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GMC Safari/Chevy Astro
1972 messages, Last post on Feb 23, 2013 at 8:21 AM
You are in the GMC Safari & Chevy Astro Forum.- Your Host is kcram
What is this discussion about? GMC Safari, Chevrolet Astro, Van
#85 of 1972 1997 GM SAFARI WATER LEAKS by bougard
Mar 29, 2001 (1:59 am)
I have a 97 GMC safari van that leaks terribly from the rear doors to the extent that the carpet will seep water all the way to the front of the vehicle. there is no noticable water to be seen when the leaking occurs until you lift a floor mat and detect the water under them. Has anyone else had this problem and has GMC responded to your satisfaction. Have contacted GMC customer service on the matter and they are willing to split the cost but if it leaks again and ruins the carpet again, they are not responsible for the carpet damage? It seems that this is a major problem and that there is not a solution to prevent it from leaking again.
#86 of 1972 Astro Van question for Mr. Cormier by creid
Mar 29, 2001 (5:56 am)
I see by reading the above post you have what seems extensive knowledge on the Astro/Safari vehicles. I just purchased a 2001 Safari AWD. I had a 99 that had extensive problems with the redesigned awd system and then it got ugly when I had to depart with it. My wife really like this design vehicle so I purchased another one. The question I have is this vehicle has a limited slip rearend (which I have no idea why they would install this on an awd vehicle) and it 3.73 rear end gears. I don't do any towing but maybe a litte camping. How bad with the gear ratio kill me with gas mileage or will I even see a difference at all? Is there any advantage to a limited slip with the awd system already installed? Puzzles me. Thanks for you time.Corey
#87 of 1972 1990 astro van by swem
Mar 29, 2001 (10:03 pm)
i just got my van and i love it but i'm looking for the rear window curtain kits and can't find them please help if you know where i could find these.#88 of 1972 Creid by mrnimmo
Mar 30, 2001 (5:52 am)
Nothing weird about a limited slip on a 4wd or Awd application. Subaru is not offering some arrangement like this on some of their cars. Hardcore offroaders generally install true lockers (or airlockers) on their trucks, sometimes both front and rear.
IMHO, limited slip diff's like the kind offered by GM and other manufacturers as "locking differentials" aren't of much value. Here's a link that explains this stuff Although it's geared to the serious offroad set, the same applies to those of us who just don't want to be stuck in the snow. Note that most of the serious lockers wouldn't be appropriate for highway use.
#89 of 1972 re: mrnimmo by creid
Mar 30, 2001 (6:39 am)
Thanks for the informative information on LSD. After reading the article I really won't notice any difference just a waste of money from GM. I have no need for a locker just didn't really understand the LSD effect with the AWD feature. Do you know how much 3.73 versus 3.42 ratio will effect gas mileage the vehicle came with this setup & I may regret it on a long trip w/o towing.#90 of 1972 Response to #80 by bougard by cormier
Apr 01, 2001 (5:18 pm)
We've had rear door leaks on a few of our Astros. If they were under warranty, we returned them to the dealer for resolution. I really never asked what they did.I believe that we put new rubber seals on the 1 or 2 rear door leaks that we resolved ourselves.
Two other ideas come to mind. Perhaps check to see if there is an adjustment for the door latch. Can it be set to close the door a little more tightly? (Sorry. I'm too lazy to go outside and look for you. Especially since I don't think this is the answer.)
The other idea is the possibility of a slightly "sprung" door. When the rear doors are closed, do they appear to match each other exactly for the full length of that center line? If not, one may be slightly twisted.
But back to the new door seals. That's the probable solution. You can examine the seals for indications of poor contact, or signs that the seal has compressed or otherwise deteriorated. But I was convinced that the seal was good on the one I examined, but my mechanic changed it anyway. I lost that bet (and most of our other bets, too).
Last idea. Try speaking with the body shop instead of the service manager. That's where this problem belongs. My guess is that they will have your answer in a heart beat. "Fit and finish" is where they live.
#91 of 1972 Response to #83 mrnimmo and #84 creid by cormier
Apr 01, 2001 (6:00 pm)
Great link, mrnimmo! I always got the LSD on our vehicles, but never really understood what it was. I figured the "voodoo" value was sufficient to justify the extra $20 or so. Now I understand what I'm buying. Thanks!As for the difference in mileage between the 3.73 and the 3.42 rear ends: I don't think you'll find it to be any problem at all. I had the 3.73 in a '93, and really liked it. That was back before the extra HP from the "Vortec" and the better fuel injection. Back then, the extra pop I got from the 3.73 made it feel more lively in town, and avoided kicking out of overdrive on hills. The only (very minor) drawback was the additional engine sound at 70 mph or so.
3.73 minus 3.42 = .31
.31 divided by 3.42 = .09
So, the same engine "rpm" will drive the vehicle 9% less distance with the 3.73. But that won't translate into 9% less mileage. Torque yields, horsepower curves, and all the other things auto engineers know about will come into play. My guess is that mileage will be about the same "in-town," and 1 to 2 mpg less for strictly high speed driving.
#92 of 1972 2000 AWD Great in Snow. What warranty to buy?? by flynnski
Apr 03, 2001 (8:55 pm)
We live in Minnesota at the bottom of a valley. Bought a 2000 AWD last fall and could not believe the great traction thru a long, snowy winter.I want to buy an extended warranty. Can anybody tell me what to buy - Should I buy only from a dealer or try one advertised on the internet. (is there any differance?) I's a little nervous about holes that can appear in a warranty.
#93 of 1972 re: 2000 AWD Great in Snow. What warranty to buy by creid
Apr 03, 2001 (9:59 pm)
I would like to know the same. We just bought a 2001 Safari AWD & the finance guy wanted some absurd amount for a 6yr 60K warranty $1400, I declined. What kind of gas mileage do you get with your Van? Have you seen some increase with break in period or does it stay about the same.#94 of 1972 2001 GMC Safari Oil Pan by creid
Apr 07, 2001 (7:08 pm)
I was lying under our new Safari & noticed that the 4.3L doesn't have a oil pan any longer. It seems it has a aluminum piece that seems attached to the motor. Has anyone seen this? Also what would the implications be if you had to service something internal in the engine like oil pump or even crack the bottom?I found this out due to a friend bought a 98 Blazer it was the same design & he immediately purchased a extended warranty to keep from something dire happening. Any insight on this new design would be appreciated.
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