GM 4.3 Liter Vortec - I am so disappointed with the quality of this engine I will never buy another General Motors Product again

GM 4.3 Liter Vortec - I am so disappointed with the quality of this engine I will never buy another General Motors Product again

GM 4.3 Liter Vortec Is a piece of JUNK!

I am a 15 year ASC, and state of Michigan Master tech. I have been teaching dealer tech's for the last 8 of those 10 years.

I have been driving S Series Pick ups's and Blazers sense I received my drivers license back in 1983. I recently bought my first non TBI or carburetor equipped 4.3 equipped vehicle. It is a 2003 Chevy S-10 4 door pickup. You know, the latest, greatest Vin W Vortec pushrod engine. I am so disappointed with the quality of this engine I will never buy another General Motors Product again. Far less because of the inherent design flaws right out of the box that have been able to stay with a design that is near 10 years, but because of how stupid General Motors thinks it's costumers really are!

My engine has the same problems that 80% of V6 and V8 Vortec engines have. Its noisy and idles terribly! GM has been promising a fix for years with no resolution. Carboned pistons causing clacking, improperly metered lifters are noisy and to top it all off, a balance shaft torsion problem that completes the engine noise cycle and vibration throughout ALL operating ranges and engine speeds and conditions.

With as many millions of these ticking time bombs on the road, with no resolution in sight, GM just shrugs its shoulders and says: "Hey, its a pushrod motor, its supposed to be noisy." $27,000 for a vehicle with an engine that sounds like it has 150,000 miles on it at 15,000 miles and on. I guess they think that them telling us Vortec owners that "it poses no longevity or performance issue" should appease our sense of concern. Problem is IT DOESN'T! Of 5 dealerships, none could give me the time of day, and GM costumer service? Lets just say, banging my head against the wall would have been a more productive use of my time.

I pulled the motor out of my NEW TRUCK myself and found:

6 of 12 lifters defective. Improper valve preload on all 6 resulting in a noisy valve train. Checked bleed down rate of all lifters, none of which met GM's own Minimum Bleed down rate specification for this application.

8 valve guides with at least .005" of movement.

7 valve springs out of square and ALL 12 with less than 50 lbs of installed seat pressure.

Valve stem heights in variance of over .020" on a non adjustable valve train.

.023" back lash on the balance shaft gears. OH MY GOD! No wonder it's so noisy! After trying to match 16 sets of new shafts and gears, best I could do was .008" and had to lap them in as well. Lucky for me ONE local GM dealer let me strip old gears and shafts from old warranty engines. They had exploded carcasses on hand. Where did those all come from?

Left bank of the engine had a minimum of .006" piston to wall clearance and 2 collapsed piston skirts, right bank had 1 collapsed skirt with .005" on one cylinder. THATS 3 collapsed piston skirts total in a 6 cylinder engine.

If I didn't know it was an almost new engine, I'd swear it had at least 100,000 miles on it!

After an investment of $675.00 and a week and a half with the engine on a stand, my engine sounds like it should after 16,000 miles. Its QUIET!

Question is, why couldn't GM do this in production? How many years have they been having this problem? For as long as a balance shaft has been inside the Vortec! What is the moral of the story?

GM has no regard for costumer care, or satisfaction. GM has no regard for the faithful costumer and Joe lunchpail who is paying a note on a truck that sounds like a piece of junk! I just wanted to share my engine autopsy with your readers.

Any one want to join me in a class action law suit?

Victor G

Dearborn Michigan (home of Henry Ford and the Mustang)

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fuel meter in the spider its leaking i have the same problem an i have to use starting fuild to get to star in the morning i spent 2k on the eng listening to the mech or or grease monkies at five shops this senser an that sener , muilti misfire , i bet its 5 an or 6 cylinder s , an yes a class action lawsuit , i have of the same engines in a 99 gmc p up an a blazer same year one is great runs fine no problem , but the other my god everyone i talk to they trade theres in or junk it soled it its also the computer giveing the wrong info too

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I have had a 92 4.3 that I sold with 195k. My o1 4.3 was traded at 73k. My 03 4.3 has 2002k on it. All the same, 1 quart every 3000 miles. even when new. My latest 03 4.03 has had AMS iol since 1000 miles runs like the day I bought it new. Not good on gas but a tank of a motor if taken care of

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I am having problems with the same year & type truck. My lifters clatter from 1 hour to overnight when i start it. I also loose trnsmission & coolant fluids but they never are found on the ground.. STRANGE !

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I disagree with the 4.3 being a piece of junk. I've had 2 with over 300k on them and never had any problems wit the actual motor. It was everything around the motor that gave me problems. One of them I know still runs wit 462 thousand miles. I just put an icm in it this mornin for the buddy I sold it to. I also pu a new set of main and rod bearings in it cause when he changed the oil he installed the new filter with the old gasket still on the motor and he ran it outta oil. That was 40k ago didn't even turn the crank cause my buudy is cheap and I did it for a 12 pack. That thing still purrs like a kitten. Every other chevy I've had other than 2 2.8s 1 in an 85 s10 and one in a 88 beretta gt have been complete junk. I'm talkin 95 sierra 350 62000 miles had to replace motor 02 silverado 4.8 new motor at 90k. I could keep naming them but I don't have that much time. There's at least a dozen more I could list, and I'm only talking about motors, don't even get me started on the rest of the vehicles. I now only run fords in my fleet and I with a combined mileage of 2.2 million miles I've spent less keeping my all my fords on the road than just the best 1 gm vehicle I've used. My personal vehicles are a retired 2000 explorer xlt with a 4.0 ohv auto with 464k on the clock and never had the motor trans or rearend in the shop. I also have a 99 explorer EB that has 239k on it and I replaced the t case cause I wanted 4wd instead of awd. It literally has had nothing but belts battery fluids plugs wires and brakes put on it, oh and its a 5.0. I also have a few hondas with over 300k on them one has 82xk and it cranks up every time. I have a couple of toyotas and while their motors are dependable their wiring is junk. And the 22re is an interfierence engine and I've had to rebuild the head when somehow part of the slides for the timing chain broke and got hung in crank gear and it jumped time. I have said it before yet for some reason I keep giving them a chance and always regret it but I will never buy another gm again.

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yall are all idiots u dont know shit about cars if your setting there baseing all general motors off on truck the 4.3 gets great gas and almost has power of a v8 or double the power of a ford v8

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Sorry to read this. I service, tune and repair gm for years. Love the brand! Your right about the balance shaft, the rest is i think your own fight against gm! Idel settings are for specialist only i think. Good luck. Bert, holland

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I am a shade tree mechanic who's done his own repair on all my vehicles starting, after discovering my Dad's good ol' boy buddy mechanics were ripping him off, with repairs long on price and short on problem solving, with my red and white'57 Bel Air 250 straight 6, that my dad bought me used as a HS graduation present. I have no mechanics credentials, but after 50 years of repairing them can turn a wrench with the best of em. Ive owned nearly every make of American car over the years, hate Fords,think Dodges are ok, and love Chevys and Pontiacs. they are a bit noisy, and leak oil like theres no tomorrow, but you just cant kill em. My '57 that i sold like the unseasoned kid i was for $35 in 1971 cause i was broke and movin accross the country and it needed work I didnt have money for, is probably still runnin like a top somewhere. my '86 TA still keeps tickin away with well over 350k miles. My '84 Chrysler Lebaron ("Mister Bitchy) was a piece o' S**t from the word go and lasted only 2 years with major engine overhaul, head replacement, and many major repairs, started just killin grass in the back yard in 1990, when i completely gave up on it. Never had a Ford last over 4 years.

