1997 Chevrolet Silverado from North America - Comments

Hey, where's the love? I own a '97 suburban, 5.7, 4x4. Love my truck. Have had to replace water pump, alternator, etc. Those are just wear items. Transmission shifts fine, no manifold leaks. Just turned 95,000 miles. I'm a mechanic by trade and will stand by GM trucks. I work on far more fords than chevy's.

I have a 1998 Silverado and I have a steering problem. When you are making a right hand turn at a slow speed the steering seems to have tight spot or a catch in it. It only does this when turning to the right, and only at slow speeds. I have been told that chevy has a problem in the steering column causing this. The truck has 50k miles on it and it does a good job pulling my 30 ft. camper. Sure would like to hear some comments on this if anyone has any. THANKSBOB.

I have a 98 Silverado that also "dives" when negotiating a curve to the right at about 30-45 MPH. I have been told it is caused by a steering speed sensor on the steering column. It seems like this problem should be covered under a recall due to the unsafe condition it creates.

I have a 1997 K1500 with a 5.7, and 73,000 miles. I must say that after reading the other comments and also talking to other owners of these trucks I'm glad I am not alone.

I had to so far replace the oil cooler lines at 30k miles because of a leak, shortly thereafter I had to replace the valve body on the transmission because it was slipping. I too have the coolant leak from the hose going into the intake manifold. I have had constant problems with the brake light switch where the lights don't work or the transmission won't come out of park because the switch had a bad connection. I had to cut out the factory plug and solder new connections to the switch. Works fine now!

Somewhere around 64k the ABS sensor for the back wheels went, so no more ABS brakes in the back... actually that's a good thing! I just now noticed that the water pump is going too, but it's time I guess. I am sure I am forgetting a few problems, the ones I had are not good especially when the majority of them happened before 40,000 miles. Yes the truck does get worked hard sometimes, but it's a truck!! Don't know what I want to do when it comes time for another. I'll have to think pretty hard about another Chevy. Hope this one makes it well past 100,000 miles!!

Purchased my 97 3/4 ton silverado from the dealer with very low miles. so I am the original owner.

From day one you could always smell a faint trace of coolant. I was told by the dealer it's normal due to the new coolant.

Next the wipers worked intermittantly... pop the hood when they would stop and hit the control box and they would start again... a recall has replaced this item.

Then I started getting the steering fade or dive... dealer tested truck codes and replaced steering sensor... under warranty at the time I caught it.

Next was the fuel pump failing... dealer replaced it, but that one also starting having a high whiny sound just after the warranty ended.

Next was the battery... probably was time... then the starter... too small if you ask me for a 454 eng.

Then about the 4 year mark the water pump... probably time too.

No tranny problems yet... did the fluid and filter and have only towed an 8x20 cargo trailer a short while.

When the coolant started actually making a small puddle under the truck we replaced the quick connect fitting and that seemed to due for a while... well its leaking worse now.

The quick connect fitting has an o-ring inside of it... sometime over the next few days I hope to replace the o-ring and see how that does.

I make my living in the mechanical trades... yes it is very possible the gaskets are breaking down and clogging the lines going to the tranny... there by causing exess heat to cause tranny failure.

Recalls are good for the dealerships, but costly for the manufacturer both in reputation and money.

So if the o-ring doesn't do the trick... and I'm thinking it won't...it will be time to replace the gasket... do a complete systems flush and see what the old green stuff does.

At this point I can only see the manufacturer doing a recall for the engines and trannys if someone started a class action lawsuit... and wins.

Sad to say that usually only happens when someone gets injured...or worse.

Contact me at jhn164@yahoo.com.

I have a '97 half-ton Sierra. I bought it used with 10K on the clock in late 1998. This truck has been nothing but trouble. So many things have been replaced and repaired on this truck; most of which didn't fail until the warranty had elapsed. The transmission troubles, coolant leaks, master cylinder replacements, etc., have plagued me for years. I had a 1992 GMC Sierra, 350 manual trans, and it was the best truck I ever owned. Owning this one, however, has been a horrible experience. I'll never own another.

After trying to trade and being offered a mere pittance for it, I've decided to drive it until the wheels fall off. I've decided to take every problem as it comes and repair it with the best quality parts I can afford. In fact I was shopping for an intake manifold (heater hose quick connect corrosion), timing chain, camshaft, and tappets when I stumbled on your site.

1997 Silverado Z71

Steering gears replaced early to stop jerking of steering 30,000 miles, was worse when just starting and cold weather. Haven't had anymore problems with steering.

