Why are the Fans of the VX Community living us.

[Joe_Black]

Too many blown motors? Spare parts for those of us who take care of our VX.

To me this has been one of the most annoying myths of the VX, but I've finally embraced and am thankful for the fact this will keep the price down and maybe away from those that would do more harm than good to the remaining stock.

[ZEUS]

To me this has been one of the most annoying myths of the VX, but I've finally embraced and am thankful for the fact this will keep the price down and maybe away from those that would do more harm than good to the remaining stock.

Myth?! How can you call it a myth? It seems to be a clear and definite FACT that the 3.5L has a reputation for giving up the ghost! Not that the majority crap out... But too many people have had it happen to them and you are even looking at a VX in New Mexico with a blown motor. And that VX also has a sidekick with a nearly blown motor! pbkid has a blown motor too... I admit your expertise and knowledge is far and above mine in several areas but I just can't understand how you can brush off that 'myth' like that. And yes, that 'myth' does scare the crap out of me! Not enough to outright sell my Zeus but I almost live day to day knowing one day it is going to go tick tick pow! I just hope it is paid off when it goes so I can swap in a Chevy heart and a solid axle.

[Joe_Black]

Here's why I think it's a myth: The VX received the same engine used worldwide in about seven-years worth of combined production Isuzu Troopers, Rodeos, Amigos, Axioms, light-trucks and even some commercial vehicles. The less than 5000 VX production run represented something like 2 or 3 percent, of which there have likely (no, I don't have "hard" numbers here) been less than 1% with engine failures related to something other than neglect or abuse. In the automotive world that's exceptional quality and reliability, period. Now, when we throw in the emotion of people we know here from our community then it becomes more of an impassioned issue that eventually, as it has, transcends into "the mythical engine deaths".

It is truly unfortunate to have happened to those of us here with a VehiCROSS, but it boils down to luck of the draw. No design flaw, no vast corporate conspiracy, just a VX gets assembled and the engine in the crate happened to have something that got missed in quality control. An undetected void in a casting, the inspector was too wrapped up in the latest manga, the engine was lubed during the fertility festival... Who knows, someone gets a truck with a bad mill. It's not good, it never is, but it happens and I wish I could wave my magic torque wrench so no VX would ever age, break or wear out. But they do, and that's part or why places like this forum exist. There are facts that must be presented sans the emotion so the VX can be validated on truth, and that truth is the engine is amazingly reliable and quite stout.

The 4L30E on the other hand, is an altoghether different story...

[ZEUS]

I am not saying the VX motor is the problem - I am saying the Isuzu 3.5 motor is the problem. And hundreds if not thousands of people have been saying that too! Here is one page of mostly "typical" negative 3.5 experiences: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/autom...zu_engine.html
The design flaws have been documented, most engines are not affected by it to the same degree as others (IMO), some not affected at all. Several Isuzu owners speak of the great care given to their failed motors. Of course, why would they say they never checked their oil? But not everyone in prison is guilty either, they just all say they are innocent!
I don't mean to argue with you Joe. I, just like you, think the 3.5's reputation is helping to keep the cost of the VX down and driving others away from the VX (which is the question posed by this thread anyway). I just see it as more of a legitimate reason than you do, I guess. I tell ya though, my friend, I hope neither of us has to deal with it first hand... I a ticking time

[CoastieCosta567]

So do u think the 3.2 engine is better? and if so is it possible to swap the 3.5 to a 3.2? and how much work can it be, a really easy swap? also if u swap to another make engine, like chevy, is it possible and how hard?

[ZEUS]

All I know about the 3.2 is it is loud! Like Joe says, plenty of 3.5's last a long time without issue. So just use what you got until it goes tick tick pow! Or is it "click click BOOM"!?

[Dino]

Joe, having been a wrench myself for a good number of years, I'd have to say I agree with the logic of that 100%.

I'm not so worried about mechanical failures, but part of that is because I can fix anything that may occur myself. What my concern is, after another year goes by and we've all realized that the $100 per barrel mark will NEVER turn around and gas is over $4 per galon EVERYWHERE in the USA, ANY vehicle that gets less that 18 mpg is bound to drop in price.

I'm selling now because of that, and because of the following.

Fossil fuels are wonderful. Energy from a sun that was shining on the earth back when the dinosaurs were around, stored up in plants and animals all caught up in rock and pressure to form these nice long hydrocarbon molecules that we can extract and burn in the internal cumbustion engine. Gasoline delivers 3 times the energy when it burns that hydrogen IF you factor in what it took to extract the hydrogen.


SO..... (there is a point here) gasoline is going to be around for a while, but it's a finite supply. Doesn't it stand to reason that we should use it as efficiently as possible so we can ALL enjoy the wonderful thing that is the automobile??????????????

...and maybe our kids can too? At least for a little while longer...


eh... maybe I'm full of biodegradable soil enhancer

[Chopper]

Certain areas pose the best solution to Hydrogen production. Iceland in particular. They are gearing up hard to become the first, biggest players. All that lovely geothermal energy, virtually laying around on the ground, waiting to be picked up. Gobs of fat, juicy, electric...FREE...after setup cost, and minus maintenance expenses. The big electric needs are the tickler in cheap hydrogen production. Ya know, in an alternate universe, where the world isn't all that much different....the humans there do it all with little reactors (of course, they'd never developed any religion there, so no zealot has ever thought of grenading one in the name of his particular invisible man)

[nfpgasmask]

Well, even if it is a myth that the 3.5 engines crap out, it is most certainly NOT A MYTH that the 3.5 burns oil like there is no tomorrow. Something is certainly fubar.

Bart

[Chopper]

When you buy a vehicle like this, I think you agree on some level to be part of the R&D department.Then a few years on...it becomes all about preservation. Like owning an old Jag XJ....80% of the survivors around, are sporting a 350/350 swap done at some point. Isuzu is apparently moving away from producing this type of vehicle at all, so creativity will become a hallmark of ownership.....like a lot of other great machines from long ago. (anyone looking for a '61 Aston Martin....red....with fuel delivery issues?)