I am looking at buying a 2000 Silverado LT with the Z71 package and 5.3 engine. It has 218,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. The owner is asking $4,500 for it and we are located in Nashville TN.

I have good wrench skills including engine rebuilds.

Before I buy the truck I need to find out if it is likely to develop the knock - piston slap issue described in the webpage below:
2000 Chevrolet Silverado Knocking Noise From Engine: 40 Complaints

What percentage of the year 2000 5.3 L trucks develop the knock- piston slap issue?

When I start the engine while cold it is quiet and has good power on takeoff and at highway speeds.

The engine is very quiet now and has no knock or problems other than some rough idle which may be due to 100k + miles on these spark plugs.

The second post on the following thread mentions checking TSBs for the VIN but I dont have access to Mitchell One or other software anymore. (also dont know the guy well enough to ask to do a compression test)

2000ish Vortec 5.3: problems/watch fors/issues/whatever - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

The VIN on this truck is: 1GCEK19T9YE191211

Can someone advise me on whether or not this truck is likely to develop the piston slap issue after 200k + miles or other major problems?

Should I pay for a shop to do a compression check with leakdown tests at TDC and BDC?

Thanks in advance.

Cal

The body on the truck is straight and looks good.

 

If it's not slapping at 200k, it won't slap. If an engine has piston slap, it started pretty much when new.

GM claims slap is a non-issue. My '01 slaps a little when cold, and has since I bought it 11 years ago with 85k on it, but it has 220k on the original engine and still runs fine. It's also led a hard life towing heavy trailers around the country. A buddy owns it now.

I think a compression test is prudent for any used vehicle purchase.

 

Thanks burbs for the reply.

Your comment makes sense. Now I am not worried about the engine but the transmission.

what it the average or max miles that anyone has seen on a 4l60e?

I need to get 300K miles out of this truck to make it worth my trouble.

Cal