Bought a '03 Tahoe LT with 235k miles for $2k, time to fix it up!

[Kaz26]

I'm new here. This is actually my first post. I bought a 2003 Tahoe LT 4dr listed for $2,000, but it has some issues that need to be addressed. I'm going to list the things I know to be wrong with it, talk about what I do to fix it and post images along the way. I have experience working on cars, but this is my first Tahoe. I'm sure I will have some questions for the experts here along the way.

The first thing I noticed as I looked around the body of the car are some dents, and a pushed in front bumper, but nothing too terrible. The front bumper will probably be the most challenging for me to repair, as far as body damage is concerned.

Oil Leaks
Looking under the car I noticed alot of oil. It is actually dripping quite a bit. It looks like the oil pan gasket definitely needs to be replaced, but possibly (hopefully not) the rear main as well. The suspension looks worn, but again, nothing that looks completely destroyed.

On the top of the engine I can see oil seeping from around the valve covers, with some oil build up. This truck doesn't look like it was well maintained and the oil on the dipstick is black. The date on the oil filter is from August 2020, so hopefully it hasn't been driven too much on such dirty oil. Aside from the seepage around the valve covers, everything else looks decent for the amount of miles on it.

The first drive
The first thing I noticed when I started the car was the money light, but the engine fired up quick and ran smooth and quiet. Aside from that, the transmission shifts hard between gears, and there is a clunky feeling in the front. It was noticeable when braking and turning. In addition to that, the AC doesn't blow cold.

The trouble code is P0466 which is related to the evap system. More on that later.

When I lifted the car, the drivers side wheel was wobbly, which indicates to me that the wheel bearing is bad. The break pads have about 50% wear on them, and nothing else looked terrible.

I will do another inspection soon and post some pics as well.

 

[iamdub]

I'm new here. This is actually my first post. I bought a 2003 Tahoe LT 4dr listed for $2,000, but it has some issues that need to be addressed. I'm going to list the things I know to be wrong with it, talk about what I do to fix it and post images along the way. I have experience working on cars, but this is my first Tahoe. I'm sure I will have some questions for the experts here along the way.

The first thing I noticed as I looked around the body of the car are some dents, and a pushed in front bumper, but nothing too terrible. The front bumper will probably be the most challenging for me to repair, as far as body damage is concerned.

Oil Leaks
Looking under the car I noticed alot of oil. It is actually dripping quite a bit. It looks like the oil pan gasket definitely needs to be replaced, but possibly (hopefully not) the rear main as well. The suspension looks worn, but again, nothing that looks completely destroyed.

On the top of the engine I can see oil seeping from around the valve covers, with some oil build up. This truck doesn't look like it was well maintained and the oil on the dipstick is black. The date on the oil filter is from August 2020, so hopefully it hasn't been driven too much on such dirty oil. Aside from the seepage around the valve covers, everything else looks decent for the amount of miles on it.

The first drive
The first thing I noticed when I started the car was the money light, but the engine fired up quick and ran smooth and quiet. Aside from that, the transmission shifts hard between gears, and there is a clunky feeling in the front. It was noticeable when braking and turning. In addition to that, the AC doesn't blow cold.

The trouble code is P0466 which is related to the evap system. More on that later.

When I lifted the car, the drivers side wheel was wobbly, which indicates to me that the wheel bearing is bad. The break pads have about 50% wear on them, and nothing else looked terrible.

I will do another inspection soon and post some pics as well.

Welcome!

You're in a good place for help and advice. You also have an easy vehicle to work on. Lets see how far we can take it.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm new here. This is actually my first post. I bought a 2003 Tahoe LT 4dr listed for $2,000, but it has some issues that need to be addressed. I'm going to list the things I know to be wrong with it, talk about what I do to fix it and post images along the way. I have experience working on cars, but this is my first Tahoe. I'm sure I will have some questions for the experts here along the way.

The first thing I noticed as I looked around the body of the car are some dents, and a pushed in front bumper, but nothing too terrible. The front bumper will probably be the most challenging for me to repair, as far as body damage is concerned.

Oil Leaks
Looking under the car I noticed alot of oil. It is actually dripping quite a bit. It looks like the oil pan gasket definitely needs to be replaced, but possibly (hopefully not) the rear main as well. The suspension looks worn, but again, nothing that looks completely destroyed.

On the top of the engine I can see oil seeping from around the valve covers, with some oil build up. This truck doesn't look like it was well maintained and the oil on the dipstick is black. The date on the oil filter is from August 2020, so hopefully it hasn't been driven too much on such dirty oil. Aside from the seepage around the valve covers, everything else looks decent for the amount of miles on it.

The first drive
The first thing I noticed when I started the car was the money light, but the engine fired up quick and ran smooth and quiet. Aside from that, the transmission shifts hard between gears, and there is a clunky feeling in the front. It was noticeable when braking and turning. In addition to that, the AC doesn't blow cold.

The trouble code is P0466 which is related to the evap system. More on that later.

When I lifted the car, the drivers side wheel was wobbly, which indicates to me that the wheel bearing is bad. The break pads have about 50% wear on them, and nothing else looked terrible.

I will do another inspection soon and post some pics as well.

