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Lifespan of a 4.8L?

231K views 39 replies 32 participants last post by  guitargain 
#1 ·
Hello All. I found this forum searching for advice on a new chevy truck. It seems like a great resource. I'm very interested in a truck and am going to look at it tomorrow. It is a New 2011 Silverado 1500 WT Ext-Cab 4x4 4.8L auto. It seems like a good deal and has the exact options i am seeking (cruise control, tow package, CD, etc.). I've never owned a chevy.

My question is; what kind of miles can i expect to get out of a 4.8? Is this a 250,000+ motor? I plan on running synthetic oil and i maintain my vehicles religiously. What kind of miles do you guys have on your 4.8's?

Are the transmissions pretty stout?

My use of the truck will be about 80% hwy commuting (80 miles per day), 18% hauling of light loads (5000lbs or less), 2% hauling of heavy loads (possibly a gooseneck)

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

-Brad
 
#2 ·
Brad I have the 4.8 and I think it is a great engine my mechanic as told me over and over again these trucks are built to run 250+ miles. There isn't much different from the 5.3 and the 4.8 from what I understand. I just did a write up on how the 4.8 towed. Also if your gonna go synthetic I would look at Amsoil for sure.
 
#3 ·
For what my $.02 is worth, almost anything these days that are taken care of properly and regularly will last as long as you need it to. Of course there is always a lemmon or one out there just won't listen and will give ya trouble, but such is life with almost anything. My '07 has somewhere between 40-45,000 and haven't had any problems with it yet. (knowck on wood now since I said it!LOL) I had a 2000 Sierra before and that one gave me some transmission issues and the dealer said it was "normal", I guess it would be if you don't mind sitting at a stop sign for 10-15 extra seconds till the tranny kicked in moving you forward.
 
#4 ·
The 4.8 life span will be the same as a 5.3 that gets taken care of both can do 250k . The only difference from a mechanical stand point is the stroke of the crank. You guys with a 4.8 have 9mm less. Thats it a shorter crank stroke in the 4.8 .So it stand to reason we can all agree that size does matter sometime.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the info everyone.

Well here's the story: As I was walking out to door to go to the dealership, I decided to check thier website one last time. Long story short... I ended up purchasing the exact same truck but one with a 5.3L and the six speed, for the same price.

This is the first "new" vehicle i've ever purchased an i'm very nervous/excited. The truck i traded in, was hands-down the best vehicle i've ever owned (tacoma), so this new truck has large shoes to fill. I hope it works out to be a smart purchase. :shock:

I should be picking up the new truck in the next day or two, and i'll post some pictures when i get it.

Thanks again,
Brad
 
#7 ·
Not sure if it is the all star addition. According to the window sticker, it has 3.42's with the heavy duty locking rear diff.

Options column reads something along the lines of:
7000 GVWR
5.3L Active Fuel Management
6 speed Auto
Heavy Trailering Package:
HD cooling
HD Locking Rear Diff w/3.42
HD springs

Etc. This is my first brand new vehicle and my first chevy. I'm super excited. Should be here tomorrow or Wed (they had to ship it from another dealer out of state).

I don't plan on doing any mods except adding a gooseneck hitch, some type of helper springs or bags, tinted windows, and maybe some driving/fog lights.

I can't wait to drive this thing!
 
#11 ·
Mine is 10 years old and runs like a top with nothing but basic maintenance, but its only got 125k km, but I have plenty of buddies with beaten and abused 1500s with 4.8's running well over 300k km and they don't show signs of quitting yet. If these boys are doing minimal maintenance and still seeing that kind of reliable day to day construction use, I think you'll be okay if you just take care of it. I've found that there are very few avid posters on this forum that are running an old rig, so if you don't see a lot of responses from members with high km 4.8's, it doesn't mean they aren't out there!
 
#36 ·
I have a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab 6 ft bed 4.8 l I have
775,000 MI I have put 2 transmissions, a rear end, 2 water pumps, starter, alternator, radiator, and lots of tires, spark plugs, and oil used to be a old work truck of mine when I did construction. I drive that truck everywhere Indiana New York Florida get around 15 miles to the gallon on the highway I drive my vehicle hard and it runs great
 
#14 ·
My 02 4.8 Sierra has 87,000 miles on it. I am 47 and I only put maybe 5,000 miles a year or less on it so it may lost longer than I do.
 
