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GMC Sierra: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
Have fun with your new truck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
According to my dealer, oil is getting past the rings and causes carbon deposits on the pistons. You get the clattering sound when you do cold starts.
GM is supposedly working on a fix, but it's 4 to 6 months away. It will probably mean new pistons, but knowing GM they'll probably give you a lifetime supply of carbon removal treatments.
Jim
Jim
I did check and replace my rear drive shaft u-joints at 44k miles,which were bad it helped cut down the frequency of the light but still getting it .also it won't go into 4x4 high or low when this happens.but will go into auto 4x4.also it will clear itself if I shut the truck off then on.
thank's Dean
The General tires you have on your truck now are worth $25 new. Is that the kind of tire you want to be driving around on? Get rid of them.
I had 10K on them when i switched to LT285 BFG All terrain TA ko's
Much better tire
I do have 1 fstone left in case i go back to 265's ill use it as a spare. Its sitting in my grandpas garage.
I have a 285 under the truck (just put it back under there this past weekend)
I took a pic and said it was for sale but im gonna keep it just in case i go back to 265's or someone i know needs it (what are friends for hehe)
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Driveline Vibration/Growl Noise (Reprogram PCM) #99-07-30-024
Driveline Vibration/Growl Noise (Reprogram PCM)
2000 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Utility and Pickup Models (Silverado and Sierra)
with 4.8 L or 5.3 L Engine (VINs V, T -- RPOs LR4, LM7)
and Hydra-Matic 4L60-E Transmission (RPO M30)
Condition
Some customers may comment about a driveline vibration/growl noise at speeds between 56-80 km/h (35-50 mph) with low engine speeds.
Cause
Engine torsional vibration when the torque converter clutch is engaged at low engine speeds, 1100-1400 RPM, can excite various driveline components. These driveline disturbances can cause noises and vibrations that the driver may feel and/or hear.
Correction
Reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with the calibrations listed in this bulletin.
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Front Suspension Coil Spring Noise (Install New Coil Spring Insulators) #99-03-08-002A
Front Suspension Coil Spring Noise (Install New Coil Spring Insulator)
1999-2000 Chevrolet and GMC C/K Models (Silverado and Sierra 2WD 1500 Series)
Condition
Some owners may comment about front suspension noise. The noise may be described as a "bong" or "clunk" noise. The noise may be more noticeable when driving slowly over bumps or backing the vehicle out of a driveway.
Cause
The front coil spring contacting the frame may cause this condition.
A new front coil spring insulator has been developed to correct this condition. Install a new insulator (1) to the top of both front coil springs.
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Steering or Front End Road Induced Vibration (Install and Reinforce Revised Steering and Suspension Components)
1999-2000 Chevrolet and GMC C1500 Pickup Trucks (Silverado and Sierra)
Built Prior to the Following VINs
Plant
Body Series
VIN
Fort Wayne, IN
C15703
1GCEC14V7YZ243861
C15753
1GTEC19T8YZ244020
C15903
1GCEC14T4YZ245211
Pontiac, MI
C15903
1GCEC14V4YE279931
C15953
1GCEC19V1YE277451
Oshawa, ON
C15753
2GCEC19VXY1264957
Important
Canadian dealers require PRIOR District Service Manager approval to apply this bulletin.
Condition
Some customers may comment on a steering wheel or front end vibration.
Cause
Several components in the front end steering and suspension work in unison to isolate the driver from road irregularities and from road/tire induced vibration. If any of these components are not working effectively, it will affect the other components of the suspension and steering system. Tire and road vibrations may be transmitted to the passenger compartment and steering through the rack and pinion unit. Additionally, the mounting points of the steering rack on the front frame crossmember may be amplifying any road vibrations.
Correction
In order to dampen unwanted vibration from the steering wheel, the following revisions must be performed:
The tires must be in accordance with Corporate Bulletin Number 99-03-09-002 published August, 1999.
The steering rack must be replaced with a revised rack.
The left front steering rack mounting point must be reinforced.
The lower control arms must be replaced with units incorporating a revised bushing.
The power steering (PS) pump metering valve must be replaced with a revised fitting.
The first TSB to reprogram the PCM can be called the solution for the driveline growl. You can find the updated software solution by going to this site and entering your VIN.
http://calid.gm.com/vci/
BTW, the recalibration doesn't work either. All it does is force the truck to downshift faster when depressing the gas pedal. The truck will still lug and cause the driveline growl at 38-42 mph.
