new car maintenance guide

[rede30]

I am a BMW guy but I needed a tow rig so I thought I would get one that I like so I can daily drive it. So, I just bought a 2001 high millage (227K) Yukon that needs a little work. I am putting together a little list for myself for when I get some time to play. I know a lot with old BMW's but that knowledge can be hard to transfer to such a different beast.

Here is my to do list:
*radiator/heater hoses
*serp belt
*air filter
*clear "service engine soon" light
(how do i do this?)
*spark plugs
*change oil on everything
(tc, diffs, tranny, is there anything else I should do, 4wd confuses me)
I want this list to grow, what do you guys recommend?

 

[gtbigup01]

I am a BMW guy but I needed a tow rig so I thought I would get one that I like so I can daily drive it. So, I just bought a 2001 high millage (227K) Yukon that needs a little work. I am putting together a little list for myself for when I get some time to play. I know a lot with old BMW's but that knowledge can be hard to transfer to such a different beast.

Here is my to do list:
*radiator/heater hoses
*serp belt
*air filter
*clear "service engine soon" light
(how do i do this?)
*spark plugs
*change oil on everything
(tc, diffs, tranny, is there anything else I should do, 4wd confuses me)
I want this list to grow, what do you guys recommend?

That's a pretty risky move to buy a truck with 277K on it, and want to do some towing with it. Good luck

 

[Eagle]

I recommend finding out WHY you have an SES/CEL on.

Fix that, then unplug the batt for 15 minutes.



I recommend finding out if the 4wd works.

Replace fuel filter.

water pump (more likely to fail than the hoses)

Injector cleaning.

might not be a bad idea to consider the fuel pump as a liability at this point. I wouldn't replace it till it quit, but I might set aside $350 to buy one.


I recommend fitting a larger trans cooler, but realize the trans's life is basically over... you may be buying a new one very soon, or you may consider just proactively rebuilding it.

These are NOT BMWs, and 227k is an ARSE LOAD of miles. that is Either a lot of light duty highway commuting (not too bad) a lot of fleet use (bad) or a lot of towing (very very bad). 227 is about the mileage I'd expect on a 1990, not a 2001. I hope you got a VERY VERY good deal.

 

[rede30]

Thanks for the replies.

It is a ton of miles, I would have paid what I did even if it had 300K, it was a really good deal. I know the PO well and he is the first owner. I had helped his son with a car purchase a few months ago and he returned the favor. The car pulled a big ass trailer a few times around southern CA but most of these miles are just freeway commute miles. it's tranny is also about one year old.

One of the coolant hoses is cracked, that is why I am changed them all, I will do the water pump, that was on my "probably will do list"

I didn't really think about the fuel system, I will toss a new filter on and remember my fuel pump is a time bomb.

Do these radiators last a while, do the thermostats fail?

 

[Eagle]

knowing the PO and history does make all the difference.

When you do the pump or hoses, do the t-stat. Good point.

Just test the T-stat in a pan of hot water first, Quality Control doesn't seem to be what it used to be, and it sucks to put one in and find out it is already failed.

Sadly there is no good parts lookup site like www.realoem.com and no good partshaus for GM parts. Nothing on the order of BMA, Pelican, or AZautohaus.
It is extremely frustrating how few parts GM actually has available on a new vehicle in comparison.

 

[rich5368]

I would whole heartedly agree on the water pump. My pump never failed but the gaskets started seeping at around 135k miles. The fuel filters tend to get nasty too. At 227 you might want to pull one or two of the plugs and see what they look like. I'd probably think about the wires too. Brake fluid flush maybe. Clean the throttle body is one I like to do every 2-3 oil changes. (Makes me feel like I'm doing something preventative.) That's all I can really think of.

 

[rede30]

Sadly there is no good parts lookup site like www.realoem.com and no good partshaus for GM parts. Nothing on the order of BMA, Pelican, or AZautohaus.
It is extremely frustrating how few parts GM actually has available on a new vehicle in comparison.

It is funny you mention BMA and realoem. Patrick at BMA is on my speed dial and realoem is practically my homepage.

good thoughts on the t-stat

 

[Eagle]

former e34 touring owner I had patrick on speed dial back then too