Engine Cooling System problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer - part 1

Purchased vehicle 12/03 since then have replaced: water pump 3 times, radiator, thermostat, left upper ball joint, upper manifold gasket, main real seal. Over the past 6-8 months I have noticed the braking issue several times (more than 10. ) luckily none were emergency stops, however when braking due to traffic light change or stopping while going downhill, the brakes "chatter," an audible whine is produced, and it is necessary to pump the brakes before it will regain pressure and stop.

The radiator and cooling system on my 1996 Chevrolet balzer gets rusty and clogged every couple of years. In 1998 the whole radiator was taken out and boiled. In 2001 the cooling system was flushed again due to rust and clogging. And now, April 2004, the system has clogged again and causes engine overheat. Gm uses dex cool which is supposed to last five years, but every couple of years this coolant seems to clog the system and requires an overhaul costing around $400.

Engine coolant at 50,000 miles turned to a muddy substance. 1 yr later and 30,000 miles it has happened again. The dealer did a power flush at the 50,000 and gm covered 2/3rds of bill now I am told I must change heater core and power flush again at a cost of over $800. . Gm will not cover any expense. It is said that my anti freeze should last 100,000 miles ,as you can see it did not last 50,000 miles.

My 1996 Chevrolet Blazer with less than 53,000 miles has no heat and started overheating. I took it for service and was informed that the dexcool that was guaranteed for 100,000 miles had failed. The radiator was partially blocked and the heater core was blocked. Both the radiator and the heater core need to be replaced because of the sludge and rust that was in the cooling system.

Replaced head gaskets at 48k and again at 80k. Either dexcool eats the gaskets, or the gaskets go bad and let air into the cooling system which causes the dexcool to go bad. I read a lot of complaints about dexcool, head gaskets, and 1996 Blazers. There must be a connection.

1996 Chevrolet Blazer has had numerous problems with cooling system due to bad anti-freeze general motors used in the vehicle of this vintage. They charged me to have the system flushed out because the anti-freeze would clog the heater coils. No heater in winter. Previously the vehicle was over heated and dealership replaced the thermostat and water pump plus seals and head gasket due to the engine running too hot. This is the 4th time I'm returning it and now they want me repair or replace the radiator. It is still running hot. It is my understanding from talking to the mechanics that this is a problem for vehicle of this vintage and it took a couple of years for gm to change anti-freeze manufacturers. Do I have any recourse?.

I own a 1996 Chevrolet Blazer which I purchased new in 1996. It now has 59,000 miles on it. We have regularly scheduled maintenance done on the car, along with scheduled oil changes, checking belts, hoses, etc. We are constantly having our brakes repaired/replaced. Last year we needed to have a brake booster replaced which cost us over $700 and today we were told that our "entire" cooling system is corroded. . . $1,900. At 59,000 miles I certainly don't think this should have happened.

Just brought 96 Blazerls with 82,000 in Dec. 02. Was told that the only problem was they had to have the transmission replaced at 20,000. Well,83,000 miles the heater was on hot blowing when I noticed that it turn cold and the gage went to the red zone. I immediately turn swiches off on the blower it went back to normal. Two days later it happen again but I turn off the heater and blower completely it went back to normal. We thought the termostact got stuck and replaced it . At that time we notice that it was gel up over the termostact, after replacing it , we tested drove it and it still did the same thing again. We looked at the radiator and found that it was gel up and look like rubber. We then decided to check the fluid in the transmission we noticed that the dipped stick was rusted on the outside and was rusted the length of the stick the fluid was rusted. We will now have to flushed the radiator and transmission. I had checked your site and found no recalls or service bulletins on the geling and transmissions before buying. Tell today when I decided to checked out complaints and found that there was 54 and couple with the same problems of geling and transmission problems. So I decided to check out 98 because my sisterinlaw had just brought one and no recalls or service bulletins but they are compalints of cool heating (probably from geling anitifreeze) and transmissions being replaced once ,twice and I guy 3 times. So I check 2001 and they was someone else replacing a transmission. Something is very wrong when there is geling of antifreeze from 96 to 98 and replacing transmissions left and right since 96. To me Chevrolet has a bad transmission problems and geling problems in these Blazers getting away with it. From now on I'll check out complaints before recalls or service bulletins there's the consumers eyes and ears.