Seems door handles break easy inside, radio power supply made radio come on an off by it self, replaced radio, ash tray plastic piece broke that it sits on, dash cracked, rivets that hold window mechanism broke had to re revit it.

Circuit boards in rear lights are going bad and need to be replaced, should be recall, but isn't.

Rust still problem in rear light assembles so moisture must be problem with circuit boards.

All else I still love my silverado Z-71 and plan on another.

No major problems yet, but I do smell anti freeze sometimes, but hasn't developed into major problem.

Donald Bogard

donnieb@650dialup.com.

Don.

That antifreeze you smell might be the intake manifold gasket leaking, mine did that for a while and slowly got worse, it corrodes between the heads and the intake. You might want to get it pressure tested before it gets worse. Just FYI.

Jason.

I just found your site while looking for parts and manuals for replacing the intake on the 1997 Z71.

I to have the intake leak problem at 78,000 and will tackle it this week. Any tips or pit falls to watch out for from those with personal experience would be appreciated.

Is there any truth to the Dex-Cool corrosion problem? I saw many comments only one seemed logical. help with a recommendation would be great in deciding green or orange!

This is the first major problem with the truck, I guess I have been lucky, so far she has been pretty good to me especially when neglected due to finances.

Repliesto stumpkw2001@yahoo.com.

Thanks.

I did the replacement of the intake gasket on my 1997 Z71 a few weeks ago. Total spent for the repair was $110 including a large pizza and a twelve pack for a helper. Dealer quoted $1,100.

All parts used were new intake gaskets, new valve cover gaskets, fluids and a new cruise control cable that was broken during removal $20.50, watch out for the plastic connector.

It took a total of 10 hours. Four hours prep and tear down by my self and six with help to put it back together.

The repair was labor intensive and slow due to the amount of electrical and bracketry that must be removed. Over all not a bad project. I saved myself approximatley $1,000.

If any one needs a few tips before starting replacement feel free to ask, there are a few tricky spots and a complete set of tools is a requirement.

Stumpkw2001@yahoo.com.

Mark.

When changing the intake gasket, be very careful to mark the exact location of the distributer relative to the intake and the rotor to the distributer. If this is slightly off, you will have electrical problems which require dealership electronics to repair.

Also, the job is much easier if you remove the fan shroud. This makes access to the a/c bracket bolts easier. They must be loosened to get to the front right intake bolts. Be careful not to put any stress on the upper radiator hose. You will crack the plastic radiator tank.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only person with all of these listed problems and more!!! I was having all the same problems as everyone else,and most recent my outer door handle has broke. I looked around for a used one and found that all of these trucks have this problem as well. Cheap pot metal seems to be the problem here. Must be nice for GM not to have too recall this type of stuff and still make more money off of us while we have to fix these common problems our self.O'well, still love my truck$$$$!

Brandon from Kansas

98' Z71 350 VORTEC 4L60E 125,000 miles.

I worked my butt off on my farm for my truck (1996 c/k1500 5.7L Vortec) and it hasn't been the greatest to me. First the ol' door handle breaks off, then I go through 3 alternators, next comes the fuel pump (which the GM shop kinna' took me on), and just the other day I was drivin' home and a light come on and said check gauges. I looked down and my temp gauge said 260. I guess the intake manifold gasket blew. If anyone has comments on the easiest way to replace this ('cause I don't feel like payin' 150 bucks an hour for labor) I'd appreciate it. E-mail me at justlang12@hotmail.com.

Justin, North Dakota. I STILL LOVE 'ER THOUGH.

Does anyone know why after removing all upper intake manifold bolts, the manifold still won't lift off. there is a 1/16 gap, yet it seems something internal is holding it.

The intake manifold in my 1997 Z71 started leaking last week so I'm in the process of replacing the gaskets and various other hoses. Most all the other comments I have read are the same. Fuel pump at 85,000. Steering pulling to the right at 40-45 mph. Heater hose leading into the manifold leaking at 100,100. Inside door handle on driver side broken. Passenger inside door handle works sometimes. Anyway, all in all I enjoy my truck. Thanks.

I guess I feel blessed. I have a 98 Z71 with 93000 miles and about as flawless as it gets for going on 7 years. Only problems so far were a steering sensor and an E.G.R. I have only put breaks and Rancho 5000s on her. Albeit a jackass stripped my oil drain plug, now I do all my own maintenance. But it still doesn't leak.

Kevin.