Engine Cooling System Problems of Chevrolet Blazer - part 2

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.

See all problems of the 1996 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 1997 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

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

The oil cooling line leaked fluid. Ph.

See all problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

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.

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.

No heat at 50,000 miles --vehicle cooling system flushed by independent garage 12-31-02. Dex-cool renewed at this time. Cost $160. 00. In April 2003 no heat again. I drained dex-cool and used system cleaner twice for approximately 6 hours each time with heater on. I filled system with regular prestone glycol based antifreeze. No problems to date. The original dex-cool was a muddy sludge when replaced and the second charge of dex-cool was already changing colors and thickening after only 4 months when it too was replaced. Dex-cool does not live up to the manufacturers claims or the dealers representations. I am a federally licensed aircraft maintenance technician working for a major airline for 14 years and would be happy to give a deposition in regards to this matter.

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.

Coolant did not last 150,000 miles. Heater core plugged and cooling system full of rust and sludge caused by dexcool. Dexcool found to be low in cooling system although reserve bottle showed full. A service bulletin has been issued #99-06-02-012d but owners have not been notified of problem and there currently has not been a recall of the coolant. Dt.

Coolant became solid and they charged me $300 to "super flush" the system. I see several other owners have had the same problem.

See all problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Blazer 🔎.

Chevrolet dexcool coolant not good for 100,000 miles as advertised. Two previous radiator flushes, one was one month prior to engine failure. Told due to overheat despite no signs of overheat. Chevy dealer says no signs of cooling system having ever been flushed despite another chevy dealer flushing system approximately 1000 miles previously. Chevy and texaco state vehicle must be driven for extended periods (20,000 miles) with low coolant levels to start corrosion clogging up cooling system. Not so in this case. System had been flushed and filled by chevy dealer on 6-11-2. Aproximately 1000 miles later, on 7-8-2, chevy dealer notes buildup in cooling system again. Coolant system had not been low, and had not been extended period. Remanufactured engine and new radiator being installed, chevy denies any knowledge of problems of this sort with dexcool.

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.

Consumers mechanic at the time of service noticed that the antifreeze on the top of the radiator had jelled similar to the form of peanut butter. The mechanic suggested that flushing the radiator would be logical to correct the problem, but other problems may occur in the cooling system. After the flushing, the water pump started leaking and the thermostat malfunctioned, on June 29th the heater core ruptured and caused extensive water damage in the floorboard, the vehicle continued running hot and was losing antifreeze, and on July 18th the radiator was replaced. Consumers mileage is over the warranty amount.

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!.

Seat handles kept breaking off. Cooling system makes gurgling sounds and sound like water running. No air conditioning.

Seat recliner bracket broke as consumer was adjusting seatback. Consumer cannot position seatback for comfort. Dealer was notified. Consumer states that the radiator coolant caused radiator to fail.

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.

100,00 anti-freeze turned to sludge causing engine overheating. Required replacement of radiator and all hoses. Service advisor stated a known problem with that coolant, and that they recommend coolant system service every 30,000 miles. Also state there were no technical service bulletins from gm regarding this issue. Repair costs $930. 00 plus rental.

Dexcool 100000mile antifreze turned to sludge at 53000 miles. . . 2 dealers attributed cause to everything but antifreeze not living up to claims.

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.

Cooling system developed a sludge, a 5hr super flush was required costing nearly $400, there is a partial blockage in the heater core and the engine block, there are no guarentees that this will not occur again. Chevrolet would not cover.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

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.

Oil coiler lines leaked from the day I bought it from the dealer. Dealer definitely knew and cleaned it up before I got it. 1st set of lines from radiator to oil filter replaced a few months after purchase in 2001. Second set from filter to motor now need replacing. Evidently, this is a very common problem. Wipers have their own agenda. With the mist setting to clean windows, wipers stay on for as long as they want. With the second mist, they don't stay on as long. By the third mist, wipers act normal. Always happens. Turn signal flasher sound started without the use of the turn signal. It stays on for random lengths of time, and makes the sound in regular, and irregular patterns. Replacing multifunction switch - as several have before me. Dealer knew exactly what the problem was. Tranfer case leaks lube. 4-wheel drive messed up because of empty case. Added lube and hope no tranmission problems arrise. Cv joint replaced 4 months after purchase. Hood latch about to break. When pulling on leaver, barely is able to pop hood. Feels like wire is going to snap. Waiting for the next problem to occur - it has been nonstop. Gm designed a terrible vehicle. I am very dissatisfied and I regret ever buying it.

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.

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.

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.

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.