Newbie question on 98 Chevy Blazer 2WD

[skeetzx250]

First off, hello and I'm glad I found this website/forum! I’ve done a lot of ‘searching’ on the forum here since I signed up and I have attained a ton of valuable info. But I’ve got kinda of a vehicle specific question and hopefully can get you guys’ opinions. Let me give you some background first:

I have a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer 2WD LS that I purchased from the company I work for as part of an optional employee purchase program. The Blazer was used for some of our ‘higher ups’ as part of their company fleet program. I purchased the Blazer in 2004 with 175,000 miles on it, and it now has 235,000 miles on it. I was considering selling it, due to the fact that I felt like I had gotten all I was going to get out of her and that by keeping it, I was afraid I was going to start seeing some serious mechanical failures in the future.

Well, before I did, the fuel pump went out. So, after spending $500 now to have the fuel pump replaced (I did read the post about the aftermarket fuel pumps and decided to go with an OEM AC Delco pump) I’m thinking I’ll just keep her a little while longer and hopefully she’s got a few more thousand miles in her. The fleet vehicles in my company are very well maintained due to our Fleet Manager being very strict about preventive maintenance and fixing any problems when they arise, so the Blazer has a lot of parts that have been replaced that hopefully won’t be an issue soon. Examples: new compressor at 49K; new starter, new dist cap and rotory button at 120K miles; new front and rear rotors at 160K miles; new cat converter, new engine mounts at 167K miles. It does need the front wheel bearing/hub assemblies replaced and I plan on doing that myself within a couple of weeks.

Now to the point of my post. Is there anything else I can do to prolong the life of my Blazer right now? This may be a stupid question but, what exactly is involved with a tune-up? I used to help my Dad do ‘tune-ups’ on his cars when I was a kid and basically that was just new plugs, plug wires, pcv valves, new points, etc. I know vehicles today are totally different, but is there more to a tune-up than just new plugs, plug wires, new pcv valve?

By the way, background on me: I’m no mechanic by any stretch of the imagination, but I do know my way around an engine enough to be dangerous. I would say I can perform most ‘minor’ repairs. I did spend about 15 years racing motocross and did do all my wrenching on my dirt bikes, so I am moderately mechanically inclined.

Thanks for any help offered guys!

[viggy58]

that's kind of a tough question to answer. are you having any problems, for starters.

if 120k miles was the last time cap and rotor were replaced, you're def due for a replacement. same with plugs and wires. stick to ac delco brands.

[skeetzx250]

Originally Posted by viggy58

that's kind of a tough question to answer. are you having any problems, for starters.

if 120k miles was the last time cap and rotor were replaced, you're def due for a replacement. same with plugs and wires. stick to ac delco brands.

No specific problems per say, just wanting to make sure I'm doing everything I can to prolong it's life as long as I can I guess. I'm defn. going to put new plugs and wires, I'm assuming I should also replace PCV valve?

[TCGrove]

First off...there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers. I can give you plenty of those. I have a 99 Blazer 4x4 and probably the same "dangerous mechanic" ability. My opinion is that this thing will nickel and dime you, but it is cheaper than a car payment if you've got the ability....and the patience. You can simply prolong the life of things by doing the routine stuff....grease, oil, plugs & wires, fuel filter, air filter, flush the radiator, etc... As for the things that will plague you....front hubs, idler arm, pitman arm, heating core, radiator, intake manifold gasket, alternator, fuel pump, window motors, rear wiper motor, u-joints, upper/lower ball joints, shocks, distributor (entire thing) etc.. I've replaced them all and some twice. Hubs 4 to 5 times. I still love driving it, plus I know how to fix about everything on it. Good Luck.......