Isuzu Owners Maintenance and Repair

bsmart1

I see a lot of post's on the board about the TOD. Wierd actions, noises, indications and so forth. Anyone else had a problem with their 4WD indicator light not coming on, when 4WD is engaged? I realize its a minor problem, but its difficult to "feel" the shifter go into 4WD and I would like that positive feedback from the light, ensuring me its there. I know the indicator is OK, because it comes on when the lamp check occurs during key start of the engine. Anyone know where the sensor is or how it works on the automatic transmission and the 3.2L engine? Once the sensor is found, is there any way to test it, or the circuit by removing the sensor?

ppouncey

Oil in the plug wells is a known problem for 92-97 Troopers, don't know if the problem is shared with other models or the 3.5 engine. I haven't experienced it myself (95 Trooper, 3.2 SOHC, 53k), but from what I've read, it has to do with the way the wells are pressed into the valve covers. Various dealer service departments tried glueing the wells in, but Isuzu only improved the plug wire boot so that it would keep the oil off the plug. I recently got a set of the new wires - boots are very stout and have a tight seal on them. I guess that if the plugs are protected, that oil isn't hurting anything.
FWIW-
Pat.

sbcooke

That sounds consistent with a quart of oil per 1000 miles as reported by others on this post. I have burned a little, but nothing like that, so far I have had to add 1 1/2 quarts over the first 15,000 miles (outside of regular changes).

bsmart1

Whats up with all this talk about Rancho 9000 shocks, special tires etc etc for the 1999-2001 model Troopers? Has Isuzu done something radically different to the suspension on these latest models? It sounds like most people think they ride to soft and are subject to body roll or something. I've not been one, so I don't know, but just what are all these undercarriage aftermarket mods supposed to do? Has Isuzu tired to make their new models ride like a Lincoln or Cadillac?

paisan

The Stock suspension is fine, but like most manufacturers, they aim to please everyone with the suspension. They don't want it too rough, or too soft, so they go with a middle of the road approach. Some people want to firm it up a bit for offroading, or performance handling, or put in progressive rate rear springs for towing. In stock form the new troopers are fine, but for the driving enthusiasts or off-road gurus, we cannot leave well enough alone

-mike

gpm5

It would be informative to know from where the oil is coming out. I saw a trooper when I was looking that had oil around the spark plugs. I did not think that was a good sign. When you say oil was down inside when you looked with a flashlight, are you referring to the top portion of the cylinder (i.e. under where the spark plug is threaded in).

gpm5

I'm somewhat consumed in the oil consumption issue. My '99 trooper had not been run for a few months when I purchased it (16 k miles) and during my 1st 1000 miles last summer appeared to burn no oil. Now this winter (20k miles) it appears to be burning a qt every 2000 to 3000 with about a third to a half qt in the last 1000 miles. Does this make any sense? Why the increase? I wonder if it has to do with the engine loosening up after not running for a couple months. I will try the synthetic since this may improve it. Does this oil consumption relate in any way to the longevity of the engine? This seems unrelated but could keeping TOD on all winter cause an increase in oil consumption--I can't imagine why but that is one difference between now and the summer. Of course temperature is another.

From the above post it would appear that the oil could be blowing past the valves in the 3.2 L engine.

armtdm

Has 59,000 miles, oil consumption does not appear to be an issue so far but oil leaks/seepage is. I have oil seeping from what looks like the rear seal (around the rear of the oil pan) plus the valve cover (drips on to the alternator area) etc. Anyone else have these problems??

nato1

Make sure you are using the correct weight and grade of oil. Oil consumption is usually less in the winter, than in the summer.

paisan

My TOD light that keeps coming on is error code 27 which indicates bad speed sensors in the AWD system. They ordered them and will be replacing them next week. I also asked them to check out the rear wiper that wasn't clearing the window very well, and they replaced the wiper arm for me. So far Open Road Honda/Isuzu/Mazda has done good things by me. They are in Edison, NJ.

