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Proud New Owner - 2006 Silverado

amg280

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amg280 Enthusiast

amg280

Posted
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Hello all. This is my first time ever owning a truck. I have always loved the silverados better than any other truck out there. The truck I got is a loaded 2006 Silverado LT3 extended cab std box, Silver Birch metallic with black leather. It has heated leather seats, sunroof, Z71, trailering, and the all aluminum L33 5.3 "HO" engine, (23,500 miles)

 

I absolutely love it, it rides so much more compliant than any other truck i've driven. I just wanted to welcome myself to the community and ask a few general, if not stupid, questions. Im an avid DIY, as I used to be a mercedes-benz mechanic.

 

1. What are the problem areas of these trucks? I noticed mine has rear drums in it. I have read that it was because in the salt belt (where i am :dunno: ), corrosion was an issue with the disc setup. What else should I lookout for?

 

2. Is the all aluminum L33 HO engine as rare as marketing pamplets make it out to be (for the 04, 05, 06, etc)? Is this as durable an engine as the iron block version? I notice this one has a drive by wire throttle. That scares me, thinking back to the old benzes that have constant issues with that.

 

3. Since I am in the salt belt, would any of you recommend getting the truck undercoated, or doing anything preventative to inhibit corrosion issues down the road?

 

4. Oil changes, should I really follow the oil life indicator? Or do them every 3500 or so miles? What type and grade of oil would you recommend?

 

5. Seats. I have owned the truck for 3 days now, and have already had a few issues. On the drivers side, the lumbar portion broke. The motor would turn, but no adjustment. Dealer fixed that. Yesterday, the little armrest on the drives seat doesnt stop at the halfway mark anymore so you can rest your hand on it. Instead, it flops completely down to the base seat cushion. Is there an easy fix for this? Or is it a deal thing? I hate going to the dealer, even if it is under warranty.

 

Thanks for any responses. I will try and get some pics soon.

stadt11 Senior Enthusiast

stadt11

Posted
Posted

Welcome Andy :dunno:

 

I too have a 2006, but a Sierra. Post up those pics!

 

I would say the biggest problem area is that it's de-tuned. There is lots of info on here to get that thing pepped-up & roaring down the highway.

 

I couldn't find a HO engine around here when I was looking for mine, you should be happy with the extra few horses that thing produces, I would say they are rare.

 

I did get an underbody coat from my dealership when I got it. I think it will really help with salty roads in Iowa.

 

I currently do my oil changes at 3000 miles, but with all the recent posts here I'll be switching to a synthetic at my next scheduled oil change in Dec. The OLM is nice to have, I hear that it doesn't really take into account for the added protection a synthetic provides. Just do a search on Oil Change Interval or Synthetic or Royal Purple, you'll come up with lots of results (some guys change their oil at 10000+ intervals).

 

Not sure about the armrest if that's covered or not.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

WOW! Congrats on your truck purchase. It sounds like a great truck with almost no miles on it. :dunno:

csheatz Senior Enthusiast

csheatz

Posted
Posted

Welcome.

 

1. Rear drums, some like some dislike, they are old style but they work, and repairs are cheap. I have heard that trucks with the disk brakes can spend more then $400 per rear wheel for basic repairs.

 

2. the L33 HO went in about 30% of 2006 silverado's, mostly Z71's. Personally I like it more then the iron block. I was never a fan of the iron block with aluminum heads, I feel that the 2 differend metals expand at different rates over then operating temp of a engine, which can not be good over the long term.

 

3. Undercoating, and splash guards. if you like you lower edges then get the splash guards, a good pair will save the rockers, lower doors, and door jams.

 

4. Everyone has their own take on the OLM, I change mine every 5000 miles, unless I go on a long vacation then it gets changed before I go if its close to 3000 miles already on the oil.

 

5. As for the seats I dont have the leather so I cant help, but take it to the dealer, you paid for the truck, use the warrenty. I had the dealer replace the bowtie on the grille, and the running light because of water issues.

 

there are a few TSB about these trucks that I know of, but someone else here would know more then me about that. I think there is one for the heads leaking coolant into the oil, so keep a eye on the coolent level, if its not leaking but you losing coolant take it in, its going some where. Also it may have already been done but there is a issue with the steering shaft. thats about all I know of.

amg280 Enthusiast

amg280

Posted
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Posted

Wow! Thanks for all the kind words!!! You guys have some very nice looking vehicles. It has been raining here for the last 4 days strait, so I havent been able to get any pics, at least not any worthy of posting. My truck is going to the dealer tomorrow for those issues I reported. I found a TSB on that armrest issue.

 

Im very proud, last night I did my first mod.....rail caps :thumbs: . It already had an OEM GM bedliner in it, so I complimented it with these. It had a soft tonneau cover on it when I got it, but since removed it. I like the rugged look of it now. Baby steps...

 

I also noticed the truck sits kind of higher in the rear. Is there a easy way to level it out? Or should I leave it well enough alone.

 

Thanks again for all the support and encouragement!

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

Welcome to the site. I will try to answer some of your questions:

 

The aluminum 5.3 HO engine was standard on extended cab pickup trucks only in '06. Not sure if it was even optional on other models.

 

I too have an '06 Silverado and I change oil every 3k miles. I used Catrol GTX 5W30 oil and AC oil filters. It takes about 6 quarts of oil to change oil on this engine. Be careful where you place the drain pan, as the oil comes out in a strong stream and can overshoot the pan.

 

The rear drum brakes are not bad, they have a good feel to them. I am having more problems with the front discs - one of my rotors is slightly grooved for some reason, but no chatter or any other anomalous indication. You should probably replace the brake fluid at this point. I just did it on my truck. The bleeders take an 8mm wrench in the rear and a 10 mm wrench in the front. You need about 1.5 quart of DOT 3 fluid to completely replace the fluid. The truck has a huge brake master cylinder reservoir.

 

I would recommend undedrcoating the rear wheel wells only as they are bare painted metal and there ar eno plastic liners available for these trucks. As for undercoating the entire truck bottom, GM will void the warranty if the undercoating traps moisture and caused rustthrough. If done correctly, i do nto see a big problem though. What I did to my truck is this; I got a can of CRC corrosion inhibitor, and sprayed it on the inside creases of all doors and the hood, These ar ethe problem areas where corrosion may start. I live in coastal Florida and we have our share of salt spray and humidity here which causes serious corrosion.

 

 

BTW, I could use some help with my old Mercedes cars - I have several of them and they are a challenge. I need to do some suspension work and it is hard to find anybody around ehre who knows what they are doing. And very few mechanics know how to work on the 80's mercedes diesels anymore.

amg280 Enthusiast

amg280

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Pete,

 

Thanks for the advice. The brakes do have a good feel to them, even if they are drum.

 

Please feel free to PM me about the mercedes questions. The 80's diesels are very easy to work on and are the most robust in my opinion. Imassuming your talking about the W123 bodies? I personally am expertised in the W124's, my favorite benz of all time.

 

Andy

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