2000 Rodeo 4WD LS transmission leak

[rheteric]

Originally Posted by amigo-2k

I think the second owners warranty is 5yr/60k.

amigo-2k, you're absolutely right!!!
This story gets even better! I called American Isuzu Motors yesterday, and a regional manager got back to me today. He said I have a 3 year / 50000 mi basic warranty (which I'm over) and a 5 year / 60000 mi powertrain warranty.... DING, DING, DING!!!! I called my dealership service dept back and told them what I've found. "My understanding was that the factory warranties were non-transferrable, but I'll check with the store's warranty [guy]," she says. So I got a call back and low and behold I DO have a waranty!!! HAHAHA so now they've got to do the original $540 repair, on their dime. It'll set me back a day or two while they order this part, but I'm a pig in $h!^ right now, and can't wait to get my apology (which I intend to force out of them).

Guys, I feel great, but what about all the other people who probably got shafted fom this person's misinformation. Whether intentional or not, isn't there some sort of checks and balances system in place to keep everything legit, in the dealership of all places?!?!?! The person handling my ticket doesn't seem at all like a rookie either; I'm ready to tell her to go back to her new employee handbook and get reacquainted with Isuzu policy. What gives????

American Isuzu Motors: 800-255-6727
13340 183rd Street
Cerritos, CA 90702

[hunter360]

When attempting to replace the accumulator piston cover myself, do I need to remove parts like the front drive shaft, or that small pan right underneath the piston cover for clearance? Or is it just trying to push in the piston cover and replacing it without much other work?

[Davejb]

Rheteric, I was in the same boat as you but I knew for a fact they had to do the work even when they said they wouldn't. I didn't even bother arguing with them. Just called Isuzu, and their rep called the dealer and straightened them out.

[rheteric]

Well, fortunately everything has been resolved on my part, and I'm confident that no feelings were hurt.

[hunter360]

Ok, I'm getting there. Gonna save myself a few bucks. If anyone can answer, what do I use for leverage when using a pry bar or accumulator pry bar to push the cover in? Should I just go to Home Depot and rent some kind of air clamp to push in the cover?

[Jake's]

I am having the EXACT same leak from this accumulator piston cover!!! Sooooooo glad I found this forum!!!

I am having extreme trouble finding the parts you said you found and those part numbers. Who, what or where is "St. Charles and Merlin???

Thank you!!!

Jake...

Originally Posted by rheteric

WOW!!!! They were really going to take me to the cleaners for this!!! I got a callback this evening and the estimate they quoted me was $540!!! Allegedly, they couldn't get just the cover and new ring without ordering the whole servo/piston package, the parts just didn't come separately. So they wanted the go-ahead to replace the whole unit!

SHENANEGANS!!!! I called St. Charles and spoke to Merlin (the man!). I simply asked him what parts were neccessary to fix the leaking accumulator piston cover.... $10 worth of parts!!! I went ahead and ordered the stuff (it was the least I could do) and took my case to the service dept at Isuzu. In so many words I told them there's no 'right or wrong' to their repair recommendation, but let's call a spade a spade; I did not need a new $540 servo! I said this is the way I want you to repair it (per [St. Charles'] standard procedure), and they were more than happy to oblige. Damn straight!

Buyer beware!!!! Being an informed consumer saved me some $400, and I would have been a sucker if not for this community. It kills me how they insisted there was no other (cheaper) way to fix it.... well they were in for a suprise; momma didn't raise no fool! I'm sure labor ($90/hr) could be found cheaper elsewhere too, but at this point I was content to set an example. Besides, this dealership is right around the corner from me and it'd be a shame if I ever did need something serious, I'd have to go miles to find the next closest one. In short, thanks for everyone's concern.

These are the part #s in case anyone else needs 'em:
Snap ring: 8-96015-714-0
Cover: 8-96017-093-0

BTW: Although they admitted it looked like it could've been leaking for an indeterminate amount of time, there was no chance at letting it slide under any warranty coverage. I dunno how far out it was but I'm at 52K miles and the (original) in-serve date was Dec 2000. Your guess is as good as mine when it comes to warranty coverage for non-original owners.