I will never lose my loyalty to GM car. Generally they're the best on the market that the working man can afford. But those complaining about the 4.3 L, that Chevy now seems to love, have a point. From what Ive seen, they seem to have maybe 1,000 fantastic ones that will last forever, for every 1 total piece o' S**t, basket of bolts that should have never made it out the front door of the plant, but when you buy one of those complete lemons, and pay good hard earned money for it, and its disocovered and verified by a mechanic, that its useful only as a large paper weight, I agree GM should back the product and stop saying "It's the nature of the beast." Yes its true the nature of this beast is that every 1001 or so is junk, but what any responsible Manufacturer like GM should do is own up to that fact, and send out a brand new one to replace it, on the spot, rather than just accept all the negative publicity the minor number of lemons that come off the line precipitate. With all the fantastic ones they have made millions on, the cost of replacing .1% of them for turning out to be Dogs would be just good public relations for a car company that has a well deserved good reputation, that they're apparently willing to risk letting go down the toilet just to save a few bucks on the very few glitches in the system, that produce one of these aberrant anomalies every thousand or so fantastic engines. My daughters considering driving 400 miles back home in one of the afore mentioned lemons from '93 this weekend, and i plan to stand at the ready to go save her in my 25 year old TA, or my sons 2L Mister Bitchy rice burner with a Dodge emblem, either of which, would run rings around that GMC pickup with a 4.3L paper weight that could easily be replaced with a loosely wound rubber band, and produce more power.

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I have a 1995 K 1500 4WD with the 4.3 Vortec engine. The truck was 3 years old when I bought it with 74,000 miles on it.

13 years later I have 225,000 miles on it and hauling way more weight than it should be with tools, ladder rack with heavy fiberglass extension ladders, truck box and side boxes loaded to max.

I have worked this truck hard and it has been ready to go every time I climb in it. I will admit it isn't perfect and has some issues but as far as putting me down or making me walk, it never has.

I have owned seven different trucks in my 51 years. Three Fords, Two Dodges and Two Chevy's.

Two of the Fords were junk and the other had an 8.2 Liter Detroit Diesel which served me well.

The two Dodge's were fair vehicles but a fair amount of problems too.

The two Chevy's have been the best of all of them. One had a 327 engine that would pull the house down if you could get the traction and this truck now so I can't complain.

I have worked both Chevy trucks hard and both were always there and ready for the next job.

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In 2002, I bought a 1998 GMC Sierra, extended cab, with 142K miles on it. I paid about $9500 for it. I needed a functional work truck for around the farm. The truck, sporting a 4.3L Vortec V-6, looked and ran new.

Nine years later, I can't find an excuse to get rid of it. All I've done to this truck over nine years is:

1. Replaced plugs and wires, once at 150K.

2. Replaced belt at 156K

3. Flushed radiator at 170K

4. Finally replaced brake pads at 256K

5. Replaced fuel pump at 180K and 225K.

6. Replaced alternator at 192K miles.

7. Replaced AC/Heater fan at 262K.

8. Refilled refrigerant at 250K.

Oh, and replaced muffler at 252K.

Other than routine maintenance - replacing the occasional light bulbs - plus routine SYNTHETIC oil changes every 10,000 miles - and keeping the truck clean under the hood - I've done very little to keep my bright red baby running like a champ. I routinely drive 370 miles between my homes in Mobile and Valley Head, Alabama.

My truck is comfortable, quiet, and you want to know something else? I get awesome gas mileage! Typically, 23.7 MPG on the highway and about 19 - 20 in town. Granted, my truck would NOT pass a stringent vehicle inspection because a certain part in the exhaust system has been purposely removed (which results in the check engine light remaining on due to an O2 sensor). But, the engine light has been "ON" for 130K miles now - don't think it's a problem!

As for the interior? The dash and upholstery is maintained/cleaned about once every three months and I wash and wax the exterior about once a month. I get lots of compliments on my 14 year old truck - that always makes me feel good.

About the great mileage? Other than the absence of an exhaust part, I don't do anything "special" - oh, I put a bottle of fuel system cleaner in about every three months, but I haven't replaced my computer chip or improved the exhaust. I do use K&N air and oil filters and keep an eye on my tire pressure, but I'm not obsessive about anything. On my road trips, I do run with my tailgate down and I've found this improves my mileage about 1 to 2 MPG. And, I don't EVER run over 75 and typically set the cruise at 68 MPH. 68 MPH seems to be its optimum speed and RPMs for great mileage.

Given that I bought this truck used with 142K miles on it, I took a risk. But, I researched the truck and actually talked to the company who owned it new. The company had a fleet of "executive" trucks used for trips between Pensacola, FL and Texas. The trucks were rigidly maintained and in order for the user to get his/her highway expenses compensated, they had to produce maintenance receipts every 3,000 miles. THAT, was the key to giving this engine a great start toward what I hope will end up being a HALF-MILLION miles before I'm done with it.

I might add that I haven't had a truck note since 2005, my insurance costs are low, and I get great mileage for a full sized truck. It would be hard to replace this truck based on hopes of getting better mileage and quite frankly, I don't need the prestige of riding in the newest version of super trucks with all their bells and whistles.

To the fellow who originally complained about the Vortec engine, all I can say is: EAT MY DUST! I can't say whether I'll ever buy another GMC or not - I might not outlive the one I'm driving NOW! :^)

Virgil

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THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH ALL MAKES OF VEHICLES. IT'S CALLED AN ASSEMBLY LINE. EVERY PART IS MASS PRODUCED AND TOLERANCES ARE CHECKED ONLY TO WITHIN A CERTAIN SPEC. I HAVE TURN APART BRAND NEW ENGINES TO FIND THAT BORE SIZES FROM ONE CYLINDER TO THE NEXT IS 10THS OFF ,SO STOP YOUR GRIPPING ABOUT THE 4.3. I HAVE A 92 S-10 WITH 167,000 MILES ON IT AND I DRIVE THE SNOT OUT OF IT EVERY DAY. I HAVEN'T TOUCHED A THING ON THE TRUCK OTHER THAN THE NORMAL ROUTINE STUFF,BRAKES, PLUGS WIRES, ETC. IT WILL OUT PULL A FORD ANY DAY. I HOOKED TRUCKS WITH A DODGE RAM 1500 AND HIS REAREND LET GO SO I PULLED HIM ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT JUST TO MAKE HIM LOOK BAD AFTER BRAGGING ABOUT THE PIECE OF JUNK. I WOULD PUT MY S-10 4.3 AGAINST ANY THING YOU HAVE SO PUT UP OR SHUT UP ........JERKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I have owned 11 astro/safaris. My main complaint in the terrible fuel mileage. Otherwise I am very happy with all of them. 10 were/are awd and 1 rwd.

I also own a Chevvy venture FWD ( 201k miles ). It gets 2x the mileage of the astro on the highway. My main beef is to who put the termostat where it is. The exhaust comes right over the t housing. I suspect this was so you take it to the dealer for repair. Not likely though it will make me think twice about buying another GM

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Yea I recently just purchased a 1995 chevy s10 blazer nighmare v tech the engine light is on and flashing code says its a multi mech. misfire It is running like crap it idles real ruff and sounds horrible has no power up hill and acts like it wants to stall when sitting in drive I recently did a full tune up replaced both knock sensors the trottle body sensor the spider injector had the fuel pump checked which was fine but there is a bad smell of gas and had the timing done on it and still no change it runs and sounds like crap and the shop I took it to ran a compression,vacum, and pressure tests on it and everything was fine they said they cant figure out the problem and I should get a new engine? Im so disappointed in this truck the body is beautiful still and she looks new like the day she rolled off the assembley line but this has been a nightmare engine and fuel assembley problem truck......smh:(

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poor victor, all those "close" tolerances you talk about are bothering you so.

must be you!

I race these 4.3 on a local Dirt track,

run contantly 8500 RPM. I run against V8 and V6 buicks and have less breakdowns than they do.

Too bad for you the Mustang does not compete with the Corvette.

keep looking under your microscope pal you will "find" more problems than even a "mastertech" like you can repair.

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I have a 97 s-10 blazer, with 350,000 miles on it and never done anything to it but tune ups and oil changes and 2 water pumps and it STILL RUNS FINE just as quiet as the day I bought it brand new. I have owned 15 Chevys and never had any problems on any of them other than normal, fluids, oil, gas and pumps. I do have an 03 Silverado with 200,000 miles on it and I also purchased it new but I did notice the engine ticked a lot from new but it has run fine. The tech at the dealer said the gm motors are notorious for walking but its not a problem and 199k miles later the truck sounds the same but has always run fine. I also have a 2002 ford that has caught on fire 3 times and the dealer had to paint and fix for free each time and my windows don't roll down anymore and the stereo quit working and my headliner is falling down and the door panels are peeling and this truck only has 40,000 miles. this truck has left me everywhere and almost killed me and my family on several occasions. FORD is what I will never buy again.

