losing oil? between changes

[Whaleboy]

I lost my previous '99 VX due to mystery oil loss. Ended up throwing a rod. Was replaced under extended warranty, then traded it in and bought a '01.

After having the shortblock replaced I had a lengthy discussion with the isuzu tech that redid my engine. He talked about not enough oil getting to certain cylinders due to some type of channel not being wide enough, or something to that effect. This being a problem with the 3.5L engine in general. If it's true, who knows.

I should've taken it in sooner to have looked at, because it was lower on oil before changes then it should have been (imho). But yet, no leaks - nothing.

Not making the same mistake twice. I'm seeing the same as the rest here. Right before one change, the stick showed the oil at ADD. This was after roughly 4,300 miles since last change.

I have an open ticket with the Isuzu dealer currently, great buncha guys there. They have me bring my car in every 1,000 miles and they do the diagnostics and record oil levels. Time before last I was a quart lower then I should have been. But just last time the oil usage was rated as "perfect".

It hasn't been regular enough to really merit any action one way or another thus far, though the service manager tells me next round if it's at a loss again they'll pull it apart and see what they can replace.

[tomcat837]

Well, thank you to these posts... lo and behold I checked my oil today and it was about two quarts low. I went about 4000 miles since last change. Went with the oil "flush" and syntethic oil this time. I finally had to order the upper radiator hose, since it has a pin size hole in it that sprays when I "punch it" due to pressure build up. The oil place will change the hose for me when I take it in to do a radiator flush. they also inspected the transaxle fluid and it looks a little dark, so that will come next, not sure about the rest of the transmission though.

On a different note, I got my aluminum mesh grille insert from Carlymac today, can't wait to install it. Ordered the Yakima roof rack fairing, should get it in about another week. Ordered the factory headlight covers today, so I should be trying that out next week and then posting instructions and pics, shouldn't be too hard.

More later...

Julio

[joe-yamma]

I just want to keep this thread alive...

Whale boy, what ever happened with your VX and the oil consumption?

I have been tracking my oil consumption and it has gone from 1 qt per 1000 miles to 1 qt per 500 miles.
That's using Mobil 1 synthetic 10w-30, driving about 80 miles per day, 1/2 city, 1/2 highway.

I called my local dealership (Bowser Isuzu) and they told me to bring it into them. They have to change the oil to whatever 10w-30 they use and an Isuzu filter. Then I bring it back into them after 1000 miles to see what the level is. It sounded to me like the situation that you were in Whaleboy.

Anyway, there's the situation, i'll keep you guys posted.

Joe

Here's what I've beendoing to keep track of the consumption:
Date, Odometer, Amt added, Notes
05/15/04 46,104 n/a 5.00 Oil Change - Mobil 1 Synthetic
05/27/04 46,610 506 0.67 Mobil 1 Synthetic, 10w-30
05/31/04 46,930 320 0.50 Mobil 1 Synthetic, 5w-40
06/05/04 47,343 413 1.00 Mobil 1 Synthetic, 5w-40
06/14/04 47,902 559 1.00 Mobil 1 Synthetic, 10w-30
06/21/04 48,323 421 1.00 Mobil 1 Synthetic, 10w-30

[Triathlete]

Do a search on PVC valve. VXcaver was experiencing a big oil loss and found it to be the PVC valve. After changing it he has not had a problem with oil consumption. He did a write up on it.
Sounds like your local Zu dealer is looking for time. The type of oil/filter you are using is better than what they want to put in it and should have no bearing on the problem. Instead they should be using their time trying to figure out where your oil is going!

[t2p]

I believe JY did change the PCV ...........
.
One dealer also told me the EGR valve/system could be a/the culprit in cases such as this .......... ???
.
It would be interesting to see the numbers a compression check would yield ............

[joe-yamma]

yup, PCV changed 2-3k miles ago.

my VX was making the "diesel-type" sound for awhile, but i checked the EGR and it looked to be ok.

triathlete: i agree... they're gonna put some cheap 10w-30 and a "ZU filter (who even makes that filter i wonder?).

oh well, i guess i gotta play their game, so i'll go ahead through it and see where it takes me. i'll keep you all posted.

[t2p]

my VX was making the "diesel-type" sound for awhile, but i checked the EGR and it looked to be ok

.
maybe the EGR 'system' needs to be serviced ......... whatever that is ............
.

[joe-yamma]

maybe
i'll make sure to ask them about it...
maybe they can check it without too much fuss.

[Dallas4u]

Originally posted by joe-yamma
my VX was making the "diesel-type" sound for awhile, but i checked the EGR and it looked to be ok.