#15 ·
I have an 03, 4.8L with just about 130k miles and the engine runs like a beauty, from what I hear, im not sure so correct me if im wrong iv just heard this, but the 4.8L and 5.3L are the same block just not bored out as much, but iv just heard this im not entirely sure
 
#20 ·
The 4.8L and the 5.3L are the same engine except the stroke, i.e. different crank. 4.8L pistons will work fine in a 5.3L In fact, some claim the flat top 4.8L pistons are better in the 5.3L than the ones that are stock in the 5.3L. On that, I have no clue.
 
#21 ·
This is just my opinion, but ever since they added AFM to the 5.3, the 4.8 has been the better and more reliable engine… It may have less power, but there are a lot more 5.3's, in the shops, burning oil as a result of the AFM system… 4.8's are strong motors and as stated above are the same as the 5.3 for the most part…
 
#22 ·
yeah, just basically like the day of the 283 and 327 small blocks. Both great engines, but the 283 was a killer engine overall. They would take some serious abuse and still keep running.
 
#23 ·
In my early days, I flogged my 2003 4.8l like it was a 'Vette (wishful thinking). I quit doing that about 4yrs ago and now run speed limit and turning into a more friendly driver. I have 153k mi. on her. No burning oil, no tranny or rear end issues and am getting 19-21MPG. I've been using the the OLMS exclusively and it's funny ... my GM service manager told me on my last trip that they have increased the normal oil-change interval from 3k to 5k. I normally get 8-10k before OLMS kicks in.

Healthy motor - can't rave enough about it - admittedly, no experience with the 5.3l.
 
#25 ·
1999 Silverado 1500 Z71 Ext Cab (rare 3 door) 4x4 -
Purchased new in 1999-
241k miles
18yrs old!!

Only posting this after doing a search on life expectancy of 4.8 because I can hardly believe she still runs so strong and contemplating a near full cosmetic restoration but don't wanna dump 3500 for paint & body if motor is gonna grenade after nearly no maintenance.

I've had the following repairs aside from my poor maintinance:
Water pump @ 150k
Fuel Pump 125k
Transmission 80k (due to hard desert runs and totally beat the $#!T climbing hills pulling junk cars with no wheels up hills till it melted the torque converter)
Passenger window motor replaced 2005. Just replaced original rear brakes finally this year after going metal to metal. Still has original spark plugs & wires, and now for the kicker... I've only changed the oil and filter about every 1.5 years and only top off oil when low ... I've never used synthetic, only the cheapest oil available at the time and often not the recommended grade. No smoke, no misses, no nothing but the occasional belt and chassis squeaks that indicate it's almost time to change the belts. I've owned many vehicles, Ford trucks & vans, and ran a whole fleet of light duty Fords commercially and always went back to Chevy because of my OG Silverado. She's now rusty on the roof (paint failed 3 years ago due to salty coastal air) and the bed has been bent but still works 100% and almost as good as the day I drove her off the lot new. Interior is 8.5 of 10 and still no tears. Little bit peeling from some plastic and minor fiber wear on the DS seat. This truck has been beat on, mistreated, poorly maintained and still nearly bullet proof. Chevy has earned my loyalty in a market full of competition that falls short and apart in less than 5 years. She's 18 years old and ready for the rest of her adult life, hopefully with me forever. Should I make her pretty again?!? Aloha & Mahalo~
 
#26 ·
I agree the 4.8 is a great engine, I have about 180k on my 2001 Silverado. My company van, a 2007 GMC Savana 2500 just turned 252k this week. Was told the head gaskets where replaced (don't think that's a common issue), and it does use some oil but still plenty powerful and smooth. Was thinking of selling the Silverado due to a job change with less $, but now I'm having second thoughts. Doubt I'd find a truck as good again for the $5,000 I paid for it in 2013.
 
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