Changing out 5.3L to 6.0L 2004 Yukon XL

[criddy72]

Hi all,
I have a 2004 AWD Yukon XL with the 5.3L (non flex) SLT. I have just rolled over 102000 miles and it would appear the engine is on its way out. We have owned since new but with the hard times cant afford to upgrade. We live in an extremely cold climate and have always maintained the vehicle as per recommendations using good quality oil & filters. Have changed the coolant when advised.
Well the engine has started blowing smoke on start up but then goes away which i would normally say is the valve stems seals but i can put up with that. The engine has also now started using water at an alarming rate, it is not leaking out on the floor but more than usual condensation has been noted coming out of the tail pipe.
I have no water in the oil & vice versa, i am usure of what my plan of attack should be.
My wife swears it has never got hot and it still doesnt get hot now either.
Can i swap the engine out to a 6.0L from a denali or 2500 truck? Is everything else the same? Does anyone have a 5.3 or 6.0 for sale?
Thanks in advance.

 

[vatahoelt]

i didn't think the condensation from the tailpipes came from the motor?

 

[waxworkz]

do a search on this in google. there was a big to do about these trucks loosing water. dont remember exactly though

 

[JonnyTahoe]

What a hassle!! Just have the 5.3 fixed. Or are you tired of 300 horsepower?? Unless the condensation is the color of your coolant probably not making it"Out the Pipe"

 

[Jay]

Head gasket? Not sure what else would get coolant in these engines unless something is cracked (highly unlikely).

FWIW, I've had two 5.3s go over 300k miles (one to 320,000 miles, fleet trucks) and both were still running well when I sent the trucks off to auction. I routinely take 5.3s and 6.0s to 250k miles, usually problem free. Properly maintained, they last a long time.

The swap to the 6.0 should be a drop-in affair. Get the PCM programmed for the 6.0... any tuner that works on these trucks will have the factory 6.0 tune on file. Good time to swap to electric cooling fans also.

 

[07Burb]

I still find it odd that the motor is 'on it's way out' with only 102k on it.... just doesn't add up to me. Most 5.3's are just getting started at that mileage.

 

[chevy_man]

Have a shop do a leak-down test on the heads. That should tell you if your head gasket has a major problem. Sounds like it may have a crack in the gasket between a cylinder and a water passage that's not leaking enough to pollute the oil but still burning/using coolant.

It's normal for quite a bit of water to come out of the tail-pipes, especially in cold climates.A little water may be from ethanol, but that's another topic really.

And 100K miles is nothing for these motors. This isn't the 70's, you don't need a new vehicle every 50K miles. Hell, at 165K my yukon is still tight as ****. No rattles/random noises and it's got enough power to make ricers look at you stupid as you pull away from them with their fart can going full bore.

 

[Sickblutahoe]

Lol fart can I'll have to remember that one!!!

 

[yukondenali]

I still find it odd that the motor is 'on it's way out' with only 102k on it.... just doesn't add up to me. Most 5.3's are just getting started at that mileage.

i agree that motor is still a baby....

 

[07Burb]

i agree that motor is still a baby....

...and the OP hasn't come back to post and give us clarification. If the thing is "using water at an alarming rate" but it's not leaking on the floor or showing up in the oil then.... ....Also, what color is the "smoke" on start up? If it's just white or gray then don't worry about it my motto. I think it's a bit premature of the OP to think his "motor is on it's way out" just based on what was original stated.