1997 Blazer...service engine soon light is on also...this thing sucks gas...

Dano2 · 02-08-2005, 10:43 AM

Hi, Im a newbie to this board and to the 97 blazer we bought about 7 months ago. Excellent condition, drives nice.
However after many trips to the gas station it looks like this thing eats gas like there's no tomorrow. I'm scratching my head at this because you see people driving these things like they are sports cars. We estimate its getting about 10-12 miles in the city, it was better on the highway.
Does this sound right? I called a Chev dealer, talked to a service guy, he said depending on the gear ratio, he had one the same year, gas sucked he said, couldn't do much about it, however on another year the gear ratio being different his other one got better mileage. Any truth here? and how do I find this info out? Any other suggestions on this gas guzzler?
Also just this morning the service engine soon light came on, another thing to piss me off

Can you diagnose this yourself with those gadgets you can buy? or best off taking it in? thanks for any info...

regards....dano2

scholzee · 02-08-2005, 11:18 AM

I have a 96 2dr 4x4 and with 75 % highway 25 % city I get a steady 18.5 mpg in the summer. In the winter with my remote start and 4x4 use same type of driving I have not seen lower than 15 mpg. The only time I can even come close to 10-12 is with my plow on, 4x4 in use and plowing. Something is wrong and Autozone can read the code for free but do not buy anything from there yet, post the code here and some people will try to guide you in the right direction.

Skeeter6755 · 02-08-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dano2

Hi, Im a newbie to this board and to the 97 blazer we bought about 7 months ago. Excellent condition, drives nice.
However after many trips to the gas station it looks like this thing eats gas like there's no tomorrow. I'm scratching my head at this because you see people driving these things like they are sports cars. We estimate its getting about 10-12 miles in the city, it was better on the highway.
Does this sound right? I called a Chev dealer, talked to a service guy, he said depending on the gear ratio, he had one the same year, gas sucked he said, couldn't do much about it, however on another year the gear ratio being different his other one got better mileage. Any truth here? and how do I find this info out? Any other suggestions on this gas guzzler?
Also just this morning the service engine soon light came on, another thing to piss me off

Can you diagnose this yourself with those gadgets you can buy? or best off taking it in? thanks for any info...

regards....dano2

Since you have a "Check Engine" light, it is best to go to Autozone and get the codes read for free. Come back here and post the exact codes, not what "they" say it is.

Dano2 · 02-08-2005, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter6755

Since you have a "Check Engine" light, it is best to go to Autozone and get the codes read for free. Come back here and post the exact codes, not what "they" say it is.

There are not any Autozones in my area but found a store that will do the code check. I will let you know what it is asap. Thanks for the replies. Also, I wanted to mention, the service engine soon light just started this morning, but the bad gas mileage has been going on since we had it, is there going to be anything I can do about the gas mileage or could there be something actually wrong with the engine that gives it terrible gas mileage?

thanks....

BlazerLT · 02-08-2005, 01:37 PM

Get the code number please, the EXACT code.

Also, might be time to do a proper tuneup.

Dano2 · 02-10-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Get the code number please, the EXACT code.

Also, might be time to do a proper tuneup.

OK, so before I got a chance to get the code checked out, the service engine soon light went out and has not come back on since yet.
Untill it does I guess I cannot get that checked out right? Any suggestions on the poor gas mileage? tune up? any thing else I can do to improve the gas? thanks...

blazee · 02-10-2005, 12:51 PM

The code is stored for a while after the light goes out.

BlazerLT · 02-10-2005, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dano2

OK, so before I got a chance to get the code checked out, the service engine soon light went out and has not come back on since yet.
Untill it does I guess I cannot get that checked out right? Any suggestions on the poor gas mileage? tune up? any thing else I can do to improve the gas? thanks...

The code will be stored in the computer's memory.

You don't have to have the light on to get the codes.

Go get the codes scanned and come back here with the actual number.

Do not do anything until you do that.

Dano2 · 02-10-2005, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

The code will be stored in the computer's memory.

You don't have to have the light on to get the codes.

Go get the codes scanned and come back here with the actual number.

Do not do anything until you do that.

ok, will do, thanks, and by the way your black blazer is killer looking...

BlazerLT · 02-10-2005, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dano2

ok, will do, thanks, and by the way your black blazer is killer looking...

Hey, thanks a lot!

Labor of love.

Dano2 · 02-11-2005, 03:18 PM

I am going to try and get the code checked out this weekend. In the meantime what is all I need to do a tune up myself besides plugs and wires? thanks...thought while I was the store I might get what I need since I have no idea when the last time this thing was tuned....

BlazerLT · 02-11-2005, 03:48 PM

AC Delco Platinum Plugs
Ac Delco Wires
Fuel Filter
PCV valve
Air Filter

Maybe service your transmiision with new fluid and filter and then replace your transfer case and differential fluids.

Dano2 · 02-11-2005, 04:30 PM

kool, thanks....

BlazerLT · 02-11-2005, 05:49 PM

Make sure you use ONLY AC Delco Plaitnum plugs and gap them to 0.060

Dano2 · 02-12-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

Make sure you use ONLY AC Delco Plaitnum plugs and gap them to 0.060

ok, so I spent today doing the tune up.
-PCV valve, replaced, easy
-air filter, easy job
-oil and oil filter while I was at it.
-AC D Plugs and wires, here I had some trouble

Got all the wires and plugs in except one plug, the middle one
on the driver side. Seems the steering wheel drive shaft or whatever
you call it is directly in the way, I found I can get the plug socket on
it reaching through the wheel well but there is only about 1/2 inch clearance and no way to get the wrench on it. How in the heck do you
get that one out??? I couldn't do it, so its still in. Is there a special tool to buy?

No for the gas filter, I disconnected it alright. Mine has a black bracket around it, it wouldnt slip out of it, I found a small screw with my hand just above it , removed it, but that did nothing, is there a secret there as well? all in all everything else I got done.

Tomorrow Im going to go get that code checked and post it.

If anyone has the solution for my above problems please let me know...my hands and arms are so sore....thanks again...dano

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