What are you doing to your VX this week?

[Rubicool]

Getting my VX tomorrow.....physc'd

After losing mine to hurricane Sandy it will be good to have one again.

[Y33TREKker]

The VX had started to whistle, so the intake manifold gaskets are in the process of being replaced. As a while-you're-in-there step, I also decided to replace the thermostat, but when I finally got to it, almost changed my mind since the original looked to be a better quality piece than the replacement I'd purchased. I went ahead and swapped it out though hoping that time and usage will be on the side of the newer one.

Speaking of while-you're-in-there though, you'd think that the engineers who designed these things could have come up with a better arrangement for the configuration of the block's front to rear coolant transfer pipe and adjacent coolant hose rather than have them right in the way of the thermostat housing and housing bolts. wth?

Hoping to get it all back together today to see whether my recent bouncy idle and whistling has been addressed, and, whether cleaning the MAF sensor gives me the additional 5 to 10 horsepower the can of MAF cleaner promises!

[Y33TREKker]

Well, no coolant leaks, fuel fires, or continued whistling, so I'm taking those as good signs.

All I can say is, after this job, and the timing belt/water pump jump on the car last weekend, my advanced four-letter garage terminology has now been revisited, updated, and polished, and I'd feel ready for any other repair jobs in the near future should they be necessary.

And to think I used to actually LIKE doing this stuff...

[bartmanS4]

I pulled my MTR 33x12.5s and remounted my stock wheel Gen Grabbers AT2 265/70r16s. This is basically my winter setup. I had a pretty bad steering wheel vibration around 40-45 mph with big big MTRs and since going back to my winter wheels it is driving so much smoother. I must have a pretty serious imbalance on those big wheels. I can also feel the difference in acceleration as it's a bit peppier. I'm thinking I should trailer those wheels to Moab this year.

[Mile High VX]

Finally received my new hood insulator from Isuzu with all new clips as well...only took about 6 weeks.

[Mile High VX]

Finally received my new hood insulator from Isuzu with all new clips as well...only took about 6 weeks.

[Mile High VX]

Got tired of my hood insert not looking great no matter what I did so I had it wrapped with 3M Matte Black vinyl. It's worry free...at least for now.

[YellowVX]

Awesome! I just ordered a new hood insulator last week. I hope mine takes 6 weeks. Your VX looks good. Where did you get the red engine cover? Did it come with one or was it aftermarket? Mine seems to be missing one.

[WormGod]

Haven't had hood insulation for years.... not since my S/C ate most of it up.

May actually drive my VX this weekend. Been a while. Been working so much I have been using my STi for the commute every day. But, I have off this weekend, which is a miracle rest, so time to get my bump steer on!

[Mile High VX]

Awesome! I just ordered a new hood insulator last week. I hope mine takes 6 weeks. Your VX looks good. Where did you get the red engine cover? Did it come with one or was it aftermarket? Mine seems to be missing one.

When I first ordered it they told me it would be three months, but it wasn't. The engine cover is the OEM black one that I customized...you can find them on Ebay for about $40 if you want one, or post an WTB and someone will likely be able to help you.

[DaGambit69]

That is a nice clean vinyl wrap on the insert and I really need to add that to my "to-do" list. Thanks to a nice double hit from a rock this morning while moving down the highway, I will be replacing my windshield tomorrow. Place I am getting it from quoted me $182 which was cheaper than my Rodeo windshield I got from them 6+ years ago. Actually it was two Rodeo windshields, first one lasted 8 hours before some rock hit me so hard that the rear view mirror ended up all the way into the back.

[Mile High VX]

That is a nice clean vinyl wrap on the insert and I really need to add that to my "to-do" list.

Thanks. Because of the foam seal on the underside of the insert you can't just wrap it and tuck the underneath. You have to cut it and then use some adhesive to the edges before you hit the foam seal. Removal of the insert is a must here. If you wrap over the foam seal it will let air into the wrap and you will not be pleased with the look as it will have air bubble that will constantly be showing up.

[YellowVX]

I actually found one this morning for a 3.2L Rodeo. The strange this is when I went to the Isuzu parts center site and looked up the Rodeo engine, there wasn't an engine cover listed. But, I did compare the pic on eBay to your pic's...they were the same. I believe the 3.2L and the 3.5L are the same just slightly larger displacement.

[simonsayz1]

LED's all around!! Man those Brite *** Led's are nice!

[WormGod]

She's in the shop. Getting all new EBC rotors and EBC Green pads. Inspection of brake lines, alternator, and fluid top offs. I have neglected her these past couple of months so thought it would be nice to send her to the spa for some pampering time.