1999 Chevrolet S-10 ext cab

Summary:

I like the truck a lot, but the repairs are getting costly

Faults:

The Catalytic converter went at 70,000 miles. A dealer replaced at no cost it was under warranty.

Brake sensor went twice. Not under warranty and costly to replace.

The oil pump lines and oil cooler lines went and had to be replaced. not aware of any recall or that they are under warranty.

My mechanic told me all that went wrong with the parts were from normal wear and tear and not due to rough driving or abusing the vehicle.

General Comments:

Truck handles very well and rides nice. Very good on the gas mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 2006

1999 Chevrolet S-10 ZR2 Xcab 4.3L gas

Summary:

Money pit

Faults:

Tons of problem from bad paint too many sets of oil lines leaking. Broken seat handles. New engine under warranty. Ball joints. Leaking gaskets everywhere. Terrible service. $13,000 in warranty receipts up to 77,000 miles. Terrible fuel economy (14mpg).

General Comments:

Stay away from these unless you have deep pockets for repairs. Better yet, buy a Tacoma.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 14th October, 2005

1999 Chevrolet S-10 LS EXT CAB 2.2 4 cylinder

Summary:

Great Practical Truck

Faults:

Bad starter, flex pipe and Cd player lights are going out. But otherwise good.

General Comments:

I have had the truck for 2 months, I had a 95 Caprice 9C1 police car with the LT1 V8 and needed a economical truck for my business. I found this truck online for $3000 and I drove it 500 miles from place of purchase. It ran real rough and had poor gas mileage (granted it has a 4:10 rear end).Later on I had new GM plugs, wires, Cap, Air Filter installed and it didn't change anything. Check engine light came on turned out a bad flex pipe is causing the 02 sensor to send a bad code. It runs even worse when the A/C is on It shifts funny and there is a high stalling rpm sound coming from the engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 2005

20th Apr 2007, 21:16

Your problem is you bought the dreaded 2.2L four, rated one of the top 10 worst engines of all time by Popular Hot Rodding. I run a 98 ext. cab with the 4.3L 6 and I see 24 mpg on the highway, and if I drive it nice, 20 mpg in the city and the power is brilliant down low where you need it to be in a truck. If you can, trade up, the fuel economy is not worth the hassle of a cheesy little engine.

1999 Chevrolet S-10 LX Blazer 4x4 4.3 Vortech

Summary:

It is a decent family car for daily driving, but not a 4x4 truck by any means

Faults:

Alternator at 22,500 miles.

Muffler at 22,500 miles.

Battery at 27,000.

Starter at 27,000.

Coolant break down and separation at 41,000 miles resulting in many gasket failures, water pump impeller and seals.

Seat recline mechanism on drivers seat at 48,000.

General Comments:

I still like my Blazer despite all the problems. My issues are with GM and hesitation to recall for the coolant and seat recline levers.

I must warn everyone about the new engine coolant GM put in these newer cars. If you do not replace the coolant before 5 years, it breaks down and turns in to an abrasive liquid. GM is aware of this problem and they call it "Mississippi Mud". When you remove the radiator cap, it looks like coffee grounds floating on top. I took my Blazer to the dealer to get the coolant flushed out. It took 10 strait hours and 5 separate flushing cycles to get it all out. As the build up was removed, gaskets began failing in every area the coolant touched them. It also eats away at the radiator, heater core, intake gaskets, water pump and the water pump gaskets. I was very lucky that I decided to have the dealer flush the cooling system so they could watch all the leaks begin as they removed the coolant. Otherwise it would of cost me almost 1000$. If you have not replaced your coolant, do it now or you WILL have the same problems. Hopefully GM will recall and repair this issue, there is currently a class action law suit taking place as we speak.

I checked my engine coolant in December of 2004 and it was fine. 4 months later I checked it to find this problem, I couldn't believe how fast it failed. I had it all flushed out in May of 2005 and just today noticed more of the black mud like stuff floating in the filler neck. I'm now considering going back to using the old style green antifreeze as it is much cheaper and never fails like this newer, eco-friendly coolant does.

I can't stress enough how all of you should be looking out for this condition if you have not changed your antifreeze yet. GM recommends changing it out every 5 years. I waited 5 years but since my Blazer was manufactured in 1998, it was more than 5 years. I didn't know that until it was too late.

If you think the problems you all have had are bad, you haven't seen anything yet until this problem occurs. If you do not catch it and fix it ASAP, it will destroy everything the engine coolant comes in contact with. The cost of fixing all of this could run into the thousands of dollars so please look now before it becomes an issue.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th June, 2005

24th Apr 2007, 07:13

I also run a 98 4.3L Vortech, and I waited until 100,000 miles to do the flush, 50,000 miles before they say you have to. I ended up replacing the intake manifold gasket, but not until 140,000 miles, so I cannot say for sure whether or not the coolant had anything to do with it. But I agree and urge everyone who owns a vehicle with this new Dex-cool coolant, CHANGE YOUR FLUIDS REGULARLY. At least every other year, if not every year, the contaminants in your engine wreak havoc with your coolant and your oil. That goes for your transmission oil too, change that out every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. These 4.3L engines will run forever if you just take care of them!!!