TheLoyale

Ben, it has 146,000 on it (All original) and I have been doing some searching and it does seem like the Intake gaskets are common issues with these GMs from everything I've been reading on sites. Miles, I suspect your right. GMs qulity has really gone down hill these days, the 4.3 Vortec is a good motor but it has alot of faults from what I've been reading. Looks like we're gonna get a Jeep sooner now Lol. This really isn't a big deal, its just a back-up car incase of. Its a great runner though! We had it since 2001, and its a 1999. We'll see what we can do and what we diside. Thanks guys -Tom

Ben, thats also some good knowledge. I will check around the intake for anything. I know that theres some old built up oil around the front of the intake but don't remember seeing any coolant - I will check. Now did you notice any drop in power since you had a intake leak? I would assume that if fluid can leak out, air could be sucked in causing major bogging ect. As for the leak being above the exhaust - I don't think it could be, theres nothing in that area and that far back that carries coolant, it looks to be dripping out two small rust holes in the y-pipe. I know the 4.3 is a pretty durable engine, but there are also alot of complaints to go along with it aswell. I beleive that the Block is Alloy, not Cast steal, Am I wrong? I know it has plastic valve covers -Tom

GD, thanks for this great knowlege! This does help me with understanding HG failures more, and how diffrent motors react to diffrent failures ect.. Hmm that does seem plausible about being a cooling jacket. I still don't understand why it would crack just now, unless cause it sits alot and with these cold temps, whatever coolant was left in the jacket from the last time it ran, somehow froze - expanded and cracked it. Hmm? I will see what I can find for New gen Blazer forums or GM forums. Either way, I think this is gonna be a lost cause. I hope nothing else go's on the Soob where I would need to drive the Blazer, as seeing its pretty much not going to happen. Stay Strong Subaru! Thanks again for your help! -Tom

Ok, I guess there are water-jackets on the intake. Can this be causing this? That would by-pass the oil system and come out the exhaust correct?

But if it was, wouldn't there be something in the oil? Plus wouldn't you hear a leak depending and wouldn't it run crappy? Plus how would a Head or Block just crack? Its always be takin care of well (My dad always fixed it, and knows what he's doing I might add) I just don't get it, From everything I know about bad HGs, there is coolant in the oil, and it runs crappy, plus you can hear a leak if the outer side of the gasket gos. But NON of this is happening. Plus the coolant is NOT dropping much from what I can tell. So WTF? How does coolant get into the exhaust without being in the oil/crankcase/combustion chamber? This doesn't add up to me. The Truck/engine only has 146,000 on it, not hard miles. Just DD, city/highway sometimes interstate, but now its been sitting off and on cause the new DD is a Toyota FJ. I drive the Blazer if I need to fix the Roo or whatever. Ideas??

So heres something I don't understand, We have a 99 Blazer (S-10) 4.3l Vortec V6. I have coolant dripping out of the exhaust around the Y-pipe, it is Coolant (its red, GM uses Dex-cool Red anti-freeze) Anyway I noticed it while I moved it and let it run in the driveway - it makes a good puddle, 2 or 3 dripps every second. Funny thing is it doesn't over heat, and the coolant is full (I checked it afterwards) and there is nothing but Oil in the crankcase, so its not a HG, right? or is there another way for coolant to get into the combustion chamber without getting into the oil system on these 4.3l ? I smell coolant really strong and have been for a few months (I just never saw a leak like this before) The exhaust keeps steaming pretty heavy even when up to running temp and be driving for a while (So thats one clue theres water/coolant in the exhaust) But why do I not see anything in the oil, plus it runs damn good, has power, sounds normal. Juts leaks alot. Any ideas? -Tom

I might add a peice of water pipe or some threaded pipe in the front most part of the bracket (Where that big bolt used to go on the compressor to hold that electronic thing) just to give it some support in the front setion. Either way, its most likely gonna be fine.

