Car Dying While I Am Driving It Help Asap!!!

[ANGEL61082]

hey everyone! Here is the situation. I have a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS with about 90,000 miles on it. I havent had too much problems with it, except for the check engine light ALWAYS being on, until recently. Over the past two months, when I start my car, it will die immediately. I then have to restart it a few times and even rev the engine to keep it running. Then, the past two weeks, it has actually died on me while I am driving it on the road. I then have to pull over, put it in park and restart it. I had someone look at it and they said that I have a leak in my vacuum system. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem or something similar and if this sounds like it is the problem. I also wanted to know how serious this is and about how much this costs to fix. I just got the car in Nov so Im wondering if it is even worth it to fix. I like the car and havent really had any other problems!! Also, Im a girl so please make it understandable!!!!! Thanks so much!!!!

[amigo-2k]

If you have an Autozone in your area you can have the codes (Check Engine Light records a code to help point you to the problem) read to try to determine what your problem is.

Your problem sounds like the classic leaky intake manifold gasket. Costs about 20 (or is it 40?) for the gaskets and 250-350 to have it install. But still get your codes read (or buy a code reader for 50-100 bucks). See the FAQ's for detailed info on this problem.

2nd, since you are a new owner I would HIGHLY recomend you check your oil every other fill up. These trucks sometimes have issues with using oil. Also, make sure you change the oil every 3k OR SOONER.

[ANGEL61082]

Well They Already Did Hook My Car Up To The Machine And Checked The Codes. Unfortunately, My Cousin Is The One Who Took My Car In And He Didnt Write Down What The Codes Were. He Just Told Me That Three Of The Codes Were Referring To A Problem With The Vacuum System, And The Guy Checked And Said It Wasnt A Hole In The Hose. Thats All I Know!!! Any Advice??

[amigo-2k]

take it back and get the codes.

[ANGEL61082]

so no one else has ever had this problem?????

[amigo-2k]

Will out the codes we can only guess.

The #1 most common place for a vaccum leak (and the #1 most common problem on +98 Isuzu's) is from the intake manafold gasket (see the FAQ's).

The gasket costs about 40 dollars and most shops will charge 200-400 dollars to replace.

The codes help to narrow down the problem, otherwise you will are just randomly replacing parts.

[Claire1973]

Check out my post on 04-30-2005 titled "Air mass meter/air flow meter/dishonest mechanic".
Does this sound like the same problem? (aside from the dishonest mechanic)
I am bringing in the car today to have the codes checked again.

[Cat Fuzz]

Originally Posted by ANGEL61082

so no one else has ever had this problem?????

Intake leaks are somewhat common. The only problem is, its a labor intensive repair.

[Joihan777]

Hi Angel,
Just a simple idea.... when your truck
died while driving, did the power go out?
I ask because that happened to me once
and it was simply a loose negative battery
cable. Fixed in two minutes. The car was
a Dodge Caravan (never again).
On that same vehicle I could bypass the MAP
sensor (temporarily) and there would be no
problems, then I reconnected it and have major
stuttering... el cheapo diagnosis done. I also
completely hand made a vacuum loom with
generic tubes from Kragen. Easy to do as long
as you label EVERYTHING and copy the original
design exactly (ounce of prevention...).
Hope this gives you some ideas.
Good Luck,
johann