Chvrolet Blazer Test drive 5 doors 1997 - 2005 SUV

Real Blazer

Does not like serious off -road, but is not afraid of dirt
 
In the Soviet Union, a beautiful Blazer was called a sort of fashionable jacket. And few of the inhabitants of the Great Empire knew that Blazer is not only scarce clothes, but also a car. Now, if there is a certain amount, a blazer can not only be worn - you can also ride it.
 
In our secondary market, American or Brazilian Chevrolet Blazer are mainly found, although these cars were made in Mexico and Canada. Brazilian cars are well known in Russia. Moreover, we are often called Elabuzers - similar SUVs gathered in the period from 1996 to 1999 at the factory in Elabuga, in Tatarstan. This project ended quite ingloriously. After the financial crisis of 1998, the Brazilian-Tatar Chevrolet bought poorly, even despite very attractive prices (the latest cars sold $ 14,000-16,000, although initially they cost from $ 25,000). Naturally, his role in the poor demand for the Brazilian Chevrolet Blazer played a loud scandal that erupted in the late 90s (Blazer was accused of having a bad engine). The consequences of this story are the owners of the Elabuzers are still dosing, since it is quite difficult to sell such machines, especially with a 2.2-liter engine.
 
The Chevrolet Blazer made in the USA differs from their Brazilian-Russian counterparts. They have a different appearance with a more aggressive front, the best completion and interior finish, as well as the most powerful V6 V6 engine with a volume of 4.3 liters (Brazilian options are often equipped with a weak 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.2 liters). In addition, American Blazer is in both three- and five-door bodies.
 
The American Blazer has another advantage, which at first glance is not so noticeable - these machines are more common not only in ads for the sale, but also in showdowns. As a result, getting body iron is easier for him than for Elabuga cars. It would seem that this fact does not matter, but only until the moment until you get into an accident. And then it will become clear that the used elements of the body are much cheaper than new ones. By the way, it is worth noting that the price of some parts for the American Blazer is less than for Elabuga cars. For example, the hood for a purebred Blazer costs $ 186, and the same part is on the Elabuzer - $ 362 (a similar situation with the front wings - the owners of the Americans pay $ 100, and the Elabuga cars - $ 135). Often kangarines are on Blazer, and they are usually used not only for their intended purpose, but also as a place for fastening of additional headlights. The latter are far from superfluous, because the standard optics of Blazer (like most American SUVs) shines poorly.
 
Corrosion on second -generation Blazer is rare, however, these cars in the hands of the negligent host can begin to rot. But even when this happens, nothing particularly terrible happens, because Blazer is based on a powerful frame that can serve for centuries (well, for decades for sure). If the frame is not in order (you can find out about its condition only by driving the car on the lift, which must be done without fail), then it is better to refuse the purchase of a car.
 
To the delight of summer residents
A significant part of the American Blazer have a leather finish. Unfortunately, now the upholstery of the seats can already be cracked or completely torn in some places, but there is nothing to be done here - years they take their own. There are enough places on the back couch, but during long trips, passengers understand that it is not too convenient because of the vertical backs (if you sit there for more than two hours, then the back gets tired).
 
The equipment of American Blazer is rich. Cars have electric glasses and mirrors, and often chairs are also adjusted using buttons (after 1998, headlight washers, an automatically obscuring rear-view mirror, climate control and electronic control of Auto4WD). There are no complaints to the work of most drives, only sometimes the drive of the driver’s electric chair rotates. When buying a car, pay attention to the emergency alarm button. Sometimes she dies herself, but it happens that the driver breaks her directly. Usually it is not possible to repair the emergency for, but it is simply impossible to change it. You have to buy a new block with a switch ($ 160). A little comfort may be the fact that on disassembly such a part can be found for $ 50-70.
 
Owners of used Blazer are periodically forced to change the stove motor ($ 100-120 for spare parts and work). By the way, we will pay tribute to the heating system: the interior warms up quickly enough even in severe frosts, despite the decent internal volume of the car. Another weak place in American Blazer is wipers, sometimes starting to work as they want. It is usually to blame for the failed payment in the motor itself ($ 80).
 
