2001 Silverado To Play With

[jigsaw71]

Hey guys, I just bought a 2001 Silverado from the original owner with 49000 miles on it, in good shape body wise, generally looks good but rides a little rough and is tough to start at times. Found out the previous owner did not change the spark plugs or wires and when I pulled off the air intake filter assembly I found a bunch of crud at the throttle body. Could either of these issues be contributing to its rough running/starting? I have changed spark plugs before but it has been a couple years for my regular truck. I am curious about if these really are original will they be a pain to get them out? I do not want to break them off trying to get them out. Are there any tricks to getting the old ones out without damaging anything? I got an amazing deal on this truck so I don't want to lose a good putter truck. I will now have a good backup (hopefully) for when I have to do work on my regular truck. Oh yeah, has anyone ever tried the rubber tubing trick for putting new spark plugs in that the manual talks about? I have only put them in by feel and I am going to be changing my wife's spark plugs on her car soon and am wondering if the trick works well or if doing it by feel is the easiest.

[MS3DALE]

This info. may help you.....

 

 

#03-06-04-060B: Information on New Spark Plugs and Gapping - (Jul 30, 2008)

 

 

Subject: Information on New Spark Plugs and Gapping

 

 

Models: 2004 Buick Rainier

 

2002-2004 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT

 

2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV

 

2004 Cadillac CTS-V

 

1997-2004 Chevrolet Corvette

 

1998-2002 Chevrolet Camaro

 

1999-2004 Chevrolet Silverado

 

2000-2004 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe

 

2002-2004 Chevrolet Avalanche

 

2003-2004 Chevrolet Express, SSR, TrailBlazer

 

1999-2004 GMC Sierra

 

2000-2004 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL

 

2001-2004 GMC Yukon Denali, Yukon XL Denali

 

2002-2004 GMC Sierra Denali

 

2003-2004 GMC Envoy XL

 

1998-2002 Pontiac Firebird

 

2004-2005 Pontiac GTO

 

2003-2004 HUMMER H2

 

with 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L or 6.0L V-8 Engine (VINs V, P, T, Z, G, S, N, U -- RPOs LR4, LM4, LM7, L59, LS1, LS6, LQ9, LQ4)

 

 

 

Attention: Please disregard the Set Gap Per Vehicle Specification statement on the side of an ACDelco® Iridium Spark Plug Box. The statement will be removed from the boxes in the future.

 

 

• A new spark plug has been released for use in the above vehicles. The new spark plug has an Iridium tip instead of the current Platinum tip. Due to the different tip design, the gap of the spark plug has also changed.

 

• The new spark plug, P/N 12571164 with AC Delco P/N 41-985, is gapped to 1.01 mm (0.040 in) when the spark plug is made.

 

 

Notice: The spark plug gap is set during manufacturing and should not be changed or damage to the spark plug may result. Any new spark plug found to not be properly gapped should not be used.

[MS3DALE]

Heres some more info....

 

#PIP3069C: Information - Iridium and Platinum Tip Spark Plug Maintenance - keywords 30K major minor preventative removal remove replacement tune up - (Apr 4, 2006)

 

Subject: Information - Iridium and Platinum Tip Spark Plug Maintenance

 

Models: All GM Passenger Cars and Trucks

 

with Iridium or Platinum Tipped Spark Plugs

 

This information applies to all vehicles equipped with Iridium or Platinum Tipped Spark Plugs.

 

Recommendation/Instructions:

Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs are designed to operate under normal vehicle operating conditions for up to 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers) without periodic maintenance. As stated in the owner's manual, maintenance needs may vary because of all the different ways people use their vehicles. As a result, more frequent inspections and replacements may be needed if the vehicle is operated in extreme conditions.

 

When no engine performance concerns are present, Iridium and Platinum tipped spark plugs should not be removed for periodic inspection and cleaning of threads, doing so may compromise the spark plug's ability to withstand their corrosive environment. The threaded area, although not sealed, serves as a protective environment against most harmful elements. Removing and cleaning spark plugs will introduce metallic debris and brush scrapings into the thread area which may further the corrosion process.

 

Chromate coated spark plugs should not be wire brushed or handled in any way once they are put in service. Chromium topcoats form a protective oxide on spark plugs that is not effective if scratched. Both coated and uncoated spark plugs will have the best chance of surviving a corrosive environment if they are left in position. Attempts to maintain spark plugs by removing them and cleaning the threads can actually create the corrosive condition that the procedure was intended to prevent.

[rjirvine]

I would change the fuel filter if you don't know when it was last changed. Use flare nut wrenches so you don't round the nut flats. Although it wont help the running of the truck, i'll bet your cabin air filter needs to be replaced too(under glovebox)

[TOTALRECALL]

Hi, I have a 2002 Silverado, STD CAB w/8 Foot bed, 5.3 auto and 45,000 miles. Runs smooth as silk, never missed, starts first time very easy. This is one of the best things I like about this truck, very smooth powertrain. Having chased like issues on other vehicles and reading this board and others for other vehicles:

 

Air Filter - MAF sensor - especially if aftermarket air filter or other dirt is found

Throttle body or some type of Throttle sensor

Maybe one Coil starting to fail - I have individual coils on for each cylinder

Of course plugs and wires, but maybe wires, I just don't know what would make the plugs go this early

 

Anyway you get the idea. In my non-professional opinion with today's vehicles, way too early for major maintenance, not saying one sensor or part couldn't have gone bad.

 

Hope this helps

 

Mike