High mileage 6.2

[high mileage]

Is owning a 200k mile 6.2 stupid in terms of reliability? It's had the the afm deleted but who knows when... The engine is relatively quiet except for some piston slap for a bit in the am. I got a deal on it and was planning on driving it.

 

[donjetman]

we did three 2k mile trips this winter back and fourth between TX and CO in our 208k mile 2007 Denali w/6.2.
But we're crazy

 

[Doubeleive]

Is owning a 200k mile 6.2 stupid in terms of reliability? It's had the the afm deleted but who knows when... The engine is relatively quiet except for some piston slap for a bit in the am. I got a deal on it and was planning on driving it.

drive it then
other than that unless you have meticulous maintenance records then change all fluids for beginners, coolant, power steering, brake, front & rear dif, transfer case, transmission.
then plugs & wires, 02 sensors, heater hoses & T's.
inspect the suspension, address as needed.
check the front hubs
at 200k unless the previous owner was maintaining it well then stuff should be done to keep it on the road
200k is not big deal at all if properly maintained
mine is at 190k+ and currently needs nothing it is ready to drive around the planet
it is the road trip vehicle and will continue to be until it gets totaled

 

[Marky Dissod]

Is owning a 200k mile 6.2L stupid in terms of reliability? It's had afm deleted, but who knows when ...
The engine is relatively quiet except for some piston slap for a bit in the am. I got a deal on it and was planning on driving it.

Somehow I think a used oil analysis with hard data results would make you feel better about how the engine is doing ...

 

[swathdiver]

Is owning a 200k mile 6.2 stupid in terms of reliability? It's had the the afm deleted but who knows when... The engine is relatively quiet except for some piston slap for a bit in the am. I got a deal on it and was planning on driving it.

The 6.2 is less enduring generally speaking than the 5.3. The 6.2 makes a lot more horsepower in the same package size using the same components. The most dangerous thing you have to worry about for reliability are the valve springs and seals. The earlier 6.2s had a habit of #7 or #8 valve spring breaking around 180k miles. The newer ones don't seem to do it.

Keep the cooling system in top shape, the 6.2 heads tend to drop valve seals if the motor overheats. Keep clean, GM spec oil in it. We change ours every 4-5K or so to keep the VVT system from freaking out.

 

[high mileage]

Wow ok thanks y'all, that is good news. Truck has a new front end and has had a transmission put into it within the last year or two with receipts. Rn it needs motor mounts and maybe oxygen sensors. Drives smoothly though and GOD is it comfortable. We bought it to replace the road trip vehicle.

 

[high mileage]

Oh btw what kind of scanner do I need to read the suspension?

 

[Doubeleive]

Oh btw what kind of scanner do I need to read the suspension?

preferably a tech2 or tech2 clone, the clone's were running around $300 now they are closer to $400
it is the same tool the dealer would use.
you can get away with a $120 vcx nano (usb) which will run tech2win which is a pc application so you would need a windows computer/tablet/laptop and be fairly computer savvy the software is troublesome to get working.
Other scanners that are capable of similar functions are generally $500+, there may be some a little bit cheaper but there are so many out here now it can be a crapshoot.

 

[high mileage]

preferably a tech2 or tech2 clone, the clone's were running around $300 now they are closer to $400
it is the same tool the dealer would use.
you can get away with a $120 vcx nano (usb) which will run tech2win which is a pc application so you would need a windows computer/tablet/laptop and be fairly computer savvy the software is troublesome to get working.
Other scanners that are capable of similar functions are generally $500+, there may be some a little bit cheaper but there are so many out here now it can be a crapshoot.

Thanks!

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If you decide to change out the motor mounts, consider using Hummer H3 motor mounts, as they will last the lifetime of your truck.

 

[Eighthtry]

Just sold my 2011 6.2 Yukon Denali. 208,000 miles. Never the first bit of trouble, but had I kept it I would have done the lifters (never a problem, but borrowed time), water pump, fuel pump, belts, hoses, plugs and wires, fluids (transmission and all wheel drive items), hard check of front end components, and other typical maintenance items. I replaced my magnarides and air compressor at 175,000 miles, which is another thought. I added a rear sway bar, which made a huge difference in handling without hurting the ride. Used zero oil between changes of 5,000 miles Amsoil 5/30 for its life.

I would recommend a cylinder pressure test for entertainment. Someone mentioned oil analysis.

The hell of it is I replaced it with the identical 2023 model. Looking to road trip it. The wife promptly triple totaled it with a recalled 6.2 in it. Did not hurt my feelings, except for losing a bunch of money on value, but was a great road truck with 31,000 miles. I would buy it again for the wife if the new one was not 6.2 crippled, but she did not like the tall front end. That would mean no F150 since I would need to be the driver, so it is a non-starter. She has put about 800,000 miles on Suburbans and Yukons since 1985. Almost no problems. Best cars I have ever had.

 

[Barry Grenville]

Wow ok thanks y'all, that is good news. Truck has a new front end and has had a transmission put into it within the last year or two with receipts. Rn it needs motor mounts and maybe oxygen sensors. Drives smoothly though and GOD is it comfortable. We bought it to replace the road trip vehicle.

My 07 Denali has 260k and have had piston slap for the last hundred miles keep driving

 

[thefrey]

whats your oil pressure at cold start, cruising at 70ish mph, and hot idle?

I bought my yukon with a 6.2 with 198k on the clock. It has needed a good amount of work but honestly has been reliable (knock on wood). I have driven it 27k miles since February 2025.

lots of good stuff on the forum here so use it to your advantage. i am more than happy to answer any questions. if the AFM is already mechanically deleted then you are in a great position for that 6.2