The American Chevrolet Blazer was equipped with only one power unit. This is a gasoline V-shaped six with a volume of 4.3 liters. By the way - the largest v6 motor in volume! The same engine was put on Brazilian cars, but there its power was 179 hp. But Blazer from the United States gives out more impressive 193 hp. Moreover, the fact that the motor has a non -wiping moment of 338 nm, which develop already at 2800 rpm, is also of no small importance.
In fact, this means that Blazer is able not only to easily move. The 4.3-liter V6 allows the driver to feel very confident on the highway, since even 100 km/h, pressing the gas pedal leads to rapid acceleration (in general, according to passport data, acceleration of the car 0-100 km/h takes 10.1 seconds. , and the maximum speed is 180 km/h). But you should not compete with sports coupes on this car. Blazer has a high center of gravity and there are no newfangled contrasting systems. And if you try to go into a turn on the verge of permitted, then it is very easy to not calculate. And then the car will easily turn over.
 
Many customers of Chevrolet Blazer are concerned about fuel consumption. And right. Gasoline prices in the country are constantly rising, and a 4.3-liter motor when driving in the city drinks a lot. Even with a more or less calm ride for every 100 km, it takes 17-20 liters, and if you constantly leave the traffic lights first, then get ready for all 30 liters.
 
The V6 engine with a chain drive (the chain serves very, very long) is famous for its reliability, and its design has long been tested for many Chevrolet. With proper operation, it withstands more than 500 thousand km. However, we will be honest - not all such motors work for so long. And the reason for their earlier wear is quite simple. Most likely, the owner did not always change the oil in time or was a lover of light on the road. If the heart of the machine requires serious surgical intervention, then you need to be prepared to part from about $ 1000-1500.
 
Often mineral oil is poured in Blazer. In this case, you need to remember that the new oil changes every 5-7 thousand km, and not 10-15 thousand km. In addition to standard regulations during operation in Russia, it is recommended to clean the injector and the fuel system once every six months or a year ($ 50-70). At the same time, pouring all kinds of flushing liquids of unknown origin is strictly prohibited! You also need to wash the cells of the radiator (once a year), otherwise the motor along with the transmission will begin to overheat.
 
Perhaps the only problem of the power unit of the American Chevrolet Blazer is a gasoline pump. As it turned out, it is simply not designed to work with such a volumetric engine, in which you need to constantly download a large amount of fuel under high pressure. As a result, the pump has to be changed quite often, and its price is $ 200-300 (work $ 30-60). Moreover, it is noted that the most capricious gas pumps in the production of Acdelco (in addition, they are more expensive). The fuel pressure regulator may fail. On cars made after 1996, it comes separately and costs $ 50. But on Blazer 1994-1995, the regulator is assembled with all injection - and this is about $ 400!
 
In order to extend the life of the gas pump and the regulator as much as possible, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse the gas tank when replacing the pump. In general, some Blazer owners install another gasoline pump (for example, Bosch), which develops at least 5.5 bar with a capacity of about 150 liters per hour.
 
This is not the Volga!
Customers of American Blazer very often sacredly believe that this SUV was equipped only with an automatic. However, Chevrolet put on its car and a mechanical 5-speed gearbox. According to masters who happened to serve cars with a manual KP (and there are few such cars in Russia), this transmission is reliable and does not have characteristic weaknesses. Periodically, it is necessary to change the oil in it, and after a run of 200-300 thousand km, seals can start to leak. And the clutch after 150-200 thousand km is usually replaced. But all this, in principle, is completely standard breakdowns for old machines with mechanics.
 
Yes, and there are no special complaints about the machine. The most important thing he needs is to replace the oil, which competent mechanics advise to carry out every 25-30 thousand km. Moreover, when performing this operation, it is necessary to remind the masters so that they do not forget to put a new filter, a pallet and a special sleeve-connector (this work costs $ 30). If during the ride there is a feeling that the transmission began to somehow work, then it is better to go to the service right away and diagnose. When the situation is not entirely neglected, it is usually possible to do with a repair in an amount of about $ 400-600. But it should be noted that with a timely change in oil and a calm ride, the transmission can serve for a very, very long time.
 
