Comments: 1-15, 16-17
When I first purchased the truck at approximately 55,000 miles, the idle was too fast and unable to be adjusted slower. I discovered that the fuel injection body had defective leaking gaskets.
The fuel pump became inoperable at approximately 57,000 miles. This required the fuel tank to be removed to replace the fuel pump.
The transmission failed at approximately 61,000 miles.
The bottom of the radiator blew-out shortly after the transmission problem? Never heard of such a thing happening before. There was much metal corrosion at the failed area.
The alternator windings became loose. While stopped at a stop light, I heard a clunk sound and the engine locked-up. The loose internal parts of the alternator had jammed which caused the engine to stop turning.
At approximately 70,000 miles, again while stopped at a stop signal, I heard a loud bang sound. The crankshaft pulley had broken loose from the crankshaft, and again I never heard of such a problem! The pulley had developed fractures connecting each of the three bolt holes until finally it broke-off. The three bolts remaining on the crankshaft were very tight. It would appear that loose bolts were not the cause of the pulley cracking.
At approximately 83,000 miles, the engine water pump began leaking and required replacement.
At approximately 85,000 miles, the most forward of the drive-shaft universal joints suffered crumbled bearings. Strange, since I always kept them greased!
The windshield wiper mechanism always sounded like it was about to seize-up. Also, it only operate on low speed and the washer pump was inoperative.
The radio/tape player mechanism was frozen.
The original paint seemed to have a continuous problem with chipping. It appears that the paint wasn't sticking to the primer coat. I've seen other identical Sierra Pickup trucks with the exact same problem.
This truck has lots of power, considering the gas guzzling 454 c.i. V-8 @ 6 mpg around town: 8 mpg highway.
It was a very comfortable truck with the custom seats, very quiet and with good insulation.
Since most of my use of this truck was out-of-town, each break-down situation was a major problem for me. I completely lost confidence with this truck and got rid of it cheap!
I forgot to mention other major problems:
1. Rear wheel seals leaked oil onto the brake shoes.
2. Rear overload springs both broke.
3. Bolts on both left and right exhaust manifolds broke causing both gaskets to leak, and with the resulting noise. Had to drill-out broken bolts and install Heli-Coils.
4. Accessory bracket bolts broke causing mis-alignment of serpentine belt. Belt kept flipping off the pulleys. Again, had to remove the bracket, drill the broken bolts, and install Heli-Coils.
I was ready to blow-up the truck!!
I just had another flashback! The starter crapped-out once too! I had stopped near Davis, Calif., while returning from the San Francisco Bay area en-route back to Reno. Just imagine replacing the starter in a MacDonalds parking lot while the rain was pouring down! Sure glad the parts house was located nearby to the hamburger joint! There were so many things that went wrong, I can't keep-up with remembering them all! Oh yeah, the windshield wipers also had a tendency to pause for a couple of minutes before functioning. I never figured that one out?
You must have had a truck that wasn't taken care of.
My brother has a 1988 GMC 3500 Diesel which has about 106,000 miles on it, It has had only ball joints and CV Joints put in, Everything works and runs great. Paint isn't chipping either.
That doesn't seem typical of what I've seen with my 1990 GMC Sierra 2500 with a 5.7 liter V-8. Maybe a lot of it has to do with the 454 engine. Replaced engine pulleys with metal ones, so the belts would quit slipping off and normal maintenance expected with any vehicle that now has 191,000 miles. Took it deer hunting this last week, with a camper and a trailer. Bad luck it sounds like to me.
I cannot agree with the comment that the truck was probably not taken care of. I also have a 88 GMC 3500 with the 454 and I take very good care of all my cars and let me tell you this truck has baffled me sometimes also.
Some of the same problems would be:
The gasket leak under the EFI system causing the idle to be to high.
Bolts snapping and causing me to either easy out them or Heli Coil repair them.
Wipers work when they feel like it.
Leak in water pump.
Ball joints.
You have to realize that this year truck was there "Cross-Over" or so says the dealer. They tried new configurations on the engine, body, and interior so they are aware of all the problems they have caused.
I have to disagree with the two of you. I work on those 88-98 chevorlets and gmc's all day long, and besides 1967-72 I think that that was the best make pickups that chevorlet has ever made. I know everything about almost every part on those trucks and certain years have their weaknesses. But all in all those are great trucks.
I have to disagree with the two of you. I work on those 88-98 chevorlets and gmc's all day long, and besides 1967-72 I think that that was the best make pickups that chevorlet has ever made. I know everything about almost every part on those trucks and certain years have their weaknesses. But all in all those are great trucks.
Do you like the rust mobile years from 1973-1987???
Yes, those years literally rusted away before they wore out= = what a shame!
Yea, who wants to have to replace those expensive panels and pay for another paint job every few years. I steer clear of those years myself.
My dad's 77 rusted out by the second winter in indiana= = JUNK!
I have had a problem with an air bag fuse blowing out. Has anyone had problems with that?
Been reading on the comments and all about the 88 GM Pickup. I own one for about 5 years and haven't had a problem with it except the u-joints and reg. maintance that is required. The fuel pump is now the second one. The original went last year.
Just bought a 1987 GMC 3500 454 Granny four speed four wheel drive and I love it. I know that it is not a 1988 but just thought I would add that the same TBI gasket is leaking and both gas tanks are going to need replaced, but for pulling and hauling around the farm I wouldn't consider another truck by the way mine has 87,000 miles on it.
I disagree with most of you, because I have a 1988 GM r3500 with a 454 7.4 liter V8 beast, and I've got 123,000 miles on it, and did not have any problems at all.
ps, down with Ford.