2008 Suburban LT Head Gasket
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CF Active Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: CT
2008 Suburban LT Head Gasket
My 2008 Suburban has 188k on it. Owned since new and have followed the maintenance to the T. I have oil consumption issues like every other 5.3 out there with miles on it.
Recently have had a slight exhaust, anti freeze odor at start up but it goes away after it warms up. No anti freeze loss or cloudy oil, no external leaks.
Heat works but not overly. Cabin seems to cool down even with heat set high. So I changed the coolant, and t-stat. No change. Figured heater core might be clogged. Flushed the system and, no change to symptoms.
Slight bluish white puff at exhaust at start up but no big deal with the miles on it.
So I took it to my local shop and they think the head gasket might be going - not right away but not to far down the road. The car is perfect otherwise and I am keeping it.
Does it make sense to do a head gasket job, or knowing that this motor is burning oil, just to get a new crate motor installed - with a new heater core - delete the AFM and move on.
Recently have had a slight exhaust, anti freeze odor at start up but it goes away after it warms up. No anti freeze loss or cloudy oil, no external leaks.
Heat works but not overly. Cabin seems to cool down even with heat set high. So I changed the coolant, and t-stat. No change. Figured heater core might be clogged. Flushed the system and, no change to symptoms.
Slight bluish white puff at exhaust at start up but no big deal with the miles on it.
So I took it to my local shop and they think the head gasket might be going - not right away but not to far down the road. The car is perfect otherwise and I am keeping it.
Does it make sense to do a head gasket job, or knowing that this motor is burning oil, just to get a new crate motor installed - with a new heater core - delete the AFM and move on.
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CF Active Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: CT
Will replace the gaskets and check the valve too while the heads are off.
Concerned about the rings with the age age miles on it too.
Might make sense to just drop a crate engine in it and delete the afm
thoughts on that or just do the heads?
Concerned about the rings with the age age miles on it too.
Might make sense to just drop a crate engine in it and delete the afm
thoughts on that or just do the heads?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,573
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From: Austin, Texas
What does the compression look like? If you have been diligent about maintenance the rings are probably okay, its my opinion that the valve stem seals are hardened and likely cracked.
Are you doing the work, or paying someone, that cost will need to be factored in, and how long do you plan on keeping it...
Are you doing the work, or paying someone, that cost will need to be factored in, and how long do you plan on keeping it...
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CF Active Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: CT
Have yet to do a comp test but that is part of my test parameter in deciding what to do. Local shop doing th work. Knowing the head gasket job is $$, just think since the labor hours are up there just for the top end, do I go all in now with the new engine and not worry about it. I am keeping the truck as it is perfect otherwise. All that can go wrong now is the transmission...and everything else.��
Either way, AFM is being taken out.
Either way, AFM is being taken out.
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CF Active Member
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From: CT
So the engine has been declared DOA. Still runs ok but burning oil excessively.
Going to do a replacement. But instead of going back with a 5.3, I am considering going to a 6.0.
Anyone do this upgrade who could give realistic feedback?
Going to do a replacement. But instead of going back with a 5.3, I am considering going to a 6.0.
Anyone do this upgrade who could give realistic feedback?