[AT] off topic, Internet takeover by govt ?(now GM 5300)

[Ron Cook]

Steve,
     Now you may be on to something there.  My knowitall nephew picked 
out this Suburban for his grandad.  I think mostly because he wanted it 
for himself.  He was being sent to GM Tech school at the time by the 
local Chevrolet dealer and was to work in that shop upon graduation from 
the school.  I think grandad was trying to impress the dealer and traded 
a near new Tahoe for this Suburban.  Could not have made any sense 
financially.  I have found many of these engine control sensors, etc, 
screwed up one way or another.  The first thing I had to do was get that 
dumb K & N air filter out of there and get the air intake system cleaned 
up so the MAF sensor would work correctly.  It has been one thing after 
another but so far I have not had to replace anything much.  Just 
cleaning connections, etc.
     I have been using only 10% ethanol content fuel since I have had 
this thing.  My brother was fueling it mostly with straight unleaded out 
of the farm tank(no ethanol) and I do not know what fuel he used when it 
was on a trip somewhere.  I will see if I can locate this fuel 
composition sensor and change that out.  Even if it required the 400 
dollar part and it made it run like folks say it should, I would be 
pleased.  Broke, but pleased.  Thanks for the tip.

Ron Cook
Salix, IA
On 2/7/2015 7:35 AM, Steve W. wrote:
> Ron,
>    If it's a flex fuel and the mileage drops a lot with E85, I would bet
> the fuel composition sensor is contaminated. It basically checks the
> fuel for booze content and tells the PCM to switch programming curves to
> suit the amount of alcohol in the fuel. If it is bad it will cause lower
> mileage overall and a larger drop when using E-85.
>
> The bad news is, those sensors are $$$$$$$$ for the factory version
> ($400.00 for the one in the Sub).
>
> There is a couple outfits that sell a "replacement" for much less, never
> tried one though.
> http://paceperformance.com/i-10801493-13577429-fuel-composition-flex-fuel-sensor-e85.html
>
>
>
> Ron Cook wrote:
>> Charlie,
>>       I have several friends that swear by their 5300 engines and talk
>> much like you are.  However all of them are newer than the '04 flex fuel
>> engine like I have.   That flex fuel business probably has it de-tuned
>> ?  Fuel mileage is around 17 max, whereas my 1997 5.7 Tahoe stays right
>> at 18 all the time.  The Tahoe probably is a little lighter but wouldn't
>> be much.  One of my nephews that has driven the Suburban probably more
>> than I says to put E85 in it if you want to see poor fuel mileage.  I
>> might someday just for giggles.
>>       I took that Suburban for a couple reasons.  (1)  I always wanted
>> one but couldn't afford it.  I inherited zero from my dad while he left
>> everything to one 1/2 brother that stayed on the farm and never had a
>> job other than being a yes man.  He is now a multi millionaire.  So I
>> had no problems taking it.  (2)  I figured at my age, 71, that a nice
>> vehicle like that would see me to the end of my driving days.  I have
>> never been so disappointed in a vehicle.  It is pretty, though.  I am
>> sure it will be moving along to a new owner one of these days.  I can
>> see where supporting it could get very expensive.
>> Ron Cook
>> Salix, IA
>> On 2/6/2015 2:02 PM, charlie hill wrote:
>>> Ron,  I've been tickled pink with the 5.3 in my Crew Cab 4WD Sierra.
>>> It's got a boat load of power, cruises the highway at 60 mph in OD
>>> with the tack showing about 1700 rpm and gets on average all around
>>> driving about 17 mpg.  On the highway at speeds below 75 it gets around
>>> 20 mpg.  I actually like it better than the 5.7's I've had.  I agree with
>>> you
>>> that torque makes power and there is no substitution for cubic inches but
>>> I'm fine with my 5.3.   I know a guy that has a 2011 GMC crew cab 4wd
>>> that he special ordered with the 6.2 gas engine.  It's got a ton of power
>>> but he has plenty of money and doesn't drive that far so gas mileage is
>>> of no concern to him.
>>>
>>> Charlie
>>>
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