John Loper II2002 Chevrolet Express 3500 - Vehicle Maintenance Tracker
🚗 Vehicle Information
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Year/Make/Model | 2002 Chevrolet Express 3500 |
| VIN | 1GAHG39R821226228 |
| Engine | 5.7L V8 (L31 Vortec) |
| Horsepower | 258 HP @ 4,600 rpm |
| Torque | 330 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed Automatic (4L80-E heavy-duty) |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Fuel Capacity | 31 gallons |
| Curb Weight | 4,849 lbs |
| Max Towing Capacity | 8,000 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 135.0 inches (standard) / 155 inches (extended) |
| Overall Length | 218.8 inches (standard) / 238.8 inches (extended) |
| Overall Width | 79.2-79.4 inches |
| Overall Height | 82.5-82.8 inches |
| Tire Size | P245/75R16 |
| Rim Size | 16" steel |
| Valve Configuration | OHV (16-valve) |
| Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.1 quarts (5W-30) |
| Brakes (Front) | Dual Hydraulic Disc |
| Brakes (Rear) | Dual Drum Brakes |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut with Double Tube dampers |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link Coil Springs with Double Tube dampers |
| Headlight Bulb | 9007 Halogen |
| Mileage | 303,770 miles (as of 2026-03-23) |
| Date Started | 2026-03-20 |
🔍 VIN Decoder Reference
VIN Format: 1GAHG39R821226228
Decoder URL Pattern: https://www.decodethis.com/vin/[VIN]
VIN Breakdown:
- 1 = United States (Manufacturer)
- G = General Motors
- A = Chevy
- H = GVWR Range 9001-10000 lbs
- G3 = Express 3500 (1-ton)
- 9 = Brake System - Hydraulic
- R = 5.7L V8 Gasoline Engine (8th digit = engine code)
- 8 = Check Digit
- 2 = Model Year 2002
- 1 = Assembly Plant
- 226228 = Production Sequence Number
📋 Project Overview
This repository tracks all maintenance, repairs, and issues for the 2002 Chevy Express 3500. Each subfolder represents a specific issue or maintenance task with its own progress tracking.
Current Issues/Projects:
- Crank No Start - ✅ RESOLVED (distributor cap/rotor replacement)
- Power Steering Leak - 🔄 ACTIVE (fluid leak requiring periodic top-offs)
- Fuel Pressure Issue - 🔧 PARTS NEEDED (weak fuel pump identified, requires replacement)
Vehicle Specifications:
- Engine Oil: 5W-30, ~6 quarts with filter
- Transmission Fluid: DEXRON-III ATF
- Power Steering Fluid: DEXRON-III ATF
- Spark Plugs: 8x (exact type TBD - need VIN lookup)
- Fuel System: Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI), 55-62 PSI operating pressure
Maintenance History:
- 2026-03-21: Distributor cap and rotor replaced - Crank no-start resolved
- 2026-03-21: Power steering leak project initiated
- 2026-03-21: Fuel pressure issue diagnosed - weak fuel pump identified, replacement needed
Notes:
- Fuel pump confirmed weak - 37 PSI residual, requires 2 primes to reach 50 PSI
- Check valve is working fine (good pressure retention)
- Crankshaft position sensor (CKP) had history of issues on this vehicle
- Distributor corrosion is a recurring issue (~1x/year) on this van
- P0300 code - Random misfire code from crank no-start diagnosis (2026-03-20), should clear after fuel system repair
- Spark plugs - All 8 need replacement (matching set), low priority, pending fuel system repair first
Documentation:
- Each subfolder contains: README.md (issue description) + progress.md (current status)
- All changes committed to Gitea: https://gitea.loperfamily.com/Sage_Software/2002-Chevy-Express-3500