Engine Cooling System Problems of Chevrolet Blazer - part 1

Had the heater core fixed three times under warranty and it is out again.

See all problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

The heater core has gone out four times since I have owned the vehicle when this happens I can not see out my windshield and I am breathing in poisonous fumes from the anti freeze that is now leaking into the drivers cab.

I have a 2000 Blazer lt with 128,000 miles that has had heating/cooling system problems for several years. Had dex-cool in system which I monitored regularly to make sure has topped up. Gm states dex-cool is maint free to 155,000 miles. When vehicle reached 100,000 miles, I began to loose heat. I noticed a crystal-like residue floating in coolant. Drained, back flushed heater core and flushed system 3 times then added prestone (green) coolant. After about 10,000 miles began to loose heat again, repeated flush and fill. Every year since, when colder weather sets in, the same problem shows up and I go through the same flush and fill procedure. Dex-cool has left so much sludge throughout the system I can't get it all out and it continues to plug the system. I have replaced two water pumps, three thermostats and have spent hundreds of dollars just doing flush and fills. Engine temp will be good for the first few weeks after a f & f then begins to run hot again with the smell of coolant in and around the vehicle. There are no visible leaks on the ground or on the block. All engine vacuums check ok. All other regular maint done when required. Last f & f done 08-30-2009 and vehicle is starting to run hot already/again.

2004 chevy Blazer 4. 3 v6 vehicle 49,000 miles the intake manifold gasket leaking . Numerous complaints online they used cheap plastic gasket in combination with dexcool fluid some say result in meltdown of fuel line gasket resulting in fire.

See all problems of the 2004 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

I was out late in a desolate area-no houses-no stores. I smelled burning rubber so bad I thought the car was on fire. I had no alternative but to continue driving. I was terrified, I am a senior citizen-female alone. I refused to drive it anywhere once it was parked. My mechanic was kind enough to pick it up. The dealer would not. It was the intake manifold. The car only has 44,000 miles on it. It cost me $466. 26. I was truly terrified.

See all problems of the 2003 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Intake manifold is leaking which causes overheating. I've owned two 2000 chevy Blazers and have had the same problem in each.

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.

See all problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Cooling system-I replaced the radiator and flushed system. Did not fix problem. Leaks oil-inserted die replaced gasket and still leaks.

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

My 2000 Blazer LS zr2 has 68000 miles on it. Around November 2005, when I needed my heater in the mornings, I noticed that it would not blow any hot air. I have had the cooling system flushed and replaced the thermostat and still have no heat. I can smell coolant every now and then while I am driving. So, I am led to believe that my heater core is leaking and or blocked. I have done some searching around the internet and have noticed that this is a common problem with Blazer's and it is caused by the dex-cool cooling forming a "sludge" in the cooling system. I feel that gm should be responsible for my repairs, as they have known of this issue for years, yet still continue to manufacture vehicles with this type of coolant anyhow.

The heater and defroster failed to generate heat. No events leading up to failure. This fall when we needed the heat and window defroster just luke warm air was coming out. The intake hose to the heater was hot the out take hose was cold. This failure causes a major safety issue because the front window will not un-fog and the ice and snow will not melt off the front window. The driver can not see out of the front window. There is no warning to this problem. Research this problem on the web and there are numerous other people and vehicles with the same problem. It appears to be caused dex-cool coolant. . Read more...

See all problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Problem with the dex-cool system in my 2000 chev Blazer---heater went out July 2004, was under extended warranty and heater core replaced, radiator was flushed at the same time. One year later vehicle over-heating again, no longer under ext warranty. . . Paid $212 for the flush today and filed complaint w/ gm due to the obvious problem which they deny with dex-cool ( 8 states have class-action suits). Was told by gm rep that the coolant system is a maintainence item and they could not assist or accept responsibility in the reapair cost. Spoke with the gm dealership who argued my case, asked what maintainence required on my part, since the dex-cool maint schedule is 155k miles, maint free---my vehicle has 70k miles and second flush in 12 mo period. Was told by dealership that nothing I could really do to maintain, just keep check on coolant level every oil change, and system could fail again at any time--no guaranteee and the dealership also argued with gm rep---that there is a problem with dex-cool antifreeze. . . . . . . I paid the cost, but after purchasing gm products for the past 30 years, if I am faced with additional cost of an apparent defect by the manufacturer. . . I will go to another make of car---thank you for your time.

Another of our general motors fleet has an intake gasket leak. This is four within a year on separate Chevrolet or GMC vehicles. All have a 4. 3 l engine, and all are 1994 through 2001 model years. All have between 75,000 and 120,000 miles. All have the factory type coolant dexcool.