Cheers!

[Davejb]

Originally Posted by rheteric

Guys, I feel great, but what about all the other people who probably got shafted fom this person's misinformation. Whether intentional or not, isn't there some sort of checks and balances system in place to keep everything legit, in the dealership of all places?!?!?!

If the "other people" didn't take the time to understand their warranty, investigate their options, or question the dealer, that's pretty much their own fault. First rule, never, ever, ever take the dealers word for ANYTHING.
In this day and age customer service has taken a back seat to profit, if they can get $$ for a warranty job, it saves them $$. You just need to find yourself a good dealer that you can trust, not many out there but there are some.

[nusrat]

Hi All:
Last night while driving i got trans light flashing and check eng light. Upon looking under the truck i found tranny fluid all over, but the tranny shifted fine nor it went to limp mode. I took the truck to my mechanic and put on the lift, although oil was present on drive shaft and under transfer case shield but their is no apperant leak. He also put in D and checked but couldn't found any leaks. Next day i took it autozone and had codes read. The code was p1870 and since tranny was shifting fine and so as 4x4, I deceided to erase codes. My question is do i need to repalce the snap ring which most of you guys/gals talking about? If yes can you pls post TSB from isuzu and procedure to fix the problem so that i can have it fix by my mechanic.

Isuzu Rodeo LS 99, 87k miles.

[wb4lbg]

You are living dangerously if you continue to drive this thing after the tranny light comes on. You need to immediately check the fluid level on your transmission and top it off if necessary. If you have any suspicion that the level could be low, you need to do something about it.

I speak from experience. It cost me $2100 to have my AT rebuilt after I ignored some drips on the pavement for a month.

Good Luck!

[oo4playmrright]

ok, i'm working on my neighbors 2001 rodeo. i'm gonna do a filter change and hunt down all the leaks. between the tranny pan and this accumulator thing are there any other normal leaky spots? do both pans, small front one too? do the tailshaft seals leak often? i just want to buy all the parts at once if possible. and while we're talking about parts, can i just ghetto rig this accumulator cover back in? what parts do i need exactally?

These are the part #s in case anyone else needs 'em:
Snap ring: 8-96015-714-0
Cover: 8-96017-093-0

can't i reuse these?

thanks
jason

[oo4playmrright]

bump

Originally Posted by oo4playmrright

ok, i'm working on my neighbors 2001 rodeo. i'm gonna do a filter change and hunt down all the leaks. between the tranny pan and this accumulator thing are there any other normal leaky spots? do both pans, small front one too? do the tailshaft seals leak often? i just want to buy all the parts at once if possible. and while we're talking about parts, can i just ghetto rig this accumulator cover back in? what parts do i need exactally?

can't i reuse these?

thanks
jason

[amigo-2k]

ok, i'm working on my neighbors 2001 rodeo. i'm gonna do a filter change and hunt down all the leaks. between the tranny pan and this accumulator thing are there any other normal leaky spots?

-There are not normal leak spots, but the accumulator piston cover is the main spot that the leak can happen at, but is still very rare. I think you may need a special tool to do this (I think there is info on this in the FAQ's)

do both pans, small front one too?
Can't say I have read about anyone having leaking from these gaskets.


do the tailshaft seals leak often?
No


i just want to buy all the parts at once if possible. and while we're talking about parts, can i just ghetto rig this accumulator cover back in?
I don't know, but a new tranny costs over 3500.00 + the install (used can be had for 2k installed). Honestly, if it is leakying from that area why not just take it in and fix it right?

[matthew46]

Have a 2002 Rodeo which appears to have a leaky accumulator gasket. I've seen everything normally being applied to vehicles from the 1996 to 2000 year range for this issue, but not any years later. I've owned this since new so it should be covered under warranty right?

[amigo-2k]

yes you have a 10yr 120k warrenty since you are the first owner.

[matthew46]

Got the leaking accumulator gasket fixed by the dealer, no charge, and they even topped off the trans. fluid. WOW. Now if I could just get those pesky P0131 and P0137 codes cleared I'd be allright. Already replaced the front sensor, still having problems.