Want to take my 2010 Yukon XL Denali with 180,000 miles for a family trip from Michigan To Florida - Can you help me make this a success!

[swathdiver]

This is a can of worms topic for me and I was trying not to bring it up because I was already bombarding everyone with questions!

i was reading up on E85 on the forums. I actually was a big user of it for both my Yukon and Impala - they are both flex fuel vehicles. One day, my Impala wouldn't start. I had to have it towed to the dealer and they told me the issue was related to my fuel filter getting "gummed up" by my use of E85. It was something they kept telling me over and over and how GM did should never allow the use of it and I definitely should not be using it. Haven't used it since. I know everyone here is a supporter of it and I definitely want to do it, but have been hesitant - premium gas adds up too fast and it's always tempting when I see it, but I always remember those words.

Also, I remember @swathdiver mentioning put the E85 in to help clean things out while also saying that as long as the O2 sensor was less than 100K miles. It's an original, so should I replace that first? I'm definitely interested in trying it again.

No concerns like the dealer had mentioned about the use of E85 and the fuel filter?

I've never heard of E85 gumming up a fuel system or filter. Our vehicles don't have a replaceable filter anyway. Well, it is inside the fuel tank and generally lasts the life of the vehicle.

One more question - if I add the coolant reservoir as well, should I just also replace the radiator too and redo the entire cooling system? Everything is original. At this age, do radiators also leak?

Might as well freshen up the heads while you are at it! See how carried away this can get?

 

[bobby2175]

I've never heard of E85 gumming up a fuel system or filter. Our vehicles don't have a replaceable filter anyway. Well, it is inside the fuel tank and generally lasts the life of the vehicle.


Might as well freshen up the heads while you are at it! See how carried away this can get?

I know - it's starting to stack up - I think you mentioned it when I started this thread! So, skip the radiator and wait for it to leak a little and keep an eye on it? The reason I was moving in that direction was because I started looking at other threads in this forum and people were saying to do a complete overhaul including the radiator.

Should I replace the 02 sensor as well since it's original as was previously mentioned before I put E85 in it?

 

[swathdiver]

I know - it's starting to stack up - I think you mentioned it when I started this thread! So, skip the radiator and wait for it to leak a little and keep an eye on it? The reason I was moving in that direction was because I started looking at other threads in this forum and people were saying to do a complete overhaul including the radiator.

Should I replace the 02 sensor as well since it's original as was previously mentioned before I put E85 in it?

Yes, if yours were mine I would replace the oxygen sensors before running it on E85. GM Original Equipment only. But for this trip, no, you want to run gasoline for the range.

When you do run E85, run 5-6 tanks to get computers fully adjusted for it.


Both numbers are on the same package/box.

 

[Fless]

Pull the panel where your bottle jack is located. Unscrew the lug wrench jacket and verify the jack isn’t secured with standard 8mm nuts. If it is, remove one with a ratchet and replace all 3 with wing nuts from the hardware store or your not getting that jack out later.

If the jack is stored per the manual instructions, no tools are needed to remove it. It's all done with wing nuts and the mounting bracket stays in place with the regular nuts.

 

[petethepug]

Didn’t know ur budget but yes, same for the radiator as the plastic end tanks on them fail or the fins bet buggar’d up with silt and lowers it’s cooling ability.

I did the gates belt kit that came with a new a/c belt. I got the green colored belt that has a lifetime warranty if a shop installs it. The radiator should only be replaced by OEM parts also. GM OEM radiators now carry a lifetime warranty.

Of course that leaves the water pump just sitting there. You know what I’m going to say about that .

Your intuition on all this stuff is correct. Win by purchasing parts before taking truck in or DYI saves $. Win by avoiding a costly breakdown from lost time, towing and out of town labor rates and Win for less worrying, more safety and a better vacation.

Regarding the factory bottle jack. Both our 08 YXL Denali & 09 Esky ESV had 8mm hex nuts painted in factory paint securing them to the weld on studs. I’ve got no dog in the fight over whether it’s factory or not, but it’s a thing that takes 5 min to verify.

GM did not install fuel filters in the 07-14 trucks. Some had mesh screens at the base of the fuel pumps. They skipped on cabin air filters too but those can be easily added.

 

[Fless]

i was reading up on E85 on the forums. I actually was a big user of it for both my Yukon and Impala - they are both flex fuel vehicles. One day, my Impala wouldn't start. I had to have it towed to the dealer and they told me the issue was related to my fuel filter getting "gummed up" by my use of E85. It was something they kept telling me over and over and how GM did should never allow the use of it and I definitely should not be using it. Haven't used it since. I know everyone here is a supporter of it and I definitely want to do it, but have been hesitant - premium gas adds up too fast and it's always tempting when I see it, but I always remember those words.

Also, I remember @swathdiver mentioning put the E85 in to help clean things out while also saying that as long as the O2 sensor was less than 100K miles. It's an original, so should I replace that first? I'm definitely interested in trying it again.

No concerns like the dealer had mentioned about the use of E85 and the fuel filter?

No concerns with E85 use. I agree with @swathdiver that it cleans the system. My '04 does have a physical inline fuel filter and I've had it replaced as a maintenance item, based just on age and mileage. I run E85 full time around my area, as well as when out on the road and can get it.

 

[swathdiver]

Didn’t know ur budget but yes, same for the radiator as the plastic end tanks on them fail or the fins bet buggar’d up with silt and lowers it’s cooling ability.

I did the gates belt kit that came with a new a/c belt. I got the green colored belt that has a lifetime warranty if a shop installs it. The radiator should only be replaced by OEM parts also. GM OEM radiators now carry a lifetime warranty.

