Serious Engine Trouble

[VehiGAZ]

Are you two arguing about whether pistons have rings or not?!?

I think we can all agree that in a perfect world, piston rings would form a perfect seal for their entire working life of the engine and not one drop of oil would ever be lost past them, but in the real world, they are not perfect and get worse with age and some oil will get past. If we can all agree on that, then you can argue all you want about how much oil loss is acceptable.

To that, I say that half quart every 3000 miles is fine by me... the engine never gets starved for oil between changes, and that's the most important thing. My old Honda Prelude SH with 145k miles was burning about 2-3 quarts every 3000 miles. That was a problem, but not unexpected for a high-revving engine that old and that beat on (I was anything but gentle on that car from the day I drove it off the lot). Ultimately, the oil was cheaper than a ring job, so I was willing to live with it.

[MoonRaker]

Ha ha, psycos gotta deal with the corrosion factor. Thats why I dont like working on boats. Most of those boats you work on should have heat exchangers though. I worked on large frieghters so I now alot about what you deal with, Props to you psyco. The blowers were so big on those friggen boats that you needed a chainhoist to lift them. EMDs and cummings.

[MoonRaker]

Im starting my tear down monday. Its all pointing at the before mentioned problem. New rings are only $50. Plus parts and machining. A question for anyone that can answer it. Are the cylinders steel sleeves nickol or somthing else.

[Diogenes]

Was out last night at a concert. No problems driving there.. no indications of anything wrong.

After the show, got back in the vehicle and suddenly my "check engine" light, AS WELL AS my "Check Trans" light both came on. This is the first time for either.

Wouldn't be so concerned about the "check engine" since those are usually O2 sensors, but that Check Trans light had me nervous all the way driving home (but no apparent physical problems.. still shifted fine.)

Just went out and rechecked to see I'm still having the problem and the lights are still coming on.

Any ideas? It's a 99 VX with 54K on it. Had the Tranny cover replaced and new fluid put in less than 4K ago.

Appreciate any help..

Also, I'm looking for a replacement gas cap cover. When I bought the vehicle someone had broken off the cover, so the gas cap is exposed. Can't seem to find one doing a web search. But I can't believe this cover is unique to the VX. Would be hard to justify not having used a stock cover from some other model.

Appreciate any help..

Ron

[Diogenes]

Was out last night at a concert. No problems driving there.. no indications of anything wrong.

After the show, got back in the vehicle and suddenly my "check engine" light, AS WELL AS my "Check Trans" light both came on. This is the first time for either.

Wouldn't be so concerned about the "check engine" since those are usually O2 sensors, but that Check Trans light had me nervous all the way driving home (but no apparent physical problems.. still shifted fine.)

Just went out and rechecked to see I'm still having the problem and the lights are still coming on.

Any ideas? It's a 99 VX with 54K on it. Had the Tranny cover replaced and new fluid put in less than 4K ago.

Also, I'm looking for a replacement gas cap cover. When I bought the vehicle someone had broken off the cover, so the gas cap is exposed. Can't seem to find one doing a web search. But I can't believe this cover is unique to the VX. Would be hard to justify not having used a stock cover from some other model.

Appreciate any help..

Ron

[MoonRaker]

Ok, sounds like your running to a common problem with the wiring harness. Dont hold me to it but cheak on the passenger side between the transmission and the frame, you will see the O2 sensor rite there. I bet your wireing harness is melted and shorting out. If thats the case, very carfully peel it apart and fix as needed. Do a good job and make sure its water proof or youl get more codes again when its wet. Rerout that part of the harness away from the exaust. It should be done on every VX but it a very neglectid procedere. I even had Isuzu replace it all under warenty and the same thing happened a week later. It also took them 6 months to find it, idiots The factory routing is going the wrong way with that part of the harnes. Also you should disconect the battery before you mess with it. Also find all the plugs you can and put dialectric grease in them, including the ones on your engine. That will take some time but its worth it in the long run.