my new tow vehicle $500.00

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

after jumping it off, the meter is showing 14 volts till it charges up. will run all day, till you turn it off.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Do you have any drain from the alternator after the key is off? Might try an ammeter as well as the volt meter there.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

will have to wait, it just started to rain.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Songrats on the new vehicle !!!!!!!

 

[jennis9]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

everyone loves a great deal, looks like you found another gem.

 

[boatradioman]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

are you sure you were not ripped off. The price seems a little fishy to me.

 

[ferrellb]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

It is a fine sled for what you need. Deals can be found; sometimes I find'em and sometimes I get impatient and "overpay". What was the last year they these models were built? I am interested in one but I would need it to be newer. Just like American car companies to have a nice setup and quit making them!

 

[Fingernip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

The last Astro/Safari were built in either 03 or 04. I cant remember now . They remained unchanged for the most part since 97 though. Only the transfercase(AWD) and transmission got any changes really.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Oh yes and a warning. You should check your solid brake line that runs beside the fuel tank. Just before it goes up and over the axle. Very common spot for them to rust out. Also while your at it use a mirror and check the top of the tank. Chevy used really really really crappy steel on certain components.
Also if its got dexcool, flush it and run normal antifreeze. There was a intake gasket issue where the dexcool would destroy it causing intake gasket leaks and iminent bearing failures.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

DexCool didn't cause the gasket failures finger. At least not according to the GM techs on here and in Peoria, IL. Dexcool is garbage for sure, but apparently so are the intake gaskets. It's two separate problems, I am told. So even getting DeathKill out, the intake gasket could still go bad!

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Do you have any drain from the alternator after the key is off? Might try an ammeter as well as the volt meter there.

When my 4.3L Sonoma's alternator went, it shorted to ground, therefore draining the battery in short order. I second the above recommendation of checking it.

Maybe disconnect the alternator one night and see if it still drains.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

alternator is putting, according to the guages.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

DexCool didn't cause the gasket failures finger. At least not according to the GM techs on here and in Peoria, IL. Dexcool is garbage for sure, but apparently so are the intake gaskets. It's two separate problems, I am told. So even getting DeathKill out, the intake gasket could still go bad!

From what i understand its both issues. The crappy gaskets and the dexcool eating them. I have heard of people using good ole green stuff with OEM gaskets finding that they never got brittle like when dexcool is used. Good gaskets will last reguardless though.

 

[Fingernip]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

alternator is putting, according to the guages.

By any chance is it a duralast battery?
Also check for parasitic draw and go from there. Likely some kind of short somewhere.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

Dexcool does dissolve gaskets. Intake manifold & head. Also eats away at water pump bearing seals, radiator cores, etc, anything it touches. GM just lost a class action lawsuit confirming these results. They are re-imbursing any owner of a Dexcooled vehicle who had a cooling related part failure. Up to $800. Heres the link to file: http://www.girardgibbs.com/dexcool.html

 

[Jerico]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

DexCool didn't cause the gasket failures finger. At least not according to the GM techs on here and in Peoria, IL. Dexcool is garbage for sure, but apparently so are the intake gaskets. It's two separate problems, I am told. So even getting DeathKill out, the intake gasket could still go bad!

Dexcool turns to sludge with time. Have it flushed and replaced if it has it. I have an '01 Bravada that has been very well maintained with 115k miles. It started losing antifreeze. I found it. A gallon of antifreeze in the oil is not a good thing. Weekend before last I finally got it back together after it blew the intake gasket. Talking to the machine shop that rebuilt the heads for me he said on the 4.3 intake gaskets are prone to blow about every 100-125k miles. There are only 8 bolts, 2 per corner. Cast iron block, aluminum lower intake, plastic upper intake. I wonder why they don't hold. On the bright side, rebuilding the heads, bolt sets, seal kits and DIY came up to about $300. As far as Dexcool, I was amazed how much sludge was in the water passages.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

if you want to talk about dexcool start your own thread, http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=32 hijacking mine is very inconsiderate.

 

[Jerico]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

I apologize, my intention wasn't to hijack your thread, but to elaborate on what to watch for on the 4.3 engine.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

you are forgiven, i have had many 4.3 's

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: my new tow vehicle $500.00

I had an alternator go bad inside once, it still charged fine but would drain the battery overnite unless I pulled the terminal off the batt. Also had a fuel pump relay stick closed once and it would drain the batt overnite, I just happen to hear it when getting some thigs out of the back still running with the ignition off. New relay 14.00 and was good to go. Good luck finding your elec. problems sure seems like they can be more costly to track down than to actually fix sometimes.

P.S. that chris craft is sure a nice boat....