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I will admit, Chevy has went downhill in quality. I ran the roads for 12 years in a 1990 GMC Jimmy with the 4.3L in it and faced the normal wear and tear issues. However, I bought my first 4.3L Vortec in 2003 and its been a nightmare for 7 years. I only got 70,000 miles on the vechicle, since I baby my vechicles. I've had to get the cheap hard plastic timing chain cover replaced 4 times because of leaks and now I'm having to spend over $300 for a fuel pump assembly because they are a piece of crap also. Moreover, GM doesn't think amount the DYI owner of a vechicle who can do small thing like changing plugs in a vechicle because 4 out of 6 plugs is gravy with going through the fender wells, but the back two on the drivers side was a nightmare. My Jimmy took me 20 minutes to do wire and plugs, my 2003 S10 almost two hours because of the cluster#$%* that was in the way. I'm done with Chevy and will go Toyota for my next vechicle. I know a lot of people with a Toyota with high miles that never has changed their oil, plugs, heck nothing and runs like a champ. Now you have to remeber, everything GM is made across seas and is assembled here in the USA. Toyota Tacoma is made here now because (DUH) you see them racing NASCAR Truck Series.

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Ihave a fleet of chevy astro and express 1500 8 of the 9 vans have the 4.3 one with 510000 miles on it the rest all have over 250000 miles I will never buy anything but chevy

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Well buddy, hate to tell you but I've got a 93 S10 Blazer 4x4 with a 4.3 in it and I can tell you it's the best motor I've ever had. Runs like a champ, starts every time, no matter what the weather. Will admit it needs new valve seals, which will be fixed soon. 245,000 miles and still runs like a top. Every, and I do mean every Ford motor I've ever owned ran like a dogged out piece of junk after 75 to 100,000 miles. Ford who? I'll drive a Chevy til the day I die! Ford sucks!

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I have a 97 full-size 2WD ext-cab. I bought it 4 years ago form the original owner for $3,000 with 180,000 miles. The truck now has 236,000 miles. It doesn't rattle, miss, shake, shimmy or anything. The engine is as smooth and dependable as the day it was new. Had the radiator flushed 2yrs ago for good measure while changing belt, hoses and such. At 225,000 I changed out the original distributor cap, rotor and wires. I wasted money as they didnt improve anything, but I dont have to worry about those ever again. This truck still looks and drives like a new truck. This is my second one, the frist being a 93 Silverado with a TBI 350. I sold that truck with 225,000 and it also ran and looked like a new truck. I still see it running around town and have talked to the owner, she loves it and hasn't had any probs with the truck. Yeah GM has some problems but I will not go overseas, wont do Ford and no way will I drive a Chrysler product.

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I am going to be objective here. I first owned a 1994 S-10 with a five speed manual tranny and the 4.3 V6 with the single port injection system. I was very apprehensive about that since I had owned a 1987 full sized pick up fitted with that system on a 350 V8 that was big trouble, quit intermittently and GM could not solve the problem. I sold that thing. As to the 94, I got great highway mileage and had a few problems. I put 176,000 miles on the truck and I think that the AC, heater, water pump and a starter were the only major problems. I had the starter replaced by the dealer and they left the primary cable lug loose which almost burned the whole truck up! I replaced the spark plug wires at 75K with Magna-core-the factory wires were real rubbish-wonder if GM has ever looked at a set of Toyota spark plug wires-probably not-they should be embarrassed! I think that GM dealers went way, way downhill with the company-Roger Smith and his successors are the biggest crooks in the industry (well forgetting Chysler)and their factory service resolution staff are worthless. I had lots of misery with the cheap crap R4 AC compressor, and the heater core went rotten. I had a local garage work on these-much superior to the dealer-wow; I mean really superior. I traded the truck in at 176K when the ECU went dead. The dealer was not interested in trading (go figure)! I put a rebuilt computer in the truck and drove it to the GMC dealer with instructions from my wife to either come home with an automatic tranny or a Toyota. I did look at the Tundra and the Tacoma, but the Tundra was much more truck than I need and the Tacoma just didn't bang my shutters. I purchased the GMC Sonoma with the 4.3 V6 Vortec in November of '02 (got a good price/good trade on the '02 since the '03 models were out). I now have 126,000 miles and I have only had to replace battery, alternator, fuel pump and starter. Cheap, junk starter, and I replaced it myself, no more dealer work-never. I replaced the spark plugs and wires at 100k just in case. I had the alternator rebuilt at the local shop for $50. The fuel pump was an irritating failure; the local shop was overbooked so my son and I lifted the bed off and replaced the Singapore item with a US made unit. Mileage has dropped significantly. The wiring is raunchy cheap crap reminds me of the trash that is on my daughter's VW Jetta. The manufacturers are heading for fiber optics tattle tale computers and throw away vehicles. The 4.3 has a loping idle and it chugs like a steam engine at mid range. Strangely on occasion when I have floored it the thing will perform like a rocket, just don't expect that every time; maybe the computer is schizophrenic. I don't trust the throttle position switch. In any case GM has lost another customer. There is just not a good level of quality vs value in their line. The RAM Dakota looks good on paper, but I know better-I've been exposed to that trash, too. My hatred of Ford goes back to the 1950's ('60's 70's 80's-their trucks are better than their cars but I have been bitten once too many times) so I won't be visiting Ford. I'm going to run the Sonoma until it literally falls to pieces or someone (not me, of course) totals it. I feel sorry for all the hard working GM stiffs, not their pathetic management, but GM should have been allowed to die.

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I AM THE ORIGIAL OWNER OF A 1994 CHEVY S10. IT HAS 254,000 MILES ON IT, AND KNOCK ON WOOD, DOES NOT BURN A DROP OF OIL. THE TRUCK CAN STILL SMOKE THE TIRES IF I WANT IT TOO. I PUT AN ELECTRIC FAN ON THE TRUCK. THE MACHANICAL CLUTCH FAN, PULLED TOO MUCH POWER FROM THE ENGINE WHEN IT ENGAGED. I GUESS IT WAS LUCK OF THE DRAW. I TRADED IN A 1993 S-10 BACK IN APRIL OF 94 FOR THE ONE I HAVE NOW. THAT 1993 WAS THE BIGGEST PILE OF JUNK I HAD EVER OWNED. THE BIG QUESTION WITH THAT TRUCK WAS, WHAT HASN'T BEEN REPLACED ON THE TRUCK. EVRYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF, EITHER QUIT WORKING, BROKE, RATTLED, OR JUST STARTED TO RUST. I PLAN ON KEEPING MY 94 S10 AS LONG AS I CAN. I MIGHT EVEN HAVE MYSELF BURIED IN IT WHEN I DIE. HA! HA!

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It's been said, "Oil is the life [blood] of the engine." What brand/type/grade oils are the successful and not-so successful, 4.3Liter owners using? That could REALLY make the diff.

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I bought my first 4.3 in a new Silverado half ton the year they came out mainly because I knew they are the same as a 350 with the two back cylinders missing. All pistons, rings, bearings etc. were interchangable. That first one was awesome. Through the mountains loaded beyond its load limit it performed beautifully. Since then I've had three more 4.3 engines. The next two were in a Blazer, and a GMC half ton. No problems with those either. My current half ton Chevy has a 4.3 with 192,500 miles. I have had to replace the spark plugs already. I suppose by listening to some of these others whiners I should swear away from GM now that I had to replace the plugs.

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What an idiot my 94 Sierra with a 4.3 has 340,000 miles on the original engine and I dog the hell out of it, don't change the oil when I should, I let it overheat many many times, I mean pegged out until I replaced the leaky radiator, and hit high rpms (no tach) daily. The beat up truck has never left me stranded, and i'd drive it cross country today if I had the need. Of course I've changed the typical fuel pump and a few other accesories damaged in a wreck, and that's it.

Also my buddy has a 90 silverado with the 4.3 and he has 310,000 and another buddy has a 93 Sierra 4.3 with 325,000.

Even though it ain't a 4.3, my uncle just sold a 93 Chevy 2500 with a 350 that had 405,000 miles, still running with the original engine.

Ford who??

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any 4.3 i've ever owned has started in any weather(michigan), has nice torque. i'm more than sure lemons exist on the road, all brands have their troubles. i bought one 4.3 truck with 200,000 sold it at 230,000, made $500 on it. it ran and drove awesome.

