I have a 2002 blazer with a 4.2. I noticed about 3 weeks ago the temp gauge running at about 210 while on vacation. After returning home and driving in town a few days, the gauge went to 240. I turned on the heater and managed to get it to drop back to 210 and got it home. I noticed after turning off the engine anti freeze was pouring out of the bottom right in the middle of the engine area. I assumed I had a bad water pump so i sent it to the repair shop. They quoted me 350.00. 2 days later they call me back and tell me that nothing is wrong with the water pump and i need a timing cover. I was told that the water pump attaches to the timing cover and it was messed up. New total to fix 1,000. I have no reason to not trust this mechanic as he has worked on my cars for several years but my question is: Has anyone heard of this problem and is it really that expensive to repair? Thanks for any advice or info

 

Labor Information Skill Level Mfg. Warranty Standard Timing Cover Gasket
Replace
Front Cover Gasket
B 7.3 9.8 Notes NOTE
With AC, Add
B 0.2 0.8 Notes With Skid Plate
B 0.2 0.4 Notes

Ahhhh.. I dont wanna screw with formatting but basic shop book.. a little over 10 hours

Drain refill coolant
Compressor move
water pump
Crank pulley
Timing cover

Frankly I dont think it should take that long, I did my Taurus 3.0 in about 7 hours and that included pulling the pan. Perhaps that's required here, too.. which would explain it.

 

*Moving to GMT360/370 Tech* - Since this is a Trailblazer.

I have only ever read of this once on any of the forums I took part in while I owned my 2004 Buick Rainier (same thing as Trailblazer with different bodywork & slightly different interior). There are no TSBs on this.

I doubt it would take 10 hours to do, but if a shop charges book time, that would be what they would charge. Right or wrong.