Chevy Suburban 5.7 : Crank No Start Part I

In this video I have a look at a 1999 Chevy Suburban 5.7 that quit on my customer driving down the road. I stick to my diagnostic thought process to get to the answer as quick as I can. -Enjoy!
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained.

[@jenncox2642]

I love when you say "hey its that guy" when someone honks.

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

One of my bosses from way back whenever someone came in he didn't know always said "There he Is!" Made them feel welcome. I do it myself sometimes.

[@FirstStreetTV]

my grandpa used to always say "oh there he is right there" and I would always fall for it and ask 'who' and he would reply "him" and just point at some random guy

[@jenncox2642]

@@FirstStreetTV - Gotta love grandpas!

[@hatfez]

'I'll be right out" is my go to phrase...

[@opl500]

I wonder how many people are aware of Avoca because of this channel

[@joegior5858duck]

South main auto video the best weekend drug a mechanic can get

[@mojunk19]

I’ll drink to that!

[@LUISREY1995]

100%

[@davidkroth]

I've come to enjoy the compressor just like brake cleaner, intro, outro and even Big Nasty. Wouldn't be SMA without it!

[@marty0715yt]

"hey its that guy" works at Napa notasponsor!

[@chiluco2000]

I don't think I would ever get to enjoy that compressor... Wouldn't mind seeing a Patreon setup for moving that thing outside!

[@michaelstjohn6086]

@@chiluco2000 I'm in!

[@bostedtap8399]

The compressor needs a name, what about "Mr A".

[@frotobaggins7169]

@@bostedtap8399 how about thunder. lol

[@theemooneys]

in the early 90s, I worked for the county road commission. All the Chevy fleet vehicles had to have the distributor changed out because if the vehicle idled too long the distributor would seize from the lack of oil. They had a special distributor with a spiral shaft to draw oil up to lubricate the housing.

[@crockpot5194]

Mine is a 1999 Chevy Blazer. I fully understand where you're coming from

[@PilgrimInProgress]

The only tool used in the fine science of Tryagnostics is the parts cannon. A formidable weapon indeed.

[@randywilcox4112]

00

[@brettwalkom948]

She didn't work this time.. Must have shot himself in the foot

[@lakesideranch]

Another fine production Eric! I bought a brand new '99 Suburban as a leftover in 2000. 5.7 Vortec, GMC 1500 SLE, 3rd row seat, and barn doors. Drove it till 2015, when a barn door body style collector asked if I'd sell it. We made a deal and I drove it to his shop, got out of it with 272,000 original miles. Just normal maintenance, 1 radiator, and a few water pumps. Never had any tranny problems, original aluminized exhaust under it when I sold it too. Paid 24K for it in 2000 as a leftover, had 4 miles on the clock. Don't think my new Tahoe will last 1/2 as long as that old GMC Suburban... Work safe, keep up the great videos! Doug@ the "ranch"

[@leepennington4649]

Plugs and a prayer🤣🤣🤣

[@cjkent3300]

Right...how many people you know have done that?

[@DaveSender66]

"Plugs n a prayer" , "Trynogistics " 🤣😂😆. Love it I've been laughing about this all day long!!!!

[@ChrisGrazioli]

Boffa deez nutz.... youre friggin killin me dude

[@Tek_Nician]

Has me rolling in my bed at 11pm!!

[@jimdandy6472]

Fun to see you working on an old 350 Chevy small block. I tore apart and rebuilt many of these in the 1980's. My friend still has a 1999 Suburban and I always like working on it, except for the Spider fuel injection and knock sensor which are under the intake manifold. The distributor gear is softer than the cam gear, so it will go first. In the old days (points or HEI) you had to drop the distributor in and get the timing close enough to start, then use a timing light to adjust the timing by turning the distributor, then tighten its hold down bolt.

[@0wn1nwc]

Theres also a wire that'll need to be unplugged while you time it in

[@VanquisherUSMC]

Super duper common. I've replaced dozens and dozens of them over the years. Because the cam and drive gear are a much harder steel, the drive gear usually suffers zero damage. The biggest potential issue is that all that metal that's ground off goes through the rest of the motor potentially shortening the life of bearings in the motor. I've never had one come back for a blown motor though. Those cast iron 350s are tough as nails motors for the most part!

[@nv1493]

You've been the single most influence moving me from Trynostics to Diagnostics so thanks for that. By looking at real time run data I was able to figure out 07 suburban running lean WITHOUT buying a ton of un-needed parts.