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That sucks,I had a 96 GMC Sonoma, with the 4.3l VIN code W, It ran 230,000 miles, I beat the hell out of that truck. I paid 500 dollars for when it had 80,000. The truck ran like shit, i put a new fuel filter on it, and it was golden. At 230,000 miles, the fuel pump went, and I replaced the truck. Never a problom with the motor in mine.And like I said, they were not easy miles, as I always had my foot on the floor.

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the engine in my 2000 chevy blazer is a decent one so far...if a bit noisy. great power and torq but my main problem with this vehicle is the transmission.....WEAK TO THE MAX. this is the second transmission in this blazer. and its already basically destroyed my overdrive band. first second and third work great....but after 20 min or so of driving the overdrive magically quits working. just like the first one i had did. fluid lvls and pressure are good but the band is fried. ive been extremely easy on this transmission and it is having the same problem as the first that i beat the hell out of. so my grade for a GM is extremely low now....used to love chevy to death till the newer vehicles failed me miserably.

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Thats crazy i have a 96 chevy 1500 with a 262 4.3 it has 311,760 miles on it havent really had to change much except the dam fuel pump is a piece of s**t i have replaced that four times. my engine still will start up no problem it doesnt smoke and has a hell of a lot of power for a v-6. thing is you must of just got a lemon. i drive this engine hard and i am the second owner. i got the truck off my dad when it had 62,000 miles on it. i think it is a great engine. will stick to the 4.3 for sure

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well bud im not shur why i keep seeing all of these people dogin on chevy because i have an 89 s10 with a 4 banger with 70,000 ,89 silverado with the 7.2 with 269,000 ,95 s10 with a lil 4 banger 200,00,97 s10 with the 4.3 75,0000, 2000 silverado with the 4.3 100,000 and a 05 silverado65,000 plus a 06 titan and 03 bmw and all of my chevys have no problems yet the nissan does and i drive mine like a bat out of hell they get used to hall hay go muddin, back roadin u name it they do it i even run them at the local race way and have from day one, i run the cheapest gas and oil money can buy yet every time i turn the key they fire right up ,they are not noise or ruff runnig at all i can pop the hood and set a beer on the top of the plenum and it wont fall off so i say u people who have problems with the all mighty bowtie should really set back and think if u even know anything about them plus all of mine are all original

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I have had five 4.3 engines in s10 pickups and blazers and not an engine problem with any of them. Right now I have a 99 s10 pu with a 5 speed manual transmission that will smoke tire off the line as well as get tire in 1st, 2nd,3rd and sometimes 4th gear if you hit it just right and this is a stock engine. I am a little hard on my engines but the 4.3 has been flawless. I always enjoy driving my 4.3's thru the Smokey mountain interstates and laughing at all the foreign cars trying to pull away from me going up hill. The 4.3 is a tough, torquey little sob. I keep looking at newer Silverados but just can't part with my s10, unless perhaps it has a 4.3.

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my s10 4wd ´00 4.3 vortec, at 170000 km purr´s like my 3 year old cat.hardly noticeable<7 swedp

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2000 Astro, it isn't noisey, runs fine, has only 115,000 miles, I WOULD BUY IT AGAIN.

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buy a ford if it wasnt for ford there would be no such thing as a chevy or mopar

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I have a 2003 S-10 4X4 crew cab. From day one it has low power and over heats

i have replaced every part in the cooling system and it still over heats. If ther is anyone that knows how to fix it let me know.

kdmorris65 AT att.net

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I feel the same as you, I have a 95 GMC 4.3 and with 250,000 miles just had to redo the top end due to me not taking care of the radiator. Now I have the check engine soon light coming on for the first time and the engine is given code 43 & 16 which I don't even have a ESC moduale. Someone told me that the catylic converter is partially stopped up would also cause the computer to go crazy, either way it is running rich and not advancing like it suppose to under certain conditions do you have any ideas thanks.

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i think Victor G knows what he is talking about.

i'm going to use the info he gave here to un?uck the 2000 jimmy slt i'm stuck with.

i thought i'd do a quick head gasket job.

i got fire, fuel, air just not at the right time.

now it won't start.

i've replace head gaskets and other gaskets

distributor housing and sensor

cap, rotor

plugs and wires

oil pressure sensor

coil

new updated spider

now going back in

next timing chain and gears

lifters

from his post maybe valve springs

and need to inspect camshaft gear for wear. still have sloppy distributor rotor movement.

i'm no mechanic but i can make a rice burner run.

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Whoever said this "Oh by the way Victor, The 4.3L doesn't have a Balance Shaft It's internally balanced! " should look inside my 1992 GMC 4.3 90 degree V6,that was the first year they used a balance shaft. It's in the lifter valley.

And did someone say valve stems are pushrods? Not! The pushrods operate the rockers, which operate the valves by bearing on the valve stems.

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WOW, I have a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer LS with the original 4.3L vortec V6 and it has NEVER been rebuilt and NEVER gave me any problems any other car wouldn't give. 164,xxx miles and runs better than most cars with 80,xxx miles, minor leaks, vacuum hoses rotted through finally after 12 years, easy fix, cost less than $5, gets 16-20mpg, wasn't noisy until my muffler started going out, even now at 164,xxx miles it runs great, drives great, and if you really were a master tech you wouldn't screw up so many explainations, valve stem? we're talking engines not tires dude, they would be called pushrods anybody with any experience with engines would know that, oh, and i abuse the hell out of my poor blazer; don't let it warm up, rev it cold, play around, used to do burnouts, it sees 4k-5k rpms every day, gets oil changed between 3-5k miles on conventional oil, regular unleaded gas, hell that poor truck has been through hell, yet it still never lets me down, i can say proudly that my truck has NEVER left me stranded. Hell, even the 3.8L was a good engine, my ex had a 94 acura 3.2L and a 94 buick lesabre 3.8L and teh buick never had any problems, the acura was toast, the whole engine and transmission needed replaced and it wouldnt run even half decent @ 100,xxx miles, the buick 140,xxx miles ran great.

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I have a 4.3 liter S10 2000 which I have owned for 10 years and had nothing but troubles the first 100 thousand miles. While under warranty it blew both head gaskets and has had both heads replaced. Also the reversing balancing shaft that you mention that sits under the intake manifold was so loud in my truck that it was what lead gm to completely replace my engine all together. There is recalls on both the Reversing balancing shaft and the pistons. The Balancing shaft on the recall has a plastic guide add on that pushes against the chaine that drives the gear set. GM went to a short skirt piston to reduce rotational mass but it in herently cuases a ton of problems. Jasper engine remanfactures the engines with additional coating on the skirts of the pistons with longer skirts. Oh dont even let me get into the retarded plastic fuel spider injection system that is on the 98 and up 4.3. I truly believe that tere is people going out of there way to lower the american quality of products for last 20 years but lucky for us there is simple v8 engine swaps for gm pos engines.

I have a question for gm they made 2.8, 3.1, 3.4, 3.8 and 4.3 at the same time and all suck. Why not just make one v6 that actualy works?

Also the fuel pressure regulator for this truck is insaine to get to it should be standerd for all cars to be externally mounted on the engine. If we want our engines to stay fuel efficent and less polluting a simple requirment like this would make it easy for average joe to even replace it. Also they should standerdise all fuel injectors to be externally mounted also and out law spider injection systems. While im ranting we should also get rid of all rubber bushings on the front end supensions systems and MOOG is the worlds leader in pos supension parts.

Another question.

Why does our wheels run on bearing every single day and take full abuse of the road yet almost never wear out. But when it comes to things that keep our alignment of our vehicle we yes 1200 century rubber bushings. I have control arms that are chromoly tubbed and bearing in pace of rubber bushings. Note this makes the truck handel better than any new car out there the supension articulats so freaken fluid you actualy look for things to run over .

Conclusion: We need more regulation and standerds on autmotive quality.

one- No more rubber bushings espicaly when it comes to alignment parts.

two- Coil over supensions for front end should be standerd not a option.

Three- Fuel system shouldnt be internal to where averag public can not work on them.

Four- Make all trouble codes for every make and model standerd and make each manufacture post them on there web sites. Along with trouble code tell what is cuasing the code and how to fix it.

Five- Make it mandatory that all manfactures of cars sell directly to the consumer and not through dealers ships that price galge and dont allow people to drive what they really can afford.

