2000 Tahoe Coolant Shenanigans

[BabeBluHoe]

Hello all you Tahoe lovers! Never posted here before but just curious what everyone else has dealt with or heard from others....

Mine has 92,300 and some change miles. Very clean (I am use to real old 70s and 80s trucks...)
But I do have that sweet piston slap, which is not heard to bad when I put some 40 Series Flowmasters and some tires that hum.
I loose coolant, internally as i have found. It had got progressively worse. We had thought with the slight white exhaust and smell that the coolant is going through the engine. So we did an oil change and oil didn't look to bad, not even that black and not cloudy / milky. So for the time being we just kept an eye and added coolant. Then it got be more and more. Then this week popped the oil cap off while waiting to see what the pressure tester would do and how much it would (I got bored) and there is goo...like mayo goo. Soooo that means the coolant in IN MY OIL. I secretly wanted to cry but being in front of the guys in the shop a girl just can't do that.
After much debate and pricing around i am getting create motor and having it replaced. It's either the head gasket or heads cracked but all that good and contamination of coolant is running around in the engine plus most places want like $3,000 or more to just pull the heads. Engine is cheaper.

I am just wondering who else has had this. I am reading more and more the troubles with these 5.3 engines.

Has anyone switched back to green and not the Dexcool?

I also saw a few spots where people had cracked cylinders and wondered if the slap has a key in that or just plain over heating.

I have not witnessed my temp go "pegged" and over heat and I have replaced the thermostat.

Any input is awesome! Thanks!

 

[Colesdad]

What's the price you have found on a crate engine? Rebuilt or new? Who's installing it?

Here in Houston, Tx with the 4.8l. I could not find a good deal. $2099 for a rebuilt crate engine plus core was the best I could find.

Then I still had to get it installed myself.

I located a salvage engine for $600+tax and went that route. Installed it myself.

 

[BabeBluHoe]

Remaned Create, which included a lot of extra things most creates do jot was $2060. Got the install kit for An additional $300 and then it is complete. To keep the warranties I have to have a real service place install. My brother is a tech so I am hoping to get it done there.
Most places here in PA want 3000 or more for a less then what I am buying.
I am hearing $500 to $1000 for install.
Or is real hard to find 5.3s here in JY.

 

[Colesdad]

The shop I was dealing with here(not a dealer) wanted $5000 for them to supply a Jasper Rebuilt engine and install. I politely said I would have to save up some money and call them back, rather than the route of telling them to "GET BENT" which is what I wanted to tell them but my wife has been working on the way I deal with people.

He claimed the engine was $3k from Jasper and $2k for install.

Fluids will eat up approximately $150. If you can get an install for $500 and they cover the fluids too, jump on it. As long as they know what they are doing.

 

[BabeBluHoe]

I refuse to buy Jasper. They outsource to Mexico and they do not have the quality any more.

This is a local company.

My brother and I grew up doing this stuff so I trust him.

Colesdad you have a lot more control then I do. I would have said get bent. My husband just shakes his head and thinks oh there she goes....haha

 

[Colesdad]

What part of Jersey?, I lived out on the beach back in about 98. I don't remember the name of the town but hit the boulevard and head south a few miles. I remember a bar named "Joe Pop's" that I hung out at quite a bit. I was only there for about 3 months. Down here in Texas, all I hear is how bad Jersey is, to tell you the truth I loved it there.

I wish she hadn't been with me that day.

 

[jokerjim]

Piston slap is normal and leaking cylinder head is also a common problem. Check other sites for the problems you have.