2005 Silverado Tune Up

[DooWap]

I have a 2005 Silverado with the 5.3L V8 w/ a little over 100K on it. Looking to replace the spark plugs but I thought I would see if I'm in for any surprises or if it's an easy job for a Sunday afternoon to keep myself from watching the Vikings lose.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Scott K]

Pretty easy job.

[Macgyver55]

Hardest part is getting the plug wires off the plugs without damaging them. (if you are not replacing them).

Otherwise its a breeze!

[DooWap]

Probably not a bad idea just to replace the wires then anyway I suppose.

[Macgyver55]

I normally do........ Time and weather wear on them too and yours are 7 years old.

[TravP]

The plugs and wires were a piece of cake on my 2004 Silverado. Might as well do the pitman arm, idler arm, and intermediate steering shaft while your working on it too. I'll be doing mine before winter, I hope.

[Hookmaster]

I did them in my 2004 Silverado (110,000 miles) last December. It wasn't bad and they all came out fine. I replaced the wires too so I didn't have to be gentle on them. I was surprised at how good they looked.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Use the A/C delco O.e. plugs! Don't let the parts guys talk you into anything else!

[DooWap]

Use the A/C delco O.e. plugs! Don't let the parts guys talk you into anything else!

I have actually heard that a lot. Something with aftermarket plugs messing with sensors??

[Jeremy airjer W]

For some reason the parts guys love to sell BOSCH plugs. The normal ones are o.k. t=but the problems start with with the +2 and +4 options. Since there is no adjustable gap many times these plugs will cause a no start in cold weather. It is not uncommon to see several vehicles towed in over the winter with this scenario. A "deflood" with the proper plugs installed and there good as new!

[muddpuppy]

Make sure you check you plugs out at the store. I just did my 03 Silverado plugs and wires. 4 of the 8 plugs had craking on them. Brought them back and the parts guy said it was due to poor installation. So I bought 4 more opened them in the store and 3 of the 4 had cracking on them. He then replaced all 4 at no cost.

I would also change the Surp belt and flush the Tranny.

[Jeremy airjer W]

If the Serp belt is not cracked than it is fine.

Take a close look at the a/c compressor belt. They tend to crack/wear out much sooner than the main serpentine belt. I see this on about 7 out of 10 full size chev/gmc's with this setup.

[DooWap]

I did take care of the serp and A/C belt earlier this year as well as the tranny. You're right though, I do remember the A/C belt looking way worse than the serp.

[Macgyver55]

It stands to reason though, the A/C belt is approx 1/3 or 1/4 the length and slightly narrower than the main belt so its making a lot more rotations, and the load on it while using the A/C is considerable.

The A/C tensioner pulley will normally fail sooner than the main one too.

[DooWap]

Finally took care of this project this past weekend. Pretty easy for the most part. I heard that the back plug on the passenger side was the worst. It was difficult but with a little ingenuity it wasn't too bad. I thought that the back plug on the driver side was worse with the steering column in the way. Needed to be extra flexible with that. All the plugs actually looked pretty good still with nothing but what seems to be normal wear. The engine does feel almost brand new though with the new plugs.

Thanks for the advice guys!!

[Jeremy airjer W]

The engine does feel almost brand new though with the new plugs.

Tuned Senses Syndrom, A theory I came up with!

[DooWap]

Tuned Senses Syndrom, A theory I came up with!

Your perception is your reality, right?

[BoxMN]

Tuned Senses Syndrom, A theory I came up with!

Your perception is your reality, right?

Yep, every time I wash my old 98 it sure drives with a bit more power, doesn't buck quite as much and yes I believe that

[hanson]

Its pretty funny reading threads like this being an almost 10 year owner of a new body style 99 GMC Sierra 5.3l with 240,000 miles.

I've asked plenty of questions on here over the years and have received great advice as well. Seams like I PM Airjer quite often.

Definitely seams like a predictable pattern of problems.

The A/C belt comments are particularly funny because my air quit working a couple years ago and I thought I had bigger problems so just didn't do anything about it. About this time my fan only worked on defrost and I had no control over temperature, it blew hot all the time. Little conversation with Airjer... I'm replacing the various actuators for temp control and mode (defrost, panel, floor, etc). That worked, making progress. Had a light bulb go off in my head and look under the hood and sure enough, I don't even have a belt connected to the AC compressor anymore. No idea when that blew apart. Picked one up, installed it, and proceeded to create a violent squeeking noise. Sure enough, tensioner pulley. Replaced that... almost good. Had the system recharged and I had great air all last summer.

Recent problem was hesitation and searching at start up in cold weather. Airjer said intake manifold gasket... had it replaced and have had absolutely no issues since. Sweet!

Did the plugs at the same time and put AC Delco's back in.

Just recently had the front end seriously fixed (ball joints, tie rod ends, etc) when I put my new BFGs on and I'm loving my truck right now. Drives good... handles good... loving my old truck again.