Isuzu Rodeo

willie340

i checked again and was told that GM still owns 49% of isuzu and yes isuzu does make good diesel engines which they use in some of their models.don't tell those die hard GMC pickup truck owners they maybe running with a japanese engine.isuzu's here sell from a "saturn-saab-isuzu dealership.suzuki's have their own dealerships.other GM alliances are fuji/subaru,holden,opel,hummer,vauxhall,saab,fiat,isuzu,suzuki,sa- turn,buick,cadillac,chevrolet,ev1,oldsmobile,pontiac.i guess what ever you buy,GM is in there somewhere.

sensibleman

Hello there, I have bought my 2001, Isuzu Rodeo 2 years ago and it has 24K on it. Now it started knocking when passing by on Hills or if a sudden acceleration is required. I used 87 Gas so far.

Does any body experience the similar problem with his/her Rodeo? I would like to know if there is a known problem and a handy fix before taking the SUV to the dealer. Thanks.

jtk152

Sensibleman, You might want to try different brands of gasoline. My 2002 rodeo 3.2L will ping/knock LOUDLY on occasion, but only for a few seconds during hard (to the floor) acceleration, then the computer straightens it out. Seems to do it most often on mobil gasoline. You could also try running a 20oz bottle of chevron techron concentrate thru a tank or two to clean up your combustion chamber(s). If they are carboned up, this can cause pre-ignition. If this were anything major, your CEL will come on. Your 3yr/50Kmi B/B warranty will cover this, if it's bad enough that you wanna have a dealer look at it. G/luck
Joel

armtdm

Of fuel injeciton cleaner will hopeflly do the trick If not you are not out big bucks. Unless the timing is off etc. you may need to try a higher octane gas and see if that flies

sensibleman

jtk152 and armtdm -- Looks like good starting point, to change the Gasoline Brand; Add a 2o Oz Bottle to clean combustion chamber and if nothing then clean Fuel Injection. Will keep you posted. Thanks.

paisan

I spoke with Isuzu reps at the Auto-Show in NY this past weekend. GM has dropped down to 12% of ownership of Isuzu. The 49% was the old # before GM sold some stock back to Isuzu.

-mike

stever

"On December 25, 2002 GM, Isuzu and its creditor banks finalized all transactions related to the contemplated restructuring of Isuzu. Under the restructuring package, GM invested a total of Y60 billion (approximately U.S. $500 million) to acquire a majority interest in certain of Isuzu’s diesel engine businesses and complete ownership of certain diesel engine technologies. GM also acquired rights to use various related technologies. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities acquired will be completed in 2003. In addition, GM had its existing equity in Isuzu retired as part of Isuzu’s financial restructuring plan, and GM purchased new equity in Isuzu, leaving GM with a 12% ownership stake in Isuzu."

link

Short version: Listen to Paisan :-)

Steve, Host

paisan

I always pick up stuff, but never remember where the documenation is!

-mike

pasham

I have isuzu Rodeo LS 4WD (2000 year), and recently its ABS lights occasionaly comes on... and goes OFF. I am temporarily in Toronto-Canada, and took it to a dealer here. The dealer said I need a new ABS harness which is going to cost me $874( I still haven't recovered from shock). I have few questions, and will appreciate any help.

1) Is it very difficult to replace the ABS harness, is it something I can do myself or one needs special tools?

2) What precaustions should I take to drive it while I know that my ABS system may not be working properly?

3) Can I disable the ABS and still drive it safely?

Any help or advise will be greatly appreciated, and many thanks in advance.

paisan

And it'll be fine.

Chances are it's not the harness but rather one of the sensors has a bad connection. I'd start with checking out the connections and putting som di-electric grease on em. Then take it from there.

-mike

sensibleman

Hay just want to update who are interested in knowing what happened. I put Concentrated Techron bottle in fuel tank and switch to 89 Octane. I also switched my Gas Brand. It alomost eliminate Knocking. Then I tried 91 Octane and the Isuzu Rodeo power comes back. It is now performing as new. Looks like manufactring tolerence of engine required a higher Octance after 15,000 miles on the SUV.

dielectric7bb

Actually, it sounds alot like you have some carbon build up in the combustion chamber. Could be attributed to a good number of things such as bad gas or incorrect spark plug gap. Try using some kind of fuel system / combustion chamber cleaner for a couple of tanks and you should be good to go on 87 again.

jtk152

Sensibleman, I have to agree with dielectric7bb on this. This engine is designed to run on 87 octane. You run the risk of carboning up the engine even worse w/ 89 octane or higher - due to the slower burning properties of high octane fuel. You will eventually clog your EGR feed tube & passages if you continuously run high octane fuel in this engine. Stick w/ a couple treatments of the chevron techron concentrate, run at least an ounce per gallon of gasoline. Stick with 87 octane, see if the problem goes away. Stick w/ a reputable, hi-volume gas station as well. G/luck
Joel

armtdm

You run the risk of carboning up the engine even worse w/ 89 octane or higher - due to the
slower burning properties of high octane fuel. You will eventually clog your EGR feed tube &
passages if you continuously run high octane fuel in this engine.

