2004 Tahoe, 5.3, 60k - engine toast?
Jan 21, 2008 | 12:19 PM
#1
2004 Tahoe, 5.3, 60k - engine toast?
Guys, guy here at work has the above mentioned truck. Well maintained, oil change every 3k etc etc. He was a couple hundred miles from his next 3k mile oil change. Recently the joyous cold start knock/lifter tick started getting louder and louder, so he took it in. Dealer calls back and says the engine is toast. Oil filter had a boatload of crap in it and when the valve cover was pulled the oil was all foamy.
What's going on here? I know the pre GenIII motors had intake manifold leak problems, but aside from that, what could have caused coolant to get into this thing, and how would it be THAT bad?!? Haven't torn into it yet so I'm just tryin to see if anyone else had this before the dealer comes back with their assesment. I mean 60k, come on.
What's going on here? I know the pre GenIII motors had intake manifold leak problems, but aside from that, what could have caused coolant to get into this thing, and how would it be THAT bad?!? Haven't torn into it yet so I'm just tryin to see if anyone else had this before the dealer comes back with their assesment. I mean 60k, come on.
Jan 21, 2008 | 05:45 PM
#3
Yeah, I'm hoping the head gasket is the actual problem, because a cracked block is unacceptable for an engine with 60k on it. Now I just wonder how bad all the bearing are with the coolant oil mix?
Jan 23, 2008 | 08:27 PM
#6
Looks like this was it
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Some 5.3 had porosity crack issues with certain cylinder head castings. In your frineds case an issue like this might have resulted in coolant mixing with oil; which explains the foamy oil. We all know that is not good, especially when unnoticed on the long run.
Look for TSB# #06-06-01-019B - (06/12/2007) "Gradual Coolant Loss Over Time with No Evidence of Leak Found".
---------------
Some 5.3 had porosity crack issues with certain cylinder head castings. In your frineds case an issue like this might have resulted in coolant mixing with oil; which explains the foamy oil. We all know that is not good, especially when unnoticed on the long run.
Look for TSB# #06-06-01-019B - (06/12/2007) "Gradual Coolant Loss Over Time with No Evidence of Leak Found".
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Jan 24, 2008 | 11:27 AM
#8
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2004
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If he removes his valve covers and sees the "Castech" logo on the heads, have him look for cracks around the head bolts. Loss of lubrication from coolant in the oil is murder on bearings, so the motor might need to be rebuilt but unless it spun a bearing or had other catastrophic failure it shouldn't be "toast".
Jan 24, 2008 | 12:37 PM
#10
Guys, guy here at work has the above mentioned truck. Well maintained, oil change every 3k etc etc. He was a couple hundred miles from his next 3k mile oil change. Recently the joyous cold start knock/lifter tick started getting louder and louder, so he took it in. Dealer calls back and says the engine is toast. Oil filter had a boatload of crap in it and when the valve cover was pulled the oil was all foamy.
What's going on here? I know the pre GenIII motors had intake manifold leak problems, but aside from that, what could have caused coolant to get into this thing, and how would it be THAT bad?!? Haven't torn into it yet so I'm just tryin to see if anyone else had this before the dealer comes back with their assesment. I mean 60k, come on.
What's going on here? I know the pre GenIII motors had intake manifold leak problems, but aside from that, what could have caused coolant to get into this thing, and how would it be THAT bad?!? Haven't torn into it yet so I'm just tryin to see if anyone else had this before the dealer comes back with their assesment. I mean 60k, come on.