I just bought a 2000 Chevy Blazer, for cheap $, and now find it has multiple issues. I'm going through worst fixes first. I can't do most myself, unfortunately, so I'm wondering what is reasonable repair cost. Got FR wheel bearings done for $350. Ok with that. Now, has a broken driver's side rear shackle (separated!). My main trusted mechanic doesn't do those, so referred me to a different shop. So that shop I brought it to says it can't be fixed easily because the bolts are frozen in with rust and must be cut out, and the fuel lines are inches away. He said they can't do it- take it to a body shop, they may have to remove some parts of the engine to gain access, and disconnect fuel lines before repair. Sounds very expensive- how much is it going to cost me?

I was very enthusiastic about finding a Blazer in what appeared to be such good shape- now I'm looking at $1400 in repairs and up!? Frustrated... Any advice would be very helpful. My first Blazer.

2000 Chevy Blazer LS; 209,000 miles

Other issues: Rear shocks, idler arm, oil cooler lines leaking, Evap code PO442 [ CEL on, already got OEM gas cap, not fixed ], needs new tires, leaking power steering fluid, radio only works intermitently, needs inspected [ had inspection sticker-faked!!- when i bought it! very disappointed in seller. > ]

Many thanks to any for encouragement or comments, or reasonable price quotes on repairs- really need reliable transportation, wanted to take her camping in the summer, nothing too harsh I'm asking of her. Thank you!

 

Sounds like it might be more trouble than it's worth. if you got it cheap you may just want to sell it for parts or part it out yourself. There could be much more wrong with it that just hasn't shown up yet especially with a fake inspection sticker.

 

Hi! Thanks for your honest opinion, but due to my financial situation I am going to have to fix it as much as possible to use it for now, even if I end up getting rid of it down the road.

I didn't mention the good- interior's great, body solid almost no rust, engine strong, ball joints solid, coolant system fine. So there's some to work with I think. My mechanic gave it a thorough once-over and didn't find anything else I didn't mention earlier.

Still haven't got the shackle done yet, the place says may need bushing replaced at the same time. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks for any input!

 

Try putting a large 'O' ring in the old gas cap and see if the P0442 goes away. I have a previously posted thread on that. The 'O' at NAPA is inexpensive and if you have the receipt, you can take it back to the store for a refund.

 

Link to thread or part# please!!!

 

I found it ,but it wasn't easy. Me and the 'search' tool don't get along.
It was posted in 08-04-2014 and OP wasn't me. I hope it was copied correctly.


Go Back Blazer Forum - Chevy Blazer Forums > Mechanical & Maintenance > General Tech Help > 2nd Gen S-series (1995-2005) Tech
Reload this Page P442 Quick Question

Okay, it didn't copy well. The title you want is 'P442 Quick Question' and the poster was joe ..........Note--When you try to highlight the title, it tries to go to the forum and will not let you highlight.
Here's a recap of what I said: Go to NAPA and take your gas cap in. Better yet, remove the old O ring with a pick. As you will see when you remove the original OEM O ring, it is a complex ring with a groove in the side. The new O ring from NAPA will have the traditional round cross section, but will seal just fine. Mine has worked from 08- 2014 to 03-2915. It was less than 0.80 cents! 0.74 IIRC. That is a lot cheaper than a new gas cap. It is worth the 'buy and try' because if it doesn't work, you don't have much invested.

 

Here is more on that thread started by 'joejiz' in 08-04-14. Here is my post re: the NAPA 'O' ring.
The traditional glib answer for a P0442 EVAP system small leak is to 'tighten the gas cap.' That's good advice ONLY if you fail to completely tighten the cap after filling the tank. Most people don't do this , esp. those on this forum. I have a better answer. Replace the big 'O' ring on the gas cap. My 2003 gas cap had a cracked O ring. I went to the NAPA parts and got them to look in the O ring drawer for the largest one they had and it fit perfectly. Carefully remove the old O ring with a pick. Then install the new O ring. Then erase the DTC code and drive it. NAPA charged me 0.74 cents for this. Lot's cheaper than buying a new gas cap. My DTC hasn't come back on.
-----BTW still hasn't come back on since install as of 03-25-15

 

Hi jimspahr@msn.com thanks so much for the valuable info. I will try the O ring strategy- though I already bought a $15 gas cap so I would think the O ring was good on it.. But I 'll check it out! Thanks.

I have a new problem- the heat suddenly stopped working. I should say, the blower- I can feel the heat coming out of the vents but the blower is not functioning to blow the air out and around. It's too cold in upstate NY for that! So I'm going to have to get that fixed. Thinking maybe it's a fuse but not sure where box is located. Will also double check coolant and oil, but I check those almost daily so don't think it's that. Any suggestions?

Thanks and have a great day and hope it's warm where you are...

 

Hi all, just fyi I checked for anyone else having blower issues and wow! lots of info. So I'm browsing around there to figure it out. Thanks!!

 

Jon, please put your SUV's vital statistics in the signature so we know what you have w/o
going back to your first post to find it. Thanks. The location is nice, too. and often pertinent. I didn't know you had already installed the gas cap. I was hoping to save you some ca$h for other projects. After you have done all these projects you will have bonded with the little devil created by GM and will not be able to give it up. The heater blower in many GM cars is under the dash, but I believe in the Blazer I read it is under the hood on the pass. side.
The fuse panel in my 03 is on the left side of the dash and has one plastic wing nut you turn 1/4 turn. This is with the door open, of course. The other fuse panel with relays is under the hood on the drivers side. It has a plastic knurled *** to turn out. On both the layout of the fuses is on the inside of the removable tops.