98 Blazer starting problems

Also a good place to use the much-maligned "mechanic in a red can" - Marvel Mystery Oil as 25% of the change oil. It works at gently removing the gum and carbon from ring grooves etc.

Reply to
clare
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Get the good gaskets. The rubberised cork stand up better than the pore "rubber" ones. Make sure the vover surfaces are straighr - if sheet metal they are often deformed by overtightening - I could tell you a story about a Chevy inline six and a stock car race.

Yes. I've heard of using ATF - and I've used it. It did work - but that was back in the days of Dexron Type A fluid - not sure how the current product would work. I know the MMO works. Rislone, from Shaler Corp also has a product that works quite well. DO NOT use engine flush on an engine that is that filthy. It is too agressive. I'd be leary of the kerosene/diesel fuel as well.

Pull the rocker covers to replace the gaskets and see how badly crudded up the valve train is, and if the oil is getting up to the rockers. Be REAL CAREFULL about knocking crud down into the engine from the valve covers. I could tell you a story about a terminally neglected slant six and a misguided attempt to clean up the rocker area of the engine (but you don't like me telling stories).

If the rocker covers are full of "diamonds" don't even bother trying. Just chan ge the engine ot take it out and totally dissassemble, clean, and rebuild.

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Reply to
clare

You yanks are lucky - you can buy the MMO for less than the price of good ATF - Walmart sells it for $4.78 for a "short" quart.

Reply to
clare

Replace ALL of the evap control hoses while you are in there, along with the vac hoses.

Reply to
clare

Now, there is a good idea. They sell some foamy stuff in a spray can. I can also use the coin operated car wash at a nearby town. Thank you.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

What's your take on using a quart of ATF, several days before the oil change? Does that work as well as Marvel?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

CY: Hmm. Didn't know there were two choices. Thanks for sharing which ones work better. I have seen covers that were deformed. Had to be pounded flat.

CY: Years ago, I heard that the synthetic oils made the engines leak. What turns out, the sludge acted as a seal, and the seals dried out. The synthetic agressively cleaned the engine, and removed the sludge seals. Oops.

CY: Right!

CY: Will watch for that. .

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Oops, well, guess there is some to be thankful.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

I think a couple of the hoses run along the drivers side rail, to the canister on the back. Or, do they transition to metal?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Rubber in the engine bay, steel lines along the frame then rubber at the tank.

Reply to
Steve W.

Thanks. I'll look for them. Wonder if either of my books has some pictures and routing?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

Transition to metal, but on that beasty the metal could be a screen by now too- - -

Reply to
clare

Not quite true. The early synthetics disolved the plasticizers out of seals and gaskets, making then harden up like steel or anthacite coal. Then the seals filed grooves in the crankshaft, the harmonic balancer snout, and anything else they ran against. New synthetics do not have that problem.

Reply to
clare

Not sure if it works "as well as marvel", but it does work The marvel is thinner and creeps better than ATF. I prefer to use something "made for the job" when it is available at the right price. Every time I go down to the states I bring a few quarts of Marvel home with me, and I buy my Motorcraft oil filters for the Ford at Walmart for under $5 instead of paying $18 up here. I picked up the air filter for the Taurus for $7 - even aftermarket up here is close to $25 - and if I can install genuine replacement parts for less than the cost of aftermarket stuff - I DO.

Reply to
clare

Nothing like working on a clean engine. Makes EVERYTHING easier, and you don't end up looking like a tar-baby when you are done - and getting grease stains on everything you get within spitting distance of. You don't end up dropping tools and screws into inaccessible places, only to have them stick there so you can't even knock them out because they are half burried in grease and crud.

Reply to
clare

Lot to be said for using things made for the job. Good observation.

Wonder why things are more expensive in Canada? Socialism?

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

People will wonder why my vehicle isn't rotted out with rust, and covered with grease.

Reply to
Stormin Mormon

That only accounts for our 13% sales tax burden in Ontario. I guess a case could be made for higher costs of doing business due to health care taxes etc raising to cost of labour. Average wages are also higher in Canada (again, possibly explained by higher cost of living - partly attributable to higher taxation rates. But socialism isn't the only reason taxes in Canada are high. We have more land area to service with roads and other taxpayer-supported infrastructure, with roughly 1/10 the population - so that IS going to cost more per person. A lot of stuff doesn't even make it across the border because of the requirement for English and French labelling. Other stuff doesn't get here because it does not have UL-C or CSA approvals. What does get here is oftenmarked up by American manufacturers and distributors "just because they can"

Reply to
clare

We can't even buy MMO up here any more because the American Manufacturer decided there was not enough sales to warrant spending on "frenglish" lables. When it was last sold at Canadian Tire I could occaisionally pick it up for $9.95 for an American Quart (whick is less than a litre) More often it was closer to $12.00

Reply to
clare

I was just reading the postal regs for Ca. What a PIA to send things!! Was thinking it would be a way to send "gifts" up there. Looks like they make that a real pain...

Reply to
Steve W.

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