All Trucks, Campers, Trailers, RV's and Motor Homes - 1987 K-5 Blazer

Hello DYI community. I found this board through Google and like it so far.

Question for you mechanics out there. My K-5 has 162,XXX miles on it. The drivetrain runs smooth. The 4WD works fine.

The only repair I need right now is new U-Joints on the ends of the 4WD shafts, and a steering stablizer replaced. (the "shock absorber")

I just put new brake pads on front, so that's good to go.

My question is this, what can I expect to go wrong with my truck at this many miles? Any experience with major problems at 162,xxx miles?

The engine smokes when I start it up, but that's about it.

Thank you in advance.

My 85 / k5 with 200 + k miles is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned, other than routine maint. the only repairs I have done are: 1 removed the heads and replaced the valve stem seals, (cured the smoke at start-up problem) 2 replaced the tilt steering wheel assy. 3 replaced one power window motor. so far thats it...

good luck and have a great day

Depending on how it was maintained in its earlier life will also depend on how it holds up in its later life.

If it is smoking when starting up it is more than likely a issue with the valve seals. There are ways to do it without removing the heads too.

have you replace the timing chain? if not you should schedule that as soon as the money allows, also water pump, both are normal wear items, studies show most going out before 200K miles. the smoke when starting up is indicative of valve stem seals starting to go bad but they can be changed with out pulling the heads, it takes a screw in compression tester adapter and quite a bit of time as you have to turn each cylinder to top dead center air it up with the compression adapter (after pulling the schrader valve from it) then compressing each valve spring and removing each then each seal and reassembling each. if you diy is not expensive just time consuming. other than that it is also time to start replacing all rubber goods under the hood, belts and hoses those deteriorate from the heat and ozone that is produced under the hood.

if we're not supposed to eat animals why are they made out of meat?

what speedwrench say"s is right. but dont overlook the cat"s and o2 sensor"s If equiped.

Thanks for all of your responses. I forgot I was even on this forum, (i'm on so many) and meant to get back here earlier.

I figured it was the valve stem seals. Much as I hate to, I think I'm just going to go ahead and sell it. Gas mileage you know.