How long should IMG last?

It looks like my IMG is at it again.

I flew home for T-Day and so did not use my 2000 Rodeo V6 for about 6 days. When I left, it was perfectly fine. The first time I started it after the break it idled roughly and felt like it was going to die.

I drove it to school for about 2 miles hoping it just needed to warm up but the car continued to shake not only during idle but also during driving. It also lacked power and there was a whistling coming from the engine. The CEL light came on. I also heard a popping noise a few times apparently from the left (driverside) front of the car. When I parked and got out of the vehicle, I noticed a burning smell.

I went to class and was considering calling a tow truck. The way the car was behaving, it felt like I was during some real damage to continue driving it.

After class (about 2 hours), I decided to try the car again. To my amazement, it started just fine, idled fine, and the CEL light was off. I drove it home and it felt fine. I did notice the whistle coming now and then though. I figure maybe the IMG broke and resealed itself?

So if I am correct and the IMG is broken, I have another question. I had the IMG replaced almost exactly 1 year ago at the Isuzu dealership. How long is it supposed to last? Will it break on me every darn winter? Is there usually some warranty on the work of the dealer?

Thanks,

IT should last the life of the truck.

take it back with the old reciept in hand.

if you are the 1st owner it is free. if you are the second , I would request a half price deal since the last one only last 1 year.

Yes, it SHOULD last a lot longer than it does. To be honest, it should not be bad again, it may be something else. Definately get it back to the dealer, reciept in hand.

Marc

I know at some point they changed the torque specs to a lower ft/lbs, so maybe they over torqued it using the old specs?

I know at some point they changed the torque specs to a lower ft/lbs, so maybe they over torqued it using the old specs?


So you guys think it is definately the IMG again? What about the burning smell? I've never experienced that before, but could it be due to a piece of the gasket falling in and burning up? Also, as the car is perfectly fine still (been 3 days without a prob) is it smarter to wait until it happens again hoping it never will or go now while its still driveable?

Thanks a bunch,

I've seen the 1998+ IMG's go in as little as 1.5 to 2yrs and under 30K miles (basically new trucks), then there are ones that have yet to go?!? You never know. It has to do with heat/cool cycles, how it was installed & how the fasteners are torqued. The gasket is a horrible design. Ones with a metallic lining, or made out of a thick rubber material would be much more reliable. There was not nearly enough of these engines sold to prompt an aftermarket company to make a better gasket. Not enough $$$ in it for them :disappoin .
G/luck
Joel

Update: HOLY CRAP!

So I brought it into the dealer. Here's what they told me (they left a message on my voicemail, but it got cut-off due to length...there may be more that they couldn't tell me)

Diagnosis $110
IMG needs replacing $448
Serpentine Belt Idler making noise (?) $119
Cooler Fan bracket bearing making noise (?) $380
Error Code Fuel Center "High Voltage" $620
Wrong type of spark plugs (this I believe - only gave me price for tune up + right type of platinum spark plugs) $235
MAF needs to be cleaned $44
EGR pipe needs to be cleaned $67

I am going to make a stink about the IMG since they couldn't fix it right the first time. I know there are FAQs on this board for cleaning the MAF so I won't do that.

How about the rest?

serpantine idler
cooler fan bracket
fuel center high voltage reading
spark plugs
EGR cleaning

Are some of these bunk? Can i do this myself? Maybe I should go to Pep boys for some of these...

Update:

After talking with both service rep and manager they agreed to lower the price for the IMG from $448 to $328. They kept telling me I was not within the 12mo/12Kmi warranty of the gasket (its been 11 months but over 18Kmi). I told them it seems unreasonable for a gasket not to last 18K. Either the gasket was defective or the workmanship was defective. Either way, I don't see why I should pay out of pocket to fix any of it but that I am willing to pay something just to get this done.
So when they told me they would take off 120, I finally tired of negotiating and told them to do it at $328.

I opted not to do any other service with them. I will replace the spark plugs through pep boys. They don't carry the exact denso plugs but will charge me 70 in labor. I'll buy the plugs online for 36.

The MAF and EGR I'll do myself. I can live with the rest.

I know different parts of the country has different pricing, but that still seems high for the IMG. I had mine done a year ago for under $300. If you don't have it done yet, I'd find another mechanic. Those prices are nuts. Truthfully, it seems like they did a poor job last time on the IMG anyway, why give them another shot at messing it up again?

I am not sure about the error code, but I'd get it looked at somewhere.

Marc

I know different parts of the country has different pricing, but that still seems high for the IMG. I had mine done a year ago for under $300. If you don't have it done yet, I'd find another mechanic. Those prices are nuts. Truthfully, it seems like they did a poor job last time on the IMG anyway, why give them another shot at messing it up again?