How do I know all of this......been there done that. And yes, you do need the GM district reps approval to change out the rack and pinion which BTW, is harder than pulling your own teeth.
Jim
The BBB will contact you and ask if you would settle for anything less than and outright buyback. At that point, you may ask for the extended warranty as a negotiating point. GM will ususally agree at this point cause it really costs them nothing but paper to give it to you.
It may be a rumor, but some Chevy dealerships are acknowledging the problem in writing.
Jim
Talked with the service manager regarding the piston slap.
Apparently GM has 500 sets of pistons that are .00025 of an inch
larger than the originals in field tests around the country.
If there are no issues with these GM is planning to release
this as a fix in spring of 2002.
That is what I heard... Don't shoot the messenger.
Personally, GMPP and a little piston slap for me..
I don't want some tech learning on my engine..
This Service Manager was very knowledgeable.
He does know his sh** and is working on the A/C
issue I have seen in the 2001 Silverados.
(More on that later)
TWENTY-FIVE ONE-HUNDRED Thousandths of an inch(.00025) is not going to do ANYTHING if the bore is .001 of an inch larger than when new. Most oversized pistons come in .020-.040" over. (big blocks I've seen up to .060 over)
I haven't decided on a course of action yet, but I don't think new pistons are the answer.
Off the top of my head I'm thinking new motor if I keep the truck, if not that then maybe it's time to visit a Toyota dealer.
I just traded in my 97 GMC Sierra.
It had 150,000 miles on the motor, all by me.
Motor work done during the life:
Oil Changes Regularly (A couple were overdue)
Plugs
Belt tensioner at 90,000 miles
Plug Wires
Intake gasket at 126,000 miles.
This motor had the piston slap from (at least when I paid attention)
about 20,000. Who knows it could have been longer.
All I know is, piston slap or not. The motor was
running like a raped ape at 150,000 miles.
I traded the truck in on a 2001 model and I love it.
During the life of that 97 Vortec motor. I never
saw any metal in the pan on oil changes.
At 150,000 miles it burned ZERO oil.
From several people who are in the business to know,
I have heard that the loose tolerance on the piston
skirt was designed into the engine. The purpose was to gain engine life and reliability.
As I understand it, GM is working on a "Quiet" fix
for the piston slap to pacify the owners who
cringe everytime they hear the noise.
Personally after 30 secs or less there is more
vibration and noise coming from the A/C compressor
than anything else in the engine bay.
As my previous truck would attest to. It was bult
well and will continue to for someone else.
Not to offend anyone, but, we are not driving a
Cadillac or Lexus here. It is a truck!
Thats exactly how i feel.
Jim
"From several people who are in the business to know,
I have heard that the loose tolerance on the piston
skirt was designed into the engine. The purpose was to gain engine life and reliability"
See, Ford had it right in the first place!!!! Youz guys bust me up!!!
C'mon guys, it's a problem. Why do some do it and some don't if it was "designed that way" ??? So the ones that are quiet are defective???
Please please HELP
They wouldn't put the same motor in a truck.
There are differences between the motors.
But the same basic block and technologies that
allowed the LS1 to produce the power are
incorporated into the current vortec motor.
Pretty simple. It is a matter of awareness I think.
Some people are clueless and don't care. They never
even hear a noise until someone points it out.
Does this mean the motors are bad?
I don't think so, see my post #336.
I traded my old truck in for the 4wd I wanted and
never bought in 1997. I had 4wd envy until this last month. Otherwise my 1997 (with the piston slap) would still taking me to work and back,
towing my boat and hauling dirt as needed.
GM has been dealing with the piston slap
complaints for several years now©
I don't disagree on the material issue©
I believe it is more a designed fit issue©
If the engineers specify a larger tolerance
in the piston to cylinder wall clearance,
you will get piston slap until the piston has
had a chance to heat up and thermally expand©
Without looking at any internal specs for these
motors, I cannot tell you for sure© But based
on the application of the motor, I bet there are
differences in either piston material or
clearance or both©
I have heard that the additional clearance was
"engineered" in for CAFE reasons as well as
durability© It would stand to reason that
if you tighten up the tolerance, you would lose
a percentage of your gas mileage©
It seems, from the conversation, it's pretty obvious GM is aware of this problem. Since I will be presenting this problem to my dealer(who never wants to acknowledge any problems) should I have them contact anybody from GM, like a zone office, to make the dealer aware the problem exists and find out any current action to take? I don't want them tampering with the engine or putting a new engine in, just to at least document the problem is there.