-mike

gpm5

How is the oil consumption on your trooper with synthetic? Have you made the change?

paisan

I've gone through about 2 quarts of synthetic in about 7000 miles thus far. So that is about 1/3 of what I was burning on conventional. I think they used catrol or valvoline synthetic when I had it done last time, this time I'm gonna go with Mobil 1 so we'll see how that does. I'm not too worried about it, since it otherwise is a great engine. It makes me check out the engine every other fillup, which is a good thing,otherwise my hood would rarely get opened

-mike

gpm5

Paisan-good point on the opening the hood.

In terms of oil consumption being less in the winter, from the above post (nato1), is this universally true? The trooper S TOD does not have a oil pressure guage (the 2WD models do?) but what I've noticed on other vehicles is that oil pressure is higher in the winter do to the viscosity on start up. It is therefore harder to push oil through the cracks, so to speak, but possibly the higher pressures could result in more being forced through. Also, the 3.5L engine revs high for some time at start up when cold and this is when the pressure would be the highest. The synthetic supposedly has better flow when cold, and therefore presumably, there would be lower pressure. I would be interested in anyone who has observed any of this in the winter with or without synthetic oil on a guage on a 2WD model 3.5L engine. Anyways, in principal oil consumption could go up due to the higher pressure.

teacherjim

I have had my new trooper for about a week and afterreading the owners manual noticed that it and the front door label said that tire pressure should be 30 front 35 rear. I checked mine and the dealer had it 35 front and rear. Should I put it to factory specs or is it better handling at 35 front and rear? I am putting on some Rancho 9000 shocks this weekend, will that effect where the tire pressure should be? I do not do offroading, lots of back woods poorly paved roads on my way to work.

paisan

I run my TP about 3-5lbs above stock, gives better handling, firmer ride, and better fuel economy.

-mike

raydahs

Last night I was looking under the truck to see how difficult it would be to install the OME suspension package, when I looked up front and noticed the right half shaft boot was seeping grease at the clamp (small diameter), the boot is fine (no cracks). I remember sometime back, the discussion came up about these boots leaking. Im just wondering if this would be under the powertrain warranty? Oh! mileage is at 44k.

gpm5

Seems to me it might be under the power train warranty since that includes quite a few items. Let us know. Does anyone have a list of items that are included under this warranty. I seem to recall seeing it somewhere but can't remember where now.

paisan

you should still be under the BtoB?

-mike

iridiumflash

Re: your 3/20 post and the TOD Problem, what happened? Did disconnecting the battery work?

Got my Trooper back from the dealer and they said they didn't find anything wrong with my TOD (see my previous posts titled "TOD Problem".

The computer indicated error code 14 and 24 but I have no idea what that means. The vehicle seems to be running fine but I don't like not knowing what caused my specific problem or when/if it will happen again.

johnny_ringo

I have an appointment at the dealer for next week. Disconnecting the battery did not work. I can "trick" the display into thinking it is in TOD by shutting the car off, putting the emergency brake on and then starting the engine. However, the TOD is not actually engaged. I will let you know what the dealer finds next week.

paisan

Could you call your dealer and ask him what the meaning of the 14 and 24 codes are?

We already know that the 27 code that I have on my TOD is "speed sensor" problems. It would be nice to have 14 and 24 in our knowledgebase as well.

-mike

cw1684

My 97's valve cover gaskets were repaired under warranty (can't remember mileage). Now I too have the rear of pan seepage and lose about 1/2 qt. per 1.5k running Mobil 1 with 54k on the odo. I will be taking it in to the dealer soon and will post the outcome.

You are definitely not alone because the dealer fixed the cover gaskets as if it were an everyday thing. Did a fine job too. Only one hose was misrouted (blocks oil fill cap), otherwise you couldn't even tell they were in there.

