Engine failure poll?

[hxdiaz]

I got a new engine under warranty at 111,000 miles.

My 2001 Vehicross, original owner, began overheating in summer of 2009. A new radiator and other work for about $500 didn't solve the overheating. A second opinion quoted me $1500 for engine work, cant remember exactly what.

I had it towed an hour away to an authorized dealership for a third opinion. A couple days later they told me Isuzu authorized a new engine under warranty. I can't remember exactly what caused the engine to fail, but what great news. The drive train warranty of 10 years or 120,000 miles was one of the reasons I bought the Vehicross.

Now I see my Isuzu as an old man with a new heart. I now have about 25,000 miles on the new engine.

[fildigger]

Hi, Was this relatively unacceptable engine failure issue just reserved for the 3.5 unit or did the JDM 3.2 V6 suffer the exact same problems??

And sorry if this sounds ignorant (New here!)...What was the exact cause of the main reason for engine failure and why is the engine prone to consuming excessive amounts of oil?

Picking my 1st VX up this coming Sat' (3rd march 2012) So would like to do as much preventative maintainance as possible while running the truck

Thanks guys

[VX KAT]

Hi, Was this relatively unacceptable engine failure issue just reserved for the 3.5 unit or did the JDM 3.2 V6 suffer the exact same problems??

And sorry if this sounds ignorant (New here!)...What was the exact cause of the main reason for engine failure and why is the engine prone to consuming excessive amounts of oil?

Picking my 1st VX up this coming Sat' (3rd march 2012) So would like to do as much preventative maintainance as possible while running the truck

Thanks guys

I can't recall if the 3.2s had this same issue???

But, here's some reading in this thread that'll give you lots more info on the topic, and discusses several possible "causes"...not sure any one theory has been solidly proven or not.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...threadid=22034

[fildigger]

Thanks for that VX Kat...i did spot that thread while doing my intensive research on the Isuzu over the past few weeks...and it does seem uncertain to the reason for the engine 'Issues'.....

...i know from my JDM Subaru Sti and P1 (Prodrive) Subarus that the Japanese high performance engines were designed to run on 100 RON fuel (widely available in japan) and a lot of the Subaru STi fraternity over here in the UK got there cars re-mapped to run on the lower octane fuels over here (although it must be said that in recent years Shell V Power with a 99 RON rating is very popular with many high performance JDM owners using it religiously!!....I use it in my Forester STi)....

...Some of those that chose not to make allowances for the lower 95/97 ron that is the Regular fuel in the UK, did pay the price in the long term with catastrophic Engine failure! Usually in the form of big-end failure, with the shell bearings letting go!

Now, it appears to me that the JDM 3.2 V6 is designed to run on 99 Ron rated fuel...as above we have had the Shell V Power over here for some years (amongst a few other forecourts that now sell higher octane fuel)..

..So i shall certainly be running my VX on the best 99 Ron fuel i can get!

I would imagine the 3.5 was an engine specific for the US market, where lower grades of fuel are used....i wonder if Isuzu didn't quite get it right with the 3.5 and the result of 'Knock' eventually took it's toll on some of the engines????

Just a suggestion based on fuel related problems over here in the UK.

[Paul_A]

Hi, Was this relatively unacceptable engine failure issue just reserved for the 3.5 unit or did the JDM 3.2 V6 suffer the exact same problems??

And sorry if this sounds ignorant (New here!)...What was the exact cause of the main reason for engine failure and why is the engine prone to consuming excessive amounts of oil?

Picking my 1st VX up this coming Sat' (3rd march 2012) So would like to do as much preventative maintainance as possible while running the truck

Thanks guys

Hey Phil,
I wouldn't worry too much mate. It's the exact same engine as the Frontera 3.2 (I haven't heard of too many of them failing) ...It's as reliable as any engine out there if it's looked after... Oil seems to be the main issue... just keep an eye on the level... and change it preferably before its due. I also asked over on the Frontera owners group if anyone had an issue like this... I can't see anyone who has ...maybe it's just related to the 3.5?.... Were the U.S. models assembled in the U.S. or Japan?

[fildigger]

Hey Phil,
I wouldn't worry too much mate. It's the exact same engine as the Frontera 3.2 (I haven't heard of too many of them failing) ...It's as reliable as any engine out there if it's looked after... Oil seems to be the main issue... just keep an eye on the level... and change it preferably before its due. I also asked over on the Frontera owners group if anyone had an issue like this... I can't see anyone who has ...maybe it's just related to the 3.5?.... Were the U.S. models assembled in the U.S. or Japan?

Thanks for the reply Paul.. always had a lot of faith in JDM stuff (particularly the important bits!)...this is why i have had a fair bit of Japanese imported cars and was also a factor in choosing the VX!

Thanks again.

ps. do you run yours on the 99 ron fuel ? (V power, Tesco momentum)

[Paul_A]

Hi Phil,
Yes, I do ... when I can afford it... Lol! Was lucky enough to get a whole load of bottles of stp fuel additive for free... which I use (and it does seem to work!) with the 97 ron fuel.
What I do when I do an oil change though (and I know it sounds "Old fashioned") is run "flushing oil" in there for 20 mins. Surprising how much more crud comes out!
A "magnetic" sump plug is a good investment.... cheap too!
Speaking to the guys on the Frontera forum no one seems to have suffered with rod bearing failure running the same 3.2 engine.In fact it seems to have something of a reputation as "Bullet proof." They do get similar problems with stuff like the intake gaskets etc though.
It seems the problem is far more prevalent with the 3.5 engines.
As they are basically the same engine just bored and stroked, I'm wondering if that extra stress is just a "little too much"........
Something I am looking into is whether the oil cooler may be a little bigger on the Frontera than the Vx... If it is... it might be a good preventative measure.

[89Vette]

same engine just bored and stroked, I'm wondering if that extra stress is just a "little too much"........

Seriously doubt that. The best theory I heard was the oil ring (aka ring land) on the stroked version set too close to smallish drain-back holes. This could cause gunk to build up over time, interfering with proper oil flow. I also think it was supposed to have been corrected in either 2001 or 2002. (not sure) If you look around here, you'll find a thread with a better explanation.

Either way, cleaning it like you mention could be one of the keys for longevity. Regular (frequent) oil changes might be a huge plus for this issue too.

Lots of people have blamed PVC valves here but I don't know that the 3.2's would have had a different one.