VX go boom....

[Joe_Black]

Okay, here's my last flog of the horse carcass regarding this: First off, the only "myth" referred to is that the 3.5L engine is prone to premature failure. I have never disputed the fact that there have been some unfortunate failures within our community. What I take issue with is the assumption that these failures are of an abnormal number for a production automotive engine. The poll here indicates 47 failures out of approximately 5000 VX's produced, which if the 3.5L engine were unique to the VX would indicate a 1% failure rate. ONE PERCENT. Now, during the three years of US-destined VX shipment Isuzu produced 292,435 light trucks which is documented in their corporate production plans. I haven't been able to locate the actual number of 3.5L engine used in that number, but it will be among the vast majority as this group includes the Trooper, Rodeo, Rodeo Sport, pickup trucks and similar models. I'm not including the Axiom as it was introduced after '01 and in this example I'm only including production numbers for 1999, 2000 and 2001. So, if just for fun, we say one-third of that three year production (97,478 vehicles) was equipped with the 3.5L engine (and I'll include the VX production in that number to make your odds better) then the total failure percentage from our community poll drops to .05% failure rate. We're just playing with very conservative numbers here, but needless to say if we had the actual unit number of 3.5L engines produced for vehicles you'd find that any documented failures attributable to flaws/defects would be well within production norms.

Does that make it suck any less for those who have had their engine puke? Most certainly not. But my only concern with this assumption that the 3.5L engine will self destruct is that the potential VX owner will find themselves ill-informed based on flawed data. Hopefully this will be my final and last attempt to point this out, I will no longer oppose that viewpoint. The floor is yours...

[ZEUS]

This is interesting... I think you both have good points. It doesn't change the fact I hope my motor doesn't blow... But it was fun to read.

[Y33TREKker]

Okay, here's my last flog of the horse carcass regarding this:

I hope you aren't presuming you are the only one to feel that way.

First off, the only "myth" referred to is that the 3.5L engine is prone to premature failure.

I think you should go back and read your second post in this thread. You specifically referred to the myth in question as being about VX's having engine problems. Skewing the numbers in favor of your opinion by including production numbers for all Isuzu models that use the 3.5 would do very little to nothing in helping to determine the root cause of the problem in the VX.

Admittedly, neither of us is probably capable of total objectivity at this point, so in conclusion, I'll just submit a last bit of knowledge recently reviewed with our old friend Webster.

myth (mith) n. [[< Gr mythos ]]: 1: a traditional story serving to explain some phenomenon, custom, etc. 2: mythology 3: any fictitious story, person, or thing. myth'i-cal adj.

Call me skeptical, but I don't think it would go over very well if you were to gather together all the VX owners who have experienced engine failures (whether they are considered premature or not), and tell them you think the problem is just imaginary.

[VCrossfan]

IF and When mines goes...it's getting an LS2 (or close to it) w/4 speed auto. TOD pulled and will be lowered (a wee bit) and 2wd from then on. All for the price some have paid for the same 3.5 replacement. And I'll have the TOD I pulled w/tranny "if good" For Sale. Also a Brand New (0 miles) TOD I will also have For Sale. I hope that day never comes, it's at 130k miles and running great. (fingers crossed)

A buddy just rolled his 07 GTO, a couple of us might pitch in and get it (one wants the interior, I'll take the motor/tranny and all the support equipment)

[johnnyapollo]

It would be interesting to see how many VXes have had their engines actually replaced under Isuzu 10 yr/120k warranty. Personally I don't think the 3.5 (or the earlier 3.2) is a bad engine, or one prone to failure, I do think the point about failure in VXes should be examined a bit closer. The VX was rather unique to Isuzu in that it was built as a true rally inspired SUV - one factor that's very different between a typical VX owner and someone driving a Rodeo or Trooper is general driving habit. I think the VX owner tends to push the design a bit more due to what makes the VX so much fun - handling, performance, capability. That mixture could put additional strain on the engine and systems not found in the other models, contributing to engine failure. The general concensus has been that if it was going to fail, it would due so well before the 100k threshhold, with those few that fail at later odometer readings being questionable (abused or not maintained). A slightly flawed engine that's driven hard would show a higher failure rating than one that's not - is my thinking. Comments?

When you look at the history behind the Chevy 350 small block, I'm betting more in sports models failed than in trucks or vehicles that were more 'family' in nature. I about killed the motor in my 69 Nova just because of my driving habits when I was behind the wheel. It just came natural to push the motor a bit more than necessary - the "SS" badging on the car didn't help at all.

-- John

[Reg Hinnant]

Rene, I'm sorry you had this happen . Hopefully you will get the company to take care of it.

I agree with John BUT it dosen't go over well when I have 119,000 miles of daily driving with numerious off road trips thrown in. Guess i should have really been worried when I was in places where it would have been left to rot if it had a major breakdown.
BTW it's for sale & should be good for a few more miles.

[deermagnet]

I've been reading about the oil usage of these engines and some failures for 7.5 years now at various Isuzu boards. There's little doubt that there was a design or assembly problem that leads to the oil usage issue, probably involving the piston rings. However, I don't believe that alone is the cause of failures. The main problem seems to be people not checking their oil often enough, even after reading about this issue many times. I never thought my engine was affected either, until about the mid-60K's when I noticed it was suddenly using more oil than it should. If I had not been on top of this, I could have lost my engine to low oil like many others have. Since then I check my oil as much as four times a week, even after a 50 mile run, and add small amounts as needed. 100,000 miles later my engine runs absolutely fantastic at 165K, even while adding more oil than an engine should need over that whole time.

All engines can fail at any time. I know that all the failures have not been from low oil and some are lost to legit bearing problems or other problems that any engine can experience. Sometimes people may not like to admit that their VX just plain ran out of oil, and blame it on a failed bearing. Afterall, this is the internet where anything goes. Some have explained that they heard bad noises and then checked the oil to find none on the dipstick. One member described hearing bad sounds and stopping at their mechanic to have a listen, and after popping the hood and high revving the engine, decided to check the oil level and.... well, you know what happens next. A bright, shiny new engine goes in which possibly could have been avoided.

I love my engine, even with the oil usage, and won't be surprised if it runs great for 300,000 miles or more. Change the oil at least every 3K miles and check the oil every other day or more. Don't drive it like ya stole it and maybe you'll enjoy your oil-burning engine for twenty years without a failure. It's the same deal with the tranny which some claim is weak. Mine works like new and has never skipped a beat. I've had the fluid changed four times and I don't abuse it. That puppy might out live my engine.

Don't worry, be happy.

Apparently, these engines did get modified/updated at some point. It looks like all the Vehicri got the old, affected engines.


Mark Griffin (a VX lifer)

[johnnyapollo]

I'm about to hit 100K myself and she's still running strong! I can only hope that she'll last as long as yours, Mark.

-- John