Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (Full Version)

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Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :(

  

dbleon -> Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 4:10:54 PM)

I think my blazer just threw a rod....  I accelerated hard onto the freeway and heard it start making a loud clanking noise that increases with rpm.  It sounds like its coming from the front drivers side....  Its an '89 but only has 85k and its in PERFECT condition!  I'm really pissed now, how much does a job like this usually cost?

Thanks guys

  
Asimm -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 4:14:39 PM)

yeah man that sucks, it happened to me and im having to replace my engine..

that sucks im sorry

WolfPack -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 5:30:20 PM)

Never heard of throwing a rod and not needing a replacement engine..

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 7:03:20 PM)

One question... can you always hear a rod at idle?  When my olds threw a rod i could hear it when it was idleing, but my blazer gets REALLY loud when its reved a little, but is quiet at idle.  My old man seems to think it may have sucked a valve instead.  Are the two sounds similar?

swartlkk -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 7:25:42 PM)

Gotta figure it out, whatever it is before you start that motor again!  Running it even for short periods of time can cause many other things to go bad.

Anyway, that does suck.  An '89 with only 85k miles...  Man, I'd be more worried about a lot of things on a vehicle that old with that low of miles.  When it comes to older vehicles, I'd rather buy one that had 150k miles on it than one with 85k.  Often, more things can go wrong from lack of use than what can wear out from use.  Atleast you know the common wear items...

I do wish you luck!

I would run a compression test and possibly pull the oil pan to assess the rods.

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 7:57:41 PM)

Okay, so my nieghbor who is a cert. mechanic at a chevy dealer just confirmed its a rod.  What are my options now?

swartlkk -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 8:00:53 PM)

My first course of action would be to drop the pan (can be problematic if 4wd...) and see which rod it is.  Once you have determined which rod it is, you can pull the cap and check the crank journal.  If you didn't do too much damage to the crank, you may be able to polish it up and put a set of rod bearings into it and drive it 'til it breaks.  If you scored the crank, you'll need to pull the engine and either rebuild it or replace it.

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 8:19:42 PM)

I'm so pissed... i love this truck but dont have the money to fix it...  Im crying as i type this :(

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/17/2008 8:34:26 PM)

How much do you think a MINT (a true creampuff)  89' 4x4 with a blown motor would sell for?

portcqb -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/18/2008 5:46:48 AM)

It would depend alot on how it looks like rust and such since someone is going to have to drop some $$$ into it.

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/18/2008 7:02:52 AM)

No rust its mint... probably the cleanest first gen i have personally ever seen.  I can try to get pics up...

rriddle3 -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/18/2008 7:16:01 AM)

Like anything else, it's worth whatever a buyer will give. If I were buying an '89 with a blown engine, I'd say $500 max.

mr.vls -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/18/2008 8:44:54 AM)

I like what Kyle recomended, put some new bearings in it and drive it till it drops.  I also have a different opinion than most people.  I have a 1989 GMC Jimmy that I put in a GMC factory rebuilt engine.  My opinion is that it is not only the value of the vehical itself but what is it going to cost to replace it.  If it costs $5,000 to get a decent vehical, if you belong to a credit union get a loan and put in a replacement engine.  When I bought mine the prices for the same engine from the local dealers was all over the place.  I ended up getting an engine from local chevy dealer for 1,900 and installed it myself with no assistance.  This was for a VIN Z 4.3 Long Block with 60K warranty from GM. (Does not matter who installs the engine for the warranty)  I checked into local engine rebuilders and engines from Autozone, but what sold me on GM is the fact that it is warrented at any GM dealership.  I have almost 390K miles on my 89 Jimmy and it is my DD and runs great.  If you decide to sell it, I would list in on ebay with a ton of pictures.  The great body and interior and low miles should be worth at least $1500.  At least with EBAY you get a lot more exposure that just your local market.  I would not rule out listing it on Autotrader or Cars.com as well.   I already have well over 60k on my replacement engine.  

If you decide to replace the rod bearings,  I did the same thing on a Plymouth duster that I had,  and at the time I was a poor college student.  All I did was drop the oil pan,  remove the rod caps and install .001 undersizd bearings,  this eliminated most but not all of the knock but I was able to drive it untill someone rear ended me and totalled the car.

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/18/2008 9:13:11 AM)

Has anyone ever passed emissions with a 350 swap???

94blueknight -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/18/2008 5:18:44 PM)

hey dude i found an engine for $200 around here where i live for u. not sure of how many miles on it or how it is. but heres the link:  http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/pts/647517144.html

we could work out a deal or somethin so u could get it

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/24/2008 3:41:01 PM)

Sorry to bring this back up, but i keep going back and forth on whether or not i want to sell the truck...  i already had my buyer back out, so maybe i'll just fix it.  2 QUESTIUNS IF I MAY:

1. What year 4.3 will fit?  Meaning what will bolt straight up, just having to swap over the intake system?
2.  Is it possible to pass emissions with a 350?  My mechanic buddy says it wont happen, but Ive seen them before.

Thanks guys, and sorry again for bringing up an old thread.

4x4blazerguy -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/24/2008 5:06:21 PM)

What is with all these blown engines, the Blazer I just bought is an 97 with 88,000 miles & it has had the engine replaced.

My take on your situation is a little different possibly. First, if it is a rod or even a valve, if it was me I would look in two different areas. First, A reman engine with a warranty installed should run $3500. Now you can't go get another truck for that. If you could how much would you have to spend to get it in as good of shape as the one you have & know what the problems are.
Second, if you have a reputable wrecking yard close I would go talk to them about a used engine. If they are reputable they will tell you what year & how many miles are on it, also most will start them up and let you hear them run. I use to install used engines in trucks a friend of mine owned for his company fleet. I never had any trouble with them. My Blazer has a used engine in it that was put in before I bought it. It runs good after getting the bugs worked out of it. Costs vary I would guess around $600. You can buy remans for $1600 shipped. That is long blocks.
I have come to the place with mine (& you guys know I was PISSED OFF,) that I really like the truck I paid TOO much for it but then again I paid 1/5 of the cost of a NEW ONE. That I'm going to just fix it when it needs fixing. To replace this truck with a new one is $25,000+plus, higher insurance, licence fees, etc. Even if I have to do another engine. If I didn't really like the truck that would be different, but today it runs OK so I'm driving it. Plus All the work that has gone into it I now have a pretty good idea about what this truck is all about. Someone on this board said something awhile ago that makes a lot
of sense, if you go buy another used truck your just buying more problems. So it is cheaper in the long run to fix what you have even if you have to pay $3500.
My last point on this subject I believe the engine failures are do to running TOO LIGHT OF OIL. I don't care what GM says. Todays oils are SO THIN because of GAS MILEAGE requirements. I'm running Lucas in all my trucks today, and have been for sometime now. I feel that is added protection against engine failure in todays engines, plus they run hotter for smog requirements also. Chevys have never liked HEAT. Just my opinion after years of being a mechanic.
Craig

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/24/2008 5:20:19 PM)

Can anyone answer my questios?  I really need to know what will fit in there...

swartlkk -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/24/2008 10:19:38 PM)

THIS POST should shed some light on your situation.  Just follow the links.

dbleon -> RE: Thrown Rod??? Only 85k miles.... :( (4/24/2008 10:28:38 PM)

Nevermind, i found a nice 4.3l out of a '91 for $150...  I even drove the truck!  I'm just buying the longblock, and im gonna try to do the swap myself.

  

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