Astro 4.3L Reliability
- Thread starter JMyerz
- Start date
shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
For a small van they actually aren't to bad to work on. The Chevy 4.3 is a pretty good engine. If the intake manifold gaskets haven't been done yet they are probably due. Distributor caps like to corrode in damp weather/short trips and can cause no starts or rough running engines. Get a good cap with brass contacts. My moms husband has a '00 AWD Astro he uses for a everyday driver, 160k+ on it and it is still going strong.
paulj
Expedition Leader
I had a 1988 S10 with the 4.3L (1st year it was put in the S10). My son now has the truck, with something like 180K miles on it. Overall the engine has given us few problems. Things that I recall dealing with include:
- water pump, alternator, starter have been replaced (2 or 3 times for the alternator)
- there was a warm start problem; it would start, but then quit unless you pumped the gas. I believe that was solved with a thorough cleaning of the injectors.
- oil drain has given my son problems (leaking).
- water pump, alternator, starter have been replaced (2 or 3 times for the alternator)
- there was a warm start problem; it would start, but then quit unless you pumped the gas. I believe that was solved with a thorough cleaning of the injectors.
- oil drain has given my son problems (leaking).
ihatemybike
Explorer
The 4.3l is seriously a robust engine. Grumpy hit 300k without a tune up. Aside from oil changes I don't think any of the previous owners did anything as far as maintenance is concerned.
Working on them isn't too bad if you have patience. After seven of these vans, I've done pretty much every known failure repair and still want to keep driving them.
Working on them isn't too bad if you have patience. After seven of these vans, I've done pretty much every known failure repair and still want to keep driving them.
BigAl
Expedition Leader
Ease of wrenching is relative term. I've had a Astro for a few months. Everything I've done so far (plugs, radiator, belt, hoses) has taken about twice as long as a typical truck engine. Not difficult to work on, just time consuming. Mine has 171K and runs really strong. I've seen a lot of projects, buggies, etc run this motor, due I believe to reliablilty, size and power. It is basically the ubiquitous chevy 350 minus 2 cyclinders
shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
You just need more practice. I said the same thing the first couple times I had an Astro come in the door, now I love seeing one come to my shop. Once you have done that stuff a few times its pretty quick. I actually think changing plugs on a Astro is quicker and easier than a S-10, remove doghouse and inner fender splash guards and you are there. Try getting the middle sparkplug on the drivers side out on a S-10!
Try working on a Ford E series van with a V-10 or diesel in it. Try doing the head on a Toyota Previa. For a van the Astro is pretty easy to work on and seems to be a pretty good design. Some things take a little longer than a pick up but new pick ups are getting to be pretty fun to work on too.
WEEBOB
New member
2002 safari
Bought a 2002 SAFARI new 200K later never laid a wrench on the drive train except maintenance. I consider idler arms at 80K maintenance,same with front brake pads. fuel pumps seem to be a concern on many, and I had to do 2,first replacement pump was not GM 2nd was and 1 alternator .Some advice was given to me about the pumps they said to keep the tank full to keep it cool and it has worked for me.I have had four 4.3 vans and never had intake gasket problems, all have over 175k++,none have had drive train issues,idler arms front pads, fuel pumps,is their issue,in my opinion,,how is that for ease of wrenchin,I forgot the 93 [150K] needed a water pump but it sat idle for a while, water seeped out the weep hole when it was fired up again, all of mine were 2wd.but my next will be AWD,,,
Bought a 2002 SAFARI new 200K later never laid a wrench on the drive train except maintenance. I consider idler arms at 80K maintenance,same with front brake pads. fuel pumps seem to be a concern on many, and I had to do 2,first replacement pump was not GM 2nd was and 1 alternator .Some advice was given to me about the pumps they said to keep the tank full to keep it cool and it has worked for me.I have had four 4.3 vans and never had intake gasket problems, all have over 175k++,none have had drive train issues,idler arms front pads, fuel pumps,is their issue,in my opinion,,how is that for ease of wrenchin,I forgot the 93 [150K] needed a water pump but it sat idle for a while, water seeped out the weep hole when it was fired up again, all of mine were 2wd.but my next will be AWD,,,
shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
Its the 4.3 Vortec motors that have the plastic intake manifold gaskets that go bad and start leaking coolant. They like to crack and then start leaking. I am doing front upper A-arm bushings and drivers idler arm on my moms husbands Astro here pretty soon. The bushings are dry rotted pretty bad and the squeaking is driving them crazy. The lube shop he was taking it to for LOF's wasn't greasing the front end and now I can't get the idler arm to take grease. Took the zerk out and used a pick to pick what I thought was old dried up grease out, it turned out to be plastic and it never would take grease. So it needs a new one, but thats due to non maintenance.
