'02 Rodeo 2WD V6 o2 sensor and leaky trans

[kdr2002]

I have a 2002 Rodeo 2WD 3.2L V-6 with ~58,000 miles

A few weeks ago, I had a problem after I stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, the rodeo was very sluggish and finally accelerated after I floored it. It seem like it wasn't in first gear. That was the only time that had ever happened. I dismissed it because it didn't do it again.

Anyway, time came for oil change, etc. I used to change the oil myself but I live in an apartment now with no palce to do it or supplies. So, I went to Jiffy Lube. They also suggested changing the transmission fluid. I bought the roedo used with 48k miles and at that time it had about 57k. Since I didn't know the previous history and driving conditions here are rough (steep hills, stop/go, high temparatures), I let them change it. This was about 3 weeks ago and all seemed fine.

Well, a day or two ago, the sluggish start from a red light occured again. I'm still dumfounded by that.

While I was out of town this weekend, the check engine light came on. Being a few hours away from home, I decided to get the code checked at Autozone before heading back. They said it was "P0155, bank 2 sensor 1, O2 sensor heater malfunction." By reading these boards and talking to my dad, I figured out which of the four sensors is bad.

I crawled underneath just to give it a look and locate the sensor. When I did, everything was oily. It was like oil was misted everywhere. It was transmission fluid. The fluid is all over so its hard to tell where its coming from.

If I'm not mistake, the Jiffy Lube guys disconnected the two line just in front of the transmission on the passenger to change out the fluid?Is it possible that the lines Jiffy Lube used to change the fluid are leaking? I'm not certain that the lines are connected properly. I guess I can disconnect and reconnect them. Will more fluid leak then? Should it be running or not? As you can tell, I'm no transmission/car expert.

I just read about the potential leaky accumlator cover and haven't checked that yet. I hate that there is not dip stick. I don't know how much fluid is gone. I started it up and couldn't see any obvious leaks. Yesterday, I drove it like 200 miles with no problems. I know that all the fluid isn't on the garage floor.

I'm just not sure what to do or where to start. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[rodeo02]

Sounds like iffy lube did an ATF transfusion thru the cooler lines. That's ok. The machine will put back exactly what comes out. You may find some spilled ATF from the cooler lines from being disconnected and then reconnected. There's tons of threads on this, but I'd check the ATF lvl just to be safe. Run the truck until warm & park on a level surface. Loosen but do not remove the fill/level check plug on the trans main pan. Start the truck, put in neutral, set the parking brake and chock a wheel. Pull the level check plug & ATF should just dribble out. That means it's full to the proper level. As far as the O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction, I just went thru the same exact thing on my 2002. The only way to fix this is replace that O2 sensor. Trust me, you will not find an aftermarket O2 sensor that is plug n' play (tried that route). You have to use OEM. I got mine thru stcharlesauto.com. They are $120/ea .
G/luck
Joel

[kdr2002]

I tried checking the fluid level. When I did, a lot of fluid came out. I wondered if I pulled the wrong plug. I followed your directions and some from another post. I loosened the plug that was farthest back on the large pan and closest to the passenger side. It was much higher (as in up toward the sky) on the pan closer to where the pan bolts on. The other plug was recessed slightly on the bottom face of the pan and was closer to the middle rear of the pan. I hope I didn't make things worse. I'm getting a bit frustrated.

Could it be that the guys at jiffy lube over filled it and when I pulled the plug the excess came out. Since it was overfilled, thats why it seemed to be leaking before.

I don't know. I may have to make the dreaded trip to the isuzu dealer. I just moved here so I don't know anything about mechanics.

[amigo-2k]

The truck needs to be running to check the fluid level.

[kdr2002]

It was running. I also ran it before I got ready to check it so it would be warm.

[rodeo02]

Originally Posted by kdr2002

It was running. I also ran it before I got ready to check it so it would be warm.

It was probably just overfilled from iffy lube. Fluid will burp from a vent on the top of the trans if overfull. No big deal, but you may want to drain some from that higher up plug until it just dribbles.
G/luck
Joel

[kdr2002]

That would explain why so fluid seems to be everywhere underneath the truck. I hope that's all. Thanks for all your help. I may need some more when I change the o2 sensor. Hopefully I can get that done soon. Thanks again.