Purchased used 99 Blazer for business use. 8 miles from dealers site, the day of purchase, vehicle overheated - 18,200 miles on it. Dealer replaced radiator and hoses - full flush of system - refilled with dexcool, at no charge. Solidified rusty sludge clogged radiator, heater core, and hoses - had identical problem with 96 Blazer. Personally replaced dexcool with zerex. Independent mechanic has seen 15-18 of these in last two years.

Smoke and radiator fumes pouring from the defrost and air conditioner vents. So much condensation on windshield makes visibility difficult. Breathing radiator fumes and fluid posing serious health risk to my children. Son had been spitting up blood and complaining of having difficulty with breathing before we could determine it was from the vehicle also causes throat irritation. There are no indicator lights on and the vehicle was just purchased on 1/3/2005 with 100603 miles.

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.

See all problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Rust in cooling system, water pump failed, replaced and flushed cooling system. Heater inoperative, blows cold air. Vehicle still not repaired.

During maintenance, owner noticed coolant getting dirty. Had it flushed four times. Heater quit working after first flush. Brownish-gray sludge was blocking the heater core. Mechanic stated it was due to a small leak in the intake manifold gasket causing small amounts of dirty air and oil to mix with coolant. Since having gasket replaced, coolant has not gotten dirty again. Vortec engines 1999-2003 were prone to this gasket failure. Dexcool doesn't mix well with dirt or oil.

Windshield wipers did not work. Also, the handles on the driver and passenger seats broke, and water pump was defective.

See all problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

I have had to replace the intake manifold gasket on 3 Chevrolets in the past 3 three years today being the the third. If there is a problem with the gaskets or coolant <dexcool> the repair should be done at no cost to the consumer.

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.

I discovered oil leaking from my 99 chevy Blazer recently. I took it to my local independent mechanic and they informed me that I have two faulty oil cooling lines that must be replaced. Upon further investigation, I have discovered though several local dealerships and several internet web sites, that this is a very very common problem with 99 chevy Blazers. I contacted gm customer service but they told me there is no current recall for this defect. Since this is such a common problem and costs several hundred dollars in repair to remedy, I would like to petition this for a manufacturers recall.

Dex-cool broke down after being in truck for 70,000 miles and less then 5 years. Dex-cool is supposed to last 5 years or 150,000 miles.

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.

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.

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.

My 1998 Chevrolet Blazer has had regular problems with the cooling system not providing heat to the passenger compartment even though the engine is running at proper temp. The heater core is continually clogging up requiring regular trips to the dealer to "flush" the heater core that is plugged. I understand from searching the internet this is due to the dex-cool antifreeze that gm puts in the car and that there are lawsuits against gm regarding this. The last time I had this done the dealer told me if it happened again that a new core would have to be installed at a cost of $650+. The core is now plugged once again.

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.

On 9/16/02 we had gurgling noise coming from the dash of car in the heater core area. Lucas Chevrolet tech replaced radiator cap under warranty. But charged us $56. 95 for coolant and additive. On 10/09/03 had no heat coming from the heater core. I checked the radiator and coolant tank overflow and found a mineral sludge type substance. Also found a bulletin on the cooling system problem, took Blazer into lucas Chevrolet. Assistant service manager lorrie cottrell she said we were over the extended warranty on time but not miles and said we should contact gm on this coolant problem issue. She is not aware of any bulletin on the coolant system.

Heat actuator defective, had to be replaced-constant warm air blows on feet without anything on. Moon-roof improperly assembled at factory-water pours into my truck. Rear lift gate seal defective-leaking, rear side small triangular window seals-defective-leaking; seams on roof of truck leaking-found a hole in roof where more water was seeping in.

Consumer stated that the anti-freeze that Chevrolet was using in vehicle was turning to sludge after 60,000 miles. This caused thermostat to freeze, and heater to become plugged up. Consumer stated that he was lucky that the thermostat froze in an open position because if it was hot it would have caused vehicle to overheat, and that was dangerous. He thought this was a design problem with Chevrolet.

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.

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.

Engine coolant continues to boil and overheat after having it flushed three times now. Same as 10030550. Hy isn't someone doing something? we just want our car fixed. . Read more...

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?.

Heater stopped producing heat after 35,000 miles. Required an extensive systems flush costing almost $400. Six months later, heater core failed causing coolant fumes to be exhausted into the passenger compartment where young children were riding. Replacement of heater core cost almost $850.