Six- Make ECM plugs standerd for anyone to use with simple lab top computer and soft ware to read ECM should be provided by all dealer ships via web sites run by the gov.

Seven- Out law open diffrentials, this will solve alot of safety issues with cars espically rwd cars.

Eight- Make a it a Federal law for the LEMON laws and make it a higher set of standerds for the dealer ships.

Part of my problem Is that I bought a car for a truck from Bill heard dealer ship but I hate to say it the Senator that owns it now it eight times more shady that that old fart was.

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This guy must work for Ford motor company, I have a 2000 S-10 pu and Ive logged 153,000 miles on it, this engine is still running as good as the day I bought it new, yes it's a 4.3L I'm proud to say. I have had to do nothing I repeat nothing to this engine,with exeption to regular oil changes! It still has the original spark plugs that Chevrolet installed at the factory, unbelievable! but believe cuz it's true! I experience no problems this man describes. It doesn't use oil,

doesn't leak any fluids, and is quiet as a mouse! I'm a man who loves performance and I dont baby this engine! I have roasted the rear tires on more than one occasion, my truck has a limited slip rear diff, so when I say it'll roast the tires, it roasts both rear tires! However my girlfriend purchased a 96 Ford Mustang recently, and I've never taken sides between Ford and Chevy in the Past, but this Mustang

was a low milage car, and we thought it would last her a long time,boy were we wrong! the day after she bought it, the head gasket blew! And discovered a cracked intake manifold, I'm not suprised for they made it out of PLASTIC!!!! I was told the 4.6L was a good engine, but after furter investigation we found out ford had a bulletin for this problem, we also found there was a recall for the 3.8L

V6, they blow head gaskets! We know this because we just hauled her Lincoln Continental to the Junkyard for that same problem,,,,well that and the air ride susp. thats whole other story! Like I said I've never taken sides before but from What Ive seen lately Ford Quality Sucks! I am also a Corvette Owner and I know for a Fact that the only car ford makes that can run with my Vette is the GT so you can beat a Vette with a Ford, Maybe!? If your willing to spend $200,000 clams! So my message to Victor is,,,,,If your going to Bungee jump off a bridge with the Cord around your neck! I'm not going to follow you! But that doesn't mean you shouldn't (Have you driven a FORD lately?,,,,Victor!)Oh by the way Victor, The 4.3L doesn't have a Balance Shaft It's internally balanced! do you Know What That means.....VICTOR!

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I dont know if this guy works for another car company or what but I have a 2000 chevy astrovan I bought in 2003 with 47,000 miles. Where now in 2010 & it has 173,303 miles. Ive never had any repairs other than tires, brakes & replaced the radiator. I only replace my oil every 5000 miles like clockwork & It's still running strong. Alot of power. Maybe he should change his oil more often. No lazy persons car lasts. Thanks.

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I have purchased 1 used astro van containing a Chevy 4.3 liter V6 Engine. The van contain (115,000) miles on it.

This is Indeed the same engine found in Chevy cavaliers

Chevy S10

Chevy Blazer

Chevy Astro

Chevy GMC

Chevy Safari

(The List Goes On.) The engines are all the same, All though there may be some (Minor) - (External) differences between the brands such as electronic senser locations etc.

As a Master Tech, My skills goes beyound most of the guys running the game, I can pinpoint a problem with no prior knowledge to the cause.

Such as, The 4.3 V6 engine in this 95 AWD astro van was complete junk, Let me explain.

cylinders 2,4 & 6 was (Fried) - Completely Burnt! You could wiggle the pistons back and forth against the walls (Play) and then you could (Twist) the pistins back and forth, all 3 of them!!!

Then I noticed 115k miles, what gives?

The cylinder head was then removed from the top of cylinders 1,5 & 3.

Cylinders 1,5 & 3 had (Terrific) rings. They where not burnt or worn. There was no play in the piston neither up and down or left to right. So the van did indeed have 115k miles on it.

SO WHAT CAUSED THE CYLINDERS TO BURN OUT..... ..

Starting in 1994 came a CHEAP way of fuel injection. The 6 cylinders used 1 (One) injecter to control 6 cylinders. WOW, listen at how inefficient!!!! !

94-95 injects (Petrol) on all cylinders at the same time, This wast gas! (But 1 Injecter is cheaper than 6.)

95-UP Injects 1 at a time, via using only 1 injecter. This time during the injection off time the system (Clogs.) Resulting in replacing a $750.00 Part!!! This part on both the 94 and UP is called a (Spider.) Or, Fuel regulator.

This part is Located inside the Intake on all Chevy 4.3 V6 Engines.

There are 2 metal gas lines from the gas tank, a return and supply. On the Intake there are 2 threaded Ports to connect those 2 metal lines, Those ports can be removed. On the other side of the ports, Inside the intake is a Spider. From the Ports to the spider there is 2 Rubber lines, one return and one for the supply. These lines Crack!!! Then Leak!!!!

The lines run $65.00 - They measure 6" a piece. I bought mine fore 65 cents, And replaced them because they where pouring gas.

The Intake is designed with 2 drain holes, The intake comes in 2 sections. A left and a right.

(This is how you tell which side the spider is leaking from.) If the left side of the internal intake is clean, the leaks on the supply lines. If the right side is clean the leak is on the fuel pressure regulator. Then there are some NUTS on the computer claiming the POPPET valves will leak, or "Stick open." Which wouldn't cause a leak inside the intake, that would result in a leak inside the Head!

If the Spider is leaking from either side, The left side leak will dump gas on the number 3 cylinder VIA a port threw the Intake. Its almost as they wanted the engine to smoke when there was a leak present inside the intake. If the right side is leaking, Cylinder 4 will become Flooded.

In My case, the leak was on the right side, (Pressure regulator.) This (((Caused cylinder 2 Valve to overheat and BREAK.)))

Cylinder 2 overheated cylinder 4!!!!!

Cylinder 4 overheated Cylinder 6!!!!!

Cylinder 2,4 & 6 (((((((FRIEEEEEEED))))))

This Explains why 2,4 & 6 was fried! So I pulled the engine and replaced it!

After replacing the engine I then Painted the van, and professionaly cleaned the carpets. The engine that whent in the astro van was taken out of a (BLAZER.)

Once the engine was installed it ran great! It's when you whent to start the engine (From waling out of the store) it would Viberate very badly for a few seconds. Well, That viberation was a sign that one of the designed drain ports in the Intake was fluding either cylinder 3, or 4!!!

((((HERE WE GO AGAIN))))

If this leak is not fixed, it will crack a valve and cause cylinders 1,3,5 to overheat, or 2,4,6 to overheat, (It has to be fixed.) So off comes the (Intake.) and the problem was in the (Supply) lines to the spider, (1,3,5.)

I PURCHASED THOSE LINES FOR 65 CENTS, NOT $65.00 SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS. I got the fuel lines from ADVANCE.

Now the intake is back in tact, with new lines! I think all that gas killed my (Brand New Plugs) because now it lost power. I will replace the plugs to try and get power back, and delete the MISS or unsmooth run she's giving me. If it is not the plugs causing the miss it will need a complete spider!

I also wanted to mention, If 1 spider poppet hangs (OPEN) the other 5 will Loose PRESSURE. 1 faulty Poppet can cause the entire system to fail!!!!!

These motors are complete JUNK. DO NOT BUY A CHEVY 4.3 V6 are you are digging yourself a hole!!!!

I am a Professional Well minded person, I am a jack of all trades. I currently own 2 companys, a heating and cooling company and used car company. I've been doing this work all my life, and i'm telling you this is a bad design. The injection system drives these engines right down into the dirt.

ASK CHEVY WHY THEY TRIED TO RUN 6 CYLINDERS FROM 1 (((ONE))) INJECTER!!!!

ASK CHEVY WHY THEY COULDN'T HAVE USED 6 INJECTERS ((((LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DID))))

ASK THEM, WAS THE MONEY THEY SAVED ON THE INJECTERS REALLY WORTH LOOSING ALL THIER CUSTOMERS??????????

AND MOST OF ALL, ASK THEM TO STOP PICKING ON TOYOTO, THEY RUN THIS COUNTRY SO GET OVER IT!

