Questions and Answers

Chevy Blazer Engine Revisited Q. Thank you very much for your answer. I appreciate the quick response. Can you please answer the question in regard to hearing this knock before I brought the vehicle in. I heard no knocking or experienced any overheating prior to the car being brought in for service. The knock appeared after repairs were done. Thank you, Stuart

A. This would be very hard to prove as to who's at fault here. There could have been some bearing damage IF the coolant was leaking inside the engine as well as outside, which it most likely was. Coolant attacks bearing material. As for the noise, I truly believe that you heard no noise but can say that you are not alone here. I have seen the 4.3 liter engines knock within 1,000 miles of a intake gasket replacement.

A little known secret in a service bulletin is out there to warn technicians not to use surface conditioning discs to remove the old gasket material from the cylinder head surface because they throw abrasive dust all through the engine which could be picked up by the oil pump on start up and quickly take out some bearings. They say they flushed out the oil though.

Bottom line is you need a motor OR a new crankshaft and fitted bearings. Did they use these discs?? I don't know and couldn't prove they are at fault but if you approach the service manager about the problem, you may recieve some kind of help. Good luck.