1994 GMC S-10 Blazer LS from North America - Comments

I have a 95 S10 Blazer that has the EGR problem of clogging. I'm going to use some SS screen and press it into my gasket. I hope it works. The screen is about the same size as a Tomco gasket.

First of all, you can buy a $2000 car that will run better than any S10 with a 4.3 Vortex with CPI problems, especially if you have to take it to a mechanic.

I have plenty of mechanical experience, and these designs can drive you crazy, not to mention the cost.

I can list all of the problems I have fixed on my S10, but that seems to prove only how stubborn I am about a mechanical problem I can't fix. Donate the car and buy a junker that runs OK.

I have a 1993 S10 Blazer 4.3 CPI "W". I have been through all of the above repairs except replacing the egr. I have had the truck since 199,000 and now have 245,000 miles. Many of my CPI troubles have come at around 241,000 miles.

What I need help with is wondering if it is normal to have an oily/fuelly liquid sludge in the port that runs from the lower intake plenum into the egr (visible after you remove the upper intake plenum)?

I am on my 3rd CPI injector. One was leaking, and two including this one, will stop working once the truck heats up. First I feel a hiccup while driving, and if I floor it, it will die as if it lost all fuel pressure. I leave it off for 15 minutes and it will start back up for another 5 mile trip. I am wondering if the egr can cause the injector not to work? Any help is greatly appreciate!

I bought this 94 Blazer 4.3 CPI... nothing.. I mean NOTHING but problem after problem after problem... you wanna list? Here it is..

Heater core

A/C compressor + went ahead and made it all new.. (wasted $$)

Rebuilt heads.. cracked heads burning water.

CPI unit + spider.. it hurt so bad... $$$.

TPS sensor.

Fuel pump + pickup.

Fuel pressure regulator.

It would make it about a month between problems.. then I would get the call.. and now.. EGR problems, I owe $800 on this pile of crap.. I have never been so angry in my life at a vehicle.. it is super clean and nice fully loaded, but I can't handle the problems anymore..

My Sonoma 4.3 TBI had 332,000 miles on it, reliable as taxes always... I thought they improved the design... they FAILED so bad.. I am at my wits end here and this thing is GONE.. can't handle it anymore.. could buy a 500 Honda and it would be 10 times as reliable. Blazer has 210,000 miles... Buyer beware!! I feel all of the posters pain here. Chevrolet needs a lawsuit over this one with the lemon law. GL my problems are going away ASAP.

PS Anyone wanna buy a good Blazer? Real reliable.. aahh humor is not helping...

I just came in from fixing this same thing.

I was reading where this guy said to go out and start the truck, then keep tapping the EGR at the base till the piece of carbon comes out, you can hear it getting a little better every time you tap it, I did about 15 taps and the idle smoothed out, for how long I don't know, you can get to the base on the passenger side with a small ballpen, and for those who don't know where the EGR valve is, it is right under the air intake behind the A/C pump.

94 Jimmy VIN W here, had all of these problems and found a post about the TOMCO screen filter which worked great! I appreciate everyone for sharing that info.

Don't try kicking the throttle as suggested though, I used to do that and blew up and engine doing it, now I'm on a second used engine with Tomco Screen.

When EGR problems occur, it had a very rough idle and poor performance at low speeds. At higher speeds, it actually wasn't too bad since I guess the EGR valve goes open 100% anyway.

I've had some strange problems with it, but it sure is a nice vehicle, especially with the 4 new Michelins on it!

I also have a 94 S10 Blazer that stalls when I drive slow. I wiggled two wires up top by the radiator hose, then it would turn off, so I figured it had a bad connection, so I replaced the two wires. Now it won't start; go figure. I also replaced the EGR once. BTW, the wires I replaced were coming out of the front of the engine block.

I have owned S-10's since I bought my first one in 1986. I drove them. I know that transmission filter and fluid has to be changed at 30,000 miles, and oil every 3000 miles or soon after.

I beat two of them, a pick up, then a Blazer. The one I own and drive everyday is a 1994 Blazer Tahoe. I will own this until the end, or my end.

Biggest problem, not understanding why Auto Zone and Advance Auto sell junk fuel pumps. I have not had a problem with the lower pressure fuel pumps, but the one I have to have for this blazer has to have 58 to 60 PSI, or more. After two years, several towing bills, I realized that the pumps were crap. I went to Car Quest. They sold me a "Delphi" fuel pump. Delphi made the first pump that lasted 14 years. I have now been 2 years with out a problem, any problem. I have drove this Blazer through mud past the bumper, snow and ice. Never gives up.

After the fuel pump issue was resolved, I had to replace the "Nut Kit", which is the fuel lines that carry fuel into the intake manifold, to the "spider" or CPI $80.00 plus a $12.00 gasket for the intake plenum. Original starter, original water pump, original alternator. Still going strong, but soon I know these too, will wear out.

After all these years, understanding the problem is the best way to go, only way to go for me. Do you home work. Got a problem with any vehicle, do not trust those who do not know. I have saved plenty of money by asking the question. A mechanic once told me the more parts they replace, the more money they make.

It takes 15 minutes to clean the EGR valve, think about it, gasoline is crap, and it builds up carbon in the system. If simply cleaning the EGR stops working, as in it does no good for very long, it is time to clean the ports that feed the EGR system. Hence, no more EGR problems. A couple of gaskets and you are done. American vehicle manufacturers do not make the gasoline or the oil for these vehicles, but they do their best to make a quality vehicle, and every vehicle requires routine maintenance.

My brother has nothing but problems with his Honda transmissions, so he bought a Kia, a fuel leak developed and burned his car to the ground, two weeks after he bought it. Car was replaced, but his asphalt driveway wasn't even covered by homeowners insurance.

In the end, do your homework. Understand the problem, and repair it right. Obey this and you won't get stuck on the side of the road.

I gave a ride to a fellow who cussed his Sonoma up and down. Yet he was out of gas. Should have stopped a mile up the road, but instead he had to buy a $12.00 gas can for $4.00 of gasoline, and he was back driving his Sonoma. Get the point?

I think the September 22, 2009 comment was accurate. I just bought a 94 GMC Blazer Vortec and I may change my opinion though. Seems to run nice right now.