Rob, yes it is! I have alot of records, so a turntable is a must Wagonist, I was also worried about that aswell - but it can't realy move once the alt is bolted up tight. Seems to work f=as good as before, So we'll see. -Tom

I removed the A/C Pump and am down to one belt now, The A/C was in the way of alot of things, plus you can't get to the By-pass hose for the heater core that runs under the intake if the A/C pump is installed. So its out and am much happier. Genuine Parts: Radiator Waterpump/gasket Thermo/gasket Trans Cooling Lines -TJD

Thats a Badass EA81! Rock on! -Tom

I dunno, I had my passenger side down pipe break off the cat (Right where the weld is) and it sounded pretty mean. Kinda like a demo durby car, but still mean. But you are right, there is a noticeable power drop. I wonder if Bill has a video of his Brat with the stacks? -Tom

Why a EJ25? I'd say the bigger the pipe the more deep bellow sound it'll give it, I would maybe do 2-1/2" pipe all the way, Flat-4 + Duel 2-1/2" exhaust = mean sounding grumble! I wonder what a Flat-4 would sound like with a 4" down-pipes duel exhaust going to 6" Stacks?

She runs again!! I didn't mess anything up and no more water leaks from what I can see. man is it cold out. I am finaly done. Haha I'll get your mudflappers to ya soon enough :-p Gotta figure out where you wanna meet up (Depending on how your coming in) Do you a A/C pump aswell? It seems fine and it works. PM or text or call whatever you want :-p -TJD

Just got done putting in a new waterpump, Radiator, by-pass hose for heatercore, New thermo, New trans cooling lines, Removed A/C pump (Finaly) alot more space to work with and one less belt! I busted me rump roast today laddie. -TJD

I know lol. we got a bundle of snow, 6-12 plus drifting. They didn't even get to plowing our road till like 4am. It stopped snowing about 1:30am, so me and pops went out and took care of it. About my Soob, I'm gonna remove the radiator and work on getting the covers off, so come saturday I can move right along. I'm driving a '99 Blazer LS S-10 and the damn thing won't turn in deep or slushy snow untill you give it some gas. I hate GMs front diff on these things... -Tom

Oh wait! My mistake. My Probationary expires 12/11/10 (YAY!!) that means I get my real licence in a year! Only thing I can't do with this licence it drive after 12pm (Which I think is dumb) I prefur driving at late night (No one on the road) Yea I got your PM, your right, Miles is a cool guy - seems to have a lucky streak Lol. $1 menu is how I roll aswell!

Scott, Thats the sad thing, even if i get a ticket for no seatbelt - I will lose my licence and will have to retake that test and crap. Cause its a probationary (Spelling) licence. I'll have it till 2012 (When I turn 21) So I gotta keep my rump roast clean lol. Miles always seems to have luck with find Subarus, I dunno. Maybe there are more old gens up north? Only thing I can't figure out about him is, when he works? He's like always doing something Subaru related.

LOL! thats a funny idea, I've only had my licence for 2 or so years and you want me to loose it cause I'm a dumb rump roast? LMAO! I never see any older Soobs anyway, Everythings EJ I duno where Miles seems to find all his EA82s (Out of state maybe?)

Even if they would, I don't really want it (I have my own for the Safariwagon, so I want to stay on my own lol) Eh, I guess theres no big rush in getting another Subaru. I do have some of the High-temp red RTV. So maybe I'll do it (If its any good that is, its pretty old lol)

I would still like to have another Soob, Maybe once My insurance drops I'll look into it more (I can always part it on the road in front of the house) Would like to maybe get a stick 1st gen Legacy or a 1st gen Impreza wagon. I've never driven stick yet (but I watched my dad alot when he drove the Ranger, so I have a good idea when to let the clutch out and feed more gas) Just need to feel the vehicle Hey one quick question about the Waterpump gasket, Its a Genuine gasket and pump. Should I bother with adding any RTV to the gasket or just leave it as is and install it? -Tom

Well I have one of those (I only make $12,000 a year ) Guess I need a 2nd job. I would like to rent a whole house so I have a garage, but us youngens don't have the money for that nowa days. My auto insurance is about $700 every 6 months, then soon I guess I have to get health care (Might not) I hate being young and new to the world Alright enough with the sab stories, I have the Safariwagon stuffed in the garage so I can do a waterpump this weekend in 10 Deg F weather with only a heater. Hope this go's quick! -Tom

Very true, I agree Still wish I could have more then 1.

Wow, sure don't look like it! Not rich? You have more Subarus then I can think of lol... I only have one (no room for more) Still looks good, nice job!

Rob, kick rump roast!!! Did you get them resurfaced and Powder coated? Look very nice -Tom

Wow! Nice looking! I want a sedan -Tom