How many miles does your original Vortec V6 have?
#1
08-23-2011, 09:44 AM
How many miles does your original Vortec V6 have?
I have a 2001 4DR 2WD that has had just about all of the common issues associated with these Blazers. I have spent much $ and time on the things I can repair myself( intake manifold gaskets(twice), fuel pump/sending unit,radiator, water pump,door hinges, etc. etc etc). The transmission was rebuilt 2 years ago by a transmission shop. The truck has 172K miles. I keep the oil changed regularly. My question is, how many miles can I expect to get on this original motor before I am going to have to spend a great deal on it?
I am at a crossroads on whether to sell the vehicle, which is worth less than the money I have spent on it, or keep it and hope for the best.
Any advice or info with your experience is greatly appreciated.
I am at a crossroads on whether to sell the vehicle, which is worth less than the money I have spent on it, or keep it and hope for the best.
Any advice or info with your experience is greatly appreciated.
#2
08-23-2011, 10:20 AM
I am currently just under 208K and still running strong. Just keep up on the maintainence and don't abuse it and you should be able to a few more miles out of it.
That being said, I will likely be rebuilding/replacing the engine BEFORE I have it break down on me. I will also be rebuilding the tranny soon. Just need to get out to west Texas one of these days.
That being said, I will likely be rebuilding/replacing the engine BEFORE I have it break down on me. I will also be rebuilding the tranny soon. Just need to get out to west Texas one of these days.
#3
08-23-2011, 10:30 AM
The fact you ask says to me you really may not want to keep it. And it's a little late when it comes to the miles you've put on it.
I'm posting from general automotive knowledge concerning my other cars all of which tend to go high-miles because I get the most value per dollar spent. Recently retired a TBird at 300K, and a taurus at 220 K {because wife hit something AGAIN resulting in 3rd loss of trans fluid}
First: Those miles tell me you do a fair amount of distance driving. For engine longevity I would have recommended Mobil 1 and screw the 3000 mi schedule. Up to 10000 is fine for a long commute car.
If almost all driving is grocery getter, then I'd say Valvoline and every three months. NEVER that highly advertised geographic reference oil but if you ARE using that brand and switch to Mobil 1, Change filter at 1000 then oil and filter at 3000 first pass.
Second: You had your trans rebuilt already. Key is WHERE you had it done. Sorry to say that some well known shops have that down to a science and if done there look for another at about 45,000.
- That is on hearsay from others. I've never had a 'normal' trans failure on a car I drove for any period of time. But I quit trusting 'rebuilt' long ago when seeing others' experiences.
Tell you what.. I NEVER will have a trans flush on any trans older than 50,000 mi. And if I change the filter, I'll do it myself so I dont get a surprise in about two weeks. Increasing size of trans cooler is best bet.
Third: What about suspension? Ball Joints Bushings Bearings etc.
I'm posting from general automotive knowledge concerning my other cars all of which tend to go high-miles because I get the most value per dollar spent. Recently retired a TBird at 300K, and a taurus at 220 K {because wife hit something AGAIN resulting in 3rd loss of trans fluid}
First: Those miles tell me you do a fair amount of distance driving. For engine longevity I would have recommended Mobil 1 and screw the 3000 mi schedule. Up to 10000 is fine for a long commute car.
If almost all driving is grocery getter, then I'd say Valvoline and every three months. NEVER that highly advertised geographic reference oil but if you ARE using that brand and switch to Mobil 1, Change filter at 1000 then oil and filter at 3000 first pass.
Second: You had your trans rebuilt already. Key is WHERE you had it done. Sorry to say that some well known shops have that down to a science and if done there look for another at about 45,000.
- That is on hearsay from others. I've never had a 'normal' trans failure on a car I drove for any period of time. But I quit trusting 'rebuilt' long ago when seeing others' experiences.
Tell you what.. I NEVER will have a trans flush on any trans older than 50,000 mi. And if I change the filter, I'll do it myself so I dont get a surprise in about two weeks. Increasing size of trans cooler is best bet.
Third: What about suspension? Ball Joints Bushings Bearings etc.
#5
08-23-2011, 11:49 AM
Thank you both, AJBert and pettyfog.
The vehicle has been driven 99% of the time by my wife, who is very conscientious of the maintenance schedule, and has never abused the truck. Most of the 172K miles have been daily commutes of about 50 miles round trip. We recently purchased a new vehicle for her to drive daily, but she is very attached to the Blazer and doesn't want us to sell it, but I feel it has been a "money pit" and will continue to be so. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a "Chevy/GM Man", having owned several. I'm afraid we just got a lemon on this one.
Again, thank you both for the info and advice.
The vehicle has been driven 99% of the time by my wife, who is very conscientious of the maintenance schedule, and has never abused the truck. Most of the 172K miles have been daily commutes of about 50 miles round trip. We recently purchased a new vehicle for her to drive daily, but she is very attached to the Blazer and doesn't want us to sell it, but I feel it has been a "money pit" and will continue to be so. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a "Chevy/GM Man", having owned several. I'm afraid we just got a lemon on this one.
Again, thank you both for the info and advice.
#6
08-23-2011, 12:10 PM
Thank you both, AJBert and pettyfog.
The vehicle has been driven 99% of the time by my wife, who is very conscientious of the maintenance schedule, and has never abused the truck. Most of the 172K miles have been daily commutes of about 50 miles round trip. We recently purchased a new vehicle for her to drive daily, but she is very attached to the Blazer and doesn't want us to sell it, but I feel it has been a "money pit" and will continue to be so. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a "Chevy/GM Man", having owned several. I'm afraid we just got a lemon on this one.
Again, thank you both for the info and advice.
The vehicle has been driven 99% of the time by my wife, who is very conscientious of the maintenance schedule, and has never abused the truck. Most of the 172K miles have been daily commutes of about 50 miles round trip. We recently purchased a new vehicle for her to drive daily, but she is very attached to the Blazer and doesn't want us to sell it, but I feel it has been a "money pit" and will continue to be so. Don't get me wrong, I have always been a "Chevy/GM Man", having owned several. I'm afraid we just got a lemon on this one.
Again, thank you both for the info and advice.
Thing is every vehicle has its quirks and weak points.. staying on top of them is the key.
I happen to love MN12 3.8L Tbirds..had three in a row, but only bought them at over 120K because the head gaskets go on every one of them.. and usually first gear shift piston does too.
In fact I got screwed on my first one, crankcase was filled with 90W oil because the bearings were shot. Used Mobil1 10w 50 and drove the car 70,000 miles without opening the engine.
Second one.. bought for 800 bucks because it had trans slip probs in hot weather. Put on trans cooler and dumped in Lucas and drove it 150,000 more miles and never opened the trans.. and only added maybe 2 quarts in all that time.
