that most have cold start knock and/or consume oil. Thanks for the help!

Supreme Pizza · December 18, 2021

So this 2001 Yukon XL SLT 2500 with 265k miles...

How much are they asking for it, out of curiosity?

GunWorx32 · December 18, 2021

Just now, Supreme Pizza said:

So this 2001 Yukon XL SLT 2500 with 265k miles...

How much are they asking for it, out of curiosity?

$5,000. They’ve owned it since 2014 and have kept it in a garage nightly.

CamGTP · December 18, 2021

The Yukons have a 4L85e.

Supreme Pizza · December 18, 2021

5 G's, ya I guess I could see that it its in real good shape. No bald tires or huge oil leaks or anything...

I would show up and do a full vehicle inspection, and point out anything you can find. Scan the computer, crawl around underneath, etc. Then I would hold out a stack of $100 bills, and for this rig and with the problems that I found - I can offer $3500 cash today if you have the title.

Anyway, all that aside - I would look for oil containers int he vehicle. If you find some - it uses oil. For the transmission, if the fluid level is over full, then someone was putting additives in to hide a problem. For cold start knock, just ask them to let it it sit overnight without starting it so you can cold start it. Then when you arrive, feel the exhaust manifolds, and stick your finger in the radiator to see if there is any heat.

For the transmission type, you could email the VIN number to GM to get a build sheet. Might not be the stock trans though, so you could go under the rig and Google the numbers off of the trans.

GunWorx32 · December 18, 2021

1 minute ago, Supreme Pizza said:

5 G's, ya I guess I could see that it its in real good shape. No bald tires or huge oil leaks or anything...

I would show up and do a full vehicle inspection, and point out anything you can find. Scan the computer, crawl around underneath, etc. Then I would hold out a stack of $100 bills, and for this rig and with the problems that I found - I can offer $3500 cash today if you have the title.

Anyway, all that aside - I would look for oil containers int he vehicle. If you find some - it uses oil. For the transmission, if the fluid level is over full, then someone was putting additives in to hide a problem. For cold start knock, just ask them to let it it sit overnight without starting it so you can cold start it. Then when you arrive, feel the exhaust manifolds, and stick your finger in the radiator to see if there is any heat.

For the transmission type, you could email the VIN number to GM to get a build sheet. Might not be the stock trans though, so you could go under the rig and Google the numbers off of the trans.

Brand spanking new Michelin tires and they have a huge stack of service receipts to go with it! I have a very good feeling about it after talking to them on the phone. It’s an older couple who moved from Colorado to NC and no longer need such a large 4x4 vehicle.

Supreme Pizza · December 18, 2021

Sounds pretty good. Might be worth looking at the most recent service receipts, just to see if there is anything noteworthy, like diagnostics or repair recommendations.

dna9656 · December 19, 2021

My dealer gave me the build sheet (or something akin to it; i had all the RPO listed on it.) on the spot. Talk to the parts department... take the last 10 of the VIN with you. Maybe call them on the phone...