Activity Stream

I actually didn't say it never gets old. It does. But it tends to "stabilize" after a period of time (unless not used AT ALL). You make a good point about maintenance schedules too. Manufacturers don't make maintenance schedules with...

Both over and underfilling a transmission are bad.

Thanks guys. I really appreciate your feedback. Some of the folks on the FB page were helpful as well. From a logical perspective, the only argument that makes sense is keeping the oil clean. I suppose I could just do nothing and wait for it...

Did you get the correct one as there are 2 rings, each with diff part number as each of the pipes take a different size. The Honda ring and the Isuzu ring have the same part number, and they are the correct parts....trust me, I just replaced them...

Valid. However, as Isuzu hasn't been involved in the UDSM market for consumer vehicles for over a decade, the wellspring of parts is drying up--regardless. And since I'm not someone who can perform quality rebuilds on his own over a weekend in my...

The transmissions aren't really unique (that I know of)...as they were used in Troopers and Pilots....among others? The engine is more unique. I can't remember for sure, but the "stroked" 3.5L version of the standard 3.2 might have been an...

Sent you an email

99.999% sure it's a head gasket. Mine was also overheating in winter--same kind of issues. Hydrocarbon test of the coolant is a dead giveaway. I spent over 2 grand having mine replaced, but it came with the peace of mind that the shop stood by...

I'll buy that logic. ^ I know my VX is almost extinct breed. Should anything happen to the engine/transmission, I doubt the ability to find/procure replacements. If that means I baby mine a bit more because of the pucker factor...so be it. ...

Yay! I love my local Pul-a-part yard ;)

Today I purchased: 1) A different condenser fan that will hopefully fit behind the winch 2) Heated, Leather, Power seats from a 2002 Jaguar X-Type. Once I figure out the wiring harness I can get it mounted up. I really don’t want to set off...

Jerry Lemond was a regional QC guy for Isuzu (IIRC). He has been very visible in Isuzu forums providing lots and lots and lots of advice -- based on his work as a factory "rep". That said, it's hard to tell if blacksambo's post was meant for the...

I don't know who that is. And I'd like to hear some rational explanation. Because this sounds a lot like saying there's no need to change the oil or flush the radiator.

That’s why the site is here :)

Thank you so much! I am sure I will have more questions in the forum as I try and give a little TLC to my VX.

Part number for 1999: 8971780020 ...

Update! (As of April 1, 2018!) Yep - a week in NM on vacation so we got to do a bit more work. A trip to the Albuqueque Pick Your Part found us working on a 100K mile Trooper that had been hit in the passenger side. God bless the high desert...

Talk to Jerry Lemond, leave the transmission alone unless the fluid is burned smelling.

How about a pluged thermostat?

I checked all the plugs they look good. I thought about warped or cracked head also. It has lots of power ( with no loss of power) just overheating and milky water in the radiator. When I pull the heads if the gaskets look good than it may be a...

Head gasket, or warped or cracked head. Now the hard part - which one?? Check all the spark plugs to see if there is one or 2 that have a different appearance, or do a compression test. PK

Im thinking the same thing but just don't want the headache and the expense of gaskets. Close to $400. for gaskets and bolts. Ouch! Thanks for your advice.

Sourcing parts for a VX can always be tricky. There are some parts that I won’t trust a mechanic to find. These are usually VX specific but most drive train parts are common enough. I do most of my own wrench work. Diagnostic tools will be your...

Head gasket

I disagree. If a transmission is build as how you describe, then it's even more imperative to flush it religiously--because only cycling fluid through can ever hope to hit 99%+ of all of the fluid. It's similar to how you normally never have to...