NOW CHEVY; Thank you very much for taking my life away from me, I would have rather been doing something else than working on your stupid (Poorly Built) engine. Perhaps next time,,,,,,, I can spend MORE TIME DRIVING IT, and less time working on it!!!!!

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I have a 96 chevy blazer I bought bit used and not real sure how well it was taken care of before I bought it and it is my first 4.3 and the oinly thing I have done to it is put cold air intake on it when I bought the truck it had 139000 miles on it, since that time I've put another 40000 on it and only done routine maintenance on it; I've been very impressed with the engine, it runs very strong 60 miles an hour at 1700 rpm I can't complain any, which is more than I can say for some of the fords or mopar that I've owned. granted I run a vehicle hard, but the 4.3 has held up to it, but the truth is it doesn't matter what vehicle you have eventually there will be problems, and it may be coming out of the factory, or wear and tear, falls under the category of don't buy a vehicle built on monday or friday.

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this is for the 2003 s-series owner and those thrashing the 4.3 i bought a new 2002 gmc sonoma with a 4.3 ext. cab with automatic and every option avalabl e. i have run synthetic fluids oil, etc.since new don't give a crap about a warranty. i have modified this truck since new. very pleased with it. this truck takes alot of abuse from my foot and still keeps on ticking, has 130,000 miles on it and gets 21 mpg! by the way i would not have paid that kind of money for an s-series truck, sorry

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ive owned two 4.3 vortecs imo they are the best i had a 93 4.3 stepside ran me 16 years had 265000 on it only work i did was two water pumps, fuel pump radiator,alternator and new distributor shaft. tranmission finally went out after 16 years so i bought a 2001 extended cab silverado with the 4.3. i love it my only complaint is the heavier truck only gets about 16mpg. the smaller stepside got about 19-21

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You should buy a 35,000 dollar car and then you won't have to listen to the noise. you of all should know that it was damaged by pore owner maintenance like not changing your oil or letting it get low on fluids the motor is built by a robot and was perfect from the factory Get real for the money that is a good motor they use it in allot of marine applications and other GM vehicles. you just think GM should let you suckle on the automotive teat

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Thank you for the specifics. Awesome work. I'd be careful with any mass-produced vehicle. Like they say, "if you want anything done right, do it yourself..."

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My truck has 90k on it and recently had to replace my rear end diff, my distrubutur for shreded gears, and now 3 cylinders have low compression. I feel GM bankrupted themselves by design to get the federal money and to make way for foreign auto. I planned on keeping vehicle for 10 to 15 years. ONly had it 7. I dont think I will get another chevy. If i do anything with this, I will take a 350 built in the 60's or 70' and convert the entire truck. So dissapointed.

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Ya dude. you are a fucking moron. I have the 4.3L in my silverado and it is beast as hell. Its chipped, re-geared, throttle body spacer, intake, shift kit, true dual exhaust, 2" lift, and 33" mud tires, and 127,000 miles. It runs better and longer than any foreign POS you have. It runs 0-60 in 7 seconds. Dont talk shit about GM or any domestic make because our American cars LAST!!! You probably got a beat up truck or you just dont know how to drive. So my final words to you are,

learn your stuff, and get a life.

my truck:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/bryanlaury/051.jpg

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I too own a 4.3 in a 2001 Silverado 4x4. Motor runs grea even with near 150,000 on it. Motor had to be worked on due to previous owner over heating it in mud. Since then great motor. Does make a wierd high pitch sound while running at first then quiets down. Not sure what it is. Not alternator like some say(just changed it 2 hours ago).

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HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Thats the dumbest thing I have ever heard an inteligent person say. If you have realy driven s trucks since 83' then you would know what an outstanding engine the 4.3 is. As a mechanic, I would expect you to know how improtaint the break in period is. I am also a mechanic, and sounds like you took your new 4.3, ran the hell out of it out of the box, and then wondered why your engin ran like shit.

my ZR2 has a little less than 300,000 miles on it, and I have only had to do minor maintnense to it. I know for a fact that many GM owners also feel the same way I do about the 4.3.

The 4.3 is easily the most reliable 6 cylinder ever made. Based on your coment at the end of your post, sounds like you never liked GMS in the first place.

Murphy

Detroit Michigan (the home of the S10, Camaro, Chevelle, corvette, Silverado, sierra, hummer, GTO, GXP, and everything else that's sweeter than anything ford has ever made.

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Victor G does not like his engine. His opinion. I,m British but living in this great country where I thought opinions could be expressed without offensive comments being made. If you dont like V.G.s comments 'shut the f+++ up!' Oops, its contagious. It must be the redneck in me.

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GM is the only vehicle I will drive.

Here is our family's current lineup:

'93 Chevy c/1500 4.3-186,200

'94 Saturn sl1-248,900

'00 Saturn sc1-122,000

'03 Buick Century-100,000

I owne a lawncare company and abuse my Chevy pickup all day. It has yet to fail me.

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I have a 94 s-10 tbi 189900 never any major probs ALWAYS changed oil @ 3000 w/feul filter top end tune up once a year w/02 sensor truck burns no oil and still runs very strong added cold air intake and 2 1/4 exhaust hi flow cat and muffler parts are cheap to keep maintence up.......cons......3rd water pump 3rd clutch valve cover gaskets once just changed oil pan gasket same timing chain will replace next year.no part last forever still no truck payment i guess i just got lucky with this motor

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your retarded you did that much work because of a little lifter noise. i got a 99 silverado 4x4 with the 4.3 and it is 23 degrees out of time because the previous owner ran it without oil and screwed the cam gear up. but it still runs and it will pull fords out of the mud all day long to. the 4.3 is near bullet proof.

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I have the 4.3 in a chev pickup. same noisy engine and it leaks oil into the coolant. 87,000 miles on mine: That's about all they're good for I hear.

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I have a 1994 GMC C/1500 with a 4.3. The truck has 184000 miles. It runs great. The only problems I have had is the EGR valve, the cat, and the fuel hose in gas tank. I bought it with 177000 miles on it in January 2007. I drove it 7 hours to Nashville in June 2009 with no problem.

I use Royal Purple 10w30 and a K&N oil filter, K&N air filter, heavily modified SBC air cleaner, throtle body spacer, injector spacer, dual exhuast, dual Thunder Bolt cats, dual Flowmaster 40s, Jegs ram air tube, Hypertech power charger, B&M Trickshift transmission fluid, Redline Heavy Shookproof gear oil, and BFG ATs. When I am carefull I get between 18-24 mpg. If the gas is E10 it gets 16-18. The truck seems to have plenty of power and throtle response.

Are you sure you were the first guy to tear into the motor? Just because one motor was manufactured poorly dosn't mean I wouldn't buy GM vehicles. I have seen a 350 with camshaft centerline and the drilled oil galleries off by about a 3/8 inch. I still like GM. I use a 305 in my race truck. It dosn't matter who makes it, it will have some sort of problem.

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ok. I hav a 94 s10 blazer with a 4.3 vortec in it. the only thing that has ben done to it since my granpa bought it in 1994 was the average maintnence.. i recently put hypereatic pistons in bored .30" over with a new hydrolic cam. New heads. dual turbos. new dual port intake manifold with dual nitrous ports. im putting out a lil over 400 hp before NOS. i hav never had a motor run as hard as it does without it scewing up. ill put my 4.3 up to any other v6 and most v8s any day.

I give 4.3 vortecs three thumbs up!!!!

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Hahahaha you are such a fuckin' idiot! I have been a licensed automotive mechanic for 20 years and have mechanic experience before that, the 4.3 litre has been the most bullet proof engine GM has ever built. Tough as nails, never had such a dissapointed owner. Like the last comment, you are most likely not the "God of all mechanics" like you said you are! Good luck with your next purchase of a ford of Dodge or toyota... Let me know how THAT goes!! haha

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The 4.3 is a great engine and is a 5.7 minus two cylinders just like someone else commented. This is the most widely produced and respected engine in the world-even more respected than many high tech engines that cost twice as much. But GM has the same issues as Ford and Chrysler- the UAW. Many of the problems noted are worker attitude issues such as the missing pan bolts, excessive clearances,wrong settings, etc.

