Used 2000 Denali.

[r.knighter]

Hey all,

I'm a noob and I'm looking at buying a used 2000 Denali. The truck and I are up in Toronto, Canada, but was originally sold in Nashville (2000) and moved up here in 2006 - less exposure to winters, ice and road salts, which is great!

It has 216,000km and has been maintained by what seems to be a very meticulous owner. He did all his own maintenance (fluids, fuel pump) and I believe he took very good care of the truck. The interior looks very very clean, same for the exterior.

For a SUV this old and used, what should I look for in terms of "hidden" (not obvious to non-mechanical folk) problems or signs of potential future problems? I won't be spending too much on it, because it will be a part time vehicle - some boat towing a few times a years, and only driven in the worst parts of Toronto winters.

Why not get a different SUV then? I simply love the Yukons and the 2000 Denali!

Thanks so much!

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Fuel pumps are the main thing but these trucks last a long time if taken care of properly. Drive it, if it drives nice, shifts nice etc.. I'd be good on it.

Intermediate steering shaft clunk

Check for maybe wheel hubs that are bad... any leaks? Just the general stuff..

 

[r.knighter]

He's replaced the fuel pump twice already (in four years). If not for the pump itself, what would make them need replacing so frequently? He is including a new pump with the truck as well (bought a spare when he replaced it the second time).

Intermediate steering shaft clunk?

Thanks BK!

Fuel pumps are the main thing but these trucks last a long time if taken care of properly. Drive it, if it drives nice, shifts nice etc.. I'd be good on it.

Intermediate steering shaft clunk

Check for maybe wheel hubs that are bad... any leaks? Just the general stuff..

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Intermediate steering shaft clunk

Not anything to worry about short of annoying.. easy fix with the updated shaft now a days..

I don't know why he would have replaced the pump that many times... got me on that one.

For the clunk... just google "Intermediate steering shaft clunk gm"you will come up with countless posts about it. If you drive the truck and it feels like someone is rapping on the steering column with a ball peen hammer - you got it. You will know it when you feel it.

 

[07Burb]

A lot of times people start having to replace fuel pumps fairly often because they replace the oem pump with subpar parts due to cost. A good fuel pump (at least for the obs rigs) run around $500 but most don't wanna spend that much just for the part and go for the cheaper part. The result of that is the cheaper pump doesn't last as long. With a fuel pump you always wants to replace it with an oem quality part or better.

 

[04SS99Denali]

fluid leaks!! ive owned 2 OBS yukons and let me tell you, the guess the new fluid on the floor in the morning game got old FAST

other things to check for are fuel pump, intake manifold gaskets - just look for coolant leaks up there this is a very common problem with the OBS trucks. it usually will drip behind the engine by the firewall. and check the 4WD system and make sure it goes in and out of 2 and 4 smoothly

 

[M3PO]

A lot of times people start having to replace fuel pumps fairly often because they replace the oem pump with subpar parts due to cost. A good fuel pump (at least for the obs rigs) run around $500 but most don't wanna spend that much just for the part and go for the cheaper part. The result of that is the cheaper pump doesn't last as long. With a fuel pump you always wants to replace it with an oem quality part or better.

Agreed, that lifetime warranty from Okie-Dokie-Joe's Autoparts doesn't mean shit when you have to replace a fuel pump after a year, or worse get stuck!
Check the second one and see what brand it is, most likely the one in the tank is the same.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

We need some clarification here. some guys are getting confused on the NBS denali and OBS denali.

They didnt have NBS denalis in 2000 so this is an OBS denali..
which means you dont need to worry about this
Intermediate steering shaft clunk...

But the intake gaskets go on the older trucks, spider assembly/injection systems
Check the normal average stuff. color of trans fluid, last when the rearend was serviced since those like to "blow" up as they call it..

 

[07Burb]

I was curious what was being talked about with steering shaft clunk as I never experienced that in my 99 Denali

 

[AtomicHoe094]

Nope.. the titles on this forum are tricky since people see the year 2000 they think NBS..