Serious Engine Trouble

[jgalt]

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?

TM I can't tell you how bad I feel for you. I haven't posted this, but a similar occurence happened to me at 65K miles. I took my recently acquired VX into the local dealer for the 60K maintenance ($1,000) and also because she was running like crap. Turns out the cat had basically disintegrated and plugged up the exhaust (replaced under 8-year Federal warranty); an O2 sensor was fried ($250) and the transmission component that "talks" to the ECU about shift points, etc. (?) was fried as well (another $250).

After fixing (and paying for) all that I come to pick her up and they notify me that the engine is basically toast due to rod knock (spun or seized and deformed piston rod bearing on crank shaft which does not allow engine to maintain the needed oil pressure and adequately lubricate engine).

Well, now I've sunk $1,500 in a vehicle that doesn't run and talk to the dealer about engine replacement. They want over $6,000+ for a new crate engine and another $1,500 for installation.

I priced a new engine and they are over $4000 bucks. I saw that and thought screw it im rebuiliding it myself. ... Balence the crank. ... 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.

If the crank has been scored by a spun bearing, you'll need to replace it. A new crank will run you $1,500.

This might be worth a shot...

www.powerpro2000.com

I also priced re-built long-blocks and talked to powerpro (above) as well as four others. The only engine rebuilder that had an Isuzu 3.5L was Rhino Engine; $3,900 for the long-block with a 3-year, 100,000 warranty. The new dealer engine at $6K+ had only a 1-year, 12,000 warranty.

I went with Rhino and talked the dealer down to $1,100 install since I just blew $1,000 on the 60K service for nothing...

After 2,000 miles, the engine is running strong and (as always) I check my oil with every fill up and carry two quarts (5w-30 M1 Syn) just in case. So far I've only needed to add 1/4 quart.

I know this has happened to others as well and do believe that, in this case, Isuzu could've done a bit more design, engineering and testing on this engine. That said, this is my fourth Isuzu and the the only one I've had any trouble with; the vehicle, to me, is still worth it as I've wanted one since they came out and know (generally) how stout they are built.

Like I said, I feel for you (BTDT) and it's a hard decision. Please let me know if I can add any more insight.

Best,