My 2001 Blazer LS (4.3 vortec) is having a couple of issues today.

Yesterday on the Highway the fuel pump died and I had to get it towed to the shop. They're quoting me $870!!! to replace the pump, for that price I'd rather just take the extra time and do it myself.

Aside from that, it is losing oil. I've been driving it quite a bit, over 300 miles /wk to get back and forth to work and the shop told me that there was no oil on the dipstick and they had to put 2 quarts in.

The truck isn't leaking at all, the parking spot is always clean. This is the second time this has happened within the last two months. Last time the oil
got so low that I started to lose pressure. (I guess I should start checking my oil every day)

Has anyone had this happen before? Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

Check your cooling system. I had the same issue, turns out the oil was escaping into my coolant.

If it is, it could be one of 3 issues. Most likely LIM, possibly Head Gasket, and far less likely, oil cooler.

Hope this helps!

 

Your oil could be seeping into your exhaust.
You might possibly have bad oil rings on your piston.

Have you watched your exhaust lately...notice any change in color coming out?

 

Thanks for the responses.

I'll check out the exhaust once I get it running again and I'll double check the cooling system. I just put in a new radiator and oil cooler lines.

 

how many miles? 4.3s, and mostly 6 cylinders in general, at a certain point will start burning oil. ive had to 4.3s do it to me.

 

Currently about 135k. My initial plan will be to put some nice high mileage oil in it and see if it helps at all, I think the gaskets are getting old. Valvoline MaxLife is supposed to have some additives to help swell up the gaskets a bit.

 

run a heavier weight oil to, itll slow it down a little bit. 135k is not a lot though so I couldn't imagine it would be using it.

 

156k on our '96 4.3 and it doesn't even use a 1/2qt between 5000mi oil changes.

I'd go MaxLife (I use Rotella T6) w/ a NAPA Gold filter.

 

check your pcv valve