>>>>>>Here's an update on the situation..well after towing it from my original mechanics shop straight to an isuzu dealership...this is what happened

Well after the help of a couple members on this board,(CPOM , Canuckhead, HunterD, and Eric) u guys saved me $2,500 - $3,500, or a $4000 new engine and future cost from my "crooked" (charged me $317 for some tensioner pulleys that didnt need replacing stated by dealer and $200 labor),idiotic mechanic who originally diagnosed the "internal engine damage" problem.

The original mechanic told and showed me there was no compression in the engine, wouldn't crank, but in actuality he took out the spark plugs (said by dealer mechanic when they were inspecting the rodeo) so the engine wouldn't fire up when he would demonstrate it to me not starting, thus no compression and would explain his reasoning for internal engine damage (possibility of bent pistons/valves he said).

Really Sad too cause i really liked and trusted my mechanic, whom i've sent alot of business to in the past . NOT ANYMORE!

As u guys recommended i got a second opinion from my isuzu dealer and they told me it was just the timing belt that needed to be replaced and that there was no internal damage or need for repair other parts.

Cost from dealer, about $500 bucks after all is said and done(labor,belt and whatever else im forgetting they did), and the Rodeo runs better now than before she died on me just a couple of days ago.

Again Thank You Guys SOO much for the helpful and heeded advice and intelligent people on this informative board Without sounding too corny if haven't been already, It's just great that there are some people in the world u can trust,without alternate motivations. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

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Ok i've got a tough decision to make with my Rodeo. Let me give you some background on this truck. 95.5 4x4 209k miles V6 Manual Rodeo.

It currently has 209,000 miles on the engine and body(body is in ok condition). Oil Change Regularly. It ran perfectly before the engine quit on me 2 days ago because of(before this happened, it was making this ticking noise) a broken
tensioner thingamajiggy pulley,replace header, no compression, bent piston ??rod blah, blah(don't rememeber the technical terms my mechanic explained to me(yes i have no clue about engines <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />)

Anyways long story short, it's going to cost $2,500-$3,500 to get the truck repaired. Question is should I?

A. Spend $2500-3500 and Repair the engine, keep the same 200k mile truck, and hope nothing goes wrong with it too soon.

B. Rebuild engine, that has 209K miles.

C. Swap with new 99-03 v6 rodeo engine (don't know cost wise or where to get engine? or if this is feasible?)

D. Part out the rodeo and sell parts through ebay, and Buy a new or used truck w/ proceeds and some extra cash to have more miles to drive with a semi used or new car? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Which of these do u guys think is the better route? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Thnx for your opinions


Wil

Another question, are rebuilt engines going to last just as good as a new one? or should be weary of getting a rebuilt engine?

Any good places to order an engine?

Thnx

Here is my $.02:

If you have owned the truck and put at least the majority of the miles on it, at least you know the finer points of that truck in particular. Also, I would venture to say that it is paid for. Sucks about the tensioner and the interference motor and all, and killing it. The tensioner is a common failure on the 3.2 V6.

If it was me, I would have to decide if I really wanted a newer truck, and shop around. For $3000 plus the sale of the parts, you could probably get a decent rig and be just fine, or you could replace the engine and get yours going again. Depending on the rebuilder, a rebuilt is almost as good as new if you ask me.

If it makes any difference, if I blew the engine in my trooper, I would put another one right back in it and keep going down the road.

Good luck, and do what makes you the happiest <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thnx for your input.

yea, forgot to mention the truck was mine since it was brand new and was well taken care of, and it's paid for.

I assume you have a single overhead cam engine. I could be wrong, but I dont think swapping in a 98+ engine is feasible since it is a Double overhead cam engine (DOHC). I assume the engine wiring is different.

Some things I would suggest:

Parting out the truck or selling it 'as is' is not going to be a whole lot of money. Expect to get little return on that. Isuzu's terrible resale value and low demand for used parts are working against you here.

if you have the cash, and I were you, I'd look for another Rodeo. Like I said resale value can work in your favor for picking up another one pretty cheap. You can get a 98+ on ebay for under 7k.

my .02

i don't know if your engine is the isuzu 3.2l, but if it is, i thought it was a non-interference engine. you might want to get a second opinion. just a thought. good luck, taro

"Non-inteference engine" , sorry i don't really know what that term means? is that in reference to the 3.2l engine, mine is a 3.2l not the ones in the 96 when they bumped up the hp. I know mine has the 175hp engine.

so i guess a swap to a 99 and above isn't going to happen.

Anybody know of some good isuzu engine rebuilders?

thnx

Wil

It doesn't matter if you have the 175 hp or 195 hp SOHC 3.2L. Both are non-interference engines. If the timing belt breaks on a non-interference engine, there is enough clearance between the pistons and valves to prevent damaging contact. An interference engine does not have sufficient clearance between those parts and engine damage would result from a broken timing belt.

I agree with taro that you should probably get a second opinion.

Steve, are you sure our engines are non-interference?
I've talked to quite fiew guys (including Merlin @ St. Charles) and all of them told me 3.2 SOHC is an interference engine.

Just wanna know if i'll have big problems if me tensioner breaks (it has kept me worrying for a long time).

http://www.lambsauto.com/belts.htm

http://www.gates.com/downloads/down...amp;CFID=879942&CFTOKEN=98778551

These are just a couple of places where the 3.2L and 3.5L are listed as being non-interference (asterix denotes interference engine).