2000 GMC Yukon 4x4 Engine & Transmission Replacement

[Husegirl]

My Yukon has a 4.8 and 324,000 miles. My tranny is out and I think I have a blown head gasket. I'm wanting to do a rebuild on both or should I just get other ones. I'm not going to a dealership, just a reputable shop. How much am I looking at spending? Should I get the motor and tranny myself and take to them, is rebuilt the better route? What would yal suggest?

 

[Big Mama]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia. The cost can vary quite a bit based on parts needed and the shop’s hourly rate. There are several guys here that do this for a living and are much more qualified than I am to give you a rough estimate and what parts you can reuse.

What makes you think you have a blown head gasket?

 

[Marky Dissod]

My Yukon has a 4.8L and 324,000 miles. My 4L60E is out and I think I have a blown head gasket.
I'm wanting to do a rebuild on both or should I just get other ones? I'm not going to a dealership, just a reputable shop.
How much am I looking at spending? Should I get the motor and 4L60E myself and take to them, is rebuilt the better route? What would y'all suggest?

Unless you are VERY good at sourcing used engines and transmissions yourself, have the shop find you a good used or rebuilt 5.3L, and a good used or rebuilt 4L60E.
I'd prefer to pay them to save me the headache and agita of doing it myself, but that's me.

I said 5.3L. Don't be surprised if your MpGs stay the same or improve slightly with a 5.3L. Externally they're the same size, no worries there.

 

[Husegirl]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia. The cost can vary quite a bit based on parts needed and the shop’s hourly rate. There are several guys here that do this for a living and are much more qualified than I am to give you a rough estimate and what parts you can reuse.

What makes you think you have a blown head gasket?

Well, if it ain't a blown head gasket, I will be very surprised. But, this 4.8 has been a great motor, I bought it 15 years ago and really haven't done anything to it really. I mean, the basics, starter, alternator, plugs, wires, fluid. I am very Blessed with her, she has given me virtually no problems. Now, it's smoking badly, leaking oil badly, and only goes 10 mph, I only have first and reverse let in tranny.

 

[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.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

 

[rockola1971]

The only way you will find a 2000-2006 used engine OR tranny with fairly low or respectable mileage is if someone has had their engine or tranny rebuilt in the last 100k and the vehicle they were in was taken out of service for some other reason not related to the engine or tranny. This generation of C/K chassis is 19yrs+ old now. You will find it is less of a hassle to just buy a rebuilt/reman engine rather than using a local machine shop to rebuild yours. Sure its possible you or a friend have a good relationship with a local/area machine shop that does great work and at a fair price but the odds just arent there typically. Transmission is going to cost $1500-$2500+ to get rebuilt depending on your location. A this point you are easily looking at $4k just in cost of the engine and tranny, Not even including any labor. You might want to consider the option of upgrading now to the next generation or buying a current generation that already has a low mileage engine/tranny. Its just a matter of what satisfies your needs.

 

[Husegirl]

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.

Pics of the truck, please.

You are already receiving sage advice from the knowledgeable folks on this Forum.

Wow, that's a nice ride. I definitely don't have all that. Mine is stock. Everything's same as it came in 2000 except starter, alternator, the basic fixes.

 

[Doubeleive]

My Yukon has a 4.8 and 324,000 miles. My tranny is out and I think I have a blown head gasket. I'm wanting to do a rebuild on both or should I just get other ones. I'm not going to a dealership, just a reputable shop. How much am I looking at spending? Should I get the motor and tranny myself and take to them, is rebuilt the better route? What would yal suggest?

you are stuck between a rock and a hard spot
if the body is in really good shape and you have some form of bond with it then..............
you could go used figure $1600 for a used engine and $650 for a used transmission
then figure fluids, gaskets, seals and labor (unless you are doing it yourself) then minus the labor
it just goes up from there, figure at least double for rebuilt on both engine and trans.
this is the reality of it.
expect hiccups like a motor mount or who knows what when you really get down to doing it.

 

[Husegirl]

I want both rebuilt honestly. My boyfriend bought me this 15 years ago and last February he passed away. So I just want to fix her and keep her. He had always been the person to work on my vehicles so I was just looking for an idea of what I was looking at to do it. I am very grateful for the information.

