2002 Silverado 5.3 Issue - Help

Smitty00Z71 · January 17, 2009

just picked up a "new to me" 2002 silverado 5.3 - 146K miles. After driving a while, the engine started spittin and sputting ... started loosing power. So I pulled off the road and shut it down. Waited a little, started again and it seemed like the issue was worse.... would only idel very low... when I started giving it a little gas it would shut down. It did for 10 min or so .... and finially it started to catch! Good enough to make it home... still would split - or delay when I punch the gas. Im thinking it's got to be a fuel issue? I guess start will chaging the fuel filter ( probably has never been done) then check the pressure on the fuel pump? maybe a vacume leak as well? Any help would be appreciated

ColoradoSkiCountry · January 17, 2009

I think your headed in the right direction with the fuel system. Almost sounds like contaminated fuel. Go ahead and change the fuel filter, check the air filter, and check the spark plugs. Lets get the basics first, Fuel, Air, Spark.

ColoradoSkiCountry · January 17, 2009

Also, did the check engine light come on?

Smitty00Z71 · January 17, 2009

The service engine light has been on ... when the truck would stall out on me, the oil pressure light would come on real quick then shut off.

When I picked the truck up yesterday from the dealer I filled it up with BP gas, I also added a can of that Chevron Techonine (spelling) fuel injector cleaner

I drove home 100+ miles and everything was ok, until right before I got home... had the problems about 3 miles from my house.

Smitty00Z71 · January 17, 2009

ended up being the fuel pump ...only pushing 15 psi... I was afraid of that! Dammit! Got it changed, along with all the trucks filters, tire balance, oil, etc... $1,100 !

pennzoil29 · January 18, 2009

ended up being the fuel pump ...only pushing 15 psi... I was afraid of that! Dammit! Got it changed, along with all the trucks filters, tire balance, oil, etc... $1,100 !

Sorry to hear about the extra expense, but at least you got her going.

Smitty00Z71 · January 18, 2009

yes, not a big deal... so I guess I just bought the truck for really $6,400 ( adding the 1100 I just spent) - still not a bad deal for a 2002 X cab Z71, LT - now it has been tuned up with new fuel pump. It also has 285's and spray in liner ....and everything works like it should

lvlagnum · January 18, 2009

Smitty.

I think that is a good price, indeed. I just traded in a 2003 Chevy Silverado LS 5.3 Z-71 extended cab with 69,000km on it in mint condition except for a small dent on the passengers door, an unknown ABS code and an airbag code which indicated an inoperable airbag system and I still got $12,000CDN or about $10,000US for it from the dealer. As long as nothing else goes wrong on your truck, I think you did well.