1998 Chevy Blazer Engine Runs Hot Coolant Leaking Somewhere
Reader question I have a 1998 Chevy Blazer 4.3 v6 4×4. My engine is running hot, i have to keep filling the radiator w/ antifreeze, but the visible leak is coming from the backside, center of the engine. It looks like its dripping off the left side of the transmission pan. I doubt its the water pump, or a cracked radiator due to the location of the leak.
Like I said its located almost directly under the dashboard. It could be the heater core, or an intake gasket, or possibly a freeze plug? I am stumped. If i open the cap while its hot, rusty looking antifreeze pours out. I use green antifreeze.
The heater blows cold air, the oil gauge is erratic, sometimes there is a high pitched whine coming while u accelerate, sometimes it accelerates slowly, I don’t know what it is. any advice would be great. Thank you. Chris
Howdy there Chris
You gotta get a cooling system pressure test done to really determine where the leak is coming from. This is a quick and easy test just about any mechanic or fast lube place can do while you wait.
That rusty coolant definitely will need to be flushed out and replaced with new once you repair the leak. The leak could be something is simple as a heater hoses that is leaking at the back of the engine..or something more complex like an intake manifold leak. Don’t guess, get the test! Keep me posted will ya?
Blessings,
Austin Davis
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I HAVE COOLANT LEAKING FROM A BOLT LOCATED UNDER THE MOTOR MOUNT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 1998 BLAZER.BECAUSE OF WHERE THE BOLT IS LOCATED BETWEEN THE MOTOR MOUNT BRACKET AND THE FRAME I CAN’T REACH IT WITH A WRENCH OR SOCKET.
Im not sure which bolt you are referring to, but could the leak be coming from up top and running down the engine and dripping off the bolt? I can’t think of much with the cooling system that would be leaking from a bolt under the engine….the freeze plugs are silver dollar sized flat plugs on the side of the engine under the exhaust manifolds.
With any coolant leak, get a cooling system pressure test to determine where the leak is originating from. I would assume it is coming from the top or back of the engine and running down to that bolt you are looking at.
My daughter has a 98 blazer with the same problem.
It is due to an incompatability between the type of gasket material and the type of coolant used at time of manufacture.
The leaking gasket is located at the rear of the intake manifold.
I believe GM issued a service bulletin for this at one time.
Any ideas yet I have the exact problem on my 2001 blazer, whine during accel, erratic oil gauge, etc
Check to see if the whine is coming from an accessory like the compressor or alternator. The oil pressure gauge is most likely from a bad oil pressure sender……not sensor, sender. that is a cheap and easy part you can replace yourself. Have the auto parts guy point out the old one for you so you know what it looks like. Just unscrew it and screw in the new one.
I am having a similar leak. have you been able to locate this one. from looking at the different posts on the subject, I am thinking it is the intake manifold gasket. I will look next time i get a chance..