[@spyder1721]

171 and 174? Its a maf :P

[@davie261]

It's amazing how watching a knowledgeable mechanic with the patience and sense of humor you posses walk us through simple as well as complicated operations without assuming we know what's going on can be so darn relaxing. And I can't help with your style but learn stuff too lol :)

[@BoerGuy]

Part owner and mechanic of a small two bay, one lift (in the floor hydraulic) worked about 18 months. Love the sound of the compressor coming on, reminds me of the time there every time I hear it.

[@Mr42960]

I have had a brand new Napa "corrected" distributor cap cross fire within itself and cause an idle miss. When they arrange the caps to have the wire sockets in order on each side of the cap they do it by bending and crossing over copper wire molded in the cap plastic. If the copper wires were not nested correctly they get too close together and jump spark.

[@JOHNPHUFNAGEL]

That's old school variable timing

[@matthewcole9418]

I really don't know much about auto repair and because of it I don't understand what you are saying half the time, but I still love watching your videos.

[@stephenpeterson7309]

I spent 20 years in the car repair business, mostly GM dealers and as I watch, it like you're reading my mind. I'll say to myself " well I'd check" and there you are reading my mind. Good videos.

[@super20dan]

so glad to be done with this old GM desighn , never going back -a pain to work on . the starter with shims and the rear mounted distributor . LS baby from now on

[@richard1835]

I just installed a distributor on the 4.3l Silverado with the same issues .Great Video . Thumbs up

[@tedmattingly7564]

I called it from the start LOL. I had the exact thing happen to my 97 GMC w/ 5.7 Stripped the gear clean off. It had a bronze gear and sent crap through everything. I dropped the pan and checked bearings and got lucky. Replaced the distributor and ran it for a few years more before I upgraded.

[@colinpalmer5564]

great video eric..your train of thought and diagnostic ability is priceless.As usual greatly appreciated.

[@opl500]

Been a long time since I've seen an old school distributor. This is like car archaeology.

[@vincescalise4821]

Carchaeology

[@stevenvanheel3932]

Dodge put distributors in their trucks up until 2002

[@unclechaz8426]

GM had this problem way back in the 80's . I started my automotive career in 1977.

[@Conqueef-tadoor]

10:55 is the absolute funniest thing I've heard Eric say in quite some time. 😂😂😂😂

[@Dcthetruth85]

Yessir 🤣

[@outdamudd96]

I died 😆

[@ScienceOfDiagnostics]

It's all about the routine, gets you to the right place damn quick. Another great video.

[@linkassasin450]

Happened to us once on a motorhome with a 454. Quick and right diag. thanks for the vid !

[@garyoldham4449]

2000 Chevy Express 3500 7.4 454. I'm in the middle of this right now. Motorhome w/454 engine, hard start situation devolved into a no start situation. No start situation has now devolved into no start with the occasional grinding sound. Since I bought, hard start. Once started it would stay running. Now it's worse to the point where it won't quite start but it's trying. And now I sometimes hear grinding. Starter? Maybe it's the distributor! I need to test fuel pressure. But something tells me I will probably end up putting a new distributor in it. And hopefully the starter is not damaged. When it's time to move but your house won't start.

[@mikerath3437]

Love your channel! I've learned a lot from you, your advice, knowledge, diag, it all. You are the man! Man

[@nightmarecivic]

You're personality and can do spirit is awesome man. Reminds me of my best friend who passed this last October. Always the laugh it off way when working on cars. Cheers

[@TD-ue3bb]

Thank you so much Eric! The same exact thing happened on my truck when I was 700 miles away from my home while I was on a road trip. Because of your videos, I was able to replace distributor myself on the parking lot of a local repair shop (they were busy and let me work on my truck).

[@leswalker2639]

I appreciate your videos they are interesting. Great information not only that you have a professional attitude. Clean language and you do not throw Tools around when something happens. You stay focused and accomplish the job

[@Bloodthune]

Tryignostics! Love it!

[@danekeeper1]

"TRIAGNOSTCS"....I am going to put that in my tool box from now on!!!

[@williegillie5712]

I think triagnostics is similar to the parts cannon

[@robertrichardson1133]

Oh my goodness, a minute and 4 seconds in and you already have me laughing. Tryagnostics got me busting a gut. You my friend are a true comedic technician and a great one at that. Cant stop watching your videos.

