RMCIII 838 #1 Posted May 16, 2014 Well all righty then!!! I just picked up a 2005 Z71 Tahoe. Very clean for Northern standards on SUV's. Mileage is 133K. Did I mention it is clean??? Photos to follow after it receives a "RC" detail... Anyway. I do not rate myself as up to date on "current" model GM products. I stopped purchasing GM products in 1992. I stopped following GM in 1997.. SOOOO, I am a little out of sync here. I have web searched many forums to see what may be issues down the road. Here is what I am concerned with right now: Did I do OK on the purchase? Paid $7k. Airbag sensor is registering on the dash. I did a "Carfax" on the SUV. No accidents. Owner stated that the front bumper sensor went bad. According to him this is a "typical" thing for GM products of this year...? Cost to replace TPS sensors? Tire pressure sensor is reading false. What should I look for when I inspect fully to ensure longevity of "major" components" How do you test a tranny for stress? < I know, that is a long shot.... But thought it may be worht asking. Again, it is clean. Owner even had the rims redone from the salt that normally eats away the clearcoat. I would think that is a good isgn of a caring owner. Cost for each rim would be about $100-$125.00 for each rim... Thoughts? RC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
truckin88 104 #2 Posted May 16, 2014 Markets vary. I recently was looking for one but could not find a good suburban. Suburbans are cheaper than tahoes. From my research the major things that fail are fuel pumps from owners running them low on fuel, and service the tranny, otherwise 150k-170k tranny replacements are common if not serviced. Otherwise the rest is built proof good for 300k change the oil and normal wear and tear. Btw tahoes around here are in that 6-7 range i think you paid a fair price. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,133 #3 Posted May 16, 2014 I think you paid a fair price too. fuel pumps and trannys are the two big ones on all the 99-07 trucks. it seems the trans will either go around 100,000 or if not they last until the 170-200,000 range from my experience. have a good look at brake lines, especially up over the rear axle on the frame, also near the abs motor, they were underneath the driver position on the trucks, not sure on the tahoes. O2 sensors can be a problem sometimes, mainly just connectors, but they can fail too. hows the engine when cold starting? i know the early 5.3s were terrible with cylinder noise when first starting up, but they are a great engine and if they have been serviced regularly, will normally out last the vehicle, especially in the salt areas...... i mainly had trucks, but i know a few guys with the tahoes/suburbans and they are fairly similar with the mechanical issues, I'm sure as these vehicles get older, electrical issues will arise...... the z71s are a nice looking vehicle, waiting for the pics! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #4 Posted May 16, 2014 (edited) Just saw something that definately caught my attention. Anyone know how one could find out if the Tahoe came with Castech heads? It seems these are not good. From what I am finding on the web, there really is no way to tell, not even with the VIN#. Edited May 16, 2014 by RMCIII Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,401 #5 Posted May 16, 2014 I had a mint 2003 Z71 Tahoe in White with gray leather. I had it for a few years and LOVED it !! IMO it was the best riding vehicle I ever owned. I sold it because I really wanted a truck that I could use around the new house I bought back 2010. I regret selling it for sure. Like Will said the fuel pump did go in mine. The pump is in the tank so that was a decent job. The only other issue I had was the oil pressure switch went bad on mine and was reading wrong. Changing that was a pita. It is located on the lower back center side of the block. That job was one I would not want to do again. Anyhow good luck with it. I am sure you will love it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,166 #6 Posted May 16, 2014 Pretty darn good vehicle all things considered. As far as stress testing the tranny goes...Pull the dip stick and make sure the fluid is clean, if not have it serviced. The 5.3 liter is pretty ballsy and near bullet proof. It will go the distance if you maintain it, I'm sure you will. Make sure you keep it clean under the Tahoe, the liquid road salt they put down these days eats away at these vehicles, especially the brake rotor backing plates, the fuel and brake lines as well as the rocker panels, which by the way are paper thin... Almost forgot, keep the bumpers free of road salt as much as possible as well as they rust out also. Keep a good coat of wax or protectant on the chrome if the bumpers are chrome. Car Faxes don't always tell you everything. If an owner smacks up his vehicle and fixes it out of pocket you may never know about past damage... