1997 Chevy Tahoe

SANJO355

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET TAHOE
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
158,000 MILES

My 1997 2wd Tahoe has a lot of miles and recently had the transmition fluid and filter changed for the first time. It ran great for a few miles and then started to knock, vibrate and over heat. I changed the water pump and the over heating stopped but the knock and vibration did not. Almost made it home when it became very sluggish and died when I turned into my nieghborhood. It took a lot to restart it and barely made it home. Gas mileage also was badley affected. Is this a transmission gone bad, or something else?

1 Reply

PEAR69

MECHANIC
1,482 POSTS

When an engine gets so hot that it starts to knock and vibrate, the engine is telling you that the end is near. When the engine stalled it most likely seized up and that's why it was so hard to start.
One of the most important jobs of engine coolant is to take heat out of the engine oil. It does this by circulating through the engine--extracting heat from the oil--and releasing the heat through the radiator. When the coolant is not being circulated by the water pump, and you run the engine long enough, oil begans to loose its' lubricating ability.
The vibration is in your engine is most likely caused by worn out bearings and/or piston rings. The knock is definately destroyed bearings.
Your transmission is also cooled by the engine coolant. The same thing probably happened to your transmission. Check the transmission fluid and it is probably burnt.
My advice to you is not to drive too far, because it's only a matter of time before the engine dies. Sorry