[@flbartlett]

"Try-agnostics"! A new word for my lexicon! Thanks Eric!

[@ET_Don]

Definitely qualifies as excessive backlash on the distributor! I haven't heard "Tryignostics" in a long time. I actually laughed out loud. Thanks for another great video.

[@johnripp6286]

Love the videos inspired me to do more work on my own vehicles and on saved my boss thousands on the farm trucks

[@billyyoder8171]

Whoa we're half way there, whoa Eric O, livin on spark plugs and on a prayer. Sounds like the 80's. Thank you Eric. Good job. I appreciate your videos. Have a blessed and safe week.

[@alexdashevsky2180]

Eric you are great mechanic. Cheers from Brooklyn.

[@chevellechris1]

I know This is a 4 year old video, but Tryagnostics is my new favorite automotive word.

[@kinglangren]

My sons gmc 1500 broke down last week. Turned out to be his rotor cap had come off - stripped screw. Definitely helped me diagnose it from watching your videos. Thanks

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Good video Eric. Brings me back to the good old days . The old distributer. Have a good one ❤️

[@joeengelhardt336]

I love your channel I like how you explain what your doing when working on the vehicles

[@alanmatthews5949]

It’s the new Chevy Variable Distributor Timing. VDT. It changes your distributor timing till the truck won’t start. Nice non flow chart diagnosis. I like how you jump right to the problem and not to the flow charts.

[@naokimatsushima4979]

I've worked on many 5.7s. 1st., distributers are junk, wears out easy. 2, I've seen rear cam bearing spin. 3, under serviced vehicles. Its a good engine when taken care of.

[@markquigley7839]

Great video as always. I'd miss my wedding if you posted one at that time.

[@arniesand]

I read your comment to my wife and told her, "and you get mad because I ignore you while watching a SMA video." Anyway, thanks for a great laugh!

[@TechTimeWithEric]

It is surprisingly common on those with the plastic distributors.

[@jimdandy6472]

@Edward Martinez GM timing chains on small block chevy's from the 60's through the 2000's are extremely rugged and reliable. Way better than a cog belt that some genius came up with. In the 70's a few of the CAM gears had plastic covered teeth to make them quitter, and those didn't last long. I don't remember ever seeing a broken chain on a Chevy, but I have seen a few where the chain had so much slack that it wore a hole in the timing chain cover, probably at over 200k miles.

[@df4480]

Priceless, all my family members drive Chevy vortex vehicle. I have 3 in the drive way. Thanks!

[@wyattoneable]

Oh cool, an engine I am familiar with. I've had my share of 5.7 issues (mainly the intake gaskets failing, twice) but the set of Fel-Pro gaskets I installed should do the trick. (thank you for the tip) This one is new to me so naturally I find this very interesting.

[@beechwood619]

Great Video, Thanks for bringing us along, my favorites.

[@MrBlaser51]

Hey Eric, Quit worrying about the compressor. to me it gives authentic character!!! Got to love it!!

[@rontesh6244]

Hi from San Antonio TX, I enjoy all the videos, thanks for the shearing. Your a good mechanic

[@VoltageDropDiagnostics]

Great video, Eric! I can’t wait for part 2

[@d.a.2742]

I'm so glad my bore scope has a built in light ...saves me the two handed dance .

[@richardbambenek2601]

Tryagnostics!!!!! Love it. I'm going to use that one.

[@robertlocke5826]

Take an old distributor and grind the end the rotor goes on and take the gear off and there is your 350 chevy oil pump driver to fit your drill.

[@cockasorrus7475]

Great attitude and awesome diagnostics!!! Thank you!!

[@cmarshall2211]

Man this brings back memories. Had the same thing happen on a Toyota Camry that I owned ages ago. New distributor (which was rediculously expensive!) and away I went. Learned a lot working on that car which was poorly maintained by the previous owner.

[@orville58]

Wow I would never get it back in time those distributors are crazy can’t wait for part two thanks

[@Mike-zd9qz]

Very Common on 4.3 and 5.7's. On my buddies 2000 Chevy it set the crank/cam correlation code, but it still had teeth on the distributor. In order to pass emissions without any codes we had to CNC out a new hold down with a slot for the hold down bolt. We were able to use Torque Pro to adjust.(PID 221301, Min-100, Max 100, Units Degrees,((Signed (A)*256)+B)*0.024,OBD Header Auto)

[@petercook3143]

You havent seen one in NYS cause they rotted out about 15 years ago. We are still running them in the south, I have 4 of them presently with one, southern one, sitting in Middleport NY cause i was traveling and flew out. Now its getting the same way with the Mid 2000-2012 trucks, full of holes in New York. great channel thanks for your help.

