Hi. I have a 96 Blazer and have been hearing a strange noise from it
occasionally. It started this summer while I was using the A/C a lot
and seemed to quit when I turned the AC off. It is a gurgling noise,
like water draining that I hear when turning a corner . I haven't
heard it in a while since the weather cooled off, but last week when
I
picked up my blazer at the airport, I noticed it again at the first
corner, then didn't hear it any more for the next two hours and
haven't heard it since. I thought maybe it was an AC drain that was
plugged and took it to my mechanic today to fix before it freezes.
They said the drains were fine but the noise was from the intake
manifold gasket that is leaking. I don't know much about that part of
the car. Does this sound possible or does it even make sense? I
haven't noticed a problem with leaks or low coolant. No white smoke
either.

Any ideas on this?

Thanks,
Kat

CHECK YOUR OIL LEVELS, SEE IF MAYBE IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE LIGHTER IN COLOR THAN
NORMAL, OR MAYBE A LITTLE THICKER IN CONSISTENCY. I HAD AN ENGINE BLOW ON ME
ONCE, AND MY PA TOLD ME IT WAS THE INTAKE GASKET, IT HAD SPRUNG A LEAK, AND THE
COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE OIL PAN AREA. WHEN I WENT TO CHECK MY OIL, IT
LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD DUMPED A CHOCOLATE SHAKE INTO MY OIL

kfoxcpa

If the coolant really is getting in the oil, you will notice what
mike has said............a milky color to the oil. The oil level
will rise, and may even show a pint or quart overfull on the
dipstick. The coolant level will also drop, so check the
radiator/overflow tank to see if it calls for you to add coolant. If
you let it set overnight without running, the coolant SHOULD separate
and settle to the bottom. Pull the crankcase drain plug and just
allow a quart or so to drain out and inspect it. Should be very
noticable. If you run it very long with anti-freeze in the oil it
will ruin the bearings first, then the oil pressure drops, and
eventually it will lock up.

I am told a leaky intake gasket is a common problem with the 4.3
liter engines. But you SHOULD notice a definate loss of coolant to
further indicate the problem.

And I have had vehicles that the AC gurgled on even when the drains
were open properly, so I would get several opinions before replacing
the gaskets.