Our Blazer started over heating, we had it flushed due to a mud looking sluge in the cooling system and a new thermostat put in. About a month later it started over heating again. We again had it flushed and another new thermostat put in. A few weeks later it again over heated we had it towed in and found out that this time it had caused the motor to blow. We contacted gm they said it was not their proublem it was dexcool, we contacted dexcool and they said it was gm's proublem. We got the run around so we contacted the atty generals office and filled a complaint with them.

02/17/00 (36417 miles)--cooling system flushed per TSB #99-06-02-012 and heater core replaced. 6/15/00 (39128 miles)--cooling system flushed per TSB. 11/15/00 (42626 miles)--cooling system flushed per TSB. 6/2/02 (60,715 miles)--radiator and heater core replacement and cooling system flush required.

Entire cooling system clogged with a sandy substance. Mechanic says radiator, water pump, thermostated, and a number of other componets need to be replaced at a cost of over $1500. 00. Mechanic says he is seeing this on a regular basis with 1996 Blazers. While a number of complaints in your database point to problems with the dexi-cool coolant, the mechanic says in his view it is not the coolant as this problem is only with 1996 Blazers. He believes it is sand from a faulty problem with the engine blocks were cast. The excess sand is now breaking off and clogging the coolant systems causing major repairs. Gm has ignored all complaints. This is a major problem as the vehicles are overheating and resulting in people getting stranded on highways, etc.

This cooling system failure has resulted in my having to replace the heater core and hoses as well as the radiator due to the amount and thickness of the corrosion/rust inside. The system will have to be flushed. . . Chevy is aware of this issue as referenced by their repair bulletins. . . The extend and cost of the damage is understated. . . . Im out of pocket $1400 to replace a radiator a heating core and other component due to not being notified sooner about the possibility of the problem occurring and thereby having the vehicle inspected for the probably issue!.

Many problems are continuing. Currently, the front suspension needs repaired, the brakes were replaced at 18000 and are now gone again, the rear seals are leaking damaging the rear brakes, the drive lights still flash intermittently, a smell of gasoline is in the vehicle after refueling, the engine pings no matter what fuel is used. Nothing the dealer has done has solved the multitude of problems. Seat belt problems on passenger side, interior trim fell off, on and on.

Windshield wipers front & rear failed, water pump quit, drive shaft broke, ball joints right front broke, heater quit, air conditioner quit. Drivers side rear view mirror fell off, steering problems, brake problems, universal joints worn out, cracked front rotors,etc.

Radiator and engine completely flushed, cap and thermostat replaced due to "mud" in system. Dealer told me "mud" was actually metal and sand left in engine block during the production/milling process. 1 month after flush the system is clogged again with this mud. Dealer saying another flush is needed along with possible water pump and heater core replacement. Dealer and other local car maintenance companies said they have seen this many times in these Blazers. This is obviously a problem gm should be held accountable for.

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Had to have transmission repaired twice within a year of owning 96 Blazer. First repair was done by denooyer Chevrolet, just about a year later the transmission went again, with no help from Chevrolet I had transmission repaired at buff o matic in glenmont, NY (with no problems thereafter). Then had to have practically entire cooling system cleaned and repaired by depaula Chevrolet due to dex-cool anti-freeze crystallizing within engine, again with no help from Chevrolet I had to dish out money for repair. Gm and Chevrolet should be resposible for both my repairs. I am currently working with the bbb, attorney general and a personal attorney to hopefully recoupe damages.

Steering became hard to steer even though power steering. I was told by dealer p/s pump was leaking and lack of fluid made steering difficult. I feel with the low milage of 53,000 this should not be a problem and could have resulted in more severe problems if pump had completely leaked empty causing loss of power steering.

Dexacool engine coolant turned to "mud" causing the engine to over heat and resulting in total replacement of radiator and associated systems. Upon further investigation gm is having problems with the dexacool "service bulletin" issued. Gm has charged a $500 deductable. It still should be covered under the 5yr/100,000 warrenty. Gm customer service has provided no help. Please advise what my next step should be. Thanks.

