HELP; I just purchased a 'very nice looking' 2001 ZR2 BLAZER+

BUT 209,000 miles on it

++++ Yes 209,000 miles!!!! are these too many miles for a ZR2?

I drove it back home yesterday 250 miles, a/c works,4x4 works, all elecronics and gauges work, NO FLUID LEAKS.

I'm a little scared on the super high mileage 209,000++++ that it will turn into a money pit.

The guy I purchased it from said he purchased it in LONG ISLAND 13 months ago and drove it to Florida with no issues,

As far as this ZR2'S history, the seller said was that he purchased it from a fireman in NY, 13 months ago and that he put new brakes on it

He said he towed a 12 foot trailer loaded with all his stuff from NY to Florida with no issues speeds of 75mph with no issues.

AGAIN: WHAT SHOULD I LOOK AT, SO AS TO SEE IF THIS ZR2 BLAZER IS A MONEY PIT?

 

Trans

 

If the trans fluid is red and looks good don't touch it. If its dark and smells burnt. Trouble ahead. Really though some of these trucks go 400000

 

Time to give the trans a tuneup. TransGo or the like. Also a slightly bigger TV boost valve.

400,000 no way ? Just couldnt

 

I`d find out the history of trans fluid changes first

 

Our 2001 Blazer recently turned 200,000 miles. It had 69,000 when purchased in 2009. No trans problems. I have not changed the ATF, but probably should. I assumed it's never been changed.

Problems:

Most recently, LIM gasket change. Severe coolant leak into crankcase.
Cap and rotor change due to failure.

Fuel pump failure/changed around 100K. Probably due another.

Stopped up cat a year ago. Replaced.

Secondary Air Injection pump replaced 2 years ago.

Still have Cylinder 4 misfire I haven't yet figured out.

That is about it, except for very minor things.

EXCEPT... (I think I am going to post this separately) Brake Bolts/Control arms bolts breaking/loosening out.


I'll also post my two other GM cars with a similar transmission:

1995 Corvette: LT1 4L60E. Purchased new. The trans went out at 153,000 miles (3-4 clutch pack). I did years earlier autocross the car frequently which may have added to the failure. I rebuilt the 4L60 myself (first and only one - took me a year to do it!, Thank you corvetteforum!!!! and actually I think I found a rebuilt link to this site before I even got the Blazer) the car now have 254,000 miles. Need to change the ATF. Runs good.

1986 Z28 LG4 700R4. Purchased new. In 2007 the car had 336,000 miles on it. Nothing major had ever been fixed/rebuilt. It was stolen. Recovered two weeks later and the trans had/has a severe leak. I assumed the punks joyrode it and blew seal/seals. I did remove the trans and replaced the front seal and bushing. This slowed the leak, and it can be driven fine for about 10 miles until the ATF leaks out. It has more or less been parked since then. I need to rebuilt the tranny as I did the "Vette before this car, that I bought new as a teenager (now in my mid 40's) rust/rots away. Makes me mad I put that many miles on it and some punks that never got caught had the joy of breaking it!

 

i would change all fluids regardless of what previous owner says. he might of changed it but with what cheap stuff more then likely.
def do the trans fluid i do mine every 30k sometimes sooner depending on towing. just dropping the pan doesn't remove all the oil that's why i do it more often then not dropping the pan only removes about 4 quarts the trans holds about 13 total. letting trans oil go past 75k is not good IMO cheap insurance just to change it a drain bolt would be nice but i just siphon mine out of the check tube and refill