Of course that leaves the water pump just sitting there. You know what I’m going to say about that .

Your intuition on all this stuff is correct. Win by purchasing parts before taking truck in or DYI saves $. Win by avoiding a costly breakdown from lost time, towing and out of town labor rates and Win for less worrying, more safety and a better vacation.

Regarding the factory bottle jack. Both our 08 YXL Denali & 09 Esky ESV had 8mm hex nuts painted in factory paint securing them to the weld on studs. I’ve got no dog in the fight over whether it’s factory or not, but it’s a thing that takes 5 min to verify.

GM did not install fuel filters in the 07-14 trucks. Some had mesh screens at the base of the fuel pumps. They skipped on cabin air filters too but those can be easily added.

View attachment 411412
View attachment 411413

That's a bracket that does not have to come out as it just holds the bottle jack and chocks.

 

[bobby2175]

No concerns with E85 use. I agree with @swathdiver that it cleans the system. My '04 does have a physical inline fuel filter and I've had it replaced as a maintenance item, based just on age and mileage. I run E85 full time around my area, as well as when out on the road and can get it.

We'll, I'm going to do it all.

I believe I replaced the serpentine belt about 60K miles ago. It looks to be in good condition - should I still replace it?

Also, is there a good video on the AC belt? Can't seem to find a clear one.

Early in the discussion, I mentioned I did an electrical overhaul by replacing battery cables (have the positive to the starter still left), cleaning up all of the grounds, fuse block, etc. There is one ground strap going from behind the engine up to the the firewall area on the driver's side - I'm having some trouble getting to the nut behind the engine - any suggestions? It's almost like that strap is not completely flush and getting in the way of my wrench getting in there in an already tight space. . Maybe I need to try a swivel?

Also, since I'm now doing the entire cooling system, are there any other torque specs I need to think about other than the ones mentioned for the water pump?

What do you do with all of the parts and fluids? Is there a way to recycle/dispose of these?

My budget is between $2K-3K - which is the cost of the rental that my wife wants to get because she doesn't trust the truck with it's age primarily because of the electrical issues we've had over the past 4 years and spending $4K at the dealer back in 2019/2020 because they just kept following the scan tool replacing major components like BCM, TCM, instead of going to cables and grounds. There's no way I'm giving someone that kind of money when I have a Yukon where I can do some PM.

It's been almost 1,000 miles now since I've upgraded things on electrical without an issue.

You can see that I'm under a tremendous amount of pressure to make sure this thing works, or I will single handedly ruin the vacation! No pressure.

 

[Doubeleive]

We'll, I'm going to do it all.

I believe I replaced the serpentine belt about 60K miles ago. It looks to be in good condition - should I still replace it?

Also, is there a good video on the AC belt? Can't seem to find a clear one.

Early in the discussion, I mentioned I did an electrical overhaul by replacing battery cables (have the positive to the starter still left), cleaning up all of the grounds, fuse block, etc. There is one ground strap going from behind the engine up to the the firewall area on the driver's side - I'm having some trouble getting to the nut behind the engine - any suggestions? It's almost like that strap is not completely flush and getting in the way of my wrench getting in there in an already tight space. . Maybe I need to try a swivel?

Also, since I'm now doing the entire cooling system, are there any other torque specs I need to think about other than the ones mentioned for the water pump?

What do you do with all of the parts and fluids? Is there a way to recycle/dispose of these?

My budget is between $2K-3K - which is the cost of the rental that my wife wants to get because she doesn't trust the truck with it's age primarily because of the electrical issues we've had over the past 4 years and spending $4K at the dealer back in 2019/2020 because they just kept following the scan tool replacing major components like BCM, TCM, instead of going to cables and grounds. There's no way I'm giving someone that kind of money when I have a Yukon where I can do some PM.

It's been almost 1,000 miles now since I've upgraded things on electrical without an issue.

You can see that I'm under a tremendous amount of pressure to make sure this thing works, or I will single handedly ruin the vacation! No pressure.

if you buy the ac belt from the dealer it comes with the belt tool, same if you buy a water pump from the dealer it comes complete with the thermostat.
you can get a discount from the dealer parts department you just have to ask them. If they wont give a discount go to another dealer.

 

[iamdub]

Didn’t know ur budget but yes, same for the radiator as the plastic end tanks on them fail or the fins bet buggar’d up with silt and lowers it’s cooling ability.

I did the gates belt kit that came with a new a/c belt. I got the green colored belt that has a lifetime warranty if a shop installs it. The radiator should only be replaced by OEM parts also. GM OEM radiators now carry a lifetime warranty.

Of course that leaves the water pump just sitting there. You know what I’m going to say about that .

Your intuition on all this stuff is correct. Win by purchasing parts before taking truck in or DYI saves $. Win by avoiding a costly breakdown from lost time, towing and out of town labor rates and Win for less worrying, more safety and a better vacation.

Regarding the factory bottle jack. Both our 08 YXL Denali & 09 Esky ESV had 8mm hex nuts painted in factory paint securing them to the weld on studs. I’ve got no dog in the fight over whether it’s factory or not, but it’s a thing that takes 5 min to verify.

GM did not install fuel filters in the 07-14 trucks. Some had mesh screens at the base of the fuel pumps. They skipped on cabin air filters too but those can be easily added.

View attachment 411412
View attachment 411413

Bruh... You don't remove that bracket. You remove the large wingnut with the plastic wings. It's holding the wheel chocks. Then, you twist the knob to "lower" the jack so it comes out of that bracket, which, you would have had to do to use the jack, anyway.