ihatemybike
Explorer
Green is the only van that I had the intake manifold gasket problem with. Not something that I had ever had to repair before, but after looking at pics and vids online and armed with the FSM I had no problem. Most repairs I make leaving the front seats in, but so much time is spent on top of the engine with this repair it was easier on me to pull the driver's seat out. Fel-Pro has a gasket upgrade kit for these engines.
Here's my spark plug replacement write up. No need to remove the engine cover unless you are doing inspection/replacement of cap/rotor/wires.
https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafariworld/spark-plugs
Fuel pumps, only use ACDelco/Delphi. I can't stress this enough. Any other pump just doesn't last in these vans. Grumpy had an Airtex that was going bad when I bought it in December 2007. Receipt found in the van showed that it was installed the previous June. :Wow1: My $30 kit is an experiment and I can't recommend it yet for a van that is needed reliably. ACDelco/Delphi pumps can be had for less than $300 online.
https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafariworld/fuel-pumps-tanks
These vans seem to eat idler arms, get some Moogs they last longer and have a lifetime guarantee. Grease them every oil change.
With 130k miles, I'd be watching the front axle seals for leaks. Bad things happen when the front diff doesn't have enough fluid. A lesson I learned the hard way, twice.....but it was on two different vans. The seals are $10 each and not that hard to install.
I recommend adding a plate style trans cooler and a trans temp gauge if the van will be doing any towing or trail running.
Another thing that's nice to have is one of the multi-gauge devises that plug into the OBDII port, such as the ScanGaugeII or the UltraGauge. These are helpful to increase gas mileage, monitor various engine operation info and read trouble codes.
I have OBDII diagnostic codes printable in book for available for download here.
https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafariworld/documents
Here's my spark plug replacement write up. No need to remove the engine cover unless you are doing inspection/replacement of cap/rotor/wires.
https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafariworld/spark-plugs
Fuel pumps, only use ACDelco/Delphi. I can't stress this enough. Any other pump just doesn't last in these vans. Grumpy had an Airtex that was going bad when I bought it in December 2007. Receipt found in the van showed that it was installed the previous June. :Wow1: My $30 kit is an experiment and I can't recommend it yet for a van that is needed reliably. ACDelco/Delphi pumps can be had for less than $300 online.
https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafariworld/fuel-pumps-tanks
These vans seem to eat idler arms, get some Moogs they last longer and have a lifetime guarantee. Grease them every oil change.
With 130k miles, I'd be watching the front axle seals for leaks. Bad things happen when the front diff doesn't have enough fluid. A lesson I learned the hard way, twice.....but it was on two different vans. The seals are $10 each and not that hard to install.
I recommend adding a plate style trans cooler and a trans temp gauge if the van will be doing any towing or trail running.
Another thing that's nice to have is one of the multi-gauge devises that plug into the OBDII port, such as the ScanGaugeII or the UltraGauge. These are helpful to increase gas mileage, monitor various engine operation info and read trouble codes.
I have OBDII diagnostic codes printable in book for available for download here.
https://sites.google.com/site/astrosafariworld/documents
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I used an Astro with the 4.3 as a service van for about 5 years. It was always overloaded with the rear end sitting on the bump stops. The fuel pump went out at about 135k miles. Other than that, routine maintenance. At 158k, me employer replaced the Astro with an E150 with a 5.4. I sure wish I still had the Astro.
Loopie
Adventurer
Sure, you can get a lemon or two in every bunch, no matter the manufacturer...or maybe buy one that happens to be due for a ton of maintenance in the first 6mths you own it (again...could be any make/model)....but overall, the Astro/Safari is STILL unmatched to this day!
BTW...bought my 97 Safari at 198K, it was mint, but no history....she's at 276K now and all I've done is the front tranny seal(took that time to install a deep pan, stage 1 shift kit and corvette upgrade), a battery, tires, and brakes once.(due now again)
Do it!
BTW...bought my 97 Safari at 198K, it was mint, but no history....she's at 276K now and all I've done is the front tranny seal(took that time to install a deep pan, stage 1 shift kit and corvette upgrade), a battery, tires, and brakes once.(due now again)
Do it!
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