Serious Engine Trouble

Back in June of 2005 I had a problem with my VX using a lot of oil. The dealer I went to for service ran some diagnostics and explained to me I should keep an eye on the vehicles oil usage. And they could find NO oil leak. Well the next oil change I had that same dealer left the cap off. Fortunately I had no major damage after driving 20 miles. Since that time that particular Isuzu dealer has gone out of business. But I did write to the Owner Relations Department at Isuzu. Recently I have had to check or add oil pretty much everytime I fill up with gas. This weekend I had a major problem and on a 230 mile trip the oil burned completely out of my VX. I had to have it towed 100 miles to get home. Today they tell me a bearing seized and they can't turn the crank shaft at all! As you can imagine I'm not very happy. Has anyone had a similar experience? Will Isuzu help me out at all? I don't know if I want to put in a new engine. This thing only has 58,000 miles on it.

Most likely Rod Bearing #1 (furthest from the oil pump) use the Search and browse the forum, Isuzu has a prob and know it and some members have had the same prob. Back in my Hotrod days anytime I pulled the oil pan for any reason I always installed a new oil pump due to ,it's cheap and a peace of mind. Maybe a good idea for us over 100k and lower??? Good Luck

:( unfortunately that is not unheard of.. there have been a few VXs that suffered a similar fate.. on a 99 i dont know that you would still be covered under warranty, but if you are it sounds like your vx was maintained by a dealer, so if you are under warranty they might replace your engine for you.. can only hope..

.. from what i understand its not a very common occurance if you consider the number of vehicles that share our engine.. so i would feel its worth replacing my engine if that were to happen to me.. but im very attached to my vx

what type of oil were you using in your vx?

I've been using synthetic 5W-30 not for any other reason other than that was what the dealer recommended.

My VX burns oil like mad. I don't have a clue how to fix it yet. I change my oil every 3000 miles and I always carry at least a whole quart around with me and check it once a week. If your engine runs out of oil, it will seize. So, until I figure out how to make it stop burning oil, I will just keep an eye on it and keep it topped off. Its really bad on road trips. I usually bring 2-3 quarts with depending on how far I am going. I am using Mobile-1 synthetic.

I really would like to get it fixed, but it seems like a common problem no one has been able to eliminate completely. The only thing I have done is use 10W instead if 5W. The thicker oil seems to burn away less rapidly...I think.

:confused: Bart

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Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

My VX burns oil like mad. I don't have a clue how to fix it yet. I change my oil every 3000 miles and I always carry at least a whole quart around with me and check it once a week. If your engine runs out of oil, it will seize. So, until I figure out how to make it stop burning oil, I will just keep an eye on it and keep it topped off. Its really bad on road trips. I usually bring 2-3 quarts with depending on how far I am going. I am using Mobile-1 synthetic.

I really would like to get it fixed, but it seems like a common problem no one has been able to eliminate completely. The only thing I have done is use 10W instead if 5W. The thicker oil seems to burn away less rapidly...I think.

:confused: Bart

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If I was you I would do the "psychos2" fix since you still have the stock intake and not the supercharger like I do.

I have the supercharger and after changing PCV every other oil change and keeping EGR clean (just pull off @ 30,000mile intervals) and using a breather cap on the valve cover....mine doesn't use hardly any oil between 3,000 mile oil changes. I mean it's barely under full when its time for an oil change. Before I did all this mine sucked down 2 quarts out of the blue.
And yes...I check my oil during fuel stops and before road trips.

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Originally Posted by psychos2

The problem is the pcv valve. I have had the problem and replced the pcv valve and it is fine ,then all of a sudden down 2 qts.I have solved the problem by putting in a breather and plugging the line that goes to the intake plenum.I have had no problems since. It has probably been 8 months. If you want specifics let me know. shawn

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Originally Posted by psychos2

What I did was bought a small breather from autozone ($10) and got a piece of rubber hose the right diameter and a couple hose clamps. I used the hose to connect the breather to the pcv valve and install the stock clamps to make sure it does not fall off. Take the hose that is connected to the intake plenum and plug it , I used a bolt that was the right diameter and used the hose clamps on both ends of the hose. It is very important that this hose is plugged or you will have an air leak.The breather is actually hidden under the plastic cover. I did not actually remove the pcv valve, just made it so the oil cannot be sucked into the intake. The reason this happens is poor design of the valve cover. There is either no baffle or insuficient baffles to stop this from happening when the pcv valve sticks open. shawn

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http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=oil

I'm sorry to say that I don't see much that Isuzu could do for you. Your vehicle is out of warranty, and although leaving the oil cap off is not a good thing, unless it happened the same day your engine siezed, it would be hard to claim that it was the cause.

