i have a 2000 blazer lt and everytime i check the oil with the engine at operating temp (200-210) steam comes from the dipstick, and i lose coolant at a slow rate. i am thinking it is a IM gasket. i am kinda looking for conformation on this. i tried searching like crazy so either i am not a search guru like all you guys are, or its not on here.

thanks in advance

james

 

It could be LIM or one of a few other items. Is there coolant in the oil? Is the oil milky?

 

see that is the thing that gets me about it is that the oil is not milky, and there is only enough steam everytime to weep out for around 5 seconds so about the entire tube and there is no pressure behind it just flows out with slow and steady.

i forgot to mention that there is a slight clean spot below the water pump but not enough to explain where all of my coolant is going, i crawled around under that thing for an hour today looking for anything.

i was wondering if there is a way that water could go past the seal of the shaft on the inside of it and then seep into the block in some way or another?

 

No, the shaft is in no proximity. Some bolts go through into the crankcase but are sealed, and to weep that much would be a huge stretch anyway.
The oil doesnt get 'milky' until the engine is ruined.
First....
Deposit on top of dipstick, oil filler cap and on bottom of PCV valve?
Either condensate due to predominate short trip driving or coolant leak.

First thing in morning drain a little oil. Any water/coolant in it answers the question.
Dont wait around your bearing are being eaten with every trip.

Let's face it... on each and every 4.3L vortec the lower intake manifold gaskets WILL fail sooner or later. Just like early nineties Ford TBird 3.8 head gaskets. Found that out with my first, I bought two more.

 

ok thanks petty. i will do that tomorrow, and see if its in there.

 

The big difference the Chevy can be fixed with upgraded gaskets. The 3.8 Ford not only leaks from head gaskets & breaks heads. Then when you fix it you still have a Ford. Ha Ha

 

I had an 89 Jimmy 4.3 that lost coolant as a mystery. Under warranty, dealer futzed a long time changing coolant overflow tank/hoses and thermo gasket. Still coolant loss.

I pointed out excess steam from the tailpipe. Told dealer time to open the engine. Found a hairline crack in engine block lifter valley. Engine warmed up, crack expands a little. Steam escapes, PCV valve sucks up steam. Vapors go out the tail pipe.

Basically had an alcohol injection going into the throttle body! LOL Had the cleanest PCV valve too.

Engine block was replaced under warranty.