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #7 Posted May 16, 2014 Thanks guys. Yes the brake lines, fuel lines and fuel pump have all been recently replaced. That should be ok for another 100k miles. My bigger concer is the darn Castech head issue. Seems that you can only cross your fingers. If it holds, no Castech heads, if you start to loose coolant, well then it is probably leaking through the heads into the oil..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boovuc 1,090 #8 Posted May 17, 2014 Don't stress too much about what you read in the forums on cars/trucks! People get a bug in their crawl about something then it's repeated, etc etc. Remember that on most of those sites, no one is there to praise things. They are there because something went wrong and they want answers and then it is a place to commiserate. Sure there are trends where you'll see the same issues pop up on a model year but when you consider the 10's of thousands that were built, many are not issues at all. They get hyped into issues. PS.I hate GM and I own a Chevy Truck. (See what I mean)! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kennedy 90 #9 Posted May 17, 2014 This might help with the ID of Castech heads. http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/Bluegorilla/2008-12-05_142924_Coolant_loss_5.3.pdf Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shallowwatersailor 3,214 #10 Posted May 17, 2014 Thanks guys. Yes the brake lines, fuel lines and fuel pump have all been recently replaced. That should be ok for another 100k miles. My bigger concer is the darn Castech head issue. Seems that you can only cross your fingers. If it holds, no Castech heads, if you start to loose coolant, well then it is probably leaking through the heads into the oil..... That's great that the brake lines were done. I had to have mine replaced about six months ago on my '01 Sierra 2500HD with the 8.1 Litre Vortech. It was a bit over $1K for the job. Now at 44k, my Power Boost has begun to weep. But the truck is nice and solid, and was a great buy three years ago with only 29K on the odometer! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #11 Posted May 17, 2014 Kenedy: That was the SB I had been trying to locate. I knew of the number, but I could not get it to pull up on any GM site... Thanks . Shallow, you are the 2nd person to tell me that it cost them $1k to replace their brake lines. WTH? The tubing, for a role, is only $75.00. The process is running all the lines, I get that. I guess I am blessed to have an "x" mechanic living next door to me. He charges $300.00 to run all new brake lines, front and rear..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #12 Posted May 20, 2014 Update. Got the tahoe home. Had enough time to do a decent wash and started to do a complete detail. Still needs carpets cleaned, exterior rubbed, then polised, then sealed. But judging by the way it is looking now, it should clean up fairly nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,401 #13 Posted May 20, 2014 Now I really miss mine! Mine was white with grey leather yours looks tan. You are going to love that Tahoe! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Martin 2,133 #14 Posted May 20, 2014 wow, thats in very nice condition. great find and looks like its been well cared for....... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #15 Posted May 20, 2014 Thanks gentlemen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #16 Posted May 23, 2014 Getting ready to do a fluid change on Saturday. So far, it seems to be just fine. No issues, other than the air bag sensor in the front bumper needing replaced. I hear that only dealerships have the tool to re-set the "Service Airbag" code???? RC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #17 Posted May 26, 2014 Fluids changed and took for a nice trip to Naigra yesterday. Averaged 19mpg/75mph w/ac on. Not to bad for a 6,600lb. SUV. I have been trying to diagnose a couple things relating to the driver door control. Power folding mirrors won't fold - Do not even hear the motor, and the light will not light up. Adjustable pedals won't adjust. I know they are not supposed to adjust when it is in gear. All other functions on the driver control work fine. Mirror is adjustable, heated seat works fine, ect. Just those 2 items are not functioning. I did a fuse search, the fuses, are not blown. I'm stumped..... Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RMCIII 838 #18 Posted May 27, 2014 Decided to detail the engine area. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