 

[15burban]

You could look on car-part.com in your area to get a rough idea if any junkyards in your area have a decent mileaged motor and or tranny. Some might even have rebuilt ones. It's been awhile but I know when I was younger there was a few junkyards that would do installs also.

 

[Big Mama]

Sorry for your loss. That’s a big reason to hang on to it. What kind of budget are you working with? This may help point you in the right direction. Is this your only vehicle? If not maybe it’s a longer term project.

 

[Husegirl]

Yes, this is my only vehicle. I have around 5k just looking for how much more I needed to save. I will definitely call around here in area, I'm in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to see what is available. I'm just at complete loss of direction in what to do. I appreciate all the help. And, Big Mama, Thank you

 

[strutaeng]

Yes, this is my only vehicle. I have around 5k just looking for how much more I needed to save. I will definitely call around here in area, I'm in Muskogee, Oklahoma, to see what is available. I'm just at complete loss of direction in what to do. I appreciate all the help. And, Big Mama, Thank you

Have you rebuilt engine before? If your engine is not knocking and have good oil pressure, a DIY freshen up is going to cost about $1200-$1500, depending on what it needs. That's assuming you have all tools, knowledge and you do the work yourself, which is plenty of work TBH.

The transmission is another ordeal, by itself. You can probably get the transmission rebuilt at a local shop. Call around... Should be around $2500-$3500. If you could just let them handle that, and give you a warranty, that's probably the best option.

Can you borrow a car from someone while your truck is down for the overhaul?

I overhauled the engine on my 06 Suburban and it was down for like one month. I didn't do any transmission worth though, just engine.

 

[15burban]

If it were me and you're/me are not able to do the work yourself. Sounds like transmission is done so I'd have that rebuilt or a rebuilt one installed. Should take a good shop a day to a few days to do. Then at least the rig should be driveable again depending on how long in the tooth the engine really is. If it's driveable with old motor and new trans then I'd drive it while saving up to have the motor gone through or a rebuilt/good used one installed. When money is saved up enough or the motor finally gives up then replace motor. This scenario can possibly buy a person some time with limited down time.

 

[Husegirl]

Have you rebuilt engine before? If your engine is not knocking and have good oil pressure, a DIY freshen up is going to cost about $1200-$1500, depending on what it needs. That's assuming you have all tools, knowledge and you do the work yourself, which is plenty of work TBH.

The transmission is another ordeal, by itself. You can probably get the transmission rebuilt at a local shop. Call around... Should be around $2500-$3500. If you could just let them handle that, and give you a warranty, that's probably the best option.

Can you borrow a car from someone while your truck is down for the overhaul?

I overhauled the engine on my 06 Suburban and it was down for like one month. I didn't do any transmission worth though, just engine.

Several, but all I had to do was purchase what I was told and deliver. (Motors and couple tranny's)My '93 GMC 1500 4.3, had it bored out 60, had it completely rebuilt. About $2500, parts only. I just am lost without him here telling me what to do. He was really quick about doing it and I trusted him, now I don't have anyone I trust to fix her. Very worried about leaving her somewhere and them not taking care of her. I don't know what or who will take care of her. So lost.

 

[Fless]

Did he have a trusted shop that he used, or did he do his own work? Did he have any good friends close by that would recommend a shop?

 

[Husegirl]

No shop, it was just him and no he doesn't have trusted friends I'm currently in court right now fighting one who has cleaned out his house and took everything then ran to court and filed for administrator of estate while I am in a state of shock. It's been horrible. So, just me and my son.

 

[Husegirl]

This is Bertha

 

[firsthere]

Back in August, we replaced our 2004 engine with a reman for around $4000 (including new replacement wear items such as hoses, belts, plugs, motor mounts, some sensors) but I did the labor. So far its running fine with about 2000 miles on it.

I had quotes from local shops from $6500 to $9000 with them purchasing and warranting the engine and labor.

As for the transmission, it would be an easy replacement with the engine out so just add a bit of labor to your trans purchase price. Hope this helps.

 

[houstontaylor]

I used a GM remanufactured engine and transmission for my 2003 Chevy Tahoe.