cortttt
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2016
- Messages
- 507
- Reaction score
- 13
I got the 1-ton 2010 GMC Savana from Penske in 2015 with 65,000K. Three years later I have (somehow) put 85K on it. It now has 150K
Here's are the maintenance costs over the past three years. (major, uncaused by me failures in bold)
Maintenance and Repair costs from 65K to 150K
*12 synthetic oil/filter changes (done by myself) = @$430
*3 tail lights and fuses = $215 (I finally got wise and started replacing them myself)
72K - Biltstein shocks - $495
76K - Replace transmission pan and parts - after hitting a rock / transmission flush - $600
97K - replace ignition module and key (Key not turning on car) - $740
102K - rear differential / power steering fluid flush/change - $220
104K - 4 KO2 All terrain tires - $800
106K - headlight - $20
120K - transmission flush - $226
120K - new spark plugs and wires / AC and serpentine belts /alignment - $862
120K - brake fluid flush - $199
121K - Fuel system clean - $118
122k - Front and rear brakes and front rotors (did myself) - $224
131K - Power steering fluid changed - $40
132K - Chassis lube (did myself) - $60
142K - Replace evaporator core - AC / clean vents - $822
143K - Replace damaged differential cover, reinstall active roadmaster suspension (one side had slipped off)/differential fluid change - $182
144K - 4 KO2 All Terrain Tires - $785
145K - Replace windshield - $203
147K - replace throttle body sensor / clean throttle body - $305
147K - Fuel injector clean - $125
147K - Power steering flush - $135
Total over 3 years / 85K = $8,737
The past six months has been rough with an expensive AC repair, throttle body sensor replacement and windshield replacement but the worst is yet to come.
On rough roads the right front has been giving creaking, knocking sounds. A Flagstaff suspension shop (American Springs) reported it would take $1k to fix that and recommended, even though it's not needed right now, that I just go ahead what I think is the lower part of the front end (control arms, bushings, ball joints I believe) for another $1K. He said it's coming.
I've assumed that front end stuff is coming given the workout the van gets particularly in the desert. Even though I always take it slow and easy the contortions the van goes through are at times amazing. Two of the past repairs - the tranny pan and the rear differential cover have resulted from whacking something.
The worst incident occurred on the outskirts of the Great Salt Lake while cruising on a remarkably smooth road going probably about 35-40 mph I crested a small hill in the road to find an enormous pothole on the other side. I thought the wheels were going to come off. I was astonished there was no obvious damage. That was about 9 months ago.
So I assumed front end stuff was going to happen at some point.The van now does fine on most roads - it's takes some quite uneven ground to get it grumbling but when it does it's very obvious something has gone wrong.
The mechanic said the entire front end redo would last for ten years - basically the rest of the van's life. (I want to get 250K out of it) I'm undecided whether to go for the full package or wait on the second half. Suggestions are welcome.
I don't know how long suspensions are supposed to last but I don't particularly blame the van for that. Otherwise three more or less major things have gone wrong, the ignition module, the evaporator core and the throttle body sensor. From what I can glean the throttle body sensor may be a more or less common problem.
Here's are the maintenance costs over the past three years. (major, uncaused by me failures in bold)
Maintenance and Repair costs from 65K to 150K
*12 synthetic oil/filter changes (done by myself) = @$430
*3 tail lights and fuses = $215 (I finally got wise and started replacing them myself)
72K - Biltstein shocks - $495
76K - Replace transmission pan and parts - after hitting a rock / transmission flush - $600
97K - replace ignition module and key (Key not turning on car) - $740
102K - rear differential / power steering fluid flush/change - $220
104K - 4 KO2 All terrain tires - $800
106K - headlight - $20
120K - transmission flush - $226
120K - new spark plugs and wires / AC and serpentine belts /alignment - $862
120K - brake fluid flush - $199
121K - Fuel system clean - $118
122k - Front and rear brakes and front rotors (did myself) - $224
131K - Power steering fluid changed - $40
132K - Chassis lube (did myself) - $60
142K - Replace evaporator core - AC / clean vents - $822
143K - Replace damaged differential cover, reinstall active roadmaster suspension (one side had slipped off)/differential fluid change - $182
144K - 4 KO2 All Terrain Tires - $785
145K - Replace windshield - $203
147K - replace throttle body sensor / clean throttle body - $305
147K - Fuel injector clean - $125
147K - Power steering flush - $135
Total over 3 years / 85K = $8,737
The past six months has been rough with an expensive AC repair, throttle body sensor replacement and windshield replacement but the worst is yet to come.
On rough roads the right front has been giving creaking, knocking sounds. A Flagstaff suspension shop (American Springs) reported it would take $1k to fix that and recommended, even though it's not needed right now, that I just go ahead what I think is the lower part of the front end (control arms, bushings, ball joints I believe) for another $1K. He said it's coming.
I've assumed that front end stuff is coming given the workout the van gets particularly in the desert. Even though I always take it slow and easy the contortions the van goes through are at times amazing. Two of the past repairs - the tranny pan and the rear differential cover have resulted from whacking something.
The worst incident occurred on the outskirts of the Great Salt Lake while cruising on a remarkably smooth road going probably about 35-40 mph I crested a small hill in the road to find an enormous pothole on the other side. I thought the wheels were going to come off. I was astonished there was no obvious damage. That was about 9 months ago.
So I assumed front end stuff was going to happen at some point.The van now does fine on most roads - it's takes some quite uneven ground to get it grumbling but when it does it's very obvious something has gone wrong.
The mechanic said the entire front end redo would last for ten years - basically the rest of the van's life. (I want to get 250K out of it) I'm undecided whether to go for the full package or wait on the second half. Suggestions are welcome.
I don't know how long suspensions are supposed to last but I don't particularly blame the van for that. Otherwise three more or less major things have gone wrong, the ignition module, the evaporator core and the throttle body sensor. From what I can glean the throttle body sensor may be a more or less common problem.