Looking for a blazer.. any specifics to look for?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
Looking for a blazer.. any specifics to look for?
Going to get a 96-00 blazer for a daily driver. In my area the price range is typically $1500 - 3000 for these years and the mileage will vary from 115,00 to 200,000. Now I'm familiar with K5's but not these.. Is there anything specific that these S10's have issues with especially at this mileage range that I should look for when test driving them?
More specifically 96-00 4 door 4wd.
More specifically 96-00 4 door 4wd.
BF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,772
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
Plenty of common problems through those years. Keep in mind the front ends changed in 98, and again in 00, so that date range you've provided has 3 different styles.
As Kyle said do some reading around. Most common are 4x4 problems (not working, stuck in 4x4, not engaging etc), annoying rattles, abs/brake issues and a few others. There is TONS of info on this gen blazer.
As Kyle said do some reading around. Most common are 4x4 problems (not working, stuck in 4x4, not engaging etc), annoying rattles, abs/brake issues and a few others. There is TONS of info on this gen blazer.
BF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,772
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
This is a good place to start: https://blazerforum.com/forum/general-chat-34/list-common-annoying-s-10-blazer-quirks-5771/
It's an ongoing thread of common and annoying problems with the Blazer. Throughout those years though I'd have to say the most common is 4x4 issues. There are A LOT of problems with the 4x4 system on 2nd gen Blazers. Anything from bad encoder motors to bad TCCM's to vacuum issues etc. etc.
It's an ongoing thread of common and annoying problems with the Blazer. Throughout those years though I'd have to say the most common is 4x4 issues. There are A LOT of problems with the 4x4 system on 2nd gen Blazers. Anything from bad encoder motors to bad TCCM's to vacuum issues etc. etc.
Beginning Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 32
From: Salt Lake City
In general the ZR2's are built tougher, have a wider and taller stance, and are a bit more thirsty. In October of 2009 I found a 1996 clean one owner (base model blazer) 2 door MT 4wd for 1600 dollars. It had 148,000 miles on it but was really clean inside & under the hood. I had to put lower intake manifold gaskets in it, but other than that, it is a great little truck and it gets between 18 and 22 mpg (best mpg is at low highway speeds).
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 607
From: mass
Plenty of common problems through those years. Keep in mind the front ends changed in 98, and again in 00, so that date range you've provided has 3 different styles.
As Kyle said do some reading around. Most common are 4x4 problems (not working, stuck in 4x4, not engaging etc), annoying rattles, abs/brake issues and a few others. There is TONS of info on this gen blazer.
As Kyle said do some reading around. Most common are 4x4 problems (not working, stuck in 4x4, not engaging etc), annoying rattles, abs/brake issues and a few others. There is TONS of info on this gen blazer.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
In general the ZR2's are built tougher, have a wider and taller stance, and are a bit more thirsty. In October of 2009 I found a 1996 clean one owner (base model blazer) 2 door MT 4wd for 1600 dollars. It had 148,000 miles on it but was really clean inside & under the hood. I had to put lower intake manifold gaskets in it, but other than that, it is a great little truck and it gets between 18 and 22 mpg (best mpg is at low highway speeds).
I'll probably focus on the 98-99 year range.
Beginning Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 32
From: Salt Lake City
Lower Intake Manifold Gaskets
MudFrog,
I was lucky and heard the early warning signs in time to catch the problem before any real damage happened. My intake gasket was leaking coolant into my oil, and at start-up I heard a slight ticking sound. After two or three start-ups I checked the dipstick, noticed an increase in volume on the dipstick and water drops. Then looked into the radiator and yelled "Hello" to hear a faint echo ( coolant was low - oil level was high ). The ticking sound comes from the (heavier) water being pulled through the oil sump before the oil, once they get mixed in the system the ticking goes away. As far as a visual 'tell' ... I like to see an engine compartment that is relatively clean, meaning the previous owners lifted the hood, checked things often and did regular maintenance. Sometimes these intake gaskets leak externally, and the owner thinks it's a cracked block or a freeze plug has popped. Look at the ground where they normally park it. That will give you a lot of ( leak ) information. Take a look at my photo album, I have a few photos about the LIM work I did.
I was lucky and heard the early warning signs in time to catch the problem before any real damage happened. My intake gasket was leaking coolant into my oil, and at start-up I heard a slight ticking sound. After two or three start-ups I checked the dipstick, noticed an increase in volume on the dipstick and water drops. Then looked into the radiator and yelled "Hello" to hear a faint echo ( coolant was low - oil level was high ). The ticking sound comes from the (heavier) water being pulled through the oil sump before the oil, once they get mixed in the system the ticking goes away. As far as a visual 'tell' ... I like to see an engine compartment that is relatively clean, meaning the previous owners lifted the hood, checked things often and did regular maintenance. Sometimes these intake gaskets leak externally, and the owner thinks it's a cracked block or a freeze plug has popped. Look at the ground where they normally park it. That will give you a lot of ( leak ) information. Take a look at my photo album, I have a few photos about the LIM work I did.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4
MudFrog,
I was lucky and heard the early warning signs in time to catch the problem before any real damage happened. My intake gasket was leaking coolant into my oil, and at start-up I heard a slight ticking sound. After two or three start-ups I checked the dipstick, noticed an increase in volume on the dipstick and water drops. Then looked into the radiator and yelled "Hello" to hear a faint echo ( coolant was low - oil level was high ). The ticking sound comes from the (heavier) water being pulled through the oil sump before the oil, once they get mixed in the system the ticking goes away. As far as a visual 'tell' ... I like to see an engine compartment that is relatively clean, meaning the previous owners lifted the hood, checked things often and did regular maintenance. Sometimes these intake gaskets leak externally, and the owner thinks it's a cracked block or a freeze plug has popped. Look at the ground where they normally park it. That will give you a lot of ( leak ) information. Take a look at my photo album, I have a few photos about the LIM work I did.
I was lucky and heard the early warning signs in time to catch the problem before any real damage happened. My intake gasket was leaking coolant into my oil, and at start-up I heard a slight ticking sound. After two or three start-ups I checked the dipstick, noticed an increase in volume on the dipstick and water drops. Then looked into the radiator and yelled "Hello" to hear a faint echo ( coolant was low - oil level was high ). The ticking sound comes from the (heavier) water being pulled through the oil sump before the oil, once they get mixed in the system the ticking goes away. As far as a visual 'tell' ... I like to see an engine compartment that is relatively clean, meaning the previous owners lifted the hood, checked things often and did regular maintenance. Sometimes these intake gaskets leak externally, and the owner thinks it's a cracked block or a freeze plug has popped. Look at the ground where they normally park it. That will give you a lot of ( leak ) information. Take a look at my photo album, I have a few photos about the LIM work I did.
