New guy questions

[sgtmac]

I picked up a new to me 98 Tahoe, 4WD w/ 132,*** on the clock. Great rig so far, my question is what to look out for or plan to change soon? I know every vehicle has it's quirks, so I am hoping you folks can help me figure out what things I should be keeping an eye out for, beyond the usual stuff you do when you buy a used rig. I am currently stuck in FL, but will soon be going back to New England, if that matters.

It has new wheel cylinders, brake pads and power booster. Oil changed. I just put some 265/75/16 tires on it. The push button 4WD works, though I wish I could get the lever. The alternator and A/C compressor are new. She runs and drives fine, occasionally it takes a couple cranks to start, usually it fires right up. Got the running boards off, just need to remove the air damn thingy.

Great site by the way.

Thanks.

 

[McFizzl]

Got mine a month ago and so far ive had to do a brake job, replace a u joint and i have a leaking intake gasket and it needs shocks. Other than that I just have some little cosmetic things wrong and missing knobs and buttons. Im pretty happy with my trade tho

 

[clownracer]

since i bought mine in oct

water pump
thermostat
spark plugs
wires
distributor cap
rotor
coil
fpr
airfilter
fuel filter
front hubs
calipers
pads
rotors
bearings


think it needs an ign switch or starter and its getting a nv4500 swap next weekend(finally)

 

[Goodinblack]

I would leave the air dam. Helps with MPG.

From my Walkie Talkie

 

[retorq]

Don't listen to that guy. Pull it and send it to me, I'll pay shipping.

 

[_Dylan_]

I would leave the air dam. Helps with MPG.

From my Walkie Talkie

Yup, I would leave it on.

The only big thing I would keep an eye on is the coolant level. Once it starts mysteriously eating coolant then it's time to change the lower intake gaskets. Yours is almost ready to go bad at 130k miles. If you are somewhat decent with a wrench it can be fixed in a weekend for about $100.

Steering parts are also something to look at. I have had pretty good luck with mine in the past year I have owned it. I had to replace the crank sensor because it got scratched from engine wear and an O2 sensor. That's about it besides the intake gaskets I did 2 months ago.

They are easy to work on and there is a ton of aftermarket parts available.

 

[sgtmac]

I would leave the air dam. Helps with MPG.

From my Walkie Talkie

I probably should, but I just can't stand the way it looks. I have always removed them, off both my burbs and my 92 2 door.

---------- Post added at 08:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

Don't listen to that guy. Pull it and send it to me, I'll pay shipping.

Yours if you want it.

---------- Post added at 08:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 PM ----------

Yup, I would leave it on.

The only big thing I would keep an eye on is the coolant level. Once it starts mysteriously eating coolant then it's time to change the lower intake gaskets. Yours is almost ready to go bad at 130k miles. If you are somewhat decent with a wrench it can be fixed in a weekend for about $100.

Steering parts are also something to look at. I have had pretty good luck with mine in the past year I have owned it. I had to replace the crank sensor because it got scratched from engine wear and an O2 sensor. That's about it besides the intake gaskets I did 2 months ago.

They are easy to work on and there is a ton of aftermarket parts available.

Is there a right up on the lower intake gasket? What about this "spider" I have been reading about?

Thanks

 

[inthechateau]

The spider is the fuel injection unit. Trucks came from factory with central port injection meaning the injectors are in the center of the unit and pressure released from the injectors is sprayed through poppet valves at teh end of the fuel tube for each cylinder. Teh upgraded injection unit is MFI/multi port injection; and it changed that the injectors are right at the cylinder port in the intake manifold. Poppet valves have a tendancy to carbon up and loose ability to spray fuel effeciently and form more of a drip than a spray. O2 sensor fault codes, poor performance, and low MPG's are signs of update needed. Do your self a favor and if the MFI has not been installed yet do intake manifold gaskets and MFI upgrade. You will be happy at the results.

Other things to look at on used Hoe:
Lower ball joints
Pitman arm
Idler arm
fuel pump
fuel pump
fuel pump
Rear differential yoke seal
Glazed head lamp lenses
U Joints
Sagging windshield visors
Dash lights burn out
Planetary gear failure in transmission
Front differential acuator
Spongy brakes
spongy brakes and warped rotors

Just to name a few but hey, I have 300K on my 96 LS tahoe and have loved this truck every mile. Good luck with yours.