1988 Chevrolet Astro

base Standard Cargo Van

4.3L 262Cu. In. V6 GAS OHV Naturally Aspirated

Automatic

1GCCM15ZXJB266971

Clear

GAS

If you are looking for a work truck that is not too expensive, this is the one for you. I purchased this 8/16/2006. It had 109,500 miles on it. I am selling it after 8 years because I saved my money and bought a newer van. Please read this entire description. You will know everything I know about this van both the good and the bad. If I don't tell you about something it is because I didn't know about it. I am also throwing in a few bonus items to enhance the sale. I have complete maintenance and repair records for the last 8 years and they will go to the buyer with the van but they will be summarized here. 8/16/2006 @ 109523 the ignition lock cylinder was replaced 9/3/2006 @ 109700 the distributor cap, rotor and coil were replaced 9/16/2006 @ 109800 new spark plugs, ignition wires, EGR valve, oil, filter and grease job 9/27/2006 @ 109992 the harmonic balancer oil seal was replaced 10/7/2006 @ 110184 antifreeze and thermostat replaced, and oxygen sensor replaced 11/4/2006 @ 110475 replaced the fan belt and belt tensioner 11/17/2006 @ 110684 replaced heater hose and air filter 3/24/2007 @ 112424 replaced the oxygen sensor 4/18/2007 @ 112869 oil and filter change 6/15/2007 @ 113225 replaced both stabilizer links 7/4/2007 @ 113427 differential fluid changed, rear brake lines and hoses 7/10/2007 @ 113506 transmission fluid, filter changed and leak repaired 7/21/2007 @ 113593 3 fuel pipes replaced 8/4/2007 @ 113725 new front brake pads 5/31/2008 @ 116480 oil, filter change 9/13/2008 @ 117000 new antifreeze 12/4/2008 @ 118309 2 idler arms replaced, 2 new front tires and wheel alignment 3/28/2009 @ 119400 new water pump and two new radiator hoses 6/21/2009 @120024 oil, filter and grease job 8/8/2009 @ 120050 replaced six body cushions, washers and bolts 9/26/2009 @ 120500 new battery 12/2/2009 @ 121079 new fuel pump and sending unit 6/5/2010 @ 122373 rebuilt alternator 9/10/2010 @ 122920 replaced all brake lines 9/11/2010 @ replaced antifreeze 5/31/2011 @ 124402 new spark plugs 5/21/2011 @124459 new oil, filter and grease job 9/17/2011 @ 125286 new muffler and tail pipe 12/28/2011 @ 125859 new oxygen sensor 1/24/2012 @126205 new speedometer cable 1/28/2012 @126251 new thermostat 2/5/2012 @ 126300 new radiator cap 2/11/2012 @ 126336 new blower motor and fan belt 3/2012 @ 126700 4 new shocks 12/22/2012 @ 128252 new distributor cap, rotor and coil 8/7/2013 cooling system stop leak 8/17/2013 @ 129149 new oil, filter and grease job Since I got the van I have had to add one pint of antifreeze every 3 to 6 months. It was not leaking so I had to have been burning it. In August of 2013 I put in a can of Bars Leak professional cooling system stop leak. It cost $60 for 33 ounces. It sealed everything. In a year I have not needed to add antifreeze. The van has a power steering leak. One of the pictures is of the steering shaft where it enters the steering box. There is a seal around that shaft that is leaking power steering fluid. The leak is minor. Maybe once in a year you might have to add a few ounces of fluid. I have not added any this year. The steering works fine. If you check the fluid it is just above the point where you have to add. This is an expensive repair. The steering box and probably the hoses have to be replaced. The cost of a little power steering fluid once a year is very small compared to the cost of the repair. One year ago I got an exhaust leak. The exhaust pipe where it enters the catalytic converter had a rust out. I did a repair and a picture is included showing that repair. It is sealed and holding up nicely. If you buy this van plan on eventually having to replace this pipe. The catalytic converter has metal cover around it. The section facing the ground has rusted away. The converter is fine and functioning normally. The cover rattles because it is not secure due to the rust out. I have a large stainless steel hose clamp around it to keep it from rattling. The weather stripping on all the doors is very worn and needs to be replaced. In a very heavy rain you will sometimes get water through the seals. The bottom of the engine and transmission is wet. I never find puddles of oil on the ground but it is wet if look under there. I would start by tightening all the bolts that hold the oil pan on the engine and transmission and the valve covers. This is not that big a problem but I want you to know about it. The engine does not burn any oil between oil changes. It may go down a little bit probably due to the leakage mentioned above. If you look closely at thet interior pictures you will see one seat is cloth and one is vinyl. The drivers seat wore out and I replaced it with what I could find, but they are both red. The passenger seat has a few tears and cuts especially in the rear from hauling cargo for years. The radio works perfectly but the cassette player does not work. Auto Check or Car Fax will show an accident in 1995. If you look at the pictures of the passenger side rear you will see a rust out and a spot higher up that is body filler coming out. This is the only spot I know where the accident might has impacted. I don't know of any other location that shows signs of an accident. The tire tread depth is DF 6/32", PF 6/32", DR 3/32", PR 3/32" and the full size spare is 4/32". You will need at least two rear tires very soon. If you look at the picture of the roof you will see the roof paint is very worn from going through many winters. The rest of the body still has a shine If you drive at 35MPH you will may feel something change. It is very slight. I had this checked by a transmission shop (Cedar Grove Transmission) and got a second opinion from another technician. This van has a locking torque converter. At about 35MPH it locks and you can feel something. If you lower your speed just a little it unlocks. This is the way it works. There is nothing wrong. This is not a transmission problem. Now that the bad stuff is out of the way lets review the good stuff! The van comes with two mounted snow tires they each have 10/32" tread on them. See the picture. I am also including a set of snow chains for use on radial tires.See the picture. Included is a new jack, handles and lug wrench. See the picture. Included is your next 10 quarts of motor oil and your next oil filter, all brand new. See the picture. The van ECU is OBD 1. Included is a scan tool with manual for OBD 1. I used this scanner several times and it works. Included is a GM factory service manual as well as a Haynes service manual. You can fix anything on this van with these manuals. If you notice the hub caps in the pictures they are rather unique. They are 1978 Buick hub caps. They were new old stock 5 years ago. They are stainless steel. Hub caps like this are rare and if you find them expensive. They are included as part of the sale. If you ever bought a used car one thing that really annoys me is when you turn the key on the needle on the gas gauge doesn't move and you worry if you can make it to a gas station. Well I am not going to do that to you. When you pick this van up there will be at least a half a tank of gas, maybe a little more. This is truly a no reserve auction. It goes to the highest bidder. Please send $200 within 24 hours of winning the auction. The rest must be cash when you pick the van up in order to get the title. I will not lend you my plates to drive it home so don't ask. I do have a safe place it can stay until you get your plates and registration. Good luck and I hope you win!