losing oil? between changes

[Mtn VX]

After reading these posts this morning I decided to check the oil myself. I'm new to my '99 VX and wasn't aware of this problem until I checked this thread out. To my surprise, even though I'm not due for my next oil change for another 500 miles (I do it every 3000 miles), I have ZERO oil left on the dipstick. Talk about a dangerous situation. And the "Check Oil" light never came on. Is this normal???

I've reloaded more oil and everything seems to be fine...(hope hope). Does anyone have any thoughts about what point would the oil warning light would have come on? Geez, maybe I have a faulty oil sensor, too.

[SGT.BATGUANO]

Yes, it's normal.

The oil light works by pressure. and would not go on till the pressure drops below a certain level (somewhere around 20 psi).

It has nothing to do with the level, unless that gets so low that the oil pickup can't suck in any oil. Then you're really in trouble.

Is this your first oil change sine purchasing? If so, I would change the filter, add 1/2 can of motor flush (following its' instructions) , drain all the oil and change the filter (yes, again) and refill. also install a new pcv.

The reasoning behind this is that since the oil was so low, it was extra dirty and caused the filter to work harder and become dirtier. It could also contribute to varnish or sludge in the engine.

While you're at it , replace the pcv and check your oil level at every other gas fillup. Watch for excessive oil consumption.

[Mtn VX]

It's my third oil change. Thanks for your advice; it's real helpful to a noobee. I'll get everything you suggest done to make sure I don't run into any problems in the future with the oil levels.

[Whaleboy]

joe-yamma, in response to your question I haven't brought it back to the dealership yet. I spoke with the tech a few weeks ago, and he suggested I wait longer to bring it in then the normal 1000 miles to really gauge any type of oil loss.

The change is due as of today, so I'll be bringing it in there monday or tuesday and we'll see how it goes.

When my '99 started getting close to the point it threw that rod, I noticed the engine was getting generally louder and louder as time went on. So when I bought my '01, I paid real close attention to how audible the engine was at 40mph. It was EXTREMELY quiet.

These days (36,000 miles later then when I purchased it) the engine is obviously louder then it was before, again. It's a real concern for me - then again I may just be paranoid. And this may just be a fact of the car getting older. But that engine sure is noiser then it was before.

About to go get an extended warranty thats for certain.

[t2p]

JY:

Regardless of what the Isuzu Service Manager said (Bruce ?) - the Bowser Isuzu tech - the one and only - has 13 years experience and should know the engine oil capacity of the VX.
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Maybe the Service Manager was confused with the Trooper - maybe the Trooper 3.5 uses a different oil pan and has additional capacity ?
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In any event, I just had the oil changed in my VX at Bowser - and I am happy to report that the oil level measured exactly at the full line on the dipstick.
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[t2p]

It has nothing to do with the level, unless that gets so low that the oil pickup can't suck in any oil. Then you're really in trouble.

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Reminds me of a customer I had when I worked the pumps at a full service station in the 70's .......... a customer with a Chevy Vega. The Vega was a real oil burner. They burned oil as they were driven off the showroom floor.
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I checked the oil and it did not register on the dipstick. I reported this to the customer - and her reply was that the 'light did not come on' - and that she was going to 'get it changed anyway'.
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I replied 'The engine or the oil ?'.
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Speaking of the Vega, it appears GM did not learn their lesson well - 20 years later, the Saturn engine is another oil burner.

[joe-yamma]

went in today and got the oil changed... supposedly they put in 5.8 qts. they pulled the vx to the door and let me check the dipstick and it was exactly on the fill line.

now i drive it for 1000 miles and take it back in to be checked. i will be checkin git myself also and i have a feeling i'll be taking it in by 500 miles because it'll be a qt low.

anyway, i'll keep you guys posted.

t2p - when i first got there, bruce and i almost got into a pissing match, but we cooled out after talking while checking the dipstick. i still think he's a good guy. we'll have to see how this oil thing goes.
he did mention that someone was in with a vx and said they had talked to me on the forum. i said tom and he said yep.