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Of course this thread is a little old, but I seen the comment and I had to reply. I would first like to state that I have seen comments like this before. A gentleman once told me that his GM made vehicle was a piece of junk. So I asked him what kind of maintenance he had done to his piece of junk. He was quick to mention that his service only involved the local quick lube. Now the last time I checked, the local quick lube only does a fairly minor inspection of the vehicle. I guess you could call filling up the windshield wiper res. normal maintenance. That should fix all of your problems. However, as I recall there are a host of items that need to be attended to, transmission, coolant...the list is so long where should I start. I always find it funny when people don't properly service an automobile and then suddenly it's now a clunker.

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4.3 290k no major repairs

get a life

we have 5 astros 94-97 in service none with under 200k no Major repairs on engine all 4.3

gm hates all thats why there best rated fleet and hd trucks

go back to masterbatein over hondas

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Maybe you are not as good a mechanic as you fantasize yourself to be. My 4.3 Vortec screams.

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I know how you feel. I have a 98 sonoma with 4.3 vortec. It has 155000 miles on it. I've had to replace the o2s and catalic convertor every two years because it runs to rich and will not pass smog. I have put two fuel pumps, going on the third motor and three transmissions.

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I just bought a 2001 s-10 4x4 with 209,503 miles on it. It still runs(a bit rough and needs some TLC), the truck just needs a new fuel pressure regulator and some poppets re-worked and I am good to go. I think I will get another 50-100k out of it for sure. This engine runs strong as heck being over fueled and running rich for its current problem. Not bad for $1000.00. The Body is good and the 4 wheel drive works with a like new interior. I think I found a winner for my budget and it's a sweet winter project.

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Your a fucking idiot. Im driving a 15 year old gmc sonoma with a 4.3 liter v6. Saying that the 4.3 is junk is the same as saying a 350sbc is junk. ITS THE SAME DAMN THING. only two cylinders cut off. Just because you got one defect out of how many trucks built?? doesnt mean act like a dick and say you will never buy a gm product again. Go buy a ranger or something similar and at about 150000 miles talk to me and tell me how its running......like shit. the 5.7L v8 and the 4.3L v6 are in my opinion some of the best motors and investments that GM has ever made. my truck has 180000 miles on it and still runs perfectly fine. Havent had a single problem out of it at all. 50,000 of those miles have been ran very very hard as well. I predict another 70,000 miles out of it before i see a sign of any kind of motor swap. I do notice how you use all this wonderful lingo and i know your a certified tech and what not but hey you should also know that it is mechanical things will go wrong. There are going to be some bad apples in the pot there bud. I must have got the best and ripest one of the bunch cause after 15 years and 180000 miles shes still kicking and tearing little civics up around town in races. Sorry your truck sucks but buy a ford and your going downhill from there

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My '96 Astro AWD 4.3 Vortec has now 273k on it. Bought it used five years ago, at 190k. I have all the service records on the car since it was new, it has been serviced very well. Only major overhaul has been transmission, at 230k. Engine has been working flawlessly except an intake manifold gasket leak. Lately I have exprienced some lifter noise on cold startups.

My Astro has been in quite heavy use; towing 5300 lbs wakeboat + trailer, making long skiing trips with seven people + gear on board, sometimes in reasonably cold climate. I guess I've got a 'cherry', and probably the good service has also helped, with regular oil changes.

This lifter noise problem is a bit mysterious, wonder if anyone else had similar experiences, or knows the cause. It started out last wintertime, one lifter made a ticking noise for 5 to 120 secs when cold starting the engine. Oil change usually helps, and during summertime the problem does not excist. The oil pressure gauge needle vibrates 'in sync' with the ticking noise. Somehow I get the feeling that oil drains back for some reason and when starting the engine (after it has been sitting for at least 6 hours) one or two of the lifters tick until they are filled with oil. Oil pressure reading is very good, 45-80 psi on cold engine, depending on oil viscosity and rpm. Have tried chemicals to clean up the oiling system, they helped only for some time. Since replacing the lifters is quite a job on these cars I wonder if anyone had an easier cure for this ?

Simo P, Helsinki, Finland

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I 've owed two 4.3 liter engines, an 89 and 1 2004 Blazer. I purchased approx 27 cars and trucks in my life and my experience with 4.3s was excellent. My 89 Blazer was the best vehicles I've owed with the possible exception of a 69 Mercury Montego with 302 cu.in. That car had 335,000 miles with no (0) , nada one problem and the air conditioner and auto trans was smooth at 335 k as they were at 1000 miles. The 4.3 blazer was as good as I accumalated about 197,000 miles with again no problems! I bought it at 67,000 for 1,000 dollars and sold it for the same 5 years later in 2007. It's November 2008 now and I found out it's still on the road now with 265,000 miles.

My current 2004 blazer ZR-2 has 84,000 miles on it and runs like a sewing machine. Plenty of power, smooth , quiet and powerful. I agree with others in the posting that changing the oil regularly and or using a synthetic oil ( I prefer Redline which is a polyoil ester lubricant)en. Anyway, the 4.3 is a great engine! .

I wish the guy my best, but please don't condem all of GM on one vehicle. Poop Happens!

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I have a '99 silverado with the 4.3 L Vortec V6. I bought the truck new in 99 and here we are at the end of 2008 and my truck has 208,000 miles and it is still pulling hard. You ask how does one put 200,000 miles on a truck in 9 years. I basically lived in it for the first 6 using it as a work truck. Now in its later years it is alittle noisy and has a few minor wear and tear issues, but I can go out and start it right now and it will get me to where I am going and back home with no problems. The only thing I can say is remember to maintain your vehicle.

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I have a 1997 Sonoma 4.3 and its a geat little truck. Beats just about anything on the road of its size. I have over 220K on it for thous that use miles its well over 100,000. Pulls a 5000 pound trailer with no problems and when not pulling my travel trailer gets great gas milage. What is all the fuss about its junk. I am getting a Jimmy with the 4.3 and I happy for that.

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Lifter, lifter, lifter!

I have a 2000 Silverado with the 4.3 and I bought it used with 114,000 and did not have any problems for 1 1/2 yrs. and 6000 miles! Well, that came to an end when I started it one night after having Starbucks with my girlfriend and bam-I heard a clacking not clicking! I looked at the oil pressure gauge and it was hovering around 25 lbs. @ idle! I shut the damn thing down and let it sit to check the oil (which had been changed about 700 miles earlier)! Oil was 1/2 quart or so low (it still pretty hot) so topped it off just in case with a 1/2 quart and started it up-no change in pressure or noise. So I decided, f--k it , I will just drive it home and when I was half way home the noise just stopped at a stop light and the pressure leveled out to 40 lbs.-simple right-not! So, the next day I took it to a business friends shop and they could not find anything wrong-so I had him do a complete oil system flush and brought it home with 40-60 lbs. oil pressure and quiet! However, two days later the clicking started during driving with 60 lbs. of oil pressure @1500 rpm but not the clacking but stopped when I got home! So, I took it back immediately and left it with him for an entire week letting him drive and run it as much as he wanted but it never happened for him! Then a week later the clicking started again while driving with good oil pressure but it stopped by the time I got to his shop across town! Well, now it has been 1000 miles later from first time taking it to him and the clicking comes and goes but tonight it started at the store and all the way home and did not change with repeated restarts in my driveway so I am hoping it stays that way in the morning and I am again taking it to his shop! Simply, I know it is a combination of a faulty lifter or lifters on the right bank and an oil pump issue but I need to know which is causing which as I do not have much money right now,live in an apt. and no shop to do my own work (though I have my own tools) plus it is my only truck right now!! So, there is my spew and whine and cry but it is really frustrating and I am waiting for it to blow up sometime if it cannot be diagnosed pretty soon!!

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I have a 94 S-10 SS pickup with this engine at 170K miles now. Pulls hard and is a good work horse engine. It's a peppy little engine in this small pickup but I've noticed the Blazer with the same engine acts rather sluggish with it's added weight. The only problem I'm having with it is keeping the fuel injectors clean and this is from taking too many short trips. Th S-10 has nice lines and is a great rig to customize the exterior.

