Misc. Problems

[jag1200r]

Problem A. Cruise control will not hold speed. When set it will drop 3 mph and then accelerate back to the speed chosen. I don't know why any thoughts?

Problem B. Noisy valve train. The lifters have a hell of a tick. I changed the oil today. I filled it up with Casterol GTX 10-30 with one quart of Lucas oil stabilizer. The tick has subsided I would say at least 90% but you still hear it just a little. Is this a Rodeo 3.2L issue?

Problem C. The check engine light came on and would go off when you came to a stop. Then when you would accelerate it would come back on. I killed the engine and it did not come back on. Whats up with that?

Problem D. I pulled the plugs and it had a great burn with no evidence of blowby. Above the spark plugs in the tube there was a collection of oil in every single tube. How hard is it to fix this on your own?

Keep in mind this vehicle runs great and does not smoke with no oil leaks. I took a trip this morning and I refilled the tank. I was averaging 17MPG. I guess a 95.5 with 124000 miles that is pretty good. I like my Rodeo but I want to fix the little problems. Oh yeah any specific areas to look for body squeaks? Thanks

[Ramblin Fever]

Welcome to the Isuzu world! I LOVE mine.

Problem A = NORMAL

Problem B = Do NOT use Lucas additives, or ANY additives in your oil in this engine, does not do anything beneficial and actually eats up the good properties of the oil's lubrication ability.

Highly recommend to use Rotella 15w-40, if your everyday temps stay above 45F, if not, use Rotella synthetic 5w-40 diesel/gasoline oil. This oil REALLY does help to clean out the oil passages, just takes time.

Do NOT be using a Fram filter, or any filter found at Walmart on this engine. You need to use a K&N, Wix, Napa Gold, etc. any of the really good reputable filters. The filter alone has been known to cause tapping in this engine.

Yes, the 3.2L's are very notorious for tapping if they've been previously neglected in terms of time oil change intervals, i.e. EVERY 3k for this engine.

Oil on the spark plugs is probably due to leaking valve cover gaskets, another normal thing on this truck.

[Gizmo42]

The ticking is because of the hydraulic lash adjusters. If they get any crud in them, or varnish, or low pressure they will tick. Mitsubishi has the same design and they all tick. As ramblin said, rotella oil and a good filter will help take care of it. I just got used to it with my mitsu.

Take it to auto zone and get the CEL code read, the computer will have it stored, they will do it for free. Tell us the code and we can help diagnose, otherwise its all just guessing.

Oil in the plug tubes means the gaskets for them are leaking. I believe you need to remove the intake manifold to get the valve covers off on 1st gens but I'm not positive, never done one.

[klvaleri]

what about this combination Rotella synthetic 5w-40 with Purolator PureOne. Mine ticking so loud. Is there any stuff out there that could clean any crud or varnish in them. I would do any thing to fix these two problems I have ticking and oil consumption on my Rodeo about 140K now. Thanks.

[jag1200r]

OK to all answers. The check engine light stayed off all day and when riding home from the gym it did the exact same thing an hour ago. Come on at night then go off when you stop.

[FL 3.2L]

To get rid of the oil in the spark plug tubes you have to get the valve cover gaskets and the spark plug tube rings. You'll need the IMG gaskets, too, because you aren't getting to the passenger side valve cover without the intake off. I redid the right without taking the intake off, though. Easy stuff, but time consuming.

As above, the tick will haunt you if you don't change the oil at 3K and use a good filter. I have heard some LOUD ticking in the McDonald's drive through!!

[jag1200r]

Well like I said before the ticking has subsided. I can't see ditching the fram filter and oil since I just changed it. But I will. Well the check engine light is funny. I can tell you when I changed the plugs the other day I pulled off the air box hose to intake. It started after this. But I drove the thing 40 miles today with no light then all of the sudden this afternoon light again.... I have to get the light checked but I haven't had the chance yet. I feel it must be some stupid code that means nothing.

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by klvaleri

what about this combination Rotella synthetic 5w-40 with Purolator PureOne. Mine ticking so loud. Is there any stuff out there that could clean any crud or varnish in them. I would do any thing to fix these two problems I have ticking and oil consumption on my Rodeo about 140K now. Thanks.

How LONG have you been running the Rotella??

If that engine is cruddy, it could take several oci's before the ticking gets better, IF there's no internal damage.

If there's internal damage from too thickly clogged oil passages leading to starvation in other parts of the engine, then there IS nothing that will fix the issue without a rebuild.

From my experience, PureONE is a fantastic oil filter, but I found the flow rate too restrictive with a thick oil such as the Rotella, on your next oci, try the Rotella with a napa gold or K&N and see what you think.

[jag1200r]

Oh yeah, what is "IMG" gaskets? Just wondering since I don't want to pull the intake.

[FL 3.2L]

Intake manifold gaskets. You need to replace them if you pull the intake. They break easily and give you a nasty vac leak. The intake manifold bolts are torqued lightly to avoid breaking them on installation.

[FL 3.2L]

They sit above the openings stuffed with paper towels.

[jag1200r]

Well for those who said check on the check engine light at autozone. I did and the computer has stored no code. Its like it deletes it when the truck is shut down. Whats up with that?

[klvaleri]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

How LONG have you been running the Rotella??

If that engine is cruddy, it could take several oci's before the ticking gets better, IF there's no internal damage.

If there's internal damage from too thickly clogged oil passages leading to starvation in other parts of the engine, then there IS nothing that will fix the issue without a rebuild.

From my experience, PureONE is a fantastic oil filter, but I found the flow rate too restrictive with a thick oil such as the Rotella, on your next oci, try the Rotella with a napa gold or K&N and see what you think.

Well, right now i am running rinse phase for auto RX. I didn't know any different on it. I have been on Rotella for a while but didn't any different may be my internal was bad but willing to try any thing that could fix it without a rebuild. I tried NAPA gold and K&N and now PureOne a lot cheaper than the rest. There are some member mention that NAPA gold not good for our truck. If you further more suggestions please tell. Thanks.

[FL 3.2L]

Originally Posted by klvaleri

There are some member mention that NAPA gold not good for our truck.

I run only the NAPA Gold filter with ticking ONLY if the truck doesn't make it back to my garage at 3K for its oil change. It came back to me today running as smooth and strong as ever!

[Ramblin Fever]

Hmm, ya, I've never had a problem with Napa Gold either.