2007 Chevy 5.3L Question

[JMyerz]

There I was about to drive down to the Ram dealer and buy a promaster and I just came across
a Chevy 5.3L 1500 passenger. Has 27k and asking $14,900...

Not knowing a whole lot about these motors how is the reliability and MPG? At most I'll be gutting
it, adding a bench / sofa and some surfboards so I won't be hauling much. It's also going to be a DD.

Thanks!

J

 

[mgmetalworks]

There I was about to drive down to the Ram dealer and buy a promaster and I just came across
a Chevy 5.3L 1500 passenger. Has 27k and asking $14,900...

Not knowing a whole lot about these motors how is the reliability and MPG? At most I'll be gutting
it, adding a bench / sofa and some surfboards so I won't be hauling much. It's also going to be a DD.

Thanks!

J

The 5.3L in that year range has a history of consuming oil. I had a 2008 Tahoe with that problem so I had to watch it pretty close. It didn't noticeably burn oil (smokey exhaust) but in 3000 miles, it would consume well over a quart. Do a quick google search of "5.3L oil consumption" and you'll find pages of info about it.

Having said that, we did get 18-20 mpg with that thing and it had good power. I think it is world's better than Ford's 5.4L in power and economy.

 

[JMyerz]

Thanks for the info MG,

So would this be a avoid at all costs situation or have it checked out and see what I'm potentially buying? Maybe that's
why it's such a good deal.

J

 

[mgmetalworks]

I wouldn't avoid the GM engines just because some of them had oil consumption issues. It is a well known issue and if you do some reading, I think there are some simple things that can be done to combat the issue. It might not have even affected the vans because of the type of problem it was but I'm not familiar enough with the GM van to know for sure. My Tahoe ran like a top, it just sipped oil between changes. I wouldn't fault it for that.

 

[mikracer]

I had a 2007 GMC Sierra (new body style) and at 150k miles, it would burn about 2 quarts in 4-5000 miles. Like MG said above, mine didn't smoke, it just used it up. The oil consumption began in the late 90's and for some reason its still an "issue" today, along with piston slap. The 5.3 is a great motor though and I would buy a vehicle with one without any hesitation.

 

[JMyerz]

Well I went and drove it, paint did not match all the away around and when I drove it the first gear seemed REALLY tall and then kicked into 2nd. It wasn't a hard
kick but enough to make me think this wasnt right. Onto the next one....

 

[highlandercj-7]

Don't be afraid of the 5.3L if you are not towing. I have 180k on mine and it does not use oil between the 3k mile changes. The engine likes RPM to get power, it pulls strong 3k and above. To me it's a torque less wonder under 3k. The bottom end can hold 1500HP in the LS engines, so if you blow one out you did something. I love the 6.0L as it has a flatter torque cure and gobs of power. If I ever buy another gas powered truck it will be a 6.0L GM. Other wise it's a Cummins or a Duramax.