When you say you "checked the EGR", do you mean you just looked at it, touched it, felt around on it? The "diesel" sound that many of us have experienced HAS come from the EGR valve, but more specifically the nut from under the mount for the valve has come loose. The nut holds the EGR pipe tight against the mount and, if the nut comes loose, you will hear a grumbling type of "diesel" sound. Check under the EGR valve, right under the piece it is mounted on... wiggle the EGR pipe nut to see if it is loose at all.

[t2p]

I have a 2001 limited edition w/22666 mi.on it.I picked it up and when I got home checked it over,being a heavy truck mechanic I had to check under the hood found I was a qt. and a half low! Dealer gave me a free oil change for this "oversight".that was at 17600 mi. at 19000 It was a qt.low again! Dealer said to change oil bring in so they could check and document it.No leaks found,said to bring back if happens again that a qt.per thousand miles was acceptable!Can u believe that? Now at 22666 it's almost a qt. low again. Any one else having a consumption prob.?I have an isuzu w/ 150,000 mi.on it and it doesn't use a qt. between oil changes,nor does my GTO with over a hundred thousand on it. The PT is a joy to drive and only gets driven once every 8-10 days maybe,mostly hiway,have found no signs of leaks,using mobile-1 oil.Any info appreciated.

.
Here is a guy with a PT Cruiser with 22K - and it has an oil consumption problem ....... meanwhile, he has an Isuzu with 150K on it and it does not use oil ..........
.

[joe-yamma]

hey guys, i just want to update and keep this thread alive.

i stopped at the dealership today and made an appt to get the oil changed next Thursday so that they can monitor my VX for oil consumption.
they're gonna check a rattle that i have as well as the EGR tube, etc as well.

i had a conversation with the Isuzu service manager for awhile and he said some interesting things.

1.) He said the VX takes 6.2 quarts of oil. I told him it takes 5 and he told me i was wrong. I made a copy of both the owners manual page and the page in the service manual where it says 5 qts with a filter change and I will be taking them in to him on Thursday.

2.) He told me that he wouldn't use anything but an OEM filter and went into some "scare tactic" story about filters blowing up because they're the wrong size.
I was waiting for him to say something about "voiding the warranty" but luckily (for him) he didn't. I told him that I think the Purolator Pure One filter is just as good if not better than the OEM filter. Does anyone know who make the OEM filter? He started saying that the OEM filter has some feature that the aftermarket ones do not, but couldn't remember what it was and said he would ask the Isuzu tech on Monday.

In regards to #1, I am very concerned. If they put 6.2 qts, it will be way overfilled. Then I come in after 1000 miles and they check the oil level it will probably be on "full" since it started way above that and then used oil down to there.

I don't care what he says, I know how to change oil and if i put in 5 qts and run the vehicle and then check it and the oil is at the full line, then that's what it takes. Anyone have any opinions?

I'm gonna call Isuzu on Monday to see what they say the VX takes with an oil and filter change.
If they say 5 qts, I will make sure that the dealership does not put more than that in.

[SGT.BATGUANO]

Mine takes 5.5 qts. with filt.

Check your oil level in front of them when they bring your truck up, if your worried about overfill.

[VX4EJR]

Hey Joe....

My two cents are that what is documented in the owners manual and in dealership/manufacturer workshop specs is 5 whatever quarts of oil into the engine when changed with a filter on the VX. What this guy you were talking to says is just that, talk, it's verbal and holds no accountability if something goes wrong if you were to throw 6 quarts in. Especially when the printed word says differently.
As far as the OEM filter goes, that has to be a load of doggy doo. I mean if after-market filters would cause problems to a VX, then I am sure those after-market manufacturers would not be advertising theirs to go into a VX.
All in all, my opinion, this dude you talked to is misinformed, uneducated and not equipped to hold his job. Quite frankly I see that a lot when at the dealership talking to any service manager. They are just that, managers, and don't have the hands-on experience or knowledge of cars to make such claims.
That's all I have to say about that.

[Green Dragon]

Never but never overfill the oil as this will raise crankcase pressure to unacceptable levels. Oil might possibly come out of the dipstick tube and also would force oil past the rear main seal.

Bob F

[joe-yamma]

thanks for the opinions guys. i definitely think he is wrong and i will have the documentation to prove it.

i will be there in the waiting room watching them change the oil and i will make it perfectly clear that i will not accept more then the proper amount be put in.

and i will definitely want to see the dipstick for myself before i leave.

i'll let you guys know how it goes.