94 Passport 3.2 running rough

[ralpht44]

I have a 94 3.2 V6 that I just picked up at an auction. When I bought it, I changed the plugs, air filter, PCV, fuel filter and wires. Couple of issues that have recently come up are: 1.)It has a slight hesitation when I start off the line, 2.) running very rough and loss of power with a significant drop in gas mileage. I have an idea after reading about this that the first problem could be the timing belt and the second the oxygen sensor. Not sure how many 02 sensors their are and how to figure out which one it is. For the timing belt, I would rather not mess with it and take it to a shop to have fixed. Shop qouted me $350.00 to cchange the timing belt. Any thoughts if this diagnosis sounds right? She has 106k on her and as far as I know neither has been done to the car.

[Ramblin Fever]

Recently had the timing belt *package* done on my truck - 1st off, you don't want to ONLY due the timing belt, if you're going to have that done, make SURE you also opt to have a new timing belt tensioner, waterpump, AND timing belt put in.

Might as well do the minimum while you're in there, because it would be a shame on labor cost to have that waterpump go out a month or so after the new belt. And the timing belt tensioner WILL fail within a few weeks of a new belt, it is the leading cause of needing new belts to begin with.

My whole *package* which consisted of: TB tensioner, TB, TB tension adjuster, idler pulley, camshaft & crankshaft seals, waterpump and radiator flush cost me around $1k dollars - figured I might as well have everything done while they were in there as I'd planned to keep it indefinitely.

The hesitation, loss of power sounds like an O2 issue to me - just got done replacing all 4 of my O2 sensors for the same reason earlier this year. Only 2 were actually going bad, but figured I might as well do all 4, at $50/sensor wasn't too bad spread out over a few months, and the change was a drastic one.

[highlandlake]

Originally Posted by ralpht44

) running very rough and loss of power with a significant drop in gas mileage. .

Ralph, first off - welcome to AF Rodeo - when you get the rough running problem solved it will run better, but the mileage will still be on the low side. 14-19 mpg is typical even for a tuned up motor. Maybe you already know the expected mpg, but since you just bought the Rodeo I thought I'd bring it up. Don't want you banging your head against the wall after doing the tune up trying to get it to stay in the 20's mpg-wise. So did you get the the car for a song at the auction? Always wondered about the pros and cons when obtaining a car that way.....
Tom

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by ralpht44

I have a 94 3.2 V6 . . . Couple of issues that have recently come up are: 1.)It has a slight hesitation when I start off the line, 2.) running very rough and loss of power with a significant drop in gas mileage.

I have an idea after reading about this that the first problem could be the timing belt

??? i wouldn't jump to that conclusion at all; not from that symptom anyway.
belts do go, and sometimes jump a cog, but more likely the tensioner is the thing that goes and makes your engine sound like it threw a rod.
anyway, the timing belts are incredibly strong and seldom fail. that being said, what's the mileage on your 94 and if different, what's the mileage since the timing belt was changed, if you know. isuzu initially recommended change out at 60,000 miles, then changed it to 75,000 and then 100,000. most people get at least 100,000 without a problem.

Ramblin Fever is right about doing more than just the tbelt when your in there.
generally, what's recommended by all i know is
**timing belt
**timing belt tensioner
**water pump
**accessory belts or serpentine, whichever you have.
[[[ a few also recommend the timing belt idle pulley (i don’t unless it needs it by inspection. ]]]
as for the other stuff to do in there. . .well, not many would recommend any more unless it is indicated by conditions now. sometimes, you can cause more problems than you fix.

i would suggest you get a good manual. the best and most expensive is the factory one's at
www.helminc.com
or online at
www.alldata.com

i'll reread your post sometime later about the other stuff.


hth
good lulck


//bc

[ralpht44]

Wow, thanks guys for all the great advice. I don't know anything about the history of this car at all. It has 105,000 miles on it. I did pick it up cheap for arounf $800.00 so I don't mind throwing a few in to it. I realize that gas mileage won't be great but right now I am getting about 8 mpg so I know something is off.