I have never heard of this happening. Most modern enignes adjust for the octane level of the gas being used. there are a zillion cars out there using 91 octane that were designed for 87 but run like crap on 87.

stever

There's a pretty good thread over in the Trooper board; starts here and continues for several posts:

jayboreed "Isuzu Trooper" Nov 21, 2001 4:27am

Steve, Host

jtk152

Armtdm, the ONLY way you will notice adverse effects of running lower octane fuels is if you are running less octane fuel than your vehicle is designed to run on. For instance, if you run some models of GM's Northstar V8 on lower octane fuels, the ECM will adjust the engine (to reduce detonation) resulting in noticeable power loss. Switch back to 91 octane, it tunes back & you're fine. If you need to run higher octane gasoline than you engine is designed to use(90+% are designed to run on 87), you have an electrical, mechanical, or maintenance issue with your vehicle. OR it could simply be a matter of just changing brands of gasoline. It is a design trait of isuzu's 3.2/3.5 to build excessive carbon deposits if you run them on higher than 87 octane fuel. Some engines have no issues with that at all. I'll bet isuzu's new direct injected V6's will be the cure-all for any detonation & carbon issues + this new engine will eliminate the need for EGR.
Joel

Boris2

I noticed a reference to "direct hit" spark plugs on Trooper board and was wondering if anybody else used it. I also have heard good stuff about "rapid fire" spark plugs but haven't tried them myself. I always went for OEM type when I had to change the spark plugs on all of my cars, but was thinking that I should may be try something new. Any experiences?

stever

There's some posts about the various types of aftermarket plugs in the Spark plugs - Your favourite brand and type and why? discussion.

Like this Rapidfire one:

mcpdjohn "Spark plugs - Your favourite brand and type and why?" Mar 1, 2002 11:59am

Steve, Host

catam

Nobody has posted here for 2 weeks. What's up??
Has America totally abandoned Isuzu. I am currently trying to sell my Rodeo, and nobody is calling me to look at it. Too bad, they are good vehicles but are going unrecognized.
BTW, if anyone is looking for a 95.5 Rodeo, extra clean let me know and I'll give you the details.

jtk152

Yep. As you've seen, isuzu's have not been known for their awesome resale ability. They are a FAR above average truck that gets way below average attention. Used vehicles are always a hassle to unload, no matter what they are - unless you're willing to give'em away. How did your 95.5 treat you? Are you going for a different truck/suv? 95.5 was kind of a strange rodeo year for part interchangeabilty, but still a great truck. G/luck
Joel

catam

I have liked my Rodeo. Its been a great vehicle. I just need to ungrade to a 1 ton truck so that I can buy the 5th wheel trailer I want. Rodeo does a great job towing my boat, but it could never tow both.

dstezala

I have a 1996 Rodeo w/a 3.2 L V6 that was recently rebuilt. The engine runs great but keeps getting a CEL caused by the Cam Position Magnet. I have replaced it and the error code and CEL keep coming back. Who can provide some insight? Is the CPM supposed to line up somehow with the flywheel beneath the cover that it screws into? If so, the flywheel on mine didn't have any obvious metal component that would appear to pass the magnet part of the CPM. Any hints?

armtdm

You decided to replace the shocks on your Rodeo.

Mine is a 97 with 90,000 miles. They seem okay but I was considering having all four of them done when I get the lower ball joints replaced as the grease boot has split open on both sides.

drmp

Yours is a 1st gen Rodeo. I had isuzu pick-up back on 1995 (Philippines) with similar suspension and I immedidately replaced the shocks with monroe gas matic shocks (blue) which improved the ride over bumps and potholes. Lately, ihave a '99 Passport (rodeo twin) and I experimented with Bilstein but later settled with Monroe monomatic plus shocks. To my experience, Monroe gives the most comfortable ride.

ron_allen

I recently purchased a 2000 SL, Ironman edition, with 32k miles. Love the vehicle but I have recently noticed a slight smell while driving but not sure if it is an exhaust problem, or a fluid leak. Getting slight headaches while driving. Got under the car and didn't see any fluid leaks and exhaust system looks good not sure about the gasket. Anyone having similar problems??

