“Stupid Blazer”

Late last year we spent about $1,000 getting some things fixed on the Blazer. Shortly after that we found that it had no heat, and there was a serious grinding noise coming from the vicinity of one of the wheels.

A few weeks ago, we started losing engine coolant. When I went to pick up Shannon, I had to fill the radiator twice (once before I left, once at the halfway house). Got that and the brakes fixed for about $400. (I hoped the brakes were causing the grinding, but I didn't really think so.)

Saturday, Corinne was taking Shannon and Lauren out for some groceries and then was going to drop Shannon off at the bowling lanes. They made it 40 feet from the driveway when one of the wheels locked up tight. She called me out there to help, and I was able to move it off to the side of the road, but had to pay another $75 to have it towed back to the garage.

The transfer case is what allows the truck to shift from 2wd to 4wd (and back). It had completely run out of (hydraulic?) oil, siezed up, and been destroyed. It was absorbing all the power of the engine, and wouldn't let the wheels turn.

A used transfer case costs $650. Four to five hours of labor is another $300+. With replacement fluids and taxes, we're up to $1,060.

It's supposed to be done today. Sigh. I hope this is the last of the big problems.