1997 Chevrolet Astro LT from North America - Comments

My 97 Astro has been a dream. Lux touring model. My previous Grand Voyager was a drivetrain nightmare. 4 transmissions in 4,000 miles. Never again...

Only Astro problems so far:

Wiper motor (recall).

Window motors (easy fix).

1 fuel pump (replace with GM Delphi only please, all others die too easily).

Problem with cylinder misfire codes (bad pickup assembly in distributor).

Also, fan motor speed had issues here lately after 10 years (resistor inside motor/heater core under hood). Like I said, easy.

The plugs are easy access, pull front wheels and straight in. Oil and filters are remotely located for easy access.

My wife drives this thing pretty hard, so sport tires last longer due to rounding on the fronts during cornering.

Great truck chassis for pulling or hauling a large family with a cargo box on top.

Nice sound system, comfy seats.

Easy to steam clean the interior twice a year. The van looks near new after almost 11 years.

One the A/C, DO NOT use the R134 With sealer. It will plug up your compressor. No fix, have to throw it away after that.

One other thing, watch for the class action suit on the GM extended life antifreeze. It corrodes the gaskets in the engine and the radiator. Also seems to sludge up the works on the rear heat. So flush regularly and fill with regular good antifreeze. Check the web for the class action suit on the antifreeze issues.

Thanks for the tip on the R134A with the sealer!!! I am in the market for a later model Astro and will avoid using that.

I heard conventional antifreeze and DexCool are not compatible with each other though. I could be mistaken, but I thought mixing the two (e.g. changing from one to the other without COMPLETELY eliminating all traces of the previous one) could lead to corrosion and possibly sludge.

I prefer the DexCool (pink stuff) because it is FAR safer to have around my pets than conventional antifreeze. My only experience with it thus far has been in my '03 Cavalier with 70,000 that I have had since new and not had a problem with (the car or the DexCool).

Any insight on this from somebody who knows more about this topic than mr would be appreciated.