Is this a blown head gasket?

Asked by vanburen513 Jul 07, 2015 at 10:22 PM about the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban C2500 RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 96 Suburban 454 motor, C2500. Back in October of 2013 it started missing while driving, at some point while driving it completely shut down on me and would not start. It sat in my driveway for a year until it was towed to a shop. The fuel pump was changed out and it ran just fine until Feb of 2015 when the water pump went out. After that was changed, about a month later it started missing again. I figured fuel pump again due to it acting the same so I changed out the fuel pump again. It ran fine until about a month later when the missing got worse. I would drive down the road and when I accelerated it wouldn't have any power, then it would all of a sudden catch up. I had the check engine light checked and it threw codes for the MAP sensor so I had that replaced. Two weeks later it started doing the same thing, only worse. Once it got warm the RPM's would jump up and down while idling, it would lurch forward while at a stop so I would have to put it in neutral to keep it from doing that. I had the check engine light checked again and it threw 4 codes. Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Sensor Range/Performance, Manifold Absolute Pressure or Barometric Pressure Circuit Low Input, Random - Multiple Misfire Detected, Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Voltage Intermittently Low. Having just had the MAP sensor changed, I was informed it could be something deeper as in head gasket. It was losing water, now it's not. It never ran hot, there is no water on the dipstick or on the oil cap. It did however fail a block test. I put the blue devil in when it first started the missing and it didn't change a thing (waste of $65). I live about 2 miles from work and I used to be able to go to and from work and to and from for lunch and not have any issues. Now, as of yesterday (Monday 7/6/15) after it not being driven since Friday morning as soon as I started it up and accelerated it started missing. I have been told it's a blown head gasket but again, no water out the tail pipe, no water in the oil, not losing water, not overheating. I love my Burb, cargo room and seats 8 comfortably (I have 4 children). Should I just scrap it and call it good or does anyone have a cheaper suggested as to what it might be? Thanks!

2 Answers

10

Water contamination in fuel. Ethanol blend fuel sucks! 30 days approx. viability. After that it phases and is no longer fuel. It kills fuel pumps, lines, injectors, plastic and rubber parts, sensors etc, The ethanol also absorbs water from the atmosphere and contaminates the fuel and can rust the tank, water is heavier than fuel and will fall to the bottom of the tank and rust the tank. You could be picking up rust or water in the pump.

10

Also the ignition module could be intermittently failing.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

1996 Chevrolet Suburban

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Andrew Olsen
    Reputation
    3,080
  • #2
    JimO65
    Reputation
    2,390
  • #3
    Rowefast
    Reputation
    2,130
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,072 Great Deals out of 19,933 listings starting at $1,300
Used Ford Expedition
833 Great Deals out of 22,451 listings starting at $1,050
Used GMC Yukon
698 Great Deals out of 11,171 listings starting at $2,200
Used Ford F-150
6,057 Great Deals out of 129,349 listings starting at $1,100
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,836 Great Deals out of 65,440 listings starting at $3,400
Used Ford Explorer
2,250 Great Deals out of 63,256 listings starting at $700

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Chevrolet Suburban For Sale
5,122 listings starting at $56,490
2023 Chevrolet Suburban For Sale
77 Great Deals out of 1,026 listings starting at $43,000
2022 Chevrolet Suburban For Sale
108 Great Deals out of 1,212 listings starting at $38,621
2021 Chevrolet Suburban For Sale
85 Great Deals out of 875 listings starting at $30,995
2020 Chevrolet Suburban For Sale
38 Great Deals out of 403 listings starting at $18,391

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.