ryanendres

I have about 36k on my RS, and still from time to time I get a smell too. When the truck was new I could always smell it. So where it is coming from? It is from over spray from the undercoating process. So it will take some time for the over spray to burn off, but it shouldn't be much longer if you have 32k already.
-Ryan

willie340

i have a 2002 rodeo,42000km on it.it was smelling like burnt oil.turns out the rear axle seals were going on it and the oil leaked out into the back parking brakes.it has disks in the back but also drums.it was leaking into the drums and there was no signs of oil on the ground.oh!! by the way it's june and my dealer still has no new isuzu's on the lot,lots of saturns and saabs..sign of the times i guess.

jtk152

Willie, from what I've read, isuzu wont be importing any 2003's into Canada due to slow sales there. Pretty strange though- I'm 15min from the border & we've got lots of 2003's How many miles did you have on your 2002 when you discovered the axle seal leak? Did you get a new set of parking brake shoes out of the deal when they replaced the seals?
Joel

willie340

3 weeks ago i had the trans. and transfer case oil changed.they noticed oil seals were gone.this was done at a friends garage.my friend did tell me to have them change the brake shoes.i brought it to the dealer the next day .they had it for two days and told me they needed changing but they have to order the parts and said the brake shoes would be fine after they were cleaned up.i'm still waiting for the parts to come in.no special attention at the dealer for me(isuzi owner i guess).it felt like a cold reception .so no new isuzu's in canada eh!! well that's just great.no wonder i couldn't get a loaner or even a courtesy drive.

reeger

I just purchased a 2000 Rodeo for my wife, here in NJ. 40,000 miles off lease. After trade in of 94 Mitsu Diamante, paid 13,500. Think its a good price.

I am a car guy and can fix, repair and upgrade almost anything.

I checked edmunds service interval for this car states at 40K to change auto trans fluid.

Any other recommendations? How about shocks, does ride a bit bouncy. Also, anywhere i can purchase a strut/shock tower brace? I've read about the ABS shimmy, I think the brace would resolve.

Thanks.

paisan

Haaa strut tower bar for a RODEO!!!!

I am a sports car fan, but that cracked me up

There are none available to my knowledge for the rodeo, Offroad trucks are supposed to have flex, not to mention you could stiffen up the body all you want but if you want to stiffen up the chassis you have to do it on the frame level.

Cool to see another NY/NJ person here!

Shocks people like on the Rodeo for on-road are the Monroes IIRC. If you ever want to do some offroading down in the pine barrens check us out http://isuzu-suvs.com it's our home offroad area.

-mike

jtk152

Reeger, Rodeos are body-on-frame design. No strut-towers to stiffen up.
Joel

lak1271

I recently had my engine harness short out on my 2002 Rodeo...anyone else run across this? I have 35,000 miles...my car would just die as I was backing out of parking spaces or stopped at stop lights.

Just curious if anyone else has run across this or if it is common on Rodeos?

Thanks

jtk152

Lak1271 - Man... hate to hear about that one! Did your dealership fix you up OK? I had heard some rumors of 1998+ rodeo's eating wiring harnesses - they rub/pull somewhere & cause shorts (IIRC it's a GM delphi harness?), but had not seen/read about anyone with the issue. Kind of strange, 'cause I've seen 1998+ harnesses up for bid on eBay. Hopefully you are as good as new now. G/luck
Joel

ryanendres

Where did it rub at? Just looking out for future problems. Your the first Rodeo I have heard about this. I read about a VX that had this problem about a week ago. So no worries.
-Ryan

ryanendres

Thought I would cross post this info from the Trooper board:

There is an Isuzu tech (+20yrs) who has been posting answers to questions on another board for the past few weeks:

. . . and here is his answer to oil useage on +98 . . .

quote:
------------------------------------------------------------------ - - ---------------
 Most of the complaints of oil usage is on 98 up and I see alot of them. It's in the piston design they changed them in the 98 3.2 run. They only have 4 drain back holes on the oil ring. The new ones will have 10 or 11. Oil is building up and sticking in oil rings. Best way to keep from this doins this is keeping the EGR port clean and the pcv valve replaced. On the 95 3.2 I would say it couldn't hurt to have the egr port cleaned, injectors cleaned and the upper intake decarboned.
------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------

-Ryan

jtk152

This is 100% logical what Keith is saying, but it seems the high oil consumption affects MORE of the 1998,1999,2000 than the earlier 3.2's. The pre 1998 3.2's typically leaked more oil than they "consumed".
Joel

jaeida

I'm a very new driver, been driving for 2 months total, and I bought a used 2000 Rodeo LS. I haven't had any problems yet except for the shocks, but a couple of days ago someone asked me to help them jump their battery and because I had parked in a horrible position I let them drive it a couple of yards to jump. Well apparently he put the parking brake on. In my inexperience, I noticed the Brake light was on but didn't know what the problem was. I drove to school for about a mile and then I called someone and found out the parking brake was on. There wasn't any smell or smoke when I parked. How much damage do you think I caused?

