INGO Mechanics, Help Please (GM 4.3 Vortec)

[jfed85]

OK, So I am looking at a used blazer Im thinking about purchasing. It is a 98 Blazer with 124K on it. I am not really familiar with these engines. What I noticed while driving it was the oil pressure. At idle it was sitting around 18-20 PSI, Then fluctuates with throttle. Under acceleration the oil pressure is about 40 PSI.

I did some googling and from what I read this seems normal. I just want to be sure. I have never had a car with an oil pressure guage and from what I read most that have them are just dummy guages anyways that just drop when there is an issue.

The truck ran and idled good and smooth, but under heavy acceleration did feel like maybe it needed plugs and wires. Nothing bad though, I wouldnt say it felt like it was missing.

Also, does anyone know of a reputable mechanic who is reasonable on price to look at a used car befire I purchase it. Preferably on the southside. The seller lives around county line and 65. Thanks ahead of time for the responses.

 

[Brandon]

It will change depending on how hard you are stepping on the gas or not stepping on it.
Atleast the only vehicles I have driven with them all change. The more you step on it the higher the pressure should be.

 

[churchmouse]

That pressure is fine for a truck with those miles. No worries as it is supposed to increase with engine speed. The Vortec engines will run over 100,000 miles before needing a tune up.
The double platinum plugs are spendy but worth the money. This vehicle may just need the scheduled tune up. If you are buying it from the owner (Not a lot) then inquire. It could be a bargaining tool as the parts aren't cheap. It should be easy to tell if the wires and cap are original.

Luck to you on this.

 

[jfed85]

I understand that the oil pump will raise with the rpms, I just wanted confirmation that this wasnt a bad or weak engine, also I was wanting to make sure that 18 at idle wasnt too low. I am reading that some sit at 10PSI at hot idle.

 

[darkkevin]

seems just about right, the main thing is the pressure comes up with rpm's and you stated it does. it'll be just fine.

 

[rgrimm01]

I had a '93 S-10 with the 4.3 L motor(my understanding, it is my beloved 350ci less 2 cylinders). I loved that truck and would buy another one just like it if they made the exact same thing today. FYI, I put right at 360k on the thing and I am not one to regularly change the oil. I always jokingly said that the chevys thrive on abuse...


I am not a mechanic.

 

[sgreen3]

Perfectly within specs, nothing to be worried about.

 

[CTC B4Z]

dont expect good MPG's out of it!!!

 

[jfed85]

No worries, I wont be buying it.

The dude is a cmplete tool. Dont get me wrong the truck is nice. It is listed at $2800, I go drive it and tell him I am gonna do my homework and get back with him. After a few google searches and my INGO bretheren answers, I tell him I want to have it checked by a mechanic and then I will buy it. He responds with, "well, I am no longer in a hurry to sell it, so thte price is now $3300, then he listed it back on craigslist for $3500. Not the way to treat people if you ask me. Not that it probably isnt worth 3300, but due to principle, he wont be hearing back from me.

 

[Hookeye]

Seen a few babied 4.3's let go around 150-175K.
He did you a favor.

 

[85t5mcss]

Sucks you didn't get it. Good vehicles, great engines. Probably one of the most reasonable cost efficient SUVs on the road. But MPG isn't great and occasional injector or fuel pump failures suck. Distributors like to hold moisture due to screens plugging up. These are all relatively minor problems, though. 98-02 blazer would make for a good vehicle and that oil pressure is no problem. 10psi at hot idle is acceptable. I've had GMs even lower than that and that's when I get nervous. Pressure came up, good to go.

 

[a.bentonab]

No worries, I wont be buying it.

The dude is a cmplete tool. Dont get me wrong the truck is nice. It is listed at $2800, I go drive it and tell him I am gonna do my homework and get back with him. After a few google searches and my INGO bretheren answers, I tell him I want to have it checked by a mechanic and then I will buy it. He responds with, "well, I am no longer in a hurry to sell it, so thte price is now $3300, then he listed it back on craigslist for $3500. Not the way to treat people if you ask me. Not that it probably isnt worth 3300, but due to principle, he wont be hearing back from me.

Well that is certainly one way to do business.

 

[Gibster]

Tool was getting to much interest at $2800 so he knew his price was too low, maybe? Or just a TOOL!
I had a '90 4.3 with 85K that oil pressure bounced around at idle +/- 10 psi each way hot or cold, then steady at 40 psi plus off idle while hot.
Replaced the sending unit (about $30) solid psi from then on. Something came apart inside it.

 

[Rookie]

You could post the link. some of us could have fun...

 

[herby31]

my old '99 s10 had that engine and ran to 190k miles with no engine problems (i had to put on a new alternator and coolant pump) until some less than talented driver took my right of way and totaled my truck. now i have another used s10 ('02) with the 4.3 (160k) and its been running strong, the only problems have been with repairs/alterations the previous owner made. the oil pressure has dipped pretty low during idle on both trucks, but GM has started to recommend thicker oil for these aging trucks to keep the pressures up where they need to be. (original manual calls for one thing, computer databases at napa, autozone, and walmart have all been updated to reflect the change). One more thing to be leery of, the 4x4 systems on these trucks (98-05 blazers, s10s, and sonomas) can be temperamental, so if you are looking for a rock solid dependable 4x4 system, you may want to look at other trucks.

 

[churchmouse]

You could post the link. some of us could have fun...

^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I am in....post up. I love messing with "TOOL's"

 

[sampo]

The 4.3 vortec is the best 6 cylinder you can get. That's normal for the oil pressure to fluxuate like that. tune-up's are easy. My wife has 224,000 on her vortec V6

 

[jfed85]

He now says he will take my 2800, he was drinking last night and isn't sure what his deal was.

 

[jfed85]

So now he says that the original 2800 price stands, he got to drinking last night and get doesn't know what he was thinking...AKA...he didn't get any offers at 3500.

 

[Brandon]

If it is the principal on not paying more, then stick with your guns and tell him to take a hike... You can find plenty of other cars in that price range.