Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures but here's the low-down:
I have a customer with a 2001 Chevy Blazer, about 122k on it. It's got to be one of the cleanest Midwest S10's I've ever seen, but it's still a Blazer. I just replaced the ABS module last month to the tune of $1,200, and this month she brought it back after having us degrease it to check for leaks.
I couldn't pinpoint all the leaks, but it for sure needed lower intake gaskets, an oil pan gasket, and oil cooler lines. WHAT A PAIN!! The oil pan alone pays 6 hours, another 2.2 for the cooler lines, and 3.6 for the intake. While I was doing the job, I found several other issues that she didn't blink an eye at: The remote oil filter housing was corroding away and cracking, replaced that with a Dorman unit. The OE block heater was leaking, so that was replaced with a freeze plug with the OK from the customer. I never would have seen the coolant leak without removing the differential for the oil pan job, it's buried above it.
For those that don't know, to do an oil pan on a 4x4 Blazer requires complete disassembly of the front suspension (as in knuckles OFF), disconnecting the steering linkage from both the pitman and idler arms, and removal of the front differential. BUT! You can't remove the front diff WITHOUT disassembling it! The right hand axle tube and shift fork have to be removed to gain clearance to remove the main housing.
I'm 30 years old, and if I go the rest of my career without doing another one of these, I'll be happy. It was ALL overhead work and my shoulders were on fire by the time I was done!
EDIT: Just for fun, because I know someone will ask: The total bill came to ~$2,200. That, plus her ABS repair, puts her at $3,700. For a BLAZER!! I thought I'd seen it all.
I have a customer with a 2001 Chevy Blazer, about 122k on it. It's got to be one of the cleanest Midwest S10's I've ever seen, but it's still a Blazer. I just replaced the ABS module last month to the tune of $1,200, and this month she brought it back after having us degrease it to check for leaks.
I couldn't pinpoint all the leaks, but it for sure needed lower intake gaskets, an oil pan gasket, and oil cooler lines. WHAT A PAIN!! The oil pan alone pays 6 hours, another 2.2 for the cooler lines, and 3.6 for the intake. While I was doing the job, I found several other issues that she didn't blink an eye at: The remote oil filter housing was corroding away and cracking, replaced that with a Dorman unit. The OE block heater was leaking, so that was replaced with a freeze plug with the OK from the customer. I never would have seen the coolant leak without removing the differential for the oil pan job, it's buried above it.
For those that don't know, to do an oil pan on a 4x4 Blazer requires complete disassembly of the front suspension (as in knuckles OFF), disconnecting the steering linkage from both the pitman and idler arms, and removal of the front differential. BUT! You can't remove the front diff WITHOUT disassembling it! The right hand axle tube and shift fork have to be removed to gain clearance to remove the main housing.
I'm 30 years old, and if I go the rest of my career without doing another one of these, I'll be happy. It was ALL overhead work and my shoulders were on fire by the time I was done!
EDIT: Just for fun, because I know someone will ask: The total bill came to ~$2,200. That, plus her ABS repair, puts her at $3,700. For a BLAZER!! I thought I'd seen it all.