Life of a Blazer Engine

[CSmith1128]

Question...
I am thinking about getting a 1995 Blazer LT for a pretty good price.
However, the odometer reads 162000.
I am just using the car for short commutes to school and work every day.
It is in good condition.
I was just wondering what the average life on the engine and transmission are.
Also, how much do you think it would cost to replace both the transmission and engine if necessary? Just a rough estimate..


Thanks,
Chris

[mike2004tct]

Originally Posted by CSmith1128

Question...

Also, how much do you think it would cost to replace both the transmission and engine if necessary? Just a rough estimate..


Thanks,
Chris

Boy, this will bring responses from all corners. I'd say 200,000 miles is a respectable posibility. You'll get responses from people with 300K plus, but it
Really depends on how well the truck was maintained.
Boneyard units will run anywhere from $500.00 each to the sky is the limit. Rebuilts are minimum $2500.00 motor, $1500 tranny. If it's 4WD, expect to pay alot in Labor, or labor alot yourself.

As an example, my Daughter's '96 Sunfire 2.2L has 146K miles, wasn't too well maintained before we got it at 118K miles, and it's still going strong (doesn't use ANY oil, tranny is good)

Good Luck.

[ZL1power69]

yea 200,000 is a good rough number for the engine but ive seen them last up to 300,000+. trannys may need 1 rebuild between 100,000 and 200,000. transfer case on 4x4 models is about the same. life of the drivetrain depends on how the truck was maintained and what kind of abuse it took. around $3,000 would get you a rebuilt engine and tranny but used components from salvage yards are cheaper.

[wlsnoops]

One note: 95 Blazers use OBDI connectors to pull up engine codes, not OBDII. Thought it was worth mentioning.

[blazee]

It depends on when it was made. 95 was the transition year from OBDI to OBDII. There were three different computer configurations. Some had OBDI connectors and others had OBDII connectors.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by CSmith1128

Question...
I am thinking about getting a 1995 Blazer LT for a pretty good price.
However, the odometer reads 162000.
I am just using the car for short commutes to school and work every day.
It is in good condition.
I was just wondering what the average life on the engine and transmission are.
Also, how much do you think it would cost to replace both the transmission and engine if necessary? Just a rough estimate..


Thanks,
Chris

Don't do it.

A Blazer isn't a commuter vehicle. It is a money pit and will nickel and dime you to death.

Get a Civic or something easy to maintain or you will be sorry.

[goser]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Don't do it.

A Blazer isn't a commuter vehicle. It is a money pit and will nickel and dime you to death.

Get a Civic or something easy to maintain or you will be sorry.

I'd have to both agree and disagree with that. My Jimmy is my daily driver and has never let me down, as long as you spend the time and money every now and then to maintain it. Mind you, it's not quite as old as the one you're considering. It's been a heck of a lot better than my wife's pontiac, but we will be replacing that with a civic...

[BlazerLT]

It won't let you down, but any 4x4 (especially a Blazer) will need a lot of care and maintanence. This costs money.

for a student, get a cheap 4 cylinder and enjoy your youth instead of spending money on a vehicle.

[carls_98blazer]

Well the question you should ask yourself, do you need something thats four wheel drive? and what type of climate do you live in? and if you question the motor and trans then its not worth the time. I own a 98 2door and I use it as a daily driver and I live in MI, so I use the 4wd and dont go to school so if it breaks I have the money to fix it. so just use good judgement. and as for the life of the engine, trans, and transfercase they last for a good 200,000 so....

[TheBrettster]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Don't do it.

A Blazer isn't a commuter vehicle. It is a money pit and will nickel and dime you to death.

Get a Civic or something easy to maintain or you will be sorry.

I second this. I've had to to take my truck in many times for 4x4 related problems and i dont even use it. Plus the gas mileage SUCKS. But when everything is working right its not a bad truck at all.

[Cloud Strife]

I get about 21MPG highway with my 99'. I don't think that is too bad for this thing. And to top it off I found out my brakes were slightly stuck a couple weeks ago on my front end. So MPG may have suffered there.

[BlazerLT]

For sure, I get decent economy on the highway too, but in the city in stop and go, I got only 12.7mpg.

We have severe city driving here with more traffic lights than a christmas tree.

[BlazerLT]

Originally Posted by Cloud Strife

I get about 21MPG highway with my 99'. I don't think that is too bad for this thing. And to top it off I found out my brakes were slightly stuck a couple weeks ago on my front end. So MPG may have suffered there.

TRue, but with a properly tuned up Civic he could be getting 40mpg.

[DelCoch]

I will be the 3rd to nix the ‘95 4x4. The engine won’t be the problem. It will be all the sensors, fuel pump and other crap that will nickel and dime you to death. Count on the transmission to be rebuilt soon, unless it has already been done. Do a search on this board for ‘95’s and you’ll see what I’m talking about. 4x4’s are nice until it doesn’t work or when you’re driving down the highway and it jumps into 4x4 low for ya. Once these things get 10 years old they become a money pit, even if you can do all your own repairs. It’s not cheap with sensors, ignition switch, ignition coil, etc, going for 75 to 100 bucks a pop or more, and this is at the auto parts store. The dealer charges twice that, plus labor if you take it in.

For someone in school the ideal vehicle would be a small or medium sized car with front wheel drive. This would get you good gas mileage and around in light and moderate snow. When you get the heavy snow, the school will be closed anyway.

I know it’s fun to go out and play in the snow with a 4x4, but unless you have lots of money for repairs forget the ’95.

[pimprolla112]

Il agree my blazer has been a money pit mainly because the previous owner didnt do anything for maintnance. Ive already rebuilt the rear, new water pump, radiator, alternator and a few other small parts. It still had the original factory plugs, dizzy cap and rotor on it it was pretty bad lol. But i bought it with 98k about a year and a half ago, and now i just hit 133k miles. ANd thats after 7 months of down time thanks to the rear.

If my engine, trans or rear takes a crap then im going carbed 350 with a 4l60 and an eploder 8.8 rear.