losing oil? between changes

[joe-yamma]

Originally posted by Maugan_VX
did the trans go into limp-home mode? (stay in third gear)?
Whens the last time you cleaned the EGR?

I read about the "Backup Mode" in the owners manual, but no it did not seem like it was in third.

I have never cleaned the EGR. I made sure to replace the PCV (actually, the dealership did that) and I ran the Chevron Techron concentrate once.

Once I charted the oil usage and saw how bad it was getting, I decided to take it to the dealership and let them handle it.
I have no problem with actually cleaning the EGR myself, but I didn't want to do anything wrong and have the dealership try to blame me for it, especially with how close I am to the drivetrain warranty expiring.

But now that I think of it... Should I have to go through all of that on a vehicle with only 51k that is driven mostly on the highway with at least 89 octane and is well-maintained?

Either way, my main reason for not cleaning the EGR was fear of finger-pointing by the dealership.

[Maugan_VX]

now that you mention it, it would be hard to document that you actually cleaned the EGR. I mean all you need is a can of carb cleaner.

Interesting, someone should call isuzu and ask about it. I DO know that they are ok with you changing your oil as long as you have receipts to prove it.

Oh and in my extensive experience with the 4L30E, the light starts flashing when either the fluid is to low and it starts overheating (although theres supposed to be an trans overheat light for that) or when there are electrical issues in the vehicle. Ever messed with the alternator? Aftermarket stereo?

[joe-yamma]

like i said, i was just playing it safe. after the warranty is out i'll probably check and clean the EGR regularly eve if just as cheap insurance.
i will admit that having to do this does kind of piss me of though. oh well, i guess that's just the price we have to pay for owner this unique vehicle.

as for the oil changes: after they monitored the oil consumption and saw that it was using at least twice their "allowed" amount (2 qts per 1000 miles, actually, 1.75 qts in 750 miles) the first thing they asked me for was receipts for oil changes.

if you're changing your own oil, definitely keep good records just in case. (at least until the warranty expires)

[joe-yamma]

Originally posted by Maugan_VX
Oh and in my extensive experience with the 4L30E, the light starts flashing when either the fluid is to low and it starts overheating (although theres supposed to be an trans overheat light for that) or when there are electrical issues in the vehicle. Ever messed with the alternator? Aftermarket stereo?

never messed with the alternator... i did replace the battery about a month ago (actually, I got one at wal-mart and let them change it).
i just put a pioneer head-unit in last friday night... how would this cause a problem with the trans?

[Maugan_VX]

well a new headunit isn't going to cause it to trip. When the voltage gets to low for the solenoids they throw a code and the lights come on.

The deal will read the codes from the computer and let you know whats up.

[joe-yamma]

ok, cool. i know it is installed properly. i used a plug in type harness and connected that into the head unit so that the stock wiring harness is safe. the install went very well.

as for the trans fluid: the dealership checked the trans about 12,000 miles ago. i had them do the 30,000 mile service at about 40,000 since i could not find the service records from the previous owner and i wanted to play it safe.
at that time they said the trans fluid looked great and did not need changed until 60k. i even had a case of Amsoil Syn ATF in the back in case it needed done (it's now sitting in my garage awaiting the 60k mile mark and service).

thanks for the info/advice Maugan.

i'll keep you guys posted on what they find out about the trans and the oil consumption.

[Green Dragon]

Check your Isuzu Vehicross service manual ( CD) under Excessive oil consumption. When you find any reference to cleaning the EGR valve under remedy please let me know. PVC Valve YES, EGR NO-EGR only shows up under emissions control. For those of you that are not mechanics perhaps the dealer will clean it for you under your emissions warranty but don't bet on it.
For those of you burning your fingers, try checking the EGR nut on every weekend before starting out, less burned fingers that way.
There are no TSBs that addresss excessive oil consumption with the possible exception of IB02-01-S004 which deals with the proper setting of Piston Rings
My Point being if the EGR really is causing the oil consumption problem then Isuzu should be held responsible, especially when your vehicle passes Emission Control checks.

Bob F

[Corey872]

Just thought I'd tack my recent experience on this thread, although I see the last post is almost a year old.

I guess I could sum everything up - VX owner - 10 days and counting, miles driven ~840 and counting, oil used - 3 quarts and counting.

More specifically - Just got back from the first interstate trip in the new VX. Checked the oil before leaving home and it was right on the top hole of the dipstick. So we make the first 350 mile leg of the journey and I had some time to kill, so "just for the heck of it" decided to check the oil again - GOOD F-ING THING! - No oil on the dipstick and it took 1-1/2 quarts to bring it back up to full! I remembered reading about the PCV valve on the forums, so I drop the $3 and 3 minutes to change that out also.

We do a little "around town" driving over the next couple of days then set out on the return trip. Got home late last night and I checked the oil this morning - SAME THING! Wind up putting in my remaining 1/2 quart from the first add and another full quart just to bring the oil back up to slightly below the full hole. I could probably crack open a fourth quart and add a few more oz. to get up to full.

This thing is literally using as much oil as my 2 stroke engines! 1-1/2 quarts every tank of gas - work out the numbers and it is pretty close to 50:1 which is the same premix that my jet skis use. It is kind of strange, though - you never see any blue smoke and the spark plugs looked perfectly healthy (checked all of that on the original test drive) I don't see any outward clues that the engine is an oil burner, except the oil just disappears (no real leaks either).

So I guess the big question is - Has anyone actually stopped the oil burning on one of these engines? I've read about the motor flushes, PCV, EGR, etc but does any of that actually work?

