Help!! My Car Is Dying!

[retainer55]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

If there is horrible driving symptoms WITH the noise, chances are the timing belt tensioner is weak and allowing the belt to slip.

In my opinion, I don't see how it could be an internal engine issue if it comes and goes, on an engine if something is going it'll STAY noisey and eventually go.

If it has the original timing belt tensioner at 91k miles, it's most likely that. And let me tell you, when the tensioner does get weak it sounds god-offal horrible, it really sounds like a rod knocking. And just the most grueling LOUD sound that makes you cringe.

Personally, find a good Isuzu dealership or import mechanic and tell them you're bringing it in for a new timing belt, tensioner, waterpump (do it ALL at once while you're there), now this is not a cheap maintenance job. You're looking at about $800-$1k, just had this done myself because my 2nd waterpump went out and caused my tensioner to loosen, giving that horrible horrible sound.

I had the exact same noise on my 95.5 Passport EX. I believe this is the same engine (6vD1), but I'm not sure. I first took it to the ASE certified instructors at the college I work for, and they said "yep, that's the sound of buying a new engine". So then I took it to Denver Isuzu and they told me it was the timing belt, water pump etc....I only elected to have the timing belt done because I am broke for ~$450 tax included. I'll let you know if that fixes the problem.

B

[Ramblin Fever]

Yeap, same engine. If you were hearing that horrible sound, it was your timing belt tensioner that needed replaced. If they reinstalled the old tensioner on a new belt, start saving, that tensioner will fail soon.

I completely understand the $$$ thing, it seems problems hit when you don't have the extra funds. It's like the vehicles just KNOW, and I swear they gang up.

I wish you could luck - did your sound improve??

[JonBarrett]

The sound does start off ticking lightly but then gets progressively worse over time. But like I mentioned earlier sometimes it just stops and goes away and then comes back. I really don't know how to explain it. Only when it comes back as a fast ticking sound it only gets louder and louder to an almost banging/knocking noise. Just like you guys described the tensioner sounds. I might as well get the tensioner/timingbelt and waterpump replaced. I'm doing it this weekend and well let you know the outcome.
Thanks for the help.

[Ramblin Fever]

Make SURE to do the waterpump as well, TRUST me, you don't want to tear it down twice within a short time. Use an OEM timing belt or a Gates belt, those are the only two I would trust.

Oh, while you're there, be sure to replace any coolant hoses you can get your hands on, i.e. upper/lower hose, little by-pass 90 degree hose, oil cooler to engine block hose - trust me, they fail at the worst times!

Another caution as well, give a thorough check of your heater core hoses if they are original (back against the firewall, passanger side). These are a pain to replace, but if they're original, like mine were up til 3 weeks ago, they're shot.

Napa has a lot of these hoses, but generally doesn't have them in stock, have to be ordered, otherwise the dealer is your best bet. The heater core hoses were the most expensive, all the others were fairly cheap, and of course, they're all premolded.

[JonBarrett]

Hey guys , another disappointing development...
I took my Rodeo to my mechanic to get the Timing Belt, TB Tensioner and Water pump replaced the first thing he did was look at the oil once he heard the sound. THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE FROM THE DIPSTICK. He asked me if I had checked the oil , I told him I had just changed the oil two weeks ago. And checked it the saturday after. Fourteen days and the oil is at the bottom of the engine. He says it could be my oil pump? He told me to take it home after he filled it up with oil and then to bring it back this weekend as he will need to take it apart to check the problem.
What do you guys think? I know I do not have an oil leak, as my car is kept in the garage overnight and I would have definately noticed. I just changed my oil two weeks ago and filled it up and have checked the level after driving it. What else could this be? Could this be what is causing the knocking sound?

Jonathan

[surferfletch]

Common for these engines to consume oil. I check mine a couple of times a week. That may have been responsible for the noises you heard. Have they gone away? I know my engine tended to tick if it was low on oil or was approaching its next oil change. Maybe you've solved it!

[surferfletch]

You never got an oil light? I'll bet it's not the pump.

[Ramblin Fever]

How many miles had you driven in 14 days?

Actually, I've heard the opposite of Surferfletch, the 91-97 yrs use "some" oil, i.e. 1 qt/1k miles, but i've never heard of those years sucking their sumps completely dry.

The 98+yrs are highly known for this issue however.

Sorry, I didn't think to mention for you to check your oil level, thought it was something you were already on top of.

I only check mine once every week, and/or right before and during an over 400 mile trip. But my truck has never used any oil in between oil changes.

Doubt that it's the oil pump, as if it was failing, you'd still have oil in the sump - least I would think??

[Ramblin Fever]

Just out of curiousity sake, are you sure that engine is the original one?

[surferfletch]

Agreed. I lose about a quart between 3K changes... Gotta check it often no matter what engine you've got!

Keep a rag tucked away somewhere in the engine bay. It literally takes one minute to check it.

[JonBarrett]

It is definately the original engine , no question. The oil light never comes on at all. I have driven approx. 347 miles since my oil change, which isn't a lot really. Will be taking it in this weekend to the mechanic to see what he finds, the problem is whenever I take it in they charge me to look at it. So I 'm just hoping it can be fixed b/c I do like the truck. Anyhow yesterday infront of Albertsons while shopping there was another Rodeo parked with the same noise but not as bad ticking as mine. I spoke to the owner about it, he said his sucks down oil as well and he keeps extra in the truck to keep filling it up, when telling him my problem and what I have tried he said it could be my seals ? Don't really know what he was talking about but he also said that when he sees the 1996 model he hears the same noise on most of these trucks. I will keep you posted. Thanks for the reply.
Jonathan

[Ramblin Fever]

You know what, climb under that truck towards the backside of the front tires, and take a good look at your rear main seal, as well as your oil filter, and the whole underside of the engine - it's possible you're losing oil only while driving and thus you wouldn't see any *big* drips on your garage floor.

My Toyota's doing this right now, and there's NEVER a drip on my driveway, but the whole undercarriage at the rear main is caked in leaking oil.

Also, pop your radiator cap - engine cold, take a good look at the color of the antifreeze.

Agreed, in that small amount of mileage, you should have a completely full sump.

I've always carried an extra quart of oil in every vehicle I own, you just never know.

[SealBeachWaterman]

Have a 1996 Rodeo LS, Has a small water leak on the inside of Car. The dripping is on the passengers side of car.

[FL 3.2L]

It would be best to start a new thread.

1) If it is coolant (sweet smell), your heater core is bad and needs to be replaced.

2) What it sounds like, though, is your a/c drain line, found on the passenger side of the engine compartment at the firewall, is clogged and needs to be cleaned out. Is it just water and not coolant?

[poo 95 rodeo]

i have a ticker, most people with rodeos ask me if its normal. for me and most that i have heard its perfectly normal. if it stops completly WORRY. hahaha
if its the tensioner its loud but more of a slaping sound. put hand on timing belt cover while running(i have to say this) please be carful of the fan.if its the tentioner you will feel it. a nother test to see if it is a lifter or (hla)
while runing let a dollor bill or notebook paper lay over the exaust. if it trys to suck it up on a couple of rotations its not hitting on a cylinder