Older S-10's - READ ONLY

304 messages, Last post on Jul 16, 2002 at 3:24 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet S-10, Truck

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#24 of 304 Great Topic!!! by NativeTx Sep 05, 2001 (5:15 am)
I have been the proud owner of a 1991 S-10 Blazer that currently has 148,000 miles on it. It is my daily driver since I don't like to get my 2000 3/4 ton Silverado dirty... but we won't go there. The Blazer has been a great vehicle and the reason I bought the new PU. (there was a day when I said I would never own a chevy) Anyway, my reason for posting is I have experienced a problem now for a while and I am hoping someone here can help. My Blazer has the 4.3 V6 with auto trans. The water pump started leaking and was changed out at about 120,000. The shop that did the work had to change the water pump two more times because the replacements also leaked... but they did it under warranty and it did not cost me any additional money. However ever since the first change out of the water pump the temp gage has always read hotter than the truck ever did before the change. Before the water pump was changed out the gage never read above 200. Now on a hot day the temp will almost go to the red line. I have taken the truck back to the shop that did the work and they flushed the system and changed out the thermostat (twice) but I still have this problem. I have not driven the truck much this summer due to it getting so hot in traffic. That is the other thing.. while driving at highway speed the thermostat will read below 200, but will rise when in stop-N-go traffic. Also a little more history about the truck.. I bought it in 1992 with 25K on it and have always had the oil changed at 3000 miles. It now needs some minor cosmetic work but other than that it has been a great truck. Hope to get over 200,00 on it. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.
#25 of 304 Some more ramblings... by PAman Sep 05, 2001 (5:33 am)
Speed: Speed is relative and not much of a factor in a vehicle with an overdrive transmission or 5-speed. At 70 in 5th gear, the engine is probably turning about 2200-2400 RPM, depending on your rear axle ratio. However, it can put a load on other components. So, I would recommend driving it reasonably as long as everything else has checked out OK. About 70-75 shouldn't be a problem, as long as you know your brakes, steering and suspension are in first-class condition. You can actually do more damage by leaving the truck in 1st gear too long when driving away from a red light. That is because the engine could easily see 4500-5000 RPM if you "dog" it. Heat: Welcome to Texas, NativeTX! Sounds like the shop has an air pocket trapped in your engine's coolant system. Check with the Chevy dealer or have the shop pull your truck's information up on Mitchell's or AllData to see if there is a proceedure to bleed any trapped air out of the cooling system. Otherwise, I would suspect they damaged the fan clutch when they replaced the first water pump. Have them check it; they should have looked at that already. Good luck to all! Joe
#26 of 304 NativeTx by tsjay Sep 05, 2001 (10:08 am)
Thanks for your post. I was going to suggest some kind of fan problem, since you said it stays in the normal range at highway speeds. PAman beat me to it. Sometime when the temp gage is showing high temperature, park the truck and leave it running. Then pop the hood and see if the fan is turning. Also, check the condition of the fan blades and the shroud. (AFTER you shut off the engine, he he). tom
#27 of 304 PA,man and Ryanbab by tsjay Sep 05, 2001 (10:09 am)
Thanks to both of you for your posts. tom
#28 of 304 4.3 Fan Clutch by jlflemmons Sep 05, 2001 (2:10 pm)
Could be air in the system, but if the fan clutch does not do a full engage at idle in heat, I guarantee that 4.3 will heat up. On mine, it was quite obvious when the clutch locked in as the roar from the fan increased a lot. Also, check that the fan blades are not cracked. If so, they will flex and not move as much air. And you sure don't want to throw a blade at speed or you will see how fast hoses and belts can be removed! Jim
#29 of 304 Thanks Guys by NativeTx Sep 06, 2001 (5:43 am)
I have always suspected the fan but was not sure. Too me it just does not seem to be truning as fast as it should, however, with my limited knowledge I was unsure. I will check it and see what happens. Thanks again.
#30 of 304 hoses, etc by mjbwrtr Sep 06, 2001 (12:10 pm)
whats it cost to get hoses replaced and belts replaced on a 1993 chevy s-10 with 2.8 V6? also it may need a clutch...are we talking $199 here or like $599? thanks for the help guys... mine has 109,000 miles on it and runs like new...i love my truck. 1993 s-10 Tahoe with five speed...one great little truck. i am currently looking for a new ranger to replace it, because even though it gets 23 mpg in all-around use, the rangers get more like 26 and the new four cylinder has more power than my old V6.
#31 of 304 I had a... by richcolo Sep 06, 2001 (2:14 pm)
'83 S-10 4x4 Extended Cab 2.8 4 speed from 1986 to 1990. I loved it and kept it in beautiful condition. It was a great truck until one day, with 107,000 miles, the intake manifold gasket failed. The first symptom was the bang-bang-bang of a collapsed hydraulic lifter. I was only doing about 30 mph and stuffed in the clutch and shut it down within 10 seconds of the first bang. Towed it to a shop to have the lifters replaced. Mechanic calls with the bad news...half a gallon of coolant in the oil pan...all bearings shot. Wants to know "rebuild or replace?" I was a senior in college, driving school busses for a living and engaged to be married...the cost of either option might as well have been a million dollars, because I couldn't even come close. Had to sell it in "Does not run" condition and buy a rust-bucket '78 C-10. About three years later I saw a high school kid driving "my" truck...broke my heart. (I know it was mine because I put the toolbox, running boards, fender flares, bug deflector, stripes and alloy wheels on it myself...would be one hell of a coincidence if somebody else made exactly the same choices.) I'd probably still have it, if I'd been able to affoard a small-block swap at the time. I've still got the wife and the degree, and she still has the diamond that made me so broke at the time, so I guess I'm not doing too bad, but I may have to find an old S-10 to fix up just right for one of my sons....
#32 of 304 seat re-covered by tsjay Sep 06, 2001 (4:42 pm)
Hi Folks! Got that bench seat re-covered today. I just had the seat bench re-covered, since the seat back was in good shape. Cost me $100.00. The new material is a very close match to the seat back, so I am going to stop here and save the extra $75 it would cost to have the seat back done. Now the inside of my truck looks as good as the outside. tom
#33 of 304 Hi, Tom..... by the5car Sep 07, 2001 (2:34 am)
I saw your post about speakers, and was going to recommend you have a look at crutchfield.com, but it looks like you've gone ahead and had some new ones installed already...I'm leaning towards upgrading my factory stereo system one of these days, and Crutchfield is a very good source for car stereo components and assistance. You sounded worried about how fast you can take your truck up to and not damage the motor...where I live, there are hundreds of old S-10's and Sonomas around, and they're always tooling down the interstate at 75mph+...the speed limit where I am is 70, but that doesn't stop many folks from doing 80-85...as I mentioned before on the S-10 board, I have a 1997 with 145,000 on it...I change the oil religiously every 3000 miles, and I'm always doing 70-75mph on the highway...I drove it to Chicago last summer when it had aroung 120K on it, and that was an 800 mile trip one-way on all interstate highways, and never had a problem with it... Someone mentioned the relatively easy access to used parts, and most new ones...well, I can tell you first hand that there is no aftermarket fan clutch for my truck, and the part runs $162 from a GM dealer, even though the equivalent part for the 1996 model year can be had at any parts store for only $30...what's up with that ??? You seem to enjoy playing with your new toy...I like to tinker, too, but I also have to realize that my vehicle is my only means of getting to work (which is 60 miles one-way, thus the high mileage I have), so I don't want to fix something that's not broken, if you know what I mean... Talk to you soon.... Doug