[@LycanWitch]

going to have to start a donate towards the build a soundproof box around the air compressor fund.

[@williamarnett3234]

All I heard when coming back from the bathroom to my truck I’m working on was , BOFFA, BOFFA DEEZ NUTS. then I busted out laughing. Thank you. I needed that

[@TheWoodman064]

Trmendous diagnostics! Great work!

[@thirdcargarage2951]

I put on my SMA hoodie. Grab an ice cream and watch the diags. Love this channel. Your the best.

[@danielc3777]

Beast. My favorite channels?.as a tech in htown love the way you diag most the time. You have allldata Your brain. Wish I could work for you. Love the positive attitude..... Wait till our hybrids hit you

[@mikemccarthy9800]

I'm tackling this today and I've been a little stumped and now I think I'm having the same problem also. Pretty sloppy rotor so I'm gonna pull the distributor out and replace it then see what happens. Great video . I'll update you later on and share the outcome of it all . Thanks a bunch.

[@benmudn]

I've got a 98 Spidertec in my CJ8 and I was thinking the poppet injectors were clogged. Now I see why you check spark first. 👍

[@paulhunt598]

Years ago after repeatedly replacing a sheared distributor gear key on a Ford straight 6, I concluded that it had to be a failing oil pump. I could determine no other symptom, and the pump seemed to be the only possible cause. Thanks for stressing the need to validate oil pump condition/performance before concluding this was only distributor failure. Sometimes tryagnostics seem to be the only option, but as technicians we should diagnosis to absolute certainty, sometimes for our own egos.

[@corymcdermott5096]

One of the main problems with the "Shivy" small blocks. That, and the damn pick up coils in the distributors, working as the cam sensor. Leaves a lot of shade tree guys scratching their heads. Also seen the reman distributors fail easily, from the gear being shaved in the reman process.

[@michaellitscher9456]

I'm jealous of that "Topside Creeper" having prostrated myself on too many engines.

[@drfalcon4102]

It was a common problem, replaced 4 or 5 myself

[@freetolook3727]

You've come a long ways from Dr. O to Erik O to "Self Made" auto.

[@scwyldspirit]

Oh that reminds me of an old ford that wouldn't crank over that was sitting at the Blue Beacon Truck wash in Knoxville TN. The guy couldn't get it cranked and I didn't have anything to test it so I went to the distributer cap and removed it. Had a ton of moisture under the cap. Took some paper towels and dried it out and the button as well, popped it back together and it fired right up.

[@dougkubash8673]

The bushings also wear out on that style distributor. Then the rotor bangs in to the cap. Enjoyed the video!

[@robburnett8434]

I use that exact same Mac Starter button. I love it. Most useful tool i bought for doing starter system diag on semi trucks.

[@jameseddy6787]

My 99 Tahoe couldn't get cam/crankshaft offset to spec. Dist. gear was worn. New gear and reset dist. Ran like new.

[@williamwhite9767]

Worked on Chevy small blocks at lot during my misspent youth. I cut the handle off a screwdriver and put it in a drill to turn the oil pump to pump up the oil system.

[@xX_Kryptis_Xx]

The damn sweatshirt strings are going to kill you one of these days. 😆😟😖😭

[@justinballard7242]

Always tuck them in

[@Effay513]

No.

[@jethelpwarejr8482]

I was going to say the say thing! Be careful, we love your videos.

[@erre611]

Hell yeah bro learning off you like no other appreciate the the knowledge I for sure will be a follower

[@baggins1]

Glad to see someone using the ebay bore scope. I need to get one.

[@CubasAutomotive]

Lol 5.7... "America". Glad to finally see the video after hearing about it. Lol. This is a decent case.

[@CubasAutomotive]

"Looks like we got ourselves a stripper". Oh my Eric! You and your quotes!! 😂😂

[@jeremyanthony9300]

I haven't seen a car with a distributor in years.

[@CubasAutomotive]

@@jeremyanthony9300 when we were talking about this Suburban, he said the same. I still use my timing light probably once a month or so. It's pretty weird how much our demographics come into play. He also sees vehicles I don't see at all yet.

