95' S10 2.2L Issues

I own a blue 1995 S10 Extended Cab Pickup with the 2.2L I4 and a 5 speed tranny.

The engine and tranny are original with 98,000 miles on both with the original Clutch.

I was given the truck as my first vehicle about 2 years ago and have put 15,000 miles on it since then bringing it to 98,000.
The truck's previous owners being my mother and another hospice nurse took little care of it, since my purchase of it I've since remedied that.

The truck's problems are:
It pisses coolant like there is NO tomarrow, I can go through an entire reseviour and engine in about 2-4 days depending on use. Some have told me its a blown Head Gasket, other have told me its a freeze plug. I dont know, since my knowledge is limited to techincal information and almost zero acually experience. I thought it may have been the temp. housing but its ok.

The other problem is when I go to take off, putting it into first and floorring the gas, it stumbles for a few seconds then takes off. The engine will also randomly stumble while driving say in 4th gear doing 50mph. I believe it maybe a sticky butterfly valve in the intake, or a bad TB Sensor.

The truck is pushing no error codes, I've religiously taken care and maintained it, changing the oil once a week since it drinks it like gas but the car doesnt smoke.

Otherwise the truck runs very smooth and when it doesnt stumble it has some pretty good get up and go.
I just wish to confirm my friend's idea and my own since there is a strong possiblity we may rebuild the engine. I love this truck and have taken good care of it since I bought it. Nothing is aftermarket except the sound system.

I'm a poor college student who has about 2000 dollars for a rebuild down the road, a new car would be cheaper as the BB value of my truck is only $3,355. I love the truck, and want to keep it till It finally passes on to a better world. Anyhelp would be gratefully appriciated for helping a care newbie out.

Thanks guys.

Here is a picture of the truck with my friend david.
http://www.thesofafox.com/misc/tristans%20auto%20und%20ich.JPG

I've replaced the mirrors since the original ones have since fallen off due to the plastic spidering and breaking off.

I see your post is from 2am...insomnia?
I am looking to purchase a 2.2L 4-cyl.
so I am searching for what I can about gas milage, etc...but if you are loosing fluid...if you have water in the oil...white smoke vapor while you drive it...then that definately is a head gasket...keep asking questions and have others analyze your problem...looks like a great truck to me...seek and you shall find...

I see your post is from 2am...insomnia?
I am looking to purchase a 2.2L 4-cyl.
so I am searching for what I can about gas milage, etc...but if you are loosing fluid...if you have water in the oil...white smoke vapor while you drive it...then that definately is a head gasket...keep asking questions and have others analyze your problem...looks like a great truck to me...seek and you shall find...


Nope, the oil is not sludgy brown or filled with coolant. It just leaks coolant.. all the fuilds are clean.

all the fluids are clean...very good sign...

Yea. except for a little rust in the radiator everything is clean and healthy looking.. but it just leaks like there is no tomarrow.


I've checked all the pipes with the engine warmed up and running, they are fine.. The car is pushing no codes.. the radiator is not leaking.. but when you open the hood you can smell it instantly.. So, I think its squirting on the exhaust line/manafold.

The oil looks good, sometimes a little burnt but it has always been like that even before it started wetting itself.

Engine turns over everytime and starts with out a hitch.
Doesnt Smoke, or make any weird noises (Other than when it stumbles)

Thanks for your help so far. =)

Edit: It has overheated once when I was on the highway, but I pulled over instantly and refilled it.

Not to sound silly but from the rust in the water it sounds like could be just a clogged radiator. When the radiator starts to clog water does not pass very well through the cooling tubes especially the center part where the fan is pulling air through causing it to boil over. Usually it will actually boil over through the overflow tank. Had this happen on my honda and usually happens when water that is not distilled is added to the radiator. Tap water out of the garden hose will have high concentrations of salt and calcium. S-10 radiator is pretty cheap new so dont get a used one. Good luck.

Its not a 50/50 mix of coolant and water just for that very reason. I wanted to see if it was hard water build up, so I flush it and put just coolant in there to see if it was still having problems..

I have a 95 s-10 and had a busted head gasket. Leaked from back left side of engine. Hard to see at all. I hear it was real common with these engines. This was 4 yrs ago and cost just under $800 to repair. Other than that, it's been a great little truck.

wait, so your NOT using 50/50 mix? the reason 50/50 is used is because just antifreeze has a lower boiling point and higher freezing point than 50/50. using 50/50 or 54/46 (as in my s-10(its a '91)) provides the best performance. i dont use 54/46 because i dont feel like measuring it all out exactly and whatnot. especially cause i also had a leak for the past 6 months. i went through antifreeze like crazy too. bout a gallon every day. i suggest using luquid aluminim. worked for me. wasn't a radiator leak but it fixed it, i also had to tighten down the hoses all the time so i got new clamps and also had to get a new upper hose.
You could have fluid leaking at the water pump thats spraying on the block. that may be why you can't see where it's leaking from. i have a friend who had that problem. hope this helps :smile:

I did use the liquid al. but it lasted little less than a year.
I use about 40/60, I never go above 1/4 bar on the engine heat gauge even when driving it hard.
But its been confirmed, its the head gasket, it leaks on the rear side over the exgaust manifold; I can see it now. I have a friend who owes me a big favor and did alot of this kind of stuff in the army. He said we can either rebuild it, or drop a 4.3L into it.
I'm about 300miles shy of 99,000 now, my job requires alot of driving around (comp tech when not in school).

I know this is not the Vortec 2200 that comes in the newer models, then what is it? I was told it was a "Iron Duke", but researching told me those where in the early 90's and late 80's models only.

Thanks alot guys for helping a clueless newbie like me out.

If I was you rather than spending all that money now on a worn engine, I would just fix the one you have..If it hasnt got to hot then you probably haven't damaged anything. You can easily just replace the head gaskets and have the heads rebuilt at a local machine shop and probably have under 800 for all. This also by rebuilding the heads could fix the other problems and you should be able to put alot of miles 100,000 or so with little trouble. I doubt you have done any damage to justify rebuilding the entire engine unless it is leaking oil or has got so hot it warped the blocks deck. Nice looking truck though, I would keep your cost down now while in school and drop a V-8 in it when you get more time and money to spend on it.
Good Luck!!

mine leaked somewhere too and all i did was go to walmart and bought some bar's leak power and added that and filled up the rad and 2 days later it quit leakin anitfreeze...i was goin through a gallon every 2-3 days