The buyer has a choice with type of drive. It turns out that Chevrolet Blazer, despite all its off -road appearance, does not always have a full -wheel drive system! The rear -wheel drive machines, of course, are slightly cheaper, but there is a great doubt in the advisability of purchasing such a car in Russia with its difficult weather conditions (look now outside and you will understand everything). As for all -wheel drive, it can be different on Blazer. There are cars where electronics itself, if necessary, throws torque to the front wheels. But still, most SUVs are equipped with a simpler system when the front axle must be connected by pressing a special button.
 
With timely maintenance (that is, the replacement of oil in the handout every 25-30 thousand km and in the front/rear bridge every 60 thousand km) the full-wheel drive system will last for a very long time. Although sometimes breakdowns of the mechanism for connecting all -wheel drive occur. As a rule, in these cases, the front axle drive soleen is out of order ($ 100). Also, as usual with all -wheel drive machines, you need to monitor the work of the crosses of the cardan shaft ($ 90 - branded, $ 20 - non -original) and other transmission elements (crosses often fail if the driver loves to drive). By the way, it is worth noting what a moment. Despite all the assurances that the front axle can be connected to the Chevrolet Blazer at speed, it is strongly recommended not to do this.
 
Chevrolet Blazer has a really large resource. However, only with timely maintenance, which consists in the well-known volgracks of the syringe, which must be carried out every 5-7 thousand km (this operation is simultaneously with a change in oil). It costs $ 15, but if you refuse to lubricate the chassis, then the ball supports after 10-20 thousand km will fail (when syringing, these parts can stretch more than 150 thousand km). And the price of ball supports is considerable. Neorginal - $ 30-60, and branded - $ 78 apiece (and there are four of them in the suspension). It must be borne in mind that in the lower supports the backlash is allowed within 3 mm, but there should not be in the upper ones. The silent blocks of the front suspension should serve 150-200 thousand km. Their replacement will require about $ 200. As for the rear suspension, it very rarely requires repair.
 
Against the background of a rather reliable suspension, some problems are delivered by the steering, where the pendulum lever and the hitch bipod periodically wear out. A corporate lever costs $ 140 (replacement-$ 20-25), but you can find a spare part from independent manufacturers for $ 30-40. The bipod costs about the same amount. The steering tips (two of them) cost $ 30-100 each.
 
EXCURSION
 
Chevrolet has extensive experience in the release of SUVs. The name Blazer first appeared in 1969, when the Americans began to make a Blazer car of the K. series.
Interestingly, in the 80s, Chevrolet issued two different Blazer at once. One of them was represented in 1982 and was called Blazer S10. This machine is based on the Chevrolet S10 pickup (it was shown in 1981). Such a car for a long time was produced only in a 3-door version. And only in order to separate the S10 from the larger 5-door Blazer series C/K (from the last model in the mid-90s, the Chevrolet Tahoe model increased). Chevrolet Blazer S10 was equipped with 2.5, 2.8 and 4.3 liters with engines.
 
In 1991, restyling Blazer S10 took place. A 5-door modification appeared, and only a 4.3-liter engine (160 hp or 200 hp began to install under the hood, depending on the modification). In 1993, the name of the SUV was slightly reduced- the car became called Blazer S. And in 1994, when a new generation of the model appeared, the letter S was removed. So the Chevrolet Blazer appeared with a 3- and 5-door body and an engine of 4.3 liters with a capacity of 193 hp
 
In the next 1995, the light was seen by another Chevrolet Blazer, designed for the South America market (it was done in Brazil). The car has a slightly different appearance and other power units: 2.2 liter gasoline engines (113 hp) and 4.3 l (179 hp), as well as a 2.5-liter diesel (95 hp (95 hp .). In Russia, almost nothing knew about this car, until in 1996 its assembly in Elabuga began. In 1998, the Chevrolet Blazer restyled.
 
In 2001, the US public introduced a new SUV, which replaced Blazer. True, it was already called differently - Tialblazer. The car is equipped with a completely new aluminum engine of the V6 with a volume of 4.2 liters, which produces 273 hp, as well as a 5.3-liter V8 (294 hp). In addition, in addition to the usual version, there is an elongated Ext.
 
However, the release of the usual Blazer is still ongoing! True, now this car is in the Chevrolet hierarchy a step below Tialblazer and two - below Tahoe.
 
Denis Smolyanov
 

Source: Mkobil magazine