1982 CHEVROLET BLAZER

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Slipping or flaring on 3-4 upshift, No overdrive engagement or falls out of 4th gear, Burnt ATF smell, metal shavings in pan, Harsh 1-2 shift or won't leave first gear

Fix: Early 700R4s are notorious for weak input drums, governor springs, and torque converter lockup issues. Rebuild with upgraded components takes 8-12 hours including R&R. Many techs swap in a later-model 700R4 or go back to TH400 for reliability.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi

Symptoms: Hard starting or no-start when cold, extended cranking, Black smoke on acceleration, poor fuel economy, Loss of power under load, rough idle, Glow plug relay clicking constantly or not at all

Fix: The Stanadyne DB2 injection pump wears internally; seals fail and timing drifts. Pump replacement is 6-8 hours. Glow plug controllers fail regularly (2 hours). Individual glow plugs seize in heads—extraction can turn into a head-off nightmare if tips break.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,800

Symptoms: Rust holes in cab corners, rocker panels, and tailgate, Frame rust behind rear spring mounts and front crossmember, Floor pan rust through, especially driver's side, Rear wheel well rust spreading into bed mounts

Fix: Square-body Blazers rot from the inside out due to poor drainage and thin metal. Cab corner replacement is 10-14 hours per side with metal fabrication. Frame rust often requires section replacement or full frame swap (20+ hours). Many trucks are too far gone by the time rust is addressed.

Estimated cost: $2,500-8,000

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Stalling at idle or when coming to a stop, Hesitation, flat spots on acceleration, Check engine light with codes 13, 21, 33, 44, 45, Hard starting after hot soak

Fix: The early GM Crossfire (dual TBI) system has vacuum leaks, failing TPS sensors, and corroded injector connectors. Injectors clog easily. Most owners have swapped to a carbureted intake or later TBI setup. Troubleshooting and repair takes 4-6 hours; conversion to carb is 6-8 hours.

Estimated cost: $600-1,500

Typical onset: 70,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Won't shift into or out of 4WD, 4WD indicator light doesn't work or flashes, Hissing from vacuum lines under hood or near transfer case, Grinding or popping when trying to engage 4WD

Fix: The push-button 4WD system uses vacuum actuators that crack and leak. Vacuum lines rot and fall apart. Shift motor (actuator) on transfer case fails or the shift fork bends. Most techs delete the vacuum system and install manual cable linkage kit (3-4 hours). Actuator replacement alone is 2 hours.

Estimated cost: $300-900

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Flooding, fuel smell in cab, black smoke, High idle, won't return to normal idle speed, Stumble off idle, lean surge at cruise, Choke not opening or stuck closed

Fix: Rochester Quadrajet carbs develop worn throttle shafts causing vacuum leaks, stuck power valves, and accelerator pump failures. Rebuild kits are cheap, but proper rebuild with proper float settings takes 3-4 hours. Many swap to Edelbrock or Holley for simplicity.

Estimated cost: $400-800

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking over bumps or when turning, Wandering, loose steering feel on highway, Grease leaking from CV boots or knuckle seals, Popping or clicking in 4WD during tight turns

Fix: Dana 44 and 10-bolt front ends have weak tierod ends, idler arms, and pitman arms that wear fast. CV axle boots tear and joints fail. Ball joints require knuckle removal (6-8 hours per side). Full front-end rebuild with CV axles is 12-16 hours.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,400