Hi,
I've always wanted a blazer and I got round to buying one last week, a 2000 LT, one of the rare RHDs that were sold over here.

Unfortunately I drove it 10 miles, there developed a clicking sound in time with the engine and the engine smoked out and when I lifted the hood the oil cap exploded off.

After it was towed back to the garage it was told that the head gasket had gone, but didn't know why. He also said it was to much of a big job and he wasn't willing to "waste" his time doing it.

Any ideas what gone wrong? and it is a big job or could I have a go at overhauling the engine myself?

gordon

 

No idea. Sure you could do it yourself, pick up a chiltons manual. And if your mechanic said it was a waste of time, you need to find a new garage bub because he's worthless to you now.

 

Thanks, there doesn't appear to be a specific blazer chilton manual past the 83-93 model, but there is a "chevy engine overhaul manual", do you know if this covers the 4.3 vortec, or is there another manual you're aware of?

I'm excited now about getting to work on it, I love american engines (proper ones, not the 2L diesels that dodge put in there imports over here!)

 

Hi, I got a haynes manual which covers the V6 vortec manual, I think I got it off ebay, they are availible here in the UK. What you describe sounds like head gasket fail but, for a mechanic, that's a fairly straightforward, if a little labor intensive job. I'd find another mechanic, one who's not afraid of big ol' American engines !!

 

Hi - good to see another fellow right hand driver on here!
Have you done a compression test to confirm head gasket failure? Would pay to do that before you get anything stripped down. Could just be something simple like a blocked PCV valve? By what you're describing though it does point to head gasket - especially if the pressure is high enough to blow the oil filler cap off!
I have never touched the head gaskets on my Blazer but I have done the job on a friends S10 pickup, which has the exactly same engine. Believe it or not, once you get all the wiring & plumbing out of the way the V6 Vortec is a very orthodox engine. No cambelts or chains to have to take off as the camshaft is in the block between the cylinder banks. Wouldn't say the job was terribly difficult but it was VERY time consuming - allow a good long weekend for the job.
Take no notice of people who say "I bet you have trouble getting parts for that" - I get it all the time, you've just got to know where to go.
If you need any parts I would personally recommend US Automotive in Bedford - 01234 273155. They keep most service items on the shelf + anything else you need they get very quickly. I broke my drivers side mirror a while ago & they got one from the USA for me within a week. I needed an exhaust silencer - ordered it & it came the next day! I have used them regularly & their service & knowledge is second to none. If you give them your VIN they will know everything your vehicle has.
If you need any other help please just ask.
By the way - I have a spare Haynes manual - it's got a few oily fingerprints on it but if you PM me your address i'll send it to you free of charge.

 

thanks a lot, I've found a chilton manual, its was headed under the "s series picks and suvs"

a friend of mines going to do it for me, apparently the water pump failed and emptied the engine of water and so the engine was running dry, so the gaskets blew.

 

Sounds good - hopefully you'll be back on the road soon - they're great vehicles, i'm well pleased with mine. Have had a few small wear & tear problems but apart from that it's a pleasure to own + they're a bit different as there's not many on the road over here.