Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet C10 or the Chevrolet C10?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Chevrolet C10 is cheaper to maintain — about $4,323 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 4.3L V6 and the 5.7L V8 Vortec 5700?

Across 39 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Chevrolet C10 or Chevrolet C10?

The Chevrolet C10 has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Chevrolet C10 has 6 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1989 Chevrolet C10 vs 1998 Chevrolet C10 — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1989

1998

Engine

4.3L V6

5.7L V8 Vortec 5700

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

manual

automatic

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$36,672

0.61 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$40,995

0.68 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEChevrolet C10 — Saves you $4,323 over 5 years (12% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

8.0 hrs$14,880 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$17,760 / 5yr

Tire rotation

2.0 hrs$2,400 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$2,880 / 5yr

Wiper blades

3.0 hrs$1,920 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$2,280 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

4.0 hrs$1,875 / 5yr

4.8 hrs$2,235 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

8.0 hrs$1,235 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$1,475 / 5yr

PCV valve

8.0 hrs$1,220 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$1,460 / 5yr

Fuel filter

2.5 hrs$810 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$960 / 5yr

Front brake pads

2.0 hrs$760 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$880 / 5yr

TH700R4 Transmission Overheating and Failure

— hrs$1,625 / 5yr

— hrs

Rear brake pads

2.0 hrs$740 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$860 / 5yr

Differential fluid

2.0 hrs$680 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$800 / 5yr

Engine air filter

2.0 hrs$660 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$780 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

2.0 hrs$630 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$750 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

8.0 hrs$504 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$600 / 5yr

Coolant flush

3.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$590 / 5yr

12V battery

2.0 hrs$500 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$560 / 5yr

Power steering flush

2.5 hrs$395 / 5yr

3.0 hrs$470 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

8.0 hrs$387 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$459 / 5yr

6.2L Detroit Diesel Injection Pump and Glow Plug System Failures

— hrs$700 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil pan gasket

8.0 hrs$313 / 5yr

9.6 hrs$373 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.5 hrs$305 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$350 / 5yr

Rear Main Seal and Oil Pan Gasket Leaks

— hrs$650 / 5yr

— hrs

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure / Cooler Contamination

— hrs

— hrs$650 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

3.0 hrs$285 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$330 / 5yr

Vortec Intake Manifold Gasket Leak

— hrs

— hrs$520 / 5yr

Water pump

3.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$231 / 5yr

Upper Ball Joint Wear

— hrs

— hrs$423 / 5yr

Spider Fuel Injector Failure (CSFI System)

— hrs

— hrs$385 / 5yr

Thermostat

3.0 hrs$172 / 5yr

3.6 hrs$203 / 5yr

Worn Engine and Transmission Mounts

— hrs$358 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel Pump Failure

— hrs

— hrs$358 / 5yr

Alternator

2.0 hrs$150 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$165 / 5yr

Throttle Body Injection System Carbon Buildup and Leaking Injectors

— hrs$309 / 5yr

— hrs

Small Block Chevy Intake Manifold Gasket Failure

— hrs$298 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel Pump Failure and Rusty Fuel Tank

— hrs$289 / 5yr

— hrs

Ignition coil

1.5 hrs$122 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$140 / 5yr

Starter motor

2.0 hrs$100 / 5yr

2.4 hrs$112 / 5yr

EVAP Vent Solenoid and Fuel Tank Pressure Sensor Failure

— hrs

— hrs$195 / 5yr

Distributor Cap/Rotor and Optispark Distributor Issues (5.7L)

— hrs

— hrs$61 / 5yr

Active Recalls

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

6 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEChevrolet C10 — 6 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Chevrolet C10

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant16.00 qt · GM 6277M / ASTM D3306

engine_oil7.50 qt · API SN

power_steering1.00 qt · GM P/S Fluid

rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto11.50 qt · GM DEXRON-III

washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated

Chevrolet C10

brake · ACDelco DOT 4 Brake Fluid

coolant18.00 qt · ACDelco DEX-COOL (Orange)

engine_oil5.00 qt · 5W-30

power_steering1.00 qt · ACDelco Power Steering Fluid

rear_diff2.00 qt · ACDelco 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil

transmission_auto11.50 qt · ACDelco Dexron VI ATF

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1989 Chevrolet C10

4.3L V6

Chevrolet C10 is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$4,323 over 5 years)
Chevrolet C10 has 6 fewer open NHTSA recalls

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.