Question about high milage

TrevorB · January 18, 2006

Hi I am looking at buying a 1998 Yukon SLE, 5.7 auto 4x4 fully loaded. I just found it today at a local dealer. It has about 185k miles on it. I am just wondering if that is alot for these motors. I am going to call the dealer tomorrow and see what they can tell me about it. Thanks in advance.

05W/T · January 18, 2006

I bought my 1997 GMC Sierra EXSB w/ 192K on and only had to change out the belt tensioner and do a tune-up. When I sold it had 206k+ and the new owner drives it 50 miles everyday for work. I was told by the dealer that the truck was only used on the freeway since new. I'd be more worried about the transmission than the engine.

Bish · January 18, 2006

I agree with the comment to be more worried about the tranny than the engine. I have 155K on my Tahoe. According the oil analysis, the engine is wearing like it has 50K on it and not 150K. The tranny, however, started slipping at 140K and I had it rebuilt at 145K. Factor in the cost of a rebuilt trans and then determine if it seems like a good deal. I hope to keep my Tahoe well past 200K.

TrevorB · January 18, 2006

Thanks for the replies. i forgot about a friend of mine that has a 97 Tahoe and he had the tranny replaced at about 150K so I will have to look into that. I am going to call them and see what kind of shape it is then go look at it if it seems to be good.

OUMike · January 18, 2006

I agree with the comment to be more worried about the tranny than the engine. I have 155K on my Tahoe. According the oil analysis, the engine is wearing like it has 50K on it and not 150K. The tranny, however, started slipping at 140K and I had it rebuilt at 145K. Factor in the cost of a rebuilt trans and then determine if it seems like a good deal. I hope to keep my Tahoe well past 200K.

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"oil analysis"? How can you tell based on oil? I've got 195 on mine, and I'd be interested in checking.

My truck had over 100k when I got it, and I don't feel any difference in the tranny from the time I've had it to now. How would I be able to feel a slip? Trouble going into gear or what? Mileage when I got it was probably about 110-115, currently at 194,650.

jadannin · January 18, 2006

Thanks for the replies. i forgot about a friend of mine that has a 97 Tahoe and he had the tranny replaced at about 150K so I will have to look into that. I am going to call them and see what kind of shape it is then go look at it if it seems to be good.

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jadannin · January 18, 2006

My dad traded his 97 Tahoe in with around 230.000 mi. Around 200k he had to have both the front and rear differentials rebuilt. Around the miles you are describing he was replacing the starter, power steering pump, and fuel pump (big $$$).

pm26 · January 18, 2006

How would I be able to feel a slip? Trouble going into gear or what?

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When a transmission slips, the shifts are longer, and accompanied by a sudden increase in RPMs.

OUMike · January 22, 2006

How would I be able to feel a slip? Trouble going into gear or what?
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When a transmission slips, the shifts are longer, and accompanied by a sudden increase in RPMs.

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Thanks, thats kinda what I thought, but I've never expirenced this before.

fossil · January 23, 2006

Firmly step on the brakes with the transmission in drive. Now step on the throttle all the way to the floor. Note the RPM on the tach....should be around 1500-1800rpm. If the engine is revving higher than this the transmission is slipping. Caution: don't hold it at full throttle for more than 5 seconds or you'll risk overheating or damaging the transmission.

OUMike · January 23, 2006

Firmly step on the brakes with the transmission in drive. Now step on the throttle all the way to the floor. Note the RPM on the tach....should be around 1500-1800rpm. If the engine is revving higher than this the transmission is slipping. Caution: don't hold it at full throttle for more than 5 seconds or you'll risk overheating or damaging the transmission.

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Wait....

I think I'm gonna have to try that...

My tranny doesn't shift hard or anything really, so it'll be interesting to see if that works. I've power braked it like that before a few years back when it wasn't quite as old. I don't remember where the RPMs were though..

Bish · January 23, 2006

I agree with the comment to be more worried about the tranny than the engine. I have 155K on my Tahoe. According the oil analysis, the engine is wearing like it has 50K on it and not 150K. The tranny, however, started slipping at 140K and I had it rebuilt at 145K. Factor in the cost of a rebuilt trans and then determine if it seems like a good deal. I hope to keep my Tahoe well past 200K.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"oil analysis"? How can you tell based on oil? I've got 195 on mine, and I'd be interested in checking.

My truck had over 100k when I got it, and I don't feel any difference in the tranny from the time I've had it to now. How would I be able to feel a slip? Trouble going into gear or what? Mileage when I got it was probably about 110-115, currently at 194,650.

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Oil analysis tells you all the wear items in your oil. No only does it tell you how your oil is holding up, it can tell you a lot about air and oil filtration and what is wearing inside your engine. Spikes in certain metals can indicate abnormal wear patterns and give you warning before failure. The idea is you track mean values over a period of time and anything outside of the mean says something is not right.

I use THESE guys. You can read a little more on their site.