Wanting to tackle tb and wp

billindelicato · #1 09-26-2007, 09:33 AM

Well the weekend is upon us and id really love to start this project as i dont have the 900.00 to spend to have it done and at 127000 i think its time! is there a step by step faq for replacing the timing belt and waterpump? if so can someone please direct me to it. Thanks! My specs are in my sig 97 rodeo...etc.

pharm_rodeo · #2 09-26-2007, 10:30 PM

I can't help you since I don't own a manual for the '97. I believe Surferfletch and a couple of others have done their own.

Have you tired searching here and the other sites?

Ramblin Fever · #3 09-27-2007, 07:42 AM

Make ABSOLUTE certain you also replace your timing belt TENSIONER, or you will be returning to the duty in short order. It's the tensioner that commonly fails before the actual belt does.

Also, you are far better off using actual Isuzu parts, especially for the belt. As the marks on other belts have been known to be off, causing issues.

Honestly, last year, when my waterpump failed, it was -20F outside, I didn't have a garage the Rodeo would fit in, nor the time for down time. I had a long time mechanic friend do the whole package, plus many extra items since he was right there anyways. My cost was slightly over $1k, but I had her back the next day.

billindelicato · #4 09-27-2007, 09:20 AM

well i got the parts from st charles cost just over 500 for the parts ugh...and i have half the front of the engine tore out...just waiting on the rain to stop so i can finish it up...i did some research on this yesterday seeing as how it was raining the better part of the day...my next step in the process is taking off the pulley...doesnt look like too bad a job as i have an impact wrench...stupid rain! if i had the extra money to spend my mechanic said he would do it all for 900 including new hoses and such i just didnt have the extra money so im chalking this up as a huge learning experience...im only replacing the upper and lower hoses as everything else was changed out not that long ago. Im praying this makes the diesel sound go away otherwise i just may have to take her out back and shooter. On a happier note a neighbor has a 97 passport for sale for 1000 obo with only 67000 miles on it and has had the belt done with docs to prove it...and the body looks mint. (garage kept) i guess he is selling it for an estate settlement...i told him i got first dibs and he said its yours if you want it. wish me luck as the rain may stop by tomorrow!

FL 3.2L · #5 09-27-2007, 04:25 PM

I'd fly up for that deal. Where are you???

billindelicato · #6 09-28-2007, 10:50 AM

cheektowaga ny

billindelicato · #7 10-15-2007, 05:28 PM

ok i am back sorry for the delay my back and the weather have not been cooperating very much lately...i ran into a problem...i got all the parts...start getting everything assembled and now i cant get the tensioner on...the piston will not go down to get it in...am i missing something?

FL 3.2L · #8 10-15-2007, 09:49 PM

It takes a good deal of force to push that piston back in. Are you reusing the old one? If so, you have to force it in, hold it with a piece of wire in the hole, mount it, then pull the wire out.

If you have a new one, that wire should have already been in place, and you pull it after getting the tensioner mounted.

boritz · #9 10-15-2007, 10:09 PM

Like FL 3.2L says ^.

Use a G-clamp, bench-vise or similar to compress the piston.

Tom01Rodeo · #10 10-16-2007, 01:35 AM

I'm going after my TB this weekend. I bought all brand name aftermarket parts for just over $300. This isn't including the 2 idler pulleys for the timing belt. Do you think these will be ok to reuse? I had to replace the idler on my civic's TB, but it had 160K + miles on it, my Rodeo has 105K. The parts I bought also include the fan belt and tensioner for it.

billindelicato · #11 10-16-2007, 08:17 AM

ok so i tried pressing down by hand on a bench and that was a no go...i dont have any clamps large enough to try it so ill go and pick one up today...should i just bite the bullet and just replace it and not even hassle with the old one? also i noticed a lot of spin in my old pulleys and almost no spin in the new ones...good? yes yes?

billindelicato · #12 10-16-2007, 10:04 AM

ok being short on cash i went with a hunch...i went and got a 5" clamp and compressed the piston down...i then released it and sure enough it came right back up with no hesitation...after several tests i can deem this part as good?

FL 3.2L · #13 10-16-2007, 02:58 PM

It's good now, but you see how much work it is to get in there. Might save you a headache and more money down the road to do it now.

As far as the pulleys go, I changed mine out for the same reason. Others say they'd only replace the pulleys if they didn't look good at the time of the swap.

billindelicato · #14 10-18-2007, 07:52 PM

the good news: parts are installed...everything is buttoned up...
the bad news: started up first time with no hesitation but after about 10 seconds its started to pop and smelled like it was running real rich. i shut it off...started again on first try...then started making a poping sound again help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FL 3.2L · #15 10-18-2007, 09:29 PM

Make sure everything is right. First outside the covers. Then you'll have to take the covers off and recheck the timing. Did you mark and match the belt?

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