1996 Chevrolet Silverado 4.3 V6

Summary:

Not sure anymore

Faults:

Someone help me please.

I bought this truck from a family member and we replaced the water pump because it was leaking. A few weeks later I had no heat, and it got hot but I shut it off before it over heated, so we fixed the thermostat.

Everything seemed fine, and then tonight I got home and turned the truck off, and all of the sudden I see steam coming out of the engine. It wasn't hotter than normal according to the gauge, and no lights were on and it still started and ran fine. So we started it again and let it run, and we saw antifreeze just running, not dripping, but running out of the lower drivers side of the motor, so we shut it off. Then we took a hose and ran water into the radiator and all of the water came pouring out of the side of the motor, while it was off.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?

General Comments:

I like the truck, I really do, it was always dependable until I bought it. My last car I had problems with, so I bought this.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 20th March, 2009

20th Mar 2009, 18:52

Call a tow-truck.

It sounds like your engine block is cracked or one of the freeze-out plugs are damaged.

Was this engine left out in the winter without anti-freeze?

5th Jan 2010, 15:00

Could be the heater core, which really isn't too big a deal.

31st Jan 2010, 15:22

Check your oil, and if it looks milky, you cracked a head. If not, I would check and see if you're leaking from the radiator. If so, you should just replace the radiator.

1996 Chevrolet Silverado 5.7

Summary:

Best truck money can buy

Faults:

My fuel pump has went out around 120,000, but I have heard that is semi normal.

Also the high pressure power steering hose leaked.

All this is due to old age. Other than that, just a few minor things that come with age.

General Comments:

This is the best truck I have owned. Definitely would buy another one just like it if I could. Handles good, interior is spacious enough. Overall a good running truck.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th March, 2009

10th Mar 2009, 08:22

Chevy makes a great line of trucks for sure. I like them a lot myself, they go forever and are comfortable. I know a guy that is up to 900,000kms on his 82 Chevy. I cringe at the thought of the thousands of dollars spent on fuel to drive it though. I think the difference between 12MPG and 20MPG, he could have bought a house for the difference in fuel. But he did it in style and still has his truck. His son is grown up now and he has a Chevy now. Imagine 900,000kms at 17litres per 100 kilometers. Another vehicle that can get 10 litres per 100 kilometers. The difference over the years would be $7 per every 100 KMS, and times that by 900,000... It sure adds up.

Anyways, I like Chevy fullsize trucks, but since I hit the age of about 29 and my priorities changed, I couldn't possibly drive one now, I would be sick to my stomach forking out all kinds of money for gas. I can fix a car, I can do bodywork, but I cannot refine my own fuel. So I drive cheaper on gas vehicles now and you know what, they still get the job done. In 20 years I will have saved about $63,000 :-) No truck is worth that much to me.

Have fun with yours and enjoy it to the fullest, your paying for all that awesomeness, more than you think.

1996 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Z71 ExCab 5.7L V8 350ci

Summary:

Unbeatable performance on and off the road

Faults:

Please note that I have heavily modified this truck (racing clutch, headers, intake system, computer programming, ignition system, rear differential, etc.) before judging the following problems.

-The intake Manifold Gasket went out at 130,000 miles.

-The transmission had to be replaced at 135,000 miles.

-The entire brake system (vacuum booster, master cylinder, calipers, and cylinders) had to be replaced at 140,000 miles.

-Rear side windows haven't held a good seal since 2002.

General Comments:

I have done lots of things with this truck and to this truck. With a few modifications to the engine, I've pushed the horsepower and torque up very noticeably. The stock Z71 suspension handles 33" mud tires easily and articulates very well for moderate off-road fun.

Despite the off-road appearance and high quality, this truck will also perform like a street truck. I have left many proclaimed "sports cars" far behind me.

This truck has taken well over 100,000 miles of serious abuse from me and is still running strong. This has been an excellent vehicle ownership experience for me and I plan on remaining loyal to the GM line of trucks until the day I die.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th February, 2008