[mrtew]

I just drove across the country and back again, and had to add a total of 1.5 quarts in 5000 miles. Seems like it always burns a little oil climbing the Rocky Mountains. Almost never uses any at other times.

[joe-yamma]

just a quick update: about 350 miles so far after the oil change and the level looks good.

i forgot to tell you guys in my last update (sorry, i've been busy as hell)... 2 days before i took my vx in to get the oil changed so that they can monitor the consumption, my EGR nut came completely off !!! the thing rattled completely down and was rattling on the EGR tube.

i managed to get it thread back up on there and got it pretty tight with the 22mm (what a pain)... my fingers hurt for a couple of days too.

i had the tech check and he said the nut was good and tight. i think the EGR has been loose for some time and that was contributing to the oil consumption. i'm not saying that mine won't consume any oil now, but i won't be convinced things are ok until after the 100 miles.

if my consumption is greatly reduced, that will be a big weight off of my shoulders. i think then i'll start looking forward into cleaning the EGR and trying to get my engine as clean as possible.
Anyone following the suggestions from this website for using Techron and then Sea-foam?
http://www.geocities.com/endre_rl/isuzufaq.htm#faq1

Ok, just thought I'd tell you guys the good news!

[mrtew]

Originally posted by joe-yamma
...my EGR nut came completely off !!! the thing rattled completely down and was rattling on the EGR tube.
i managed to get it thread back up on there and got it pretty tight with the 22mm (what a pain)... my fingers hurt for a couple of days too.

How the heck to you tighten that nut way under there? I'd sure like to see a picture of the wrench you guys are using and how you are using it. I can't even tell if mine is loose or not, it's so buried. I've got the cover off the engine, but I still can't get to the nut!

[Dallas4u]

Before my SC was installed it use to come off frequently. One time I was putting it back on I was twisting it so much that I got a blister on my freakin index finger! I did get a wrench back there, in enough to make VERY small turns, but enough to tighten it so it wouldn't loosen anymore.

Now that the SC has been installed I have had no problems with it what-so-ever.

[joe-yamma]

i almost had that index finger blister too !!! ouch!
to get it threaded up on there I had to reach up under there "palm up" and turn it 1/2 turn at a time until i coulcn;t turn it anymore.
then i got my 22 mm and got about 1/4-1/3 turn at a time. once you get it going, you'lll get a little bit of a turn and then flip the wrench over and another little bit of a turn, etc. also, those two tubes coming down on the side of the EGR tube are in the way, but they have alittle bit of give to them.
definitely not fun, but it worked. just give the vx plenty of time to cool off and be patient.

[joe-yamma]

update: checked the oil this weekend and the level was off of the dipstick after 750 miles. i took it into the dealership today and they checked it and topped it off. they stated that it took 1 quart.

my experience is with the oil at that level on the dipstick, it'll take about 1.5 qts, but i wasn't going to argue over it.

so now i'm looking at 1 qt used in 750 miles with 250 more miles to go during the "oil consumption monitoring."

i'll update you all at the 1000 mile mark when i take it back to the dealership with more than 1 qt/1000 mile used. (i'm predicting the future here guys)

joe

[joe-yamma]

update: took the VX in last Monday after another 318 miles and it used 3/4 of a quart. service manager asked for my oil change info and i gave him all of the receipts that i had for oil changes and misc qts for topping off fluid.

i am waiting for him to speak to the regional isuzu rep to let me know what they are going to do. current mileage = 51,343 miles

another update: service manager is supposed to speak to isuzu rep today about oil consumption. right before i exit the highway on my way to wokr this morning, CEL comes on and "Check Trans" light starts flashing.
roadside assist didn't have a tow co in the area, so dealership came and picked it up on a flatbed.
VX is now sitting at dealership awaiting isuzu rep to advise on oil consumption problem and trans problem.

thanks goodness this happend at 51k and not 61k

i'll keep you all posted.
joe

[Maugan_VX]

did the trans go into limp-home mode? (stay in third gear)?

Whens the last time you cleaned the EGR?