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Hello, have you filed this law suit yet? I own a 2002 s-10 ZR2 "off road" package. The day i bought it it had 34,000 miles on it and noticed a small miss at idle. I took it back and they replaced the intake gasket but that never rid the idle problem, then i was told "its the nature of the beast" well i have installed a k&n air filter, plugs, wires, trottle body spacer, and a flow master muffler the problem i have is trottle responce its sluggish. Its like the RPM's are high but the truck kinda boggs down then if you let off the gas itll pick up. This truck should perform better than this i talked to other people with a 4.3 vortec and they say its a great engine. I think i might had got the "LEMON" off the line. I am ready to take it have it dyno tested to see whats going on with it. I did notice alittle difference in performance when i added the flow master muffler but not much. I think my truck weighs around 4200 not sure but this engine should move this truck down the road with no problem. I drove a 3.8 in a pontiac and had hell of alot more power than the 4.3. Im with you on this 17,000 for a truck thats going to need engine replacement or rebuild? Plus it only get 14 mpg thats sad.

Jeff Gilmore

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I Have a 1994 s10 blazer with a 4.3 that has a 173000 on it thats almost twohunderd k i paid 800 for this blazer 60k ago and it is the best old rust bucket i have owned the only problem i have had is with rust and the abs thats it

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I have a 1998 GMC with a 4.3 L in it and its the best truck i have ever drivin. it has over 125,000 miles on it and has all its origianal parts. i'm not very nice to it either. i push that truck to its limits and i know that if the 4.3 wasn't a good engine it would have craped out on me by now. it runs like its brand new, and i will bet anything it will continue to run like new. if its taken care of it will last a long time. there is nothing wronge with Cehy's 4.3 L engine, so quit whining.

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I have a 99' Silverado 149k miles. At 70k miles I took it in for the lifter tick, they would only warranty the 2 collapsed lifters, I said F-u put it back together and give me my truck back.

So my truck still runs great, I tow cars with it and cruise 70 mph no problem. After 3k miles, the oil is still transparent brown.

Stop yo whining, Ford/Chrysler would treat you the same in a rodents heart beat.

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i totally agree with you, 4.3's suck. have a 2006 1500 W/T w/ 4.3 has 48,000 miles on it 5,000 miles ago i went to change the oil and noticed i was missing 3 oil pan bolts. (all in line driver's side) i thought they might have been stolen. then i thought who in their right mind would have stole them. :-) it's sad gm can't double check this stuff at the factory. also noticed the compresser was under stress when running, and it was over charged 10 psi. All issues came stright from the factory. B/c i bought the truck brand new with 1 mile on it. Since you seem well educated about 4.3's could you tell me what size bolts do i need to get, to replace the one's that were mysterly lost. Love GM and will be with untill the day I die, but no more 4.3's for me. Got to find a motor as good as the 3.8. since all great things must come to a end.

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I have a 1997 sonoma with the 4.3 in it and it is a great truck it just turned over 100,000 and it still runs and idles fine. The motor uses no oil. Probably cause i take care of it. If you just take the time to change your oil every 3000 miles and grease it and check all other fluids, the engine and truck will last far longer than everyone thinks. The 4.3 vortec is a dime a dozen motor that GM has been manufacturing for years. They are a strong motor and they fit perfectly in s-10's and sonomas. They are just the right amount of power for them. and everyone who thinks they are doing good things by sueing GM is wasting there time. They will always have more good things said about the 4.3 than bad.

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It's not just GM, every car company has its junk. What would you rather drive, a Ford Exploder?? Yes, I said Exploder. I mean, what the hell do you want from a dime-a-dozen production motor? If you want a perfect motor, spend a heap of money and go buy a Ferrari, and stop whining.

Steve A

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I ahve a 2001 vortec 4.3 with just shy of 100,000 on it and it purrs like a kitten.. NEVER had a major problem. Its quiet, Sounds like it hads 10 miles on it instad of 100,000. idles silky smooth. It has none of the problems you talked about.. this little sweetheart powers my 2001 ZR2 S10 pick up

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I am not surpised about your problems with this engine and I wholeheartedly disagree with the poster who wrote that all engines are good and none are great. No, some engines are absolute crap while some are indeed great and it doesn't always have to do with how you maintain or use them. There is an old saying, "You can't polish a turd".

Luckliy, I never had to deal with one of these 4.3's but a friend of mine had a 1994 Sonoma with one and had the fuel pump replaced 3 times and at 85k the oil pump quit causing it to seize. One of the times he had the fuel pump replaced at the dealer there was a mechanic there who did nothing but replace defective fuel pumps on Vortecs.

GM cannot seem to part with the pushrod which is a prime reason why they cannot compete with more advanced engine designs. Pushrod engines, while compact, are dated and inherently noisy and sloppy.

I have a 2002 S10 with a 2.2 Vortec and have had only a starter problem but it has only 36k miles on it. It is a piss poor excuse for a 4-cyl. engine and pales miserably in comparison to Japanese 4-cylinders.

I have had lots of experience with Toyota and Honda engines which are vastly superior to any crap GM, Ford or Chrysler builds. I religiously maintain them but also run the snot out of them because they can take it.

Toyota's and Honda's use all forged parts in critical areas like crankshafts, rods, pistons, etc. and have beafy bottom ends. I had a 22R in my old Toyota truck that I could take up to 80 mph in third gear all the while turning smoothly with no vibration and at 200k miles on it.

Those of you who have had nothing go wrong with Vortecs are lucky. The 3.0 liter V-6 in my Camry is a superbly smooth and quiet engine because it is designed right with DOHC valve train and because it's a Toyota. It doesn't even sound like a V-6 but almost like a V-8 under hard acceleration with a nice throaty roar. Once I sell my disappointing S10 I will get another Toyota truck.

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Alright who ever gave gm the kudos you are dumd i have owned 3 Gmc trucks all 4.3 and there stupid engunes have grenaded on me i now have a an 07 seirra i have a knocking noise somewhere in my valve train that gm techs say is normal but the truth is there just to goddamn lazy to actually fix it there dumb i will never purchase another GMC gunna take my hand at a ford or maybe even a dodge. i will die before i buy another gm they suck

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its called piston slap

pistonslap.com

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well maybe you should just go buy you a fix or repair daily and stop complaining about your chevy!!! most likely there wasnt anything wrong with the chevy 4.3 expect a lead foot.

if you hot rod any motor of course its gonna give you trouble.too many people complain about there motor being bad when the truth is it wouldnt be bad if it wasnt abused.any motor is like a persons heart..if you dont take care of it..sooner or later its gonna give you trouble. i have a chevy 4.3 with well over 150,000 miles and its a 1991 and i have not had any trouble with it at all. but if i act like its a race car and think i have to do 0-60 is 5 seconds then it will .

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did you ever check the trottle body they do need to be cleaned every now and than

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I own a 2004 2500hd pickup with the 8100 engine with what sounds like a lifter knock,and the engine consumes 1qt. of oil for every 100gal.of gas. The noise is there on a cold start-up and now continues for some time. I bought the truck new and I have had this problem since the first four thousand miles. I have called G.M. many times about this problem. I have had the vehicle in the service garage on several occations for the lifter noise. They say it is within their spc. They also say 1qt of oil per 100 gallons of gas is normal for that engine. The noise is getting worse. There is no oil leak that I can find. If there is anyone that is having similar problems I would like to hear for you.

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I believe all engines are good (not great)just good. It's how they are taken care of by their owners...Some turn out to be great because of their longevity and performance.

Case in point: I bought a USED 1992 GMC Sierra 4x4 short bed in 1994 second owner. the first thing i done was purchased an extended warranty that lasted 4 yrs. from that point on I did all the work myself. I owned that truck for 12 yrs. In that time that engine went over 5 Colorado summits ranging from 10k feet to 14k feet all dirt roads and very steep and rocky in 4 low 4x4. never once did that engine ever give my grief. It ran great stayed cool. Was a very dependable engine. Kudos to GMC

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I totaly agree. i have one problem after another with my s-10 pickup.I payed 13.000 grand for it in 1995 and it has cost me 20.000 just to keep it running. It didnt run right sense the day i pick it up in detroit. And as you know, trying to deal with gm is a dead end. If you need my help to file a lawsuit just let me know. Mike

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I totally agree with what u said about the 4.3 gm disaster. You didn't even go into the defective fuel injection POPPET design, a problem I we have with three 99-00 jimmy/envoy trucks in our lot. I am seriously interested in a class action lawsuit. Two other mechanics that are my good friends also are interested.The huge amount of defects from new are scary!!!!! please email me back mattsrdjak AT yahoo.com