9th Jul 2001, 15:02

To the 18 with the 98. Each truck off the line is never identical to the one in front of it or behind. I had a 1991 S-10 that I babied. The transmission went out at 33,000 miles, even though I did preventive maintenence on the entire drivetrain and even replaced stuff that could still go another 10,000 miles. On the other hand. a college friend had a 1991 S-10 that was a beater. He never replaced the oil, red lined it on almost every shift and 10 years and 190,000 miles on it, he is STILL driving it. So something breaking does not mean that the owner abused it. Poor design, faulty parts, any number of things can contribute to a part failing on a well maintained, carefully driven car or truck.

8th Feb 2002, 18:56

I agree with the 18 year old. I am a 16 year old with a 98 LS S-10 and it's GREAT!!! The only problem I've had was the slave cylinder. Also my truck has the 2.2 4 cylinder with 63,000 miles on it and is running like new. I have lots of friends with S-10s, and they are great trucks. So just because you other guys have lemons, doesn't mean they all are!

25th Feb 2003, 21:58

I just paid off (a 5 year loan) on my 1998 Chevy S-10 pickup, with a 4.3, 6 cylinder engine, and 38,000 miles on it. Here's the shocker folks, the only problem I had was, at 37,010 miles, I lost all of the heat. My mechanic said that the coolent will form a sluge in the heater core, and block the water from circulating. The coolant is suppose to last for 50,000 miles, but mine was weak. The flushed the system, and found it to be clean, refilled it with new stuff, and also threw in a new thermostat. Cost me a total of $79.00 plus tax. Sure could have been a lot worse!

10th Apr 2003, 18:45

I've got me a whacked out 98 S-10 2.2L, and I've had it for about 2 years since I've purchased it, and I've had multiple problems, like my flange welds broke, engine swap, O2 sensor replaced, and now probably my slave cylinder.

I've fully customized this truck, but man is it giving me major mechanical problems. It's a show truck, so I take care of it and it still tends to let me down. I don't know why these things happen, but it's getting old. I'm sure anyone who has an S-10 probably had these problems in this order of mechanical CHAOS!!! But hey, it's still brought home trophies.

KaotiK IllusionS c.c. P-cola FL.

Oh, check out minitruX.com.

2nd May 2003, 08:52

98 Chevy S10 King Cab 4 banger... 56K miles and had seat problems, Exhaust Man., gasket at drivers king cab tore, seat handles break, and noisy throwout bearing.

QUESTION?? HELP

I drive this about 4 to 6 days a month...

Has any one had problems with their battery going dead. Drain on the system?

18th May 2003, 06:23

We own a 1998 S-10 LS extended cab. The U-joints went at about 45,000 miles and the fan clutch went at around 40,000 miles. Other than those problems, it has been a great little truck. My wife and I live in Maine, and through all the snow and cold we had this past winter, the little S-10 never let us down. Did I mention it is only 2-wheel drive on the original all season radials? The ABS works perfect, believe me. The ergonomics are clean and functional on the interior. The little truck looks great on the outside and these are some of the nicest looking factory alloy wheels I have seen. We maintain the truck well with synthetic oil changes every 5,000miles. -Maine.

5th Jun 2003, 01:14

I just purchased a 1997 2.2L s10 and have found that the transmission is making a weird noise until I press the clutch pedal down. I plan on taking a three hour trip out to Eastern Washington from Seattle Wa, and was wondering if I'm going to be safe in taking this trip? Any advice will help. Thanks.

5th Jun 2003, 05:26

Get your transmission checked out before it does any more damage to itself!! Do not make that trip before checking with a Transmission specialist!!

27th Jun 2003, 12:48

Any help. My son has a 1988 Chevy S-10, I call her Zoe, but she should really be called "Christine", from the Steven King movie. New motor, rebuilt transmission, rebuilt rear, new paint job, new tires and rims. Yes, unfortunately it has the 2.8 v6 engine. Replace smog pump, alternator, keeps running hot, I mean hot, trying replacing the clutch fan, hopefully this will do it. Should I take a loss on this.

Really frustrated.

21st Aug 2003, 09:15

I have a 98 S-10, two wheel drive, no air, manual five speed "plain Jane". The fan clutch went out under warranty at 15,000 miles. The dealer replaced it. Now the new fan clutch went out again at 31,000 miles and of course its out of warranty. So when I replace it, it will be the third fan clutch this truck has had. I checked with the Chevy dealer and they said there has not been an issue with this item and the factory is still making the part the same way. I don't want to use a genuine GM part again because it will probably fail again. Can anyone suggest an aftermarket fan clutch that will perform better?

2nd Dec 2003, 12:02

I have a '98 S-10 extended cab 2.2 liter with 5 speed. I purchased it at 63,000 miles and it now has 107,000 on it. I have had nothing, but problems! I have only had it 2 years!

Three weeks after I got it the battery drained for no apparent reason. About two months later the alternator and regulator went out.

After I had it for a year and it had about 75,000 on it had an oil leak. The dealer said it was the oil pan gasket. It wasn't. It took three trips to the dealer for them to decide it was the rear main seal.

About 3 months later the u-joints went out and warped the drive shaft. That was when my extended warranty ran out.

After that the down pipe from the manifold had to be replaced. Now the clutch has just been replaced along with the fly-wheel, throw out bearing, pressure plate, and anything else with the clutch. Two days later the plugs and wires are now replaced. A trouble code (0P200) injector control circuit comes up. The only problem is that no one can tell me what that means. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I also believe that it doesn't matter how you drive it. I know of at least one '82 C20 that had no trouble and a '02 ford that has been beat worse with no trouble. Soon to purchase anything, but GM.

7th Jun 2004, 23:47

I have a 1998 S-10 LS, it has 126000 miles and the only major repair I have had to fix was the catylic converter. That was last year. I am the only owner and I have moved to Arizona and back again to California. Everything is meant to break down. I bet you could survey every owner of every make and model and you would get the same responses. Just like our bodies, ever vehicle is different just the same. I am currently selling my truck for a larger S.U.V. and I am sad because I love my truck. I just wish ever one had the luck I had with my S-10.