1999 Chevrolet S-10 LX Blazer 4x4 review from North America

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.

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.