At this point I don't know what to do. I love the VX, got a ton of compliments on it, but with this oil consumption, I'd literally have to carry a case of oil in the back to dump in nearly 2 quarts at every gas stop.

It is still within the 3-mo 3000 mile powertrain warranty from the dealer. Don't know if it will cover oil burning or not but I may have to call and find out.

Any thoughts on the oil burning??

Thanks
Corey

[VXcaver]

Corey- In Feb, 2004, at about 60k my VX was burning oil way worse than I was comfortable with. At its worst (Highway driving), I was loosing about 1 quart every 700 miles. On average, about a quart every 1000. I changed out the PCV valve and later cleaned the EGR and have continued to monitor oil and periodically replace the PCV valve. I've now got 82,000 miles on the truck and am loosing about 1 quart consistently every 2000 miles. I can live with this.

You, however, have a warranty. I'd definetly think about talking to the dealer about it while you have the chance.

[VehiGAZ]

Any thoughts, you ask? Yeah, here's one... BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER!!!

Dude, you have a HUGE oil burning problem and a warranty. Use the latter to avoid getting stuck with the former.

Look, the previous owner obviously knew it had a problem and dumped it before the engine blew on him. Don't get stuck with the same problem.

And don't let the dealer BS you on the oil burning not being a drivetrain problem. Oil burning is not much of a problem in itself, but it IS a symptom of an engine problem, and last time I checked, the engine was part of the drivetrain.

Don't think that a case of oil in the back is going to "solve" anything! There is something very wrong in that engine that won't get solved by a good supply of oil.

They may try to figure out what's wrong with it and fix it, or they may just ask to take it back from you rather than lose money on a huge repair or engine replacement. That may suck, but you're not going to get any compliments on it when it's sitting by the side of the road with a seized engine! If it's a terminal problem, give it back to them and find another one in better shape. Yours is rare, but it's not the only VX on the market, either.

Good luck Corey!

[Offroad vx]

I too am in the midst of an oil consumption problem. I'm using about a quart every 500 miles. My VX is still under factory warranty so I'm having an oil consumption test being done by the dealer. I was already approved for a new motor when the service mgr. skipped with my paperwork (Go Isuzu site member). I don't much care for the new dealership that is doing the test now but if it gets me a new motor I'll put up with their rudeness. But just be sure to keep on top of checking your oil because if you're not under warranty you'll be buying a new one yourself!

[psychos2]

i have been losing a quart per 3000 miles.about 2 months ago i cleaned the egr and replaced the pcv valve. the egr valve was sticking. i did an oil change 1000 miles ago and the oil has not gone down at all.i will keep monitoring and post results. shawn

[SGT.BATGUANO]

See if your warranty will let you go to an Isuzu dealer and get on the oil consumption monitoring program. With your loss rate, it shouldn't take long to determine that there is a problem.

It doesn't sound good though.

[Corey872]

Just wanted to update the continuing saga - (don't know if it's better to post a new thread or keep it all under this one?)

Shortly after the earlier posting on the forum, I called the dealer and explained everything to him (guess I should point out that this deal was through Auto Exchange, not through a "regular" car dealer or an Isuzu dealer. But so far, they have been good to deal with - knock on wood!

Anyway, we had a nice civil conversation. I explained that I never saw any leaks, smoke, black plugs, or signs the oil was getting out of the engine, it always ran good and averaged 18.5MPG for the trip (mostly 75MPH interstate w/ AC running) but had to add the three quarts in about 750 miles of driving. He ask me to document everything on paper and drive it the rest of this week to document if it needed more oil, then said to get in touch with him on Monday and give him all the docs and he would see what they can do to get it taken care of.

So pretty much in a holding pattern right now and waiting to see what their "taken care of" will amount to. Part of me is wanting them to agree to just swap vehicles back and consider the transaction null and void (I'd still probably look for some other VX) The other part is hoping that they would agree to refund a couple thousand off the purchase price for a replacement engine. (Been doing some reading on the 3.5L DI!)

Will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Corey

[TechnoPope]

:wtfr:
My wife's '01 hit 4400 miles since I changed over to Mobile 1. Yesterday, I took it to have the oil changed. Pulled out the dipstick and nothing registered but a wad of sludge on the tip. I had a full engine flush and refilled with Mobile 1. As noted by others in this thread, there was no sign of oil burning or leaking over the past few months.
I immediately checked the '99. 3000 miles since change over to Mobile 1. Again, only a drip on the tip of the dipstick. I took it in today and had a minor oil flush (they did not have enough product to do the drain/flush/drain procedure). There was a different manager there today. He told me that the Isuzu 3.5 was known to need frequent PCV valve changes to prevent excessive oil burn. He told me there were several oil starved Isuzu engine failures he knew of and one instance where Isuzu had to replace the engine (No news to us but it was interesting he knew of the problem and history). I changed the PCV valve right away and came home to search our site to confirm his advice. First hit was this thread. Thank you VehiCROSS.info. It appears that this oil burn problem is common and another issue for me to monitor. As a result of this new education, I have a few questions for the community.
1. Is one brand/design PCV valve better than another? The oil change manager told me that he heard that there was one design that would fit/was specified for our engine but did not perform properly, but he could not be more specific.
2. I thought that Mobile 1 would not break down and create much sludge. Would the sludge be coming from left over petroleum oil in the engine?
3. If our engines are running fine, show no signs of oil burn out the exhaust, no leaks, or even plug fouling, where is the oil going? Several quarts synthetic carried through the PCV seems hard to imagine?
4. A few members have recently made some very long trips in their VXs. I was wondering if they experienced noteable oil burn - or is this problem more common with stop and go driving?
Thanks in advance for any replies.