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Question
Hi Carl: Our son owns a 1998 Chevy Blazer that he took to South Jersey this past weekend (we are North) he went 130 mi and starting having a problem where his car overheated and then switched into 4WD low. He was towed back North and the car is now in our local Exxon Station. I spoke to the mechanic this morning and he informed me that he is stumped as to why he can not get the car out of 4WD low. He know where the anti freeze is comming from but says that it may not be worth fixing and I may have to junk the car. He said if I take it to a Chevy Dealer they will try to sell me everything under the sun (new casing etc.) Any clues to what's going on with the 4WD low?? Thanks, Kathy
Kathy,
I'm not sure why it would switch into 4wd low just from over heating. It is possible that the transfer case ran low on fluid, causing the overheating problem, and siezed up in low range.
As far as junking the car, I wouldn't consider that yet.
Not being able to look at it, it's hard to say what the problem is. As far as the anti freeze, did the mechanic say where it is coming from. It is probably from the radiator overflow due to the heating up.
I would find a reputable transmission shop or two that specializes in 4-wheel drives, not a gas station, and have them check it out.
Get a couple of estimates.
Carl
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| Comment | Thanks for the answer. I do plan on taking the car back to the dealer as the gas station still has the car 4 days and he told me that they are still looking to get it going. | ||
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Carl Brandt
Expertise
Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.
Experience
40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range.
Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland.
Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.
Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's
Cal 4-Wheel
Corva
UFWDA
Blue Ribbon Coalition
Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics
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