28th Feb 2008, 20:27

Express lube tech here.

I was curious to do some research after seeing on average 4 different Isuzu troopers and axiums a month (every month!) come in for a top off. Each one with somewhere between 45-70xxx miles on it. Yesterday I had one that had it's oil changed 2,000 miles prior and was alarmed when I had to add 4qts of oil to it. On average I'm adding between 2-4qts of oil every 1-2,xxx miles.

Other than checking the oil on a regular basis, has anyone found a possible solution to this issue? I would really like to be able to pass on a possible solution to my customers.

29th Feb 2008, 13:59

I am sorry to hear everyone has had difficulty with their Rodeo. I have a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS, with 170,000 miles on it - runs like a charm. The most reliable vehicle I've ever had.

I've had to replace a few things over the years: the fuel gage module (inside the tank), the starter, manifold intake gasket - and a few other items. Have had absolutely NO problems with it burning / using oil more quickly than expected. I guess I feel like the maintenance $$ I've put into the truck is fair considering the mileage I've gotten out of it.

I will retire my Rodeo before too long for something newer, but as good / reliable as it's been for me, I'll probably purchase an Ascender.

Sorry, I know this isn't what you like to hear when you're on the opposite end of the spectrum - just wanted to share that I've had good luck with my Rodeo.

4th Mar 2008, 09:20

I purchased a 1999 Rodeo LS. It's a real pretty truck, and it was well taking care of before I bought it.

The owner told me that the check engine light came on, so before I bought it I checked out what would have made the light came on, and found out that just about everyone has been saying the same thing about the light. The thing I did was to research it on Google; God I love Google. Everyone had the same problem; it was the ERG valve. I brought it down to Autozone, had them hook it up to their computer for free, and the code came back as EGR valve. It cost $158. I told the owner what it was and it only took about 5 minutes to replace. Even my grandmother could've changed it instead of paying God knows how much at a auto repair shop.

Do yourself a favor and try to research as much as you can, and bring it down to Autozone.

By the way, my 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS has twice the power and better gas mileage as it did before I bought it.

10th Mar 2008, 17:55

I own 99MY LSE. Here is my story

Fuel gauge reads empty : Had to have dealership replace the fuel sensor around 60K miles. They said it was intermittent resistive element in the sensor. Reading all the comments I see here, Now I recognized this is not an isolated incident.. New gasoline formula (which has been introduced in the last decade or so) must be eating up the sensor contact. If this assumption is correct, the situation may vary from the state to state (as gasoline additive requirements are varied)

Oil consumption : Engine started to consume a lot of oils. Local quick lube recommended flushing the engine and then use heavier oil. That stopped the issue. I did not see oil light come on early as usual, until I blew the engine.

Engine shot : Partially I feel responsible for this, because oil light did start blinking and then stayed on, in a very short time. So something catastrophic should have happened. I should have stopped. However, because I get used to see the oil light so often, I kept driving, thinking another couple of miles should be OK. Well it was not OK. Now I had to replace the engine at 120K miles.

Morale of the story : Use heavier oil (5w50) so that you should not be adding the oil so frequently, but if you hear the noise and see the oil light coming on, stop the engine immediately, have it towed to the nearest service shop! That action should save you few thousand bucks!

12th Mar 2008, 23:31

I've had two Rodeos (1994 and 1999 LSE) and both burned about a quart every 1000 miles. Luckily I've never had them get past two quarts low. The 1999 has 165K on it and I was losing mileage (16-17 mpg) and added a quart of Quaker State with Slick 50 and noticed the mileage jumped back up to 19 mpg. Thinking a little was good, more would be better, I used the QS/Slick 50 entirely at its next oil change. Almost immediately the mpg dropped to 16 mpg and sometimes I get 14 mpg. I recently changed the plugs as they were fouled (too hot) but didn't notice much of difference I'm mpg. I finally got around to changing the PCV valve and we shall see if that helps. It was stuck with sludge.

I've replaced shocks a few times, but it never seems to stiffen the ride. I can rock the truck with the slightest about of pressure at the roof. Is there something else that would need replacing? (My 1994 Rodeo had a much better ride, especially after I added a leaf spring).

On the 1999 (165K miles) I've had the following issues:

Burns oil.

CD changer not able to read CDs. First it was one disk (5) then eventually all. (Not repaired)

Pulley seized (never ever happens according to dealer) on serpentine belt, causing belt to snap.

Mounting bracket for serpentine belt pulley broke, causing belt to snap again.

Fan Clutch needed replacing.

A/C not working. Bad expansion valve. $100 part, but under dashboard requiring 3 hours of labor! $500... (Not repaired)

Rear ABS sensor bad. (Not replaced)

I have replaced the water pump, timing chain and radiator as well. The former were preventive and the latter was due to poking a hole in it.

21st Mar 2008, 19:16

I just bought a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo LS with 159,000 miles. I have noticed a rattling sound from speeds of 20 to 30 mph; then it smooths out. However, at speeds of 55 and above the rattling sounds returns. I am wondering if this is my transmission. After stopping once or twice, I noticed that the car jerked into gear. I took it to the local mechanic and they said that the transmission was in good shape. Should I take the car to local Isuzu dealership? I have had the serpentine belt replaced, along with a clock-spring in the steering wheel. Anyone with any suggestions, please contact me at gerald_maron@yahoo.com.