There are some known issues with this motor, but short of starting a class-action lawsuit, I don't think there is much you can do. Isuzu failed to fix the problem when the vehicle was still under warranty - you can bet your butt their not going to start fixing problems now.

Sorry to hear about your motor. I did that to my first vehicle - a 1980 Chevy Scottsdale pickup. Darn thing died on me on my way to school and the fuel pressure gauge was broken, so I had no idea. By the time I got off school and started poking around and realized what it was, it was too late.

Thanks Jolly,

I would definiitely do this, but I really need a couple good photos of what exactly he is talking about here. I have no idea what a "plenum" or exactly where he is connecting stuff.

That would be awesome if you or him had photos of this, as it is really annoying (and scary) to always be burning through oil.

Thanks,

Bart

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Originally Posted by Jolly Roger VX'er

If I was you I would do the "psychos2" fix since you still have the stock intake and not the supercharger like I do.

I have the supercharger and after changing PCV every other oil change and keeping EGR clean (just pull off @ 30,000mile intervals) and using a breather cap on the valve cover....mine doesn't use hardly any oil between 3,000 mile oil changes. I mean it's barely under full when its time for an oil change. Before I did all this mine sucked down 2 quarts out of the blue.
And yes...I check my oil during fuel stops and before road trips.





http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...&highlight=oil

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I priced a new engine and they are over $4000 bucks. I saw that and thought screw it im rebuiliding it myself. The plan is to do a teardown first, new bearings are a must. Balence the crank. Nicosil the cylinders to stock specs, replace any worn pistons, new oil rings and im calling up totalseal for some custome gapless rings to be made. Im building a bigger oil pan and that should extend my time between oil changes. My factory manual acutualy said every 2000 miles, can you belive that. I think the problem stems from when you wait to long to change oil and sludge it causing your oil rings to fry enough not to smoke but let your oil burn from blowby. Mines to the point of burning and lossing viscosity at 500 miles. Thanks to the former owner that didnt care for the truck. All in all, it should be alot more bullet proof when done.

I have said it before and will say it again. The pcv vavle sticking will cause loss of oil. I have lost 2 quarts in a short period of time. if not checked it will cause engine failure due to not enough oil. I have removed my pcv valve and put in a breather and plugged the intake line and have fixed my oil lose problem. Before I decided to remove the pcv valve I had replaced it ,this was not enough a few weeks later I had oil loss again. That is when I decided to remove the pcv valve and my problem was solved.

Sorry Jolly Roger VX, missed your post . shawn

psychos, do you have photos/a how to on what you did? my vx has started drinking more recently.. id like to put an end to this quick fast and in a hurry

This might be worth a shot...

www.powerpro2000.com

Yes psychos, do tell more about this mod...

Question I would have about Shawn's mod: if you eliminate the vacuum source at the PCV valve (by plugging the hose), doesn't the valve then stay closed all the time? If you are leaving the valve in place on the valve cover and attaching a breather filter to the valve where the vacuum hose used to be, is crankcase pressure enough to open the valve to allow the oil vapors to vent through the breather?

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Originally Posted by Zorak

Question I would have about Shawn's mod: if you eliminate the vacuum source at the PCV valve (by plugging the hose), doesn't the valve then stay closed all the time? If you are leaving the valve in place on the valve cover and attaching a breather filter to the valve where the vacuum hose used to be, is crankcase pressure enough to open the valve to allow the oil vapors to vent through the breather?

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It works just the opposite. When there is vacuum it is closed , so that it does not suck oil out. So what is actually happening is the PCV valve is not closing. They make elbows you could use or even put the breather directly into the valve cover.If you are worried about the motor not breathing but it is not needed, it will be fine with the pcv valve still in. I will try to post some pics but I have to borrow a camera to do so. shawn