[@johnhpalmer6098]

@@jeremyanthony9300 Neither have I, and my last vehicle was a 1992 Ford Ranger with the big, and thirsty 4.0 Vulcan V6 and it was distributorless, believe it or not. It was reliable the whole 6 years I owned it and who knows how old it was then, the truck, as best I could ascertain had 189K when I got it in 2006, and when I traded it in, in 2012, it had 237, almost on the clock and leaking fluids but still ran even though the idler air control valve was on the fritz. I drive a 2003 Mazda Protege 5 now with with the big 2.0L 4 pot, 16V motor (fixed timing though) and it has 2 coil packs, one for 2 cylinders, and another for the other 2 and they sit right on top of the valve cover and just 2 screws holds them down. Easy peasy to replace should one go, but so far...

[@normangallant9879]

Like the find & also camgear is in decent shape

[@researchandbuild1751]

Ive been waiting 50 videos for some borescope action. Love it!

[@alanmatthews5949]

Compared to my Snapon BK8000 it a toy.

[@MannyFontes1968]

Eric, you need to coin the term "suck, squeeze, bang, blow," that is too hilarious... You keep us laughing all the time...😂

[@wickedcoolname399]

Too late. That phrase has been around since the invention of the internal combustion engine.

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Yep replaced a few distributors like that the bushings were shot in the distributor and it ate the gear. Replaced the distributor, changed the oil & filter and customers never had a problem with it but I told them the metal that was floating around could have caused engine damage especially to the crankshaft & bearings but they didn't want to spend the $$. Obviously it was a good call for them and they'd remind me every time they brought it in it was still running great 😎

[@KPearce57]

Got a 94 with 307683 miles on the 350 motor no internal problems ac, water pump alternator pvc EGR radiator no rust Texas Truck, does need new seat maybe someday.

[@nneilddille6752]

Great video! Didn't brag about yourself or say a bunch of bullshit. Second video great! My compliments! You are a good example of what KZbinrs should follow! Thanks for your video👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@donaldwantola5800]

I've done a bunch of 4.3 V6s with this problem in my shop, never had a V8 that bad. The cam and distributor gears are dissimilar metals the cam is hard billet steel the distributor gear is soft castiron and eventually wears out around the 200K mark.

[@JenniferFuchek]

Drop everything for it!

[@richardcranium5839]

wow

[@dieselchevette]

As a gm/Chevy guy, I can say that yes, this is a common problem. Did one on my 97 4.3 k1500 a week after I picked out up. P300 from it.

[@rodpalm6398]

I have a 5.7 in my 96 Silverado 2500 4x4 so now I have to watch this.

[@benjaminstockton3917]

Good video Eric O. Can't wait for next one

[@jounatherton7294]

That was a brilliant video. Not even college will teach you this stuff it all thorey . I must admit you said the starter motor was removed becouse of full beans and destroyed it , so the coil goes in hand and cogs on a coil. not many ppl know about the coil and it workings take many books. lesson learnt, when a starter goes, can be coil related and cogs. thank you regards john UK London

[@georgepaulus1819]

Trynostics Never heard that before

[@thecritic3710]

trynostics=dartboard=parts cannon! lol!

[@georgepaulus1819]

@@thecritic3710 There's always a critic

[@yogib37]

@@thecritic3710 all rolled up in a nut shell

[@jmcenterprises9591]

Thx Eric, good vid....the compressor is ok, part of SMA.

[@davidwaskiewicz3289]

Changed a ton of those things, I always use the aluminum replacements so the ears don’t break off.

[@brianmeek5236]

Just put one in a 98 burb, so glad I had purchased a topside creeper,without that I would need back surgery too

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Great job as always Eric! I love your topside creeper lol I need one for cars cause I'm too small to reach back there 🙈😂😂😂

[@benkanobe7500]

The priming tool for SBC works (dam it! You mention it just as I was typing!)

[@ahill007ny]

Dejavu for me..Worked on a 2003 Chevy Blazer with the 4.3. It was in the beginning stages of this problem, the gear had enough play that would rattle ever so often but under load you can clearly hear it. Also just like you said in the video the ears were stripped out. Scannerdanner has a video on this distributor where the customer or repair shop removed the pin to change the gear and put it on wrong ended up with a Cam/Crank Correlation code.