2001 Isuzu Rodeo HELP PLZ!

[mfh_anderson]

Ok, this truck has killed my last 3 weekends with different issues each time. Info, V6 4X4. odometer says 46K, but we all know the odometers quit with the gear inside tranny wears out, (fixed) and fuel sending unit was fixed.

1st - brakes, no biggie
2nd- Idler pulley threw bearings, changed that and belt

3rd and big - i drove the car thursday, no problem at all. wife drives it friday, calls says check engine light is on. drives car dies in traffic couple miles from house. when i go to pick it up i put octane booster and fuel treament in tank and then fill with prem gas. drove fine that night. now its dying again, idle shoots up to about 2500 then down below 1 and dies about 90% of the time.

i thought plugs, changed, no avail same prob. take to advance auto and they check codes, i had 6. 2 for random misfire, 2 for 02 sensors, low voltage i think. and 1 lean and 1 rich. cleaned MAF while doing notice a "air leak sound" thought it was coming from #1 fuel injector. tried to get it tightened up still hearing the air. cant locate the source, somewhere between 1 & 3 i think. nothing on other side. leaning toward intake gasket.

what do you guys think?

[FL 3.2L]

Was wondering if you were going to get to the IMG...

[mfh_anderson]

yeah, ill probably install it tomorrow after work.

[mfh_anderson]

im having trouble getting the intake off. the small black bracket on the rear near driver is killing me. trying to cut an allen wrench now to get the back allen nut. why in the @$^%#^@&^#@$%& would someone put a bolt in such a place?!?!

im pretty convinced this is my problem and would love to get it fixed, but its not looking good so far.

[FL 3.2L]

Sorry it's not going so great. Probably cold where you are, too. Remember to torque those intake bolts properly. They are frequently overtorqued and cause cracking of the gasket. I can't remember the numbers...

[mfh_anderson]

actually mother nature must feel for me, here in lexington the past week or so, its been about 5-20 degrees of a morning warming up a couple through the day, but yesterday, today, and most of the week is close to 60, (thanks al gore, for global warming and the internet! lol)

finally got the back allen bolt off, took a grinder and cut 1/4inch off allen wrench, still took 15 minutes just to hit the hole... top intake is off, one tear in gasket...i expect the bottom to be worse.

how do i move the fuel rail far enough out of my way to take off the bottom of the intake???

thanks.

[FL 3.2L]

I unhooked the fuel lines (have some rags handy) and left the rail in place when I did mine, I think. I have a '97, though.

[Gizmo42]

Remember to torque those intake bolts properly. They are frequently overtorqued and cause cracking of the gasket. I can't remember the numbers...

Its 13 ft. lbs. I normally tell everyone to use an inch lb wrench since at that low of a setting a ft lb wrench wont be very accurate.

[XR400R]

Originally Posted by mfh_anderson

actually mother nature must feel for me, here in lexington the past week or so, its been about 5-20 degrees of a morning warming up a couple through the day, but yesterday, today, and most of the week is close to 60, (thanks al gore, for global warming and the internet! lol)

finally got the back allen bolt off, took a grinder and cut 1/4inch off allen wrench, still took 15 minutes just to hit the hole... top intake is off, one tear in gasket...i expect the bottom to be worse.

how do i move the fuel rail far enough out of my way to take off the bottom of the intake???

thanks.

Wow, I had exactly the same problems as you. Did the same thing you did to remove that stupid, hidden allen bolt.

To get the fuel rail off, I found the only way I could do it was to simply cut the rubber hi-pressure fuel lines on both sides, & reinstall new hi-pressure fuel injection line afterward (it's 1/4" btw). The crummy clamps are so hidden in such a tight area, I couldn't get them loose from the fuel lines without nearly destroying the rail.

Good luck. BTW, if you need new injector O-rings, I might be able to help if you'd like to PM me. Like a dummy, I ordered 6 full sets thinking one set only included rings for one injector. So now I have 30 spares! Sheeze

[mfh_anderson]

car is running great. had it tore down and put back up in about 2 hours. IN THE RAIN! working on trading the car now, before it messes up again.

[FL 3.2L]

You got all of the major stuff taken care of now! Is it an auto? If you take care of the fluid, it should be good to go for 100k!

[mfh_anderson]

got 8100 trade in on it. now wifey is driving a new dodge magnum.

[XR400R]

Originally Posted by mfh_anderson

got 8100 trade in on it. now wifey is driving a new dodge magnum.

Sounds to me like you did fine!

I doubt if I could get anywhere near $8100 for my '01 Passport in my area, based on recent offerings.

[mfh_anderson]

odometer was showing 45000...but we all know the speedos and odometers go out in these things.