Chuck

armtdm

In lieu of normal nuts why did Isuzu put these hexagonal bolts into all the pans etc. Cannot seem to get a proper tool (socket used to be great) to tighten the nuts, Anyone find a tool that will really tighten the nuts on oil pan etc.

teacherjim

Today I made a appointment to get an O2 sensor replaced. The appointment was made then I asked to talk to the service/parts manager. I asked him if he had the part in stock. He asked me what year and motor Trooper I had. I told him it was a 2001LS he then asked what motor, I said a 3.5. He then said are you sure that it isn't a 3.2 motor? I said, all 2001 Troopers have the 3.5 engine, to which he replied, No they can also have the 3.2 engine, I said no, only the 3.5 engine is offered on the 2001 Trooper. He then said "sir, you are wrong!, we have ordered several 2001 Troopers this year with the 3.2 engine for people who want better milage. It's a special order option that we find popular. Well that makes me rather worried thinking these fools are going to be working on my Trooper!!!. The next nearest dealer is 75 miles away. These guys just got the dealership earlier this year, but I would expect them to have some knowledge of there product. I will let you know what comes from my appointment this next Monday

sbcooke

I can't think of a good way to settle this with the dealer. You should make an attempt to prove to them that you are right though. What is he thinking? Even if, by some miracle, they were possibly getting some variant engine in, whatever happened to the customer is always right? Maybe we should get a bunch of us together to order a few from him?

paisan

I'll call from work tomorrow and order a bunch of 3.2l Troopers. Easy way is to print out the web-page that shows the engine options!

-mike

nahcire

Is there any product out there that could put on the top surface of the rear bumper? A few days ago when I was loading and unloading large items, I accidentally put a few scratches on the top surface of the rear bumper. I would think there should be something like a clear plastic sheet or a bumper cover that comes with the subaru cutback. Any input is appreciated. Thanks

Eric

nahcire

sorry, forgot to mention...I have a 2000 trooper LS. thanks

Eric

armtdm

Yea, I went to a dealer that just got the franchise as well. Kept showing me in the service manual a picture of my tranny and how to drain it. I kept telling him that picture did not represent what was under my Rodeo. Finally took the idiot to look under the Rodeo sure enough, he finally admitted his manual was "wrong"

chas2

99 trooper w/23,000. Cold start high idle and then idle fluctuating between 200-1000 until warm. Dealer replaced intake gasket warr. Said cold weather is causing cracks something to do with the way gasket is made w/plastic. Engine operates better now.

jsmarsh

I have a 2000 Passport which is the same as the Isuzu Rodeo.
I was wondering if anyone noticed a problem with the AS locking
up very quick on the Front Brakes. I notice this on slick
or snowy roads. It seems as soon as I touch the brakes the
AS kicks in making the vehicle slide. Twice now I slide
Passed a stop sign out the the intersection, and I am decelerating
from about 20 MPH not very fast

sdc2

I had that done in January. I have heard from Sam Jelinek, an Isuzu mechanic that participates in some of the boards, that they are seeing a lot of intake manifold gasket problems on the 3.5L. Hopefully the replacement gasket is improved somehow...

catfood

Anyone ever have this problem or know of a fix? My '97 SLX seems to get water coming in off the roof and in through the top of the back door (gasket?), as far as I can tell. Its not a beck of a lot and certainly doesn't dampen my love of this vehicle, but any ideas of a remedy for this otherwise perfect vehicle?

paisan

Perhaps Cat, you have the same problem as someone had on here earlier. Their back doors rattled a bit, and they were OCDing on em. Found out they needed to have the back doors adjusted @ the dealer. They were off slightly. Once they had them re-adjusted they didn't rattle anymore. I forgot who it was, it may be on http://isuzu-suvs.com in the FAQ section.

-mike

raydahs

Hey PAISAN,

Before I bought my 99 Trooper, one of the dealers had a 8 page 8.5"x11" official Isuzu warranty. I ran across it last night, and brought it in today. A friend of mine scanned it into a PDF.file, so if your interested I can e-mail it to you for your site. I'ts a 99' so it would be the 3/50 B to B and 5/60 powertrain, but all of you 2000 and beyond owners would just change the numbers to 10/120.

paisan

That would be great ray. E-mail it to me mike@iace.com and I'll put it up tonight.

-mike

raydahs

Let me know if you have any problems with it, so far it works at my end!

gpm5

Has anyone checked their mpg on the '98-01 trooper in city driving with short trips only, TOD on constantly, and with many starts and warm-ups in the winter. I calculated 12 mpg.

nighter50

I decided not to look. Head in sand, ignorance is bliss - that sort of thing. With CA gas prices expected to go over two bucks a gallon in summer, I don't think it behooves me to start looking now! But 12mpg would not surprise me.

paisan

12 sounds about right, espcially the way I drive. I think mine may be slightly higher than that though, closer to 13-14. And as you know I always leave my TOD on 24x7.

