28th Apr 2006, 14:28

I have a 1997 Silverado and am also having the shifting hard problem between 1st and 2nd...anyone know if I should keep driving this or get it fixed immediately?

It seems to happen after I have driven at least 20 miles. Sometimes it does fine and other time it shifts hard. But once it starts shifting hard it will not stop until you sit and let it cool off I am guessing.

Anyone know what I should do? Thanks.

5th May 2006, 15:44

I bought a 2000 Silverado 4.8L 1500 in 7/01 with 19,400 m. Now it has 117,000 m and I am starting to lose coolant. I see no signs of a leak. I was told by a mechanic that it is most likely the intake manifold gasket. He also mentioned that Chevy had a problem with the intake gaskets on the 4.8L from 97-01. This is no hack mechanic... he has repaired my company vehicles the first time when a dealership couldn't fix it on there third time. Maybe the intakes are similar on the larger engines. Other than that I have no had any major problems with this truck.

15th May 2006, 21:52

Well add me to the list of Silverado shaftees. My 1998 5.0L started leaking at the intake manifold at 52,000 miles. Thanks to this site I knew what to replace, did the job myself and only paid price of gaskets and new Dex-Cool. I have replaced 2 alternators, 1 starter, the AC is leaking now. But I knew that the truck wasn't through with me yet, it wasn't, this weekend the transmission blew. No reverse, I barely made it to the shop now I am gonna wait a week to pay 2200.00 buck to have the trans rebuilt. The mechanic ensures me that it will be better than original because there are upgrades to correct the issues with the original transmission. I hate to say it, but I really enjoy my truck, even though it eats a hole in my wallet as good as any woman ever could! I must be a glutton for punishment!

18th May 2006, 11:54

I have a 1997 Chev Silverado 5.7L Z71. You guessed it... intake was leaking! Fixed it myself at 290,000. Truck now has 300,500km. I've replaced the alternator, water pump, 3 fuel pumps and sending units and a serpentine belt. That's it. Not too shabby for 300,000km. Except now the beast is slipping at low speeds. Not too sure what this is. Might be rear differential or tranny. The O2 sensors are starting to go as well, which will cause some bucking, but I think it's worse than that. I think it has to be the differential. It still shifts fine. Any thoughts out there?

7th Jun 2006, 15:34

I posted earlier (see April 28th, 2006 post) about my transmission shifting HARD between First and second gears. This only occurs after I have driven the truck (1997 Silverado) at least 20 miles.

I have changed the transmission fluid, filter and pan gasket as suggested above. It still does this shifting hard thing.

For some reason, if I shut the truck off and start it back up again, it will not do it again for about another 20 miles! Seems as though it is resetting itself maybe? I do not know.

Any further suggestions? Thanks!

7th Jun 2006, 19:57

I have a 1997 Chevy Silverado 5.7L, I too had coolant leaking with no trace, I was informed of the problem these trucks have from a mechanic friend. I decided to go ahead and get it done before it got any worse. I had my manifold gasket replaced at 89,000 miles. (also $400) I also had to replace the water pump around 70-75000 miles. I hope and pray I don't have to deal with the transmission problem. The truck has been good to me other than that.

31st Jul 2006, 15:20

I have a 00 silverado 1500 (4.8L V8) 4x4. When driving 40-45 MPH I notice the RPM will fluctuate between 1100 & 1500. This is the only time it does this. I also notice that at idle when I turn the steering wheel the rpm will drop. I checked voltage & resistance at the T.P.S & I.A.C and they seem normal (according to my book). Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

4th Sep 2006, 01:31

I have a 1997 gmc Z71. It has 213,000 miles on it. It has been a pretty good truck for what I put it through. I had to replace the transmission, put a new blinker switch in, and a water pump. My rear end just went out any ideas on what to do.

Joey.

7th Sep 2006, 07:59

I have a 1997 Chevy Silverado and it also shifts hard from 1st to 2nd when it gets hot. From what I was told this is a computer code and it isn't really a problem. The people at the Chevrolet place told me that it won't hurt the truck it is just annoying. I took it to a friends tranny shop and he reset a code and it shifts great now.

20th Sep 2006, 12:16

Torque convertor is faulty... tranny shop can replace with 3rd party parts better than original should cost $500. I did mine 3 yrs ago... this is a known issue.

3rd Oct 2006, 15:48

I have just picked up my 99 Sierra after getting the water pump changed - $569. They also tell me I need intake gasket replaced, and then pointed to two other gm's in the parking lot that were there for the same thing. I also need to replace my ABS pump, and I already replaced my sending unit.

I never thought I would see myself in a Toyota, but a mans got to do what a mans got to do!!!

27th Oct 2006, 22:34

I recently purchased a 1998 Silverado with 5.7 and Automatic from my Uncle. The truck only has 65000 miles. I do enjoy the truck, but he disclosed that he had to replace a bunch of parts on it already. Basically he said I should not need to do anything to it as he has already had to do it! I guess I should have taken that as a warning, I now find the coolant leak everyone mentions... At first I see nothing like a drip, I just smell it and notice the radiator low. Then yesterday, I start the truck and let it warm up. After warm, I step back and see the steady drip under the tranny. I crawl under and find the leak running down the block from the back right of the motor and down the tranny body, to the ground. I figure it is the manifold as all else says, but it is hard to see due to obstruction. Maybe a head gasket, but not sure yet... I should have went with my instinct and bought the Toyota I wanted to start with...

18th Nov 2006, 23:59

Here's a my.02 worth.

Our daily driver is a 97 4WD Suburban with 120K miles on it. In the last year I have replaced the following: Fuel Pump $150.00, Water Pump $100.00, Radiator $350.00, Both inside front door handles $45.00 each, Both Rear tail light circuit boards $30.00 each, Front right half shaft, hub, caliper, rotor and pads $800.00, ignition switch $400.00, had the driver seat bracket repaired $50.00, and now the intake manifold is leaking $300.00. Just dropped it off at the shop today for that repair. I have changed the oil (Mobil 1) faithfully since the day I picked it up from the dealer. We have pulled our trailer twice a summer the day we picked it up and generally used it to climb the snow covered streets in winter. We purchased this vehicle to replace our 1992 Dodge B350 RAM Van as our daily driver when it reached 285K. BTW, the Dodge Van is still running. The only major repair done on the Van in 15 year is regular maintenance and a new transmission. We love the Suburban. It's a great driver, more comfortable than the Van... but in the last 12 months I have poured over $2300.00 into it to keep it on the road. I am considering selling it after I get the intake manifold fixed and getting something else because I am worried about transmission problems. It's time to service the transmission, but after all I have read I am nervous about touching it... any suggestions or recommendations?