Hopefully it wasn't this bad

 

[Teamiez]

Pictures! Welcome to the forum!

 

[Bill 1960]

These are one of the easiest vehicles to work on that I’ve owned in decades. And parts are plentiful; a good choice for a fixer up project.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Welcome from Miami Beach!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Welcome to the Forum from NH.

Lots of knowledgeable folks here who freely share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Knowledge is power.

I hope that you will become a participating member in the Forum's discussions.

 

[houstontaylor]

I have a 2003 Tahoe with 311,000 miles. Am the original owner and have kept it up. Parts are still generally available since it is American and a popular vehicle. Replaced the engine at 290,000 miles due to a sudden increase in oil consumption but it was still passing the environmental tests in Houston, Texas up to that point. Replaced the transmission at about 310,000 miles but had it repaired once a while back. The dealers probably wish I would just buy a new Tahoe but mine runs great. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[Tonyv__]

I have a 2003 Tahoe with 311,000 miles. Am the original owner and have kept it up. Parts are still generally available since it is American and a popular vehicle. Replaced the engine at 290,000 miles due to a sudden increase in oil consumption but it was still passing the environmental tests in Houston, Texas up to that point. Replaced the transmission at about 310,000 miles but had it repaired once a while back. The dealers probably wish I would just buy a new Tahoe but mine runs great. Congratulations on your purchase.

When you say replaced? Did you have new engine trans installed?

 

[Kaz26]

Thank you for being so welcoming! This seems like a great community and I think I found the right place!
I haven't had much time to do much work on it yet, but started with the oil leaks. The oil pressure was also very high, but I'm thinking that was from a VERY dirty oil filter. I'm going to post some pics of the car starting with the outside, then the engine bay before I started cleaning out the debris, then the oil covered oil pan, followed by a pic with the oil pan off showing the grimy windage tray. I initially though it might have a leak from the rear main, but seeing how clean the fly wheel is, I'm not so sure about that now.

 

[Kaz26]

Aside form seepage from the valve covers, it's pretty dry above the oil pan. I'm hoping this resolves the leak. There was a ton of cleaning so I haven't installed the oil pan yet, but I plan to do that today. I'm really hoping this was the only source of oil leaks. I will post more pics after I get the oil pan back on.

The next items on the list include:
- Wheel bearing assemblies, brake pads, and rotors
- A/C belt replacement and add refrigerant with UV dye
- Evap system diagnose and repair
- Valve cover gaskets
- Replace oil pressure sensor, as well as air intake manifold gaskets and possibly knock sensors while I'm in there.

There will surely be other things to do, but those are the next items on the to-do list.

 

[Jimmyy]

There are a couple of different front brake upgrades you can do. There is a 2 piston and a 4 piston upgrade. Lots of info on each here.

 

[S33k3r]

Congratulations on your new-to-you purchase! We just picked up a 2005 Suburban, white like your Tahoe, with 165k on it for $2k. IKt isn't leaking any fluids (yet!), and everything is clean. However, the transmission is down -- it was purchased that way. I am waiting on a scan tool to see if I can resurrect it, or if it needs a full rebuild. Good luck with yours -- we are pretty excited about ours!

 

[MassHoe04]

I am betting on the oil pressure sending unit being the main culprit on your leak. I am betting that replacing the sending unit has solved your leak and your unusually high oil pressure readings on the cluster.

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season!

 

[JonnyTahoe]

Did you think to make sure your Flex Plate Bolts were tight? Mine were loose with no factory thread locker. Went to my local Chevrolet Service Department and talked with a tech who told me they have seen these bolts loosen up.

 

[JonnyTahoe]

I'm guessing the inside of the oil pan is a sludge pit. Just had my pan off last week and my Converter is dry as well but I have a rear main leak big time. When you remove that tray you will see a drip of oil on the bottom of the Rear Main Seal Plate and take a rag or paper towel and shove it under the flex plate and pull it out and it will be full of oil from your Main Seal leak. Your oil covered starter, oil pan and cross members are not covered in oil because of a valve cover leak.

 

[afpj]

You probably already know this, but just saying out loud, don't forget to replace the oil pickup tube o-ring, since you have the pan off... Thanks for sharing your pics and adventure.

 

[Kaz26]

Hopefully it wasn't this bad

That wheel bearing was dangerously bad! I can’t believe it. Mine was bad, but no where near that. I will post pics soon of all the things I’ve done.

 

[Kaz26]

I'm guessing the inside of the oil pan is a sludge pit. Just had my pan off last week and my Converter is dry as well but I have a rear main leak big time. When you remove that tray you will see a drip of oil on the bottom of the Rear Main Seal Plate and take a rag or paper towel and shove it under the flex plate and pull it out and it will be full of oil from your Main Seal leak. Your oil covered starter, oil pan and cross members are not covered in oil because of a valve cover leak.

Ya, the valve covers weren’t leaking too bad, partly just seepage. It was dry between the valve covers and oil pan.

 

[Kaz26]

You probably already know this, but just saying out loud, don't forget to replace the oil pickup tube o-ring, since you have the pan off... Thanks for sharing your pics and adventure.

Thank you, I did that.