Engine Cooling System problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer

Ball joint upper control arm broke as I was driving today. Since I purchased this 1997 Blazer I have had nothing but problems-the windshield wipers fail,the water pump has been replaced the fuel pump has also been replaced. This vehicle has less than 60,000 miles. I just found out that most of these problem have been recalled I was never notified. I purchase the vehicle used at a local dealership,whom by the way did not tell me of any of these recalls. I have had very serious and dangerous problems with this vehicle.

While driving at 35 mph vehicle overheated and stalled, vehicle was towed to independent shop, technician diagnosed that coolant turned into acid and damaged the intake manifold/water pump/ thermostat, and radiator. Dealer notified.

97 Blazer cooling system failure. From the time I bought the car the cooling system had trouble. The radiator had a leak ( 34391 miles), the cooling system clogged up and the heater core leaked from dex-cool gelling up ( 65265 miles ), again heater core leaking from bad dex-cool ( 104044 miles ), heater core leaking (114387 miles). Each time the heater core had to be replaced. The cooling system had to be acid flushed by the dealer because the dex-cool gelled up. All these repairs where done by gm dealer. The dealer could not tell me why the dex-cool was gelling up or the heater core kept leaking. I filed a complaint with GMC (complaint # 1-152407734) GMC could not help me. I found out from a radiator repair shop that they have had many gm cooling system failures du to the dex-cool causing electrolysis. This is the main cause of my problem and gm and the dealer will not address it. The radiator shop said the only repair is to flush out the cooling system for 36 hours the refill it with antifreeze, not dex-cool. Also add an anti-electrolysis solution to it and a radiator cap with an anode rod on it. They have had very good results with this repair. There many complaints on your site about this and also many on other auto repair web sites. All I want is to be refunded the money I spent on repairs from day one and have gm pay for the radiator shop to do the flushing and repairs.

Upper and lower ball joints needs replaced. Upper ball joints were replaced with the 2001 recall from gm. Vehicle has less than 31,000 miles.

Heater in truck failed, no heat to defrost windows. Coolant gauge spiking with sludge in radiator and overflow bottle. After truck has been run, strong smell of coolant is apparent.

Consumer called complaining about having radiator contamination which leaked in the front seat.

Engine failures related to coolant gel up with dex-cool. Cooling system flushed twice. Intake gasket leaked coolant into engine and damaged internal bearings. New engine needed. Water pump failed after that.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Consumer complains of engine overheating. The vehicle has been in for repairs on several occasions.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Brakes squeak, idler arm not attached properly causing rattling and pulling while driving, windshield wipers stop working intermittently during use causing problems seeing outside, rear defrost does not work, fuel gauge gives incorrect readings and bobs back and forth, dex coolant turned to sludge causing blockages in heating core, engine block, and radiator.

Consumer had found a couple oil drops on ground. Then, took vehicle for an oil change. Dealer found oil leak on engine cooling unit line. Could not repair it because part could not be found.

Transmission lost 3rd an 4th gear causing car to overheat and cause pump leak.

Engine coolant had to be replaced. Manufacturer put in red coolant that turned to a thick mud. Also, windshield wiper motor had to be replaced.

While checking fluid levels, consumers son, who is a mechanic, noticed rust in the radiator fluid, he also found TSB 666841 regarding rust in the coolant system, consumer has been trying to get gm to alleviate this problem due to the safety factors it could cause, however it is very costly, gm has not been of any assistance because the consumer is not the original owner of the vehicle.

While driving about any speed up a hill engine will overheat,and the temperature gauge will rise up to its limit. Thermostat had been replaced, and flushed twice. This problem has been clogging radiators and heater.

Cooliant system filled with slugs caused by dex coolant product. Breakdown. Dex is suppose to be good for 100,000 miles, at 53,000 took vehicle in for tranmission hose leak, dealer opened radiator cap and said this is a on going problem with Blazers. Recommended a flush be done, which the dealership did. Now vehicle has an indication (spike) of over heating. Now dealership states block needs to be pulled, freeze plugs pulled and a complete block flush , along with radiator recored and heater core replaced. Is there any information on the breakdown of dex coolant fuilds that is causing this problem or that has been sent out from the manufacter of this product. I am now looking at $1,300. 00 of repairs to correct this problem.

Contamination of cooling system due to dex-cool. Entire system must be flushed and heater core replaced. Chevrolet motor div. Has offered to pay for half the cost, although it is no longer under their 36,000 mile warranty. My concern is that there is a major problem with dex-cool and they are not responding to it, as they claim that it should not need to be changed for 5 years or 150,000 miles. I found out about the contamination after bringing my car in for a sloshing, gurgling sound under the dash.

Dealership originally serviced at lousy and unfinished work 5 returns for same thing s&j Chevrolet.

Cooling system will repeatedly turn black, even after consumer had radiator flushed. Problem still occurs. Consumer states problem comes back every 20000 miles or every 6 months.

Anti-freeze goes bad and looks like mud. Lots of people having this problem according to repair shops.