jtk152

Although it was not too good for the rear brakes, you are most likely OK, given you didn't smoke the rear brakes. The parking brake was likely not set too hard that time. Give your parking brake a yank next time you are coasting to a stop to test them out. Rememeber to test the parking brake every now & then to keep them from seizing up. G/luck
Joel

jaeida

I bought my 2000 rodeo LS with 42,000 miles on it a month ago. I've read that with a second owner the powertrain warranty reverts to a 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty. Does that mean total miles on the odometer, or miles in addition to the 42,000? As it is we overpaid for it because my husband and I are young, have no experience in buying cars and know nothing about them, he has the job and has horrendous credit. (14,900 + 900 taxes + 1000 life and disability + 1000 extended service contract ) No one even told me I was signing for life and disability when they showed me some forms with tiny X's and told me to sign here, here, and here. I really don't want to shell out any more money for any problems that could arise. The basic warranty had just finished so we purchased an extended 4 year, 50,000 mile Toyota Gold Plan. I don't think that includes Powertrain.

jtk152

Jaeida, The bumper to bumper isuzu warranty for your truck is 3yrs/50Kmi, so like you say, that is probably expired, or really close. Yes, second owner gets 5yrs/60Kmi powertrain, so you have something like 2yrs/18Kmi left of that. I'm not sure what the toyota gold plan is all about, but that likely covers your engine/drivertrain to 2007 or 92Kmi for you so that's pretty good. Keep track of the literature & contract papers that came w/ that toyota plan so you know what is covered. You bought a good reliable truck, keep up on the routine maintenance & it will last. Change oil every 3-4Kmi, flush the tranny every 30Kmi or so, change engine coolant every two years & save all your maintenance receipts!!. The price you paid isn't all that bad. A new one would have cost you $10K+ more. It's too bad that dealership took advantage of you the way they did (typical dealership), but look at the experience you gained! G/luck
Joel

jaeida

I don't know if those were the terms (adding the life insurance) Hyundai financial gave in order to get us approved, because they are named as beneficiary. Due to my husband's horrible credit we got rejected by Toyota Fin. and Primus. I don't know by who else if any. The rejection letters just started rolling in. When we were finally approved it was due to my credit, but I am in medical school with no possible way of having a job so we still didn't get the best interest rate. So I guess like my husband says "we did the best with what we have". Which hopefully means some decent negotiation skills next time around.

paisan

Don't worry about it. The design of the Isuzu parking brake is a drum-in-disc because the rear brakes are discs, the parking brake system uses a completely different set of pads and surfaces to engage the parking brake. It doesn't use the regular brakes for this, so they will remain un-harmed.

-mike

r0de099

I just bought a 1999 isuzu rodeo ls 4x4 w/ 54000 mi.i have it for 3 months now recently i notice the ABS light on the dash board everytime i start the car,is there a problem w/ ABS? Because when did a research in the internet i saw a lot of people who owns the same vehicle that they having problem about the ABS being always on eventhough theres no problem w/ the breaks or the abs.Did some of you guys experience the same thing?

fattony

I have a 1999 Rodeo. I had a problem with the ABS about 1 yr ago. The problem was that the ABS light came on and there was a terrible grinding sound comming from the modulator. So, I yanked the fuse for the ABS under the hood to stop the noise. I took it to the dealer and they replaced the modulator. Said it was a know problem and fixed it for free. I recently had a safty recall done where they replaced the ABS coil. So, thats probably what you're dealing with.

johneagal

I have Rodeo 2WD 2001 LS.
Recently changed tires, did alignment, balanced the tire and checked brackes and resurfaced the rotters.

After this work I noticed that there from passenger side wheel is not setting correctly when I drive and creating bumpi ride. Went back to Firestone for eaglignment and they found nothing.

Do we need to do 30k maintenance work $900 for our warrenty to be valid one?

Thanks,
JohnEagal

paisan

You only need to do what is in the book, probably about $30-50 in parts for that stuff.

-mike

sphipps1

Hello all, I recently purchased a 2001 LS with 41,000 miles and paid 12,300. Very clean vehicle and looks great. Had a month now and no problems. A friend bought a 2001 about a year ago and has 40,000 miles now. Just had to have his egr cleaned. They told him to put sea foam in the gas. Any other recommendations for this vehicles that I can do to reduce the chance of issues. Thanks in advance. Steve

ryanendres

I run a bottle of Chevron Techron Concentrate once every 3k. This should also, help keep the egr clean (which is easy to clean too). Also I would suggest replacing your PCV valve yearly (11 dollar part, 5 mins to replace). Mine was shot at 35K, so who knows when it actually went bad. Flush the tranny every 30k, new plugs every 50k or so. I flush the radiator yearly, which I know is over kill but it is cheap and easy DYI job.
-Ryan (2000 Amigo)

r0de099

it cost to replace a transmission fluid