First post is a sad one - engine died

[lasturbo]

Is there "updates" that these reman companies need to be performing to fix the "known" issues on the 3.5 especially the consumption probs?

[djvx]

Is there "updates" that these reman companies need to be performing to fix the "known" issues on the 3.5 especially the consumption probs?

Yes.... can someone please elaborate on this subject somemore. I dont care what it takes-I just want reliability and peace of mind. I think that's what most of us want. Sounds like the Axiom engine doesn't swallow oil, but it is a rare engine to find. I'm communicating with risingsunengines.com as we speak about engines, and reman-ufactured ones.

[lasturbo]

Is there "updates" that these reman companies need to be performing to fix the "known" issues on the 3.5 especially the consumption probs?

I brought my question up because I remember reading somewhere the 99 3.5 is more prone to the consumption and/or engine failure but the 2000-2001 3.5 is not as susceptible. Just curious what the differences are, if any, and what can be done to improve the engine if it needed to be replaced (ie better gaskets, better piston rings, better oiling etc.).

[iamironman]

Do I really need to trumpet the Glories of a low milage used 2002 AXIOM engine and the MUCH LOWER cost of a R&R with one of these?? You can do this for way less than $5000 (closer to $3k)... Granted.. a reman might be a better engine and if you read all my posts on the Axiom swap and the difference in the pistons and the part number "replaced" by a different/fixed part but keeping the same part number... But is it really worth about $2000 more? Mine is running great, like a bandit and speed demon, and I've had absolutely no problems with the engine... I still check the oil at LEAST once a week but it doesn't burn a drop of oil between oil changes at all. Minor problems with the wiring harness (original), but has nothing to do with the engine swap with the Axiom engine. The harness probs are all but gone... I get little hiccups now and then when it's extremely humid or when it first rains till the engine warms up... like moisture gets in there and causes a lil gremlin to get pissed off at the wiring somewhere... but it's miniscule. You can find a CHEAP Axiom engine here: http://www.car-part.com/
Did a search and there are several within 500 miles of you, with less than 100k miles and less than $1800, (there's one in Arizona, with 60k miles, @$1625, a little further, but your mechanic should be able to get it shipped pretty cheap). That should be, (with the right mechanic) around a $3000 R&R job... shop around for a good mechanic that will do it for a reasonable price. I know you will be happy with the results from the Axiom engine... It's the cheapest most reliable way to go. Good luck and hope you go this way so there's someone else that can praise the Axiom engine swap.

[djvx]

Do I really need to trumpet the Glories of a low milage used 2002 AXIOM engine and the MUCH LOWER cost of a R&R with one of these?? You can do this for way less than $5000 (closer to $3k)... Granted.. a reman might be a better engine and if you read all my posts on the Axiom swap and the difference in the pistons and the part number "replaced" by a different/fixed part but keeping the same part number... But is it really worth about $2000 more? Mine is running great, like a bandit and speed demon, and I've had absolutely no problems with the engine... I still check the oil at LEAST once a week but it doesn't burn a drop of oil between oil changes at all. Minor problems with the wiring harness (original), but has nothing to do with the engine swap with the Axiom engine. The harness probs are all but gone... I get little hiccups now and then when it's extremely humid or when it first rains till the engine warms up... like moisture gets in there and causes a lil gremlin to get pissed off at the wiring somewhere... but it's miniscule. You can find a CHEAP Axiom engine here: http://www.car-part.com/
Did a search and there are several within 500 miles of you, with less than 100k miles and less than $1800, (there's one in Arizona, with 60k miles, @$1625, a little further, but your mechanic should be able to get it shipped pretty cheap). That should be, (with the right mechanic) around a $3000 R&R job... shop around for a good mechanic that will do it for a reasonable price. I know you will be happy with the results from the Axiom engine... It's the cheapest most reliable way to go. Good luck and hope you go this way so there's someone else that can praise the Axiom engine swap.

Iiiiiiiiiiye aaaam Iye unnnn mannn
Thanks for not just fix'n yer rig and forget'n bout us. The Axiom solution is not an opinion or an idea. It is a proven swap with "iamironman's" help available during the project.
Looks, and gadgets, mods are all just Fluff. We're all living on borrowed time with these notorious defective engines! I hate it. Wish I could afford to do mine right now. Makes me sick owning an oil guzzling vehicle, especially for what it cost. Junk engine should be in a junk yard, where it belongs!

[BigSwede]

Sometime in 2000 IIRC Isuzu changed the piston oil ring design to include additional drain holes. This was the primary culprit, although clogged EGRs seem to be a contributing problem too, near as I can determine.

The updated design can be identified by a screw-in PCV valve, as opposed to a push-in design earlier.