What year is the worst year for the Blazer ?

[Jeremy Fitch]

96 LT 4 Door 4x4, 146k miles. Truck is used for a work truck, has many miles on dirt and gravel roads as I work in the mining industry.

Intake Gasket
Engine Rebuild - (In Process Now)
U-Joints - 1 Front and 1 Rear
Pinion Seal
Belt Tensioner
AC Compressor Bearing
Idlier Pully and Bearing
Battery
Plug Wires, Distrubitor Cap and Button, Spark Plugs, and Radiator Hoses - Will be done while engine is pulled for rebuild.
ABS Module - Was Under Warrenty
Fuel Tank
Front Brake Calipers
Front Sway Bar Bushings

Plus your routine maintiance, oil changes, lube, gear oil, and filters.

[joeuser742]

I can't say for sure what the worst year is, but I just bought a 98 4WD about a year ago and seems like I'm always working on it. 107,000 miles. Sounds like there is a range of years that the Blazer needed a good amount of repairs.

The transmission was rebuilt just before I got it.
Upper and lower ball joints.
Inner and outer tie rods.
Pitman and idler arms.
Upper and lower control arm bushings.
Pulse board.
Multifunction/turn signal switch.
Oil filter relocate lines.
Rear main seal.
And the regular maintenance. (Plugs, wires, oil, ...).
I had/have a problem with the 4WD not disengaging, but have narrowed it down to 2 things.
I also had a problem with the ABS light coming on, turned out to be a bad ground wire, but still was some work to figure it out.
I am noticing that the door is starting to sag also.

[BeachJester]

From what everyone is saying it sounds like 95's were bad news.

Myself, I just traded in my wonderful blue 89 two door 2WD, and it was tough to do. I had it from May of 98 until a month ago, it had 176,000 miles on it when I did so, and in my 7.5 years of ownership, other than basic maintenance, replaced only the starter, two water pumps, and the muffler. Not bad for the mileage and the fact that it was the vehicle I used to travel the country for a year and a half. Mechanically, she was a ROCK. Alas, NONmechanically, she was having some issues...i.e., paint, power windows, liftgate hatch, etc. But as wonderful as she was, it was time to move on. And what did I get? A blue, two door, 2WD 2000 Blazer, of course. And in the first month, she has been great!

Anyway, I am brand new here, and while I am not a mechanic (other than changing the oil or a tire, I am clueless when it comes to such things), I do enjoy talking to people about their vehicles, especially when it happens to be the same one I have! (My stepsister, coincidentally, has a 90 Blazer.)

Remember...friends don't let friends drive Fords.

:-)

Jester

[dhodson2004]

1991 S-10 Blazer 4x4 4.3L 4dr

Besides the fluids being changed, I have a list of things fixed and needing to be done. Things fixed: Alternator, waterpump, shocks, upper/lower ball joints, tires, belt 3 times, rebuilt front differential, heater core, master cylinder, brakes, rear seatbelts 3 times, 4WD cable, body mounts, upper control arms, instrument cluster 3 times, I know I am forgetting a few. Things to be done: Possible rear main seal, rear seatbelts again, rear wiper motor, driver's door, glove box door, tires, rear window shocks, steering box, left front fender rotted out, rear differential rebuild, again, I am forgetting some.

I chose '94 but I would have chosen the '91 if it were listed.

[hawkss03]

there is no bad year every make and model of vehicle have bad apples there is no exception no matter who tells ya you guys just got unlucky just type in google any make any model or year and they all have same type of comments about thier car or truck no car maker is any different in that department!

[kb3jhp]

Originally Posted by herkyhawki

"94 big faults in the earlier Linear EGR's. Also bad cause it still used R-12 Freon. I think it was the only production vehicle using R-12 in 1994.

damn eco freaks

[kb3jhp]

Originally Posted by BlazerLT

No, there was nothing wrong with the dexcool then either.

The sludge was caused from air getting into the cooling system from the poor cap which is just as shitty as any other year due to the fibrous rubber gasket which will harden and fail.

no dexcool suxs green holds up much better

[kb3jhp]

yes the 2.8 were very bad engens gms worst it competed with the ford 2.9 wich was a great engen ungel got 800000 on his all origneal and trans also on the 4.3 when they added the ballance shafts

[hi-tech]

'88 and '89 - hands down. I was a Chevy Master Tech back then. Talking to a field rep one day, he tells us a little bit about the numbers that Corp pays attention to. He explains that when warranty cost per vehicle gets up to $100, head roll. In 88 and 89, warranty cost per vehicle for S-10 p/u and Blazers was nearly $900. YIKES!!

[BlazinMlew]

I am really starting to not like my 00. 2x wheel bearings and some nasty creaking in the front suspension (still dont know what it is) and now this tranny problem.

[joeuser742]

Originally Posted by hi-tech

'88 and '89 - hands down. I was a Chevy Master Tech back then. Talking to a field rep one day, he tells us a little bit about the numbers that Corp pays attention to. He explains that when warranty cost per vehicle gets up to $100, head roll. In 88 and 89, warranty cost per vehicle for S-10 p/u and Blazers was nearly $900. YIKES!!

You could be right, but all the things that I've changed on my truck were not under warranty and not everyone goes to the dealer for parts and service, like myself. I have a 98 blazer 4x4 107,000miles.