I am not sure about the error code, but I'd get it looked at somewhere.

Marc


Labor around MN is about 95/hour. I think the gasket runs 60? So basically they are charging me for 2.8 hours of labor which they say they are not making any profit from (yeah right).

The error code, I am told, was a "history one". It is not showing up currently but did sometime in the past. Don't know if there is some way for them to pull past error codes.


Quick question, though. I was looking at the EGR cleaning faq. There seems to be two methods listed. One is to have the car running and revving while spraying and the other does not. Does the car have to be on?

Labor around MN is about 95/hour. I think the gasket runs 60? So basically they are charging me for 2.8 hours of labor which they say they are not making any profit from (yeah right).

The error code, I am told, was a "history one". It is not showing up currently but did sometime in the past. Don't know if there is some way for them to pull past error codes.


Quick question, though. I was looking at the EGR cleaning faq. There seems to be two methods listed. One is to have the car running and revving while spraying and the other does not. Does the car have to be on?
I would talk to the service manager and ask him why an Intake manifold gasket that they installed lasted only a year. That is totally unacceptable and as such should be warranteed. Then I would go over some of the other suggested items... ask how come $60 worth of spark plugs takes two hours (and costs almost $250) to replace. You could DYI in less than an hour. You should then inform them that you will be contacting Isuzu Customer Service to find out if this dealer's maintenance practices are truly indicative of other Isuzu shops. Offer to fax the service quote showing that a $480 IMG job somehow ends up being about $2000 worth of work (much of it having nothing to do with the IMG problem). :2cents:

...Quick question, though. I was looking at the EGR cleaning faq. There seems to be two methods listed. One is to have the car running and revving while spraying and the other does not. Does the car have to be on?

I wouldn't run the truck during the cleaning process. Keep the truck off / key out. Hold the throttle plate open with some clean rags, try to get the rag to reach back to the EGR outlet pipe to catch the lovely drippings :uhoh: .

G/luck
Joel

UPDATE:

So after talking to the service manager and agreeing to the $328 (448 original net 120 discount hes giving me) to fix the IMG, I think I'm done. I was talking to the manager while at school so I didn't have my receipt from the last IMG fix with me.

When I get home I check my receipt and my jaw drops. Last time I paid 345 to get it done with no haggling. That was the quoted price. Now I have hard evidence that I am being taken for a ride. Basically they are trying to overcharge me 110 on the same repair done 11 months ago and giving me a "discount" off of a overcharge to begin with. In the end, I am saving 15 from the real price of the service. To top it off, the rep called saying my car was ready for pickup and I need to pay the 328 and the 110 diagnosis fee. Diagnosis fee!? I basically told them what the problem was when I dropped the car off! This is a repair to repair something they should've got right in the 1st place. Needless to say, I flipped my lid.

Today I call in and leave a message with the manager. I asked him where the 448 number is coming from and why I paid 345 for the same service 11 months ago. I tell him this is no way to maintain a customer relationship and that their credibility with me has gone down the toilet. I can't believe in all good faith and conscience that they initially tried to overcharge me. In addition, in my last repair receipt there was no diagnosis fee line item at all. I also tell them I can't believe they are trying to trick me by giving me a discount off of and overcharge to make me happy. I also mentioned that I am a full time student in law school and don't have the $$$ to throw around at overpriced services and that I was willing to go through other channels if this can't be resolved.

He calls back and says first off my prior price for the IMG was wrong. He also said it was a mistake for them not to charge me the diagnosis fee. I tell them not my problem and that it seems their shop is prone to errors not only in repairs but billing too. He goes on to say that there was also a miscalculation on their end on the 448 price quoted to me which was too high. So I said enough with the explanations tell me what I have to pay out the door. He said he will drop the diagnosis fee and reduce the IMG service to 288.

So basically 288 out the door. I agreed since I have spent to much time on this issue anyway (sometimes I think I agree too fast though).

In summary, I can't believe that people are out there to try to take advantage of you...what a nightmare experience... :banghead:

Thanks for the all the input guys. I hope my truck holds up this time.

BTW the dealership was Jim Lupient in Wayzata MN.

Holliman, I'm glad you got a fair price in the end. Please, do not ever go back there. They sound like crooks. It is no fun getting loud and tough with people, but sometimes it has to be done.

From what I've read, ~$300 is about average for a 1998+ IMG. Stealerships likely try to cover the costs for all the 2000-2002 warranty (10yr/120K) covered IMG replacements they do. Isuzu probably doesn't pay them squat for the warranty jobs. It's expensive to pay anyone to do work on your vehicle, couple that with so few isuzu dealerships (no choices) & it is a nightmare :uhoh: .

G/luck
Joel