On 8/18/1999 I took my 1996 chevy Blazer to superior Chevrolet (merriam, KS 913-384-1550) because the engine cooling light kept coming on. As soon as I told the service representative about the problem he replied that this was a very common problem with 1996 Blazers due to a defective coolant (dex-cool) that was used in the vehicle. They said that the fix was to "flush" the cooling system in accordance to gm service bulletin no. 99-06-02-012 (of which I have a copy). At this time they charged me $543. 96 for the "flush". As I investigated the incident more I found from several of the service personel at this dealership, as well as from the service manager (james ayres 913-789-4306) that the problem with the dex-cool coolant was very common with 1996 &1997 Blazers. I then questioned why the consumer should pay for an inferior coolant that was used in these vehicles. As I pursued my complaint more, the service manager ended up contacting the area rep for chevy, who in turn ended up reimbursing me approx. $312. Of my $543. At the time I figured that I better take what I could get, and that the problem was resolved. . . . Well here I am 18 months later and 19,200 miles later and the coolant light came on again. Once again I took the vehicle to superior Chevrolet, and once again there is a problem with the cooling system due to the dex-cool coolant according to the service reps and service manager. This time though the service manager says that the entire cooling system (radiator, heater core, and water pump) all need replacement because the dex-cool has "gelled" up throughout the system. Mr. Ayres has told me that to repair this would cost $2100. , but because we had the system flushed just 18 mo. Ago, and because the problem with this dex-cool coolant is so common that he would only charge me $1300. I voiced my concern of why the consumer should pay for a problem that is commonly known at Chevrolet. Please contact me at the listed phone numbers. Thanks.

My Blazer was over heating the coolent was flushed, it over heated again the thermostat was replaced, it over heated again the cooling system was flushed and a new thermostat was put in, again it over heated and this time blew the engine.

Radiator coolant rusted.

Heating and cooling system can create a flood in engine. Contacted dealer, and dealer had to flush radiator with acid flush type liquid. Dealer was not willing to do anything.

Vehicle was not blowing heated air. After initial analysis of closest dealer (fox Chevrolet - laurel MD. ), it was diagnosed that engine coolant had jelled. I instructed them not to repair due to excessive estimate to fix (and paid them their evaluation fee under protest), and arranged to take vehicle to dealer where the vehicle was purchased. They diagnosed the heater core needed to be replaced. Problems persisted over the next months and the vehicle was returned 3 additional times. Rust and/or jell in the system due to the dex-cool coolant was continually discussed as the root cause and the system had to be "blown out" several times yet the dealer nor the manufacturer would take any responsibility for the coolant problem. I pointed our that the system is labeled to not require any service/maintenance until 100,000 miles but they continued to not accept any responsibility. I requested copies of the manufacturers service bulletin on this problem to understand more of the specifics of the issue and to confirm that it was a known problem. Recently (July 2001) I am continuing to have problems with gauges indicating a potential overheat condition which I suspect is a continuation of the blockage in the coolant system since I had the thermostat diagnosed as working.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Engine cooling system failed do to the dexy cool coolant used in the engine. It is suppose to be good up to 100,000 miles. The coolant jelled at 84,605 causing the heater core and the radiator to become rusted and clogged. The dealer estimated the repair to cost 1795. 00.

Engine overheated,oil pressure increased, I brought it salisbury Chevrolet. They advised me that engine needed to be replaced. There were not any warning signs prior to incident. Dealer advises that engine should not be disassembled due to cost of job and"strain on bearings".

No summery listed for above vehicle.

My son has a 1996 GMC jimmy that has had the same problems. He has had to have his radiator removed and cleaned out twice and have the water pump replaced once. General motors knows of this problem but has not issued a recall. There is a label in front of the radiator that states that the coolant does not require service for 100,000 miles. This coolant causes some of the engine components to rust ( ex. Heater nipple) someone at the dealership admitted that they see many vehicles every day with this problem.

We are having a problem with the Blazer overheating. And also it wont blow hot air from the heater. When the air conditioning is on it also overheats. We had it to the garage and got an estimate of $350. 00 to repair this and we were also told that they had alot of other 96 Blazers coming in with the same problem. I think there should be a recall on this and it shouldnt be up to us the people to pay for this problem if it is gms fault for this!! could you please do something about this!!.

Coolant,rusty appearance in reservoir/radiator,dealer claims contamination of dexcool. This is a sealed system,gm contaminated system let them fix. Claim denied 2/19/00 ball joints breaking? sloppy,loose sensation in turns,popping of tire/wheel area.

Contaminated coolant four times in last two years, believe that combination of bad product and location of radiator lines causes this very expensive repairs. Seem to be limited to 1996-1997 Blazers, jimmys, sonomas, s10s etc. It is a joke about their 100,000 mile coolant, should be a class action suit because there are hundreds of owners with this problem.

Vehicle experienced the situation which is stated in sb #99-06-02-012b, radiator cap had rust and gritty material lodged under it.

It is a problem with pink cooland in 9 months it happened again.

Cooling fan blade disentegrated and parts caused damage to radiator, hood insulation, misc. Other parts in engine compartment.