Major Engine Problem

[sveltax]

Good luck Zuzu bro! (Fortunately my Axiom came with the 10yr/120M drive train warranty).

[Anita]

It may be a reach, but see if your dealer would cut you a deal. Explain to them that you giving them a favorable review on this forum can and will lead to new customers knocking on their door.

Good dealers like the one you have are few and far between. They need more Isuzu customers and it has been proven many times here that Isuzu owners will go where the recommendations take them.

BTW, to those who live in the Los Angeles area ... Sierra Monrovia Isuzu needs more business. Go bug em' an get an oil change or something...

[VX_PA]

Well it's been 17 days without my VX. The engine still hasn't arrived at the dealership and no word why.

I did finally get a case # with Isuzu but the claim was denied. This one will come out of my pocket

I wonder if I should have researched possible motor swaps? Would anything other than the 3.5 work?

I hope the engine gets here soon, I'm having VX withdrawal syndrome.

[WyrreJ]

There has been speculation here on the board that the new 3.5L Direct Injection Engine could be made to work with a reasonable amount of effort (new electronics to run the direct-injection mechanism correctly).

[VX_PA]

That engine seems too new, a problem down the road. I don't trust the 3.5 Isuzu engine that I'm getting now. I was thinking, what would a VX do with a new Chevy crate motor. Not too big, but a V8 VX, how cool would that be.

I've asked several mechanics that question and they said it can be done, as they say anything can be done, it's just a matter of how much money I'm willing to spend and how much modifying I'm willing to do to make it work?

For now I'll just stick with the factory replacement motor. At least I get a new warranty with it.

[BuffArchitect]

Sorry to hear about your engine problem. Have they replaced the engine yet? I too have a 99 but I've only got about 36000 miles. I'm worried though. I'm counting on this thing truck lasting another 5 years. You noticed your oil light flickering about a week before the engine blew? I watch mine religiously now. What do you do if this happens though? Head straight to the dealer?

Is the engine they're replacing yours with a different design or the original. From other forums, its seems like the 3.5 L engine from the Trooper (in the 99 VX) has been problematic at the mid mileage level anyway. I hope the replacement isn't the same.

Keep us posted. Good luck.

[VX_PA]

If you suspect that something is wrong with your VX while it is still under warranty -- drive to your dealer ASAP. That's my advice, because once your over mileage or time they won't cover anything even if it's their fault.

As for the motor, Isuzu supposedly found an internal problem with some of the blocks from 1998 - 2002. Supposedly all the new motors have been changed to eliminate the problem. I don't have the details on exactly what the problem was, but as soon as I lost my engine I started searching the net for any information about this engine. There are alot more Trooper owners that have had the same problem with losing their engine with relatively low miles. I'm hoping that Isuzu did in fact change the block design because I don't want to drive another 20K to 60K miles and have to replace the motor again. I only have a 24K mile warranty on the new engine.

[azskyrider]

VX_PA,

How is the replacement engine working out? Was it a complete new engine or just the lower block? Did the cost that you stated include labor hours?

[kpaske]

I'm really starting to get worried now. When I did my last oil change, my VX had burned off quite a bit more than usual, and over the past month or two it's started to ping and lose some of its power. I've been frantically doing everything I can think of to get her back into shape (including changing all my fluids, cleaning out the air filter, changing the spark plugs, etc) but I'm running out of things to do and the performance hasn't improved much. Switching to higher octane (89) seems to have helped the pinging a bit, but I ran 87 octane for the first 70k miles without a problem, so something has definately changed.

Someone suggested that carbon buildup could be the cause, and I read in another thread that the PCV and EGR valves could get clogged and cause premature engine failure. Could this possibly be the cause? Does anyone else have any suggestions for what might prevent this type of problem?

[mrtew]

We really need to get together with the Trooper people and find out if there is anything we can do about this and what the problem really is (if there is actually a problem beyond a few isolated unrelated failures). There are a lot of people here that are worried that it could happen to them. Is there anything that can be done to prevent engine failure.

[azskyrider]

just a suggestion but it might be a good idea to document the VX maintance and symptoms. Also people that have experienced engine failure with this particular engine regardles of vehicle model (I.E. VX,TRooper) should keep in touch with one another. This way if there is reasonable doubt and proof (ISUZU bullletin, Logs) then the group can hire a lawyer and go after Isuzu as a group instead of trying to fight the Giant one by one. It also might help that Isuzu Customer service relation know that this group exists so the next VX or Trooper person might have a more courteous dealing with Corporate. I have found that information present and organized will get your further than trying to handle the person by word of mouth.

The net is large so groups such as this, planet Isuzu etc... can offer more voice than the average Joe. (Why doesn't the Joe ever get picked? )

ISUZU owners of the world UNITE!

[VX_PA]

Originally posted by azskyrider
VX_PA,

How is the replacement engine working out? Was it a complete new engine or just the lower block? Did the cost that you stated include labor hours?

New engine seems to be working great. Just completed the first fluid change last month and found no debris in the old oil.

It was a complete new engine and not just the long block. Cost stated was total with labor. What I'm worried about now is the tranny, since some members here are now experiencing problems with them. But can't worry too much, just drive and enjoy.

[SinMan]

Perhaps, this might be the reason why people are starting to sell their VX before it reaches 60K... I have a question, does this happen a lot to only 99 models or it is common problem for all 99, 00, 01 models? I saw one from ebay 01 model with defective engine got replaced at 55K... Man, this is definately not good.... I hope there's solution to this.

[Capri]

weren't there several owners with at least 70k on their VX with no engine problem?

[Anita]

There are many owners with over 60, 70 and 80K and even 120K on their VX's with no problems. You dont hear from them just for that reason.