which engine is better? 3.2 SOHC or DOHC?

I am shopping around for a rodeo 4x4 for my wife. I am wondering if the pre 1998 DOHC 3.2 v6 is any better or worse than the 1998+ rodeo's 3.2 DOHC 3.2 v6. After reading many threads in this forum, I understand that there is a problem with the SOHC style engine that developes when oil is not changed every 3k miles (rocker shaft damage related to the TSB 614929) aka valve ticking. Does the later model version also suffer from this problem?

thanks for all replies

welderbob

I think it is the other way around. +98 eat oil and sometimes blow up. The 93-97 seem to last at least 200k before things start to pop up.

I guess I gambled right, then. I purchased a 1996 trooper with the 3.2 sohc engine. Ironic that I here a slight "tappity tap" when engine is first started. Any truth to this post:


to start oil must be replaced every 3,000 miles dont go a mile over the life of your vehicle depends on how well you take care of it. I bought a 96 trooper with a 3.2 it had all kind of tappity tapping going on.
I am an isuzu tech and would not tell you to do this to your vehicle if it would harm it...
next oil change use 4.5 qts 20w 50 I prefer penzoil or castroil once you have decided which you want to use stick with it (use only that type of oil). When oil is changed add 1qt transmission fluid do this every other oil change there is a very good chance your noise will go away after about 8-10,000 miles if it dont go away it will guiet down some. If you cant wait that long spend $1,600 to get the rockers replaced.

I am just wondering if it is really safe to dump a quart of automatic transmission oil in with the 20/50 engine oil.

I guess I gambled right, then. I purchased a 1996 trooper with the 3.2 sohc engine. Ironic that I here a slight "tappity tap" when engine is first started.
I am just wondering if it is really safe to dump a quart of automatic transmission oil in with the 20/50 engine oil.

The transmission fluid trick to clean out an engine has been around for ages. Transmission fluid has a high level of detergents which can get into the nooks and crannies and clean out varnish and junk. However, today there are numerous high detergent oils that can do a similar job. Try the HM (high-mileage) oils, for example. Or use an oil formulated for deisel (as well as gas) engines, like the shell rotella or chevron delo oils. Or go to the 'additives' section of the bobistheoilguy.com forums to read up on auto-rx. Auto-rx is an ester (not a solvent). It cannot harm your engine since it is basically an oil that has metal cleansing capabilities. There are lots of options if you don't want to use trans fluid in your oil.

Thanks for the advice, anthonyn. I changed the oil today with penzoil 20w50 and added 1qt dextron III at oil. think i'll change it at 1500 instead of 3k miles though.