Thoughts on '13 Denali with 153K miles...

[11bravo]

Folks, I just sold my Cayenne today, so I am now "really serious" about buying a used Denali. I have several in mind, and want to know your thoughts on a '13 that is spotless throughout, but has 153K on the clock. Was AFM still giving a lot of problems by the time time the 2013 models came out? I've owned somewhere more the 10 OBS and NBS Suv/trucks, and I know what to look for in the interior, tranny, t-case, etc. But, other than oil pressure, I don't know much about AFM signs of trouble.

Thanks for your help. I need to zero in on a likely purchase soon.

Jim, Las Vegas

 

[j91z28d1]

there's a sticky thread just above you post in the sub about what to expect.

basically all afm is ticking time bomb. and sadly somehow even none afm valve train fails sometimes too. Just factor in disabling it on the way home from the dealer, and deleting it when it starts tapping from a stuck lifter.


the rest if faily normal, oil pan/rear main leaks. wheel bearings, sensors, battery cables/wiring. if you have mag ride with air bags, rear shocks will fail around now, along with the air pump. radiator, fire wall T's. the folding mirrors gears are probably broken or soon. if the tranny hasn't been rebuilt, it's time for a new torque converter before it wipes the tranny out.

being a yukon your headlights will be completely faded out if it wasn't a garage queen. might have to replace the those housing.


I'm sure others will have more to check.

edit* motor mounts are probably toast by now if they haven't been replaced by the 300$ each hummer mounts.

basically you gotta be a diy mechanic or its going to murder you lol

 

[11bravo]

there's a sticky thread just above you post in the sub about what to expect.

basically all afm is ticking time bomb. and sadly somehow even none afm valve train fails sometimes too. Just factor in disabling it on the way home from the dealer, and deleting it when it starts tapping from a stuck lifter.


the rest if faily normal, oil pan/rear main leaks. wheel bearings, sensors, battery cables/wiring. if you have mag ride with air bags, rear shocks will fail around now, along with the air pump. radiator, fire wall T's. the folding mirrors gears are probably broken or soon. if the tranny hasn't been rebuilt, it's time for a new torque converter before it wipes the tranny out.

being a yukon your headlights will be completely faded out if it wasn't a garage queen. might have to replace the those housing.


I'm sure others will have more to check.

edit* motor mounts are probably toast by now if they haven't been replaced by the 300$ each hummer mounts.

basically you gotta be a diy mechanic or its going to murder you lol

How would this list differ if it was a '07 Denali with 144K? That is another option.

 

[petethepug]

‘13 Denali will have factory BT and the quick connection for adding BT music streaming.

It has the HDD Navi w/ internal music hard drive and back up cam w/ active grid lines.

‘13 has active braking downhill and brake hold at stop on hills to help if you’re towing or doing a boat launch.

If it’s clean, that’s a huge win. Interior parts are harder to come by and paint repair on these ship size panels are expensive to refinish.

The AFM likely would have reared its head from neglected maint by now. If / when trans goes you’re in Nick’s transmissions neighborhood as well of having options for the 2019+ 10sp trans. vs OEM 6SP. e85 is a $1 gal cheaper in Vegas and $2 less in SoCal. Hot temps and e85 means cooler engine temps w/ the 100+ octane.

2007-2014 GM SUV - Powertrain Swap Solutions

www.powertrainswapsolutions.com

Sorry you had to let go the Cayenne

 

[j91z28d1]

How would this list differ if it was a '07 Denali with 144K? That is another option.

does it have afm? then basically the same, maybe a little faster because of the age of the rubber parts and stuff. but it has always amazed me how my truck breaks along the same time line as the others. I've alway thought how a vehicle was maintained was everything. these seem to be a little more just time based.

the newer one might be a little nicer because of stuff like it will have the updated valve cover already on it. instead of needing to buy one? maybe the dashboard will be cracked less on the 13? but that might be more about how much time it's spent in the sun

 

[Geotrash]

Just for some added perspective, 160K is a rule of thumb that some of us use as the point that things start cropping up. Transmission failures on these often begin with the torque converter lockup clutch, so one way to prolong the life of it is to replace the torque converter with a remanufactured one that has a billet cover and stronger lockup clutch because when they fail, they spread shrapnel through the transmission and coolers, taking all of them out.

Other things not mentioned yet are the front wheel hubs - the bearings will start making noise or you’ll hear some knocking when you’re backing out of the driveway and turning the wheel.

Motor mounts are another item at this age and mileage, as well as the engine oil cooler lines which start seeping.

All of these are solvable and once you get through this point, they’ll run for another 160K with few, if any issues. They’re the best family/road trip vehicles I’ve ever owned. I’m on my 4th.

 

[j91z28d1]

wrong place haha

 

[petethepug]

Does this ‘13 have any goodies like headrest DVD player, retractable running boards or ventilated seats!

Fortunately the Yukon headlamps are upgradable to aftermarket Bixenon LED assemblies.

 

[j91z28d1]

Does this ‘13 have any goodies like headrest DVD player, retractable running boards or ventilated seats!

Fortunately the Yukon headlamps are upgradable to aftermarket Bixenon LED assemblies.

cooled seats could be nice in Vagas.

I do want to try and replace my foam someday to see if it would flow some air.

 

[11bravo]

‘13 Denali will have factory BT and the quick connection for adding BT music streaming.

It has the HDD Navi w/ internal music hard drive and back up cam w/ active grid lines.

‘13 has active braking downhill and brake hold at stop on hills to help if you’re towing or doing a boat launch.

If it’s clean, that’s a huge win. Interior parts are harder to come by and paint repair on these ship size panels are expensive to refinish.

The AFM likely would have reared its head from neglected maint by now. If / when trans goes you’re in Nick’s transmissions neighborhood as well of having options for the 2019+ 10sp trans. vs OEM 6SP. e85 is a $1 gal cheaper in Vegas and $2 less in SoCal. Hot temps and e85 means cooler engine temps w/ the 100+ octane.

2007-2014 GM SUV - Powertrain Swap Solutions

www.powertrainswapsolutions.com

Sorry you had to let go the Cayenne

thank for the info, Pete. Helps a lot.