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Vans & Minivans Chevy Express & GMC Savana Chevy Express/GMC Savana
595 messages, Last post on Aug 14, 2008 at 12:35 PM
You are in the Chevy Express & GMC Savana Forum. Your Host is Karens
| I have a 1997 express 1500 and like a lot of you, had my transmission replaced at 45,000, no help from gm or dealer,injectors cleaned and 1 replaced, new fuel pump at 900.00. intake gasket, and 2 rear ends. There is a case action lawsuit for astro vans rear end failing, so why are they not for express rear end or at least the transmissions? I have only found 1 person that has not replaced their transmission under 50,000 miles. My van has 118,000 and after 6,000 dollars in it last year I just stopped driving until loan is paid off. | |
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I agree with the tranny problem, and the tranny shop I spoke to had told me it is not as reliable. However, he said the 2500 and 3500 vehicles have a heavy duty tranny (4L80E) that is the best on the market. It is the same one as goes into the huge commercial cube vans with GVWR of 15,000 lbs. My 2500 has a super smooth tranny, which was upgraded in 2001, before that people complained of a harder shift out of first. With only 2 choices in full size vans (Ford and GMC), you have to learn to live with one or the other...they all have their problems. You want reliability, buy a Camry, you want a heavy payload, large tow capacity, see how long your Camry will hold up in those conditions (less then 500 miles I bet)....you simply have no choices like with autos. Period! The money I save in motels, hauling, etc more then compensates for any repairs (and I have no complaints so far with my 2001 extended passenger van), and the comfort is superior to any car on long trips. As for 2 rear ends failing, that has never been a problem that others mentioned. |
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Just crossed 50,000 mile mark with my 2001 GMC 3500 extended. Transmission feels like it did when new. So does the rest of the van - no rattles. My prior 1997 GMC 1500 was starting to chew through its second tranny at the 50,000 mark, and as I posted previously, I was on my third transmission when I sold it. On another subject: is it just me or does anyone else think the 2003 Savana front end is ugly? |
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| It's not just you, I think it is ugly too, and so is the new dashboard. Styling took a step backwards. I'll wait for the next generation, hopefully this time when they introduce a new generation vehicle it will have a new body like it should have. I so far like my 2001 extended 2500 series passenger van and it's nicer dash and front end. | |
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| 99 1500 has 65,000 on it and I am starting to see some of the tranny warning signs I have read here. Run on the highway for a few hours, then switch to stop and go and I get rough shifts for maybe 5 minutes after which it goes back to normal. As this is just starting and doesn't happen all the time, what should I do to prolong the life of the tranny? Does anyone know what is going on with the tranny? Acts like it is overheated or something, then goes normal when it settles down. | |
| LAST MARCH I GOT A GREAT DEAL ON A 2001 GMC SAVANA CONVERSION VAN. AS OF THIS MONTH I HAVE TRAVELLED ONLY 9000 MILES. IT IS ABOUT 50/50 HWY/CITY MILES. DOES THIS TYPE OF INACTIVITY CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS OR SHOULD I TAKE ANY PRECAUTIONS. IT RUNS GREAT AND WE LOVE IT, WE JUST DON'T NEED TO DRIVE IT THAT OFTEN. | |
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At least I hope not - I just bought a 7 year old car with 34,000 miles on it. I'd pay a bit more attention to the recommended fluid change interval based on time rather than mileage. Oh, and please lose the all caps - too hard to read. Thanks! Steve, Host |
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I own a 2001 GMC-Savanna 1500,350-auto with limited slip 373differential.the actual mileage in my van is 18980. At around 3000miles in the odometer it started making a noise from the rear end. GM has done nothing to repair or take the noise away,and provided me whith an extended warranty to 100,000 miles on this part. the problems is that it makes a deep whinning noise that starts at aroud 30mph and increases till it peaks at 47 to 50mph. dealer claims it is whithin normal limits, but you can not hear the radio if the speed is kept constant at this 45/50 area.After 53 it lowers it intensity till about 70 when it starts again. It is an annoying type of noise. I do not believe that this is part of the ride of the veh. . when my mother rides in our van she has to take her hearing aids off not to go crazy with this deep whinning noise.. three certified techs have told me that GM should repair the rear end.till now no avail.My car is only 18 mths old and have I have had to endure this already for too long. If anyone has had knowledge of this problem in other vans, please let me know of possible solutions and who to contact to solve to this problem |
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I'm planning to order a 2500 passenger Savana or Express soon. I'm replacing a 99 passenger Express which I use to tow a travel trailer. Unfortunately the 5.7L 3.73 rear end does not give me the capacity for towing a heavier trailer. The van will be 8 passenger with the Vortec 6000 and 4.10 rear axle. According to specs this baby will pull up to 9,900 lbs....so I'll have at 1200 of unused capacity if I buy an 8700 lb trailer. First impressions on a test drive with a Savanah 2500 passenger standard lenght with 3.73 rear end. Ride was harsher than my Chevy Express 1500. Brakes seem to require a much lighter touch. Dash board is a step backwards with the removal of the passenger grab bar that used to be there. Not good for someone who needs a hand. I like the engine room the new front end gives me. Steering seems comparable. Choices for wheels are the pits with no chrome or aluminum wheel available from GM. My only question at this point is the height of the van. No one at GM or the dealership can explain why the 1500, 2500, and 3500 vans are all shown as 81.6 inches high. Yet there is a 1.5" difference in the step height between the 1500 and 2500/3500. Ground clearance on the 2500 is .8" higher in the 2500 than the 1500. The dealer offered my the ability to take a 2500 cargo van home to make sure it can clear my garage entry. I only have 82.75" available. Any of you towing with the 2500 with a 4.10 rear end. What kind of gas mileage should I expect? Currently I tow in 3rd with a 6,000 trailer and get about 10 mpg. I'll be selling the Chevy Express which has 20,800 miles. Regards, Jack STL Mo. |
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richito, My '99 Chevy Express with 3.73 limited slip started its growl about 8 months after I bought it new. I can notice it at about 45 and it increases in volume till about 55. It diminishes very quickly and at 60 you can't hear it. Apparently I have seen other posts about this. Chevy says all is ok so I've lived with it. Transmission has worked flawlessly and I see no difference in noise when I do or do not tow. It does not seem to be load related. Jack |
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