Looking at a 99 z71 on my local listings and the owner says it starts for a few seconds then dies, but he can give it some gas and it will stag running. He claims its an intake gasket, can it cause that much of a problem. Says it has 220k on the clock. But its cheap.
I also have hptuners and plan on scanning it to look it over.
Massive vacuum leaks will also throw a code won't they? Or no?
Thanks guys.

 

Could be a massive vacuum leak or it could be a bad MAF sensor or somthing like that.

Bring your scanner with a check codes I guess.

 

Well, he said the intake gasket was leaking water, I told him he's wrong that is most likely the steam tube.
Then said its leaking oil, so its most likely the sending unit. I asked to drive it and he said he's afraid to cause its getting water in the oil.
He started it and it ran fine. Good oil pressure so I don't think its the head gasket. How els can water get in the oil?

 

Does this '99 have a 5.7 or a 5.3?

 

5.3. Has 862 heads so I'm leaning twords cracked block. It actually runs good but has 220k on it.

 

Could just be a water pump & an oil sender. Could be head gaskets if coolant really is getting into the oil. The starting problem could be a weak fuel pump.

Either way, hope you get it really cheap. With those problems and that mileage, it could have a lot of expensive work needed.

 

Was going to offer 1k but I'm afraid of the water getting in the oil.
I can swap short blocks but I don't need a another project. The black 95 takes all my spair time.

 

Water can get in the oil through a cracked block, cracked head, or bad head gasket on the LS engines.

If it's not possible to actually test drive it, I'd steer clear unless it was VERY cheap. If the engine is toast, the transmission, transfer case, and drivetrain may also be in bad shape. I think it'd be much easier to find one in better shape for similar money. Or at least one that's able to be test driven.

To me, this truck should be considered a "rolling chasis" for a project truck. If you're on a budge or not looking for a project, it's probably best to pass on it.