-mike

gpm5

Well it is a hunk a steel that one needs to move. I've never really worried about mpg in the past but with all the posts I thought I'd check it out.

bahmed

I have changed my Transmission Fluid at 15K, 30K and then recently at 60K scheduled service. It is kind of hard to check the Transmission fluid on this SUV as there is no dipstick.

Thanks for your help.

organiczone

hello friends, i had the intake manifold gasket replaced under warranty for stall out and high idle problems(betw. 1000-1700). this high idle problem has not corrected. this occurs at a complete stop and either sticks at high idle, surges up to high idle or momentarily sticks and then returns to normal idle. the dealer put it on the computer and finds no irregularities. since this high idle occurs infrequently the dealer has not witnessed it on the test drives. does anyone have any ideas what the problem might be. very frustrated. i cleaned out the throttle body myself with no results. yesterday i was at a red light and the idle was 1700rpm. PLEASE ADVISE!!!

paisan

Could be a bad O2 sensor, although the dealer diag should have turned that up.

-mike

koboko

Hello everyone! I recently bought a brand new Trooper S (got a great deal with 0% financing and all) & had a question regarding routine oil changes. The manual calls for 7500miles or 12 months which sounds odd. I'm assuming 3500miles/3months is the norm? So what interval should i follow, since this is my first SUV? Also, should I do the first oil change any sooner at around 500miles or is it okay to wait till the first 3000 miles. Also, how important is it to follow the break-in guidelines? Any other tips/info on the Trooper would be welcome . Thanks...

teacherjim

Today I took my 2001 Trooper back to the dealer to get the O2 sensor replaced. The salesman who sold it to me is also the asst manager, I mentioned to him about the Parts manager telling me that 2001 Troopers can have special order 3.2 engines in them, he knew this as they had ordered a couple this year. The asst manager then called the parts manager on the phone and asked him to come see him. The manager asked him if he had the parts to fix a special order 3.2 Trooper engine. The parts guy said "sure or I can get them" the manager then said I know there is no such option for the 2001 Trooper, the parts guy said "yes there is!, this kind of made the asst manager made and he said "you better find this option listed or you will be reading that parts book for the next week learning it". That was the last time I saw the parts guy today. The car was fixed with no problems and they gave me a free oil change and when asked if I had noticed anything else, I said the alignment might be a little off. They then did an alignment, finding it was a little off. I was not charged for the alignment either and they washed the car before bringing it to me. I was very impressed and think there is hope for this new dealership as they seem to want to please people. I do wonder if the parts man is doing a little reading tonight? P.S. they also did a free tire rotation!

paisan

Nice Jim that's good service. IMHO if a dealership at least makes and effort and makes you feel good, that's 1/2 the battle. I rather have a dealer that is less knowledgeable, but will take the time to check out the problems and research it, rather than knowing how to fix something and refusing to, or being nasty about it.

-mike

montypython

I spent a few hours last night reading over all the M&R and Mods postings and only found 5-6 that even mentioned Amigos. I am thinking about buying a '91 XS in about a week and I would like to find out as much as I can about it before I commit. Does anyone out there have experience or info about Amigos or is this just a Trooper love affair?? I have test driven and checked it out cosmetically and mechanically and it SEEMS to be in good shape, but I also know most of the smoke and mirror stuff that can happen on a used car lot. I would like to hear about others love/horror stories just to give me some idea of what I might be getting into before I sign on the dotted line. Thanks in advance.

paisan

Check out http://isuzu-suvs.com and follow the link the the 4x4wire.com The isuzu guys over there are big into Amigos (old and new) and will tell you what to look for specifically on that vehicle.

-mike

crp_2099

I have a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo LS and the brakes are squeaking loudly. I went to the dealer and they said the brakes are hard and are going to make this noise. I was wondering if anyone has had squeaking on their brakes and if they had a solution to stop it. If I buy new brakes will they do the something. thanks