As with all other 98-99 Rodeo models, my 98 Isuzu Rodeo (78 K, 2WD) has been using some oil... Through searching this forum, I decided to get something done to reduce it. At this point I would like to ask your opinion for the following items and the price that Isuzu dealer quoted.

1. Replace the PCV valve - $66.30 (including parts)
2. Clean the EGR valve, tube and passages - $85
3. Decarbonization cleaning to take care of carbon residues, etcà - $174

Are these reasonable prices for the services above? Unfortunately, I am not a ôdo it yourselfö type of guy, so thatÆs not an option.
How about taking the truck to other shops? Are the items outlined above can be done ôsafelyö in locations like PepBoys, Firestone, etc for less?
Thanks very much for your replies in advance!

My take, FWIW, is that the EGR cleaning price sounds very reasonable, especially for a dealer.

That PCV price is just plain nuts. At most it should take 15 minutes to pop the old one out and a new one in. Typically the valves don't need replacement, just spraying with some carb cleaner. Even if they need replacement they are under $10.

The last job may be overkill as I doubt your are that full of carbon. Lots of dealers tend to oversell this cleaning service. That being said, if you need it and it is done right it can be a worthwhile $100 or so job. However, given that PCV price it makes me wonder if they won't just pour a can of cleaner in your gas tank and tell you to drive around. I suggest you first add a can of Techron cleaner into the gas tank yourself and see if that cleans things up. You might also add some Seafoam into your oil just before your next oil change as that will also get carbon out of your engine.

To answer your other question any shop should be able to do the work.

I just did the seafoam treatment. You can find this product in your local parts (auotzone) type store. Just before you take your ride to the shop for an oil change add about a quarter can to your oil (pour directly into the opening where you add oil). Next drive to the shop and have your oil changed, don't wait a day or anything. You only need to drive about 2-3 miles to get some good results. On your PCV valve it is located in the valve covers on the drivers side of your engine. It will have a hose coming off of it and going to the center/front part of your intake on top of the motor. It is a small plastic 'L' shaped part and just pulls out and pushes back in to replace. I just replaced it on my 99 Rodeo. The part was $2-3.00 and is not even made with $66 dollars of plastic, YOU can do this yourself <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Good Luck!

Tim B.
99 Rodeo

Where are you located? If you put your location in your sig. or under your screen name I'm sure someone is near you that could help you out. That price for the PCV valve is 10 times too high. I would even say the price for the egr cleaning is high.

This is just because I know I can do both of them in 30 minutes cleanup included. I would say you don't need the third item you mention.

Just food for thought, people always talk about running fuel stuff through the tank to "clean carbon". You have a lot of carbon build up in the intake and throttle body area and nothing short of taking the intake tube loose and spraying into the intake manifold will get this area clean. Remember, your injectors is where you put the fuel in. Your upper manifold never sees gas.

And just so you know I don't have any oil usage problems, nor do I have the ticking a lot of people have, nor does mine ping if I use 87 octane gas. Mine must have been built on a Wednesday. That or it knows it has a Honda badge on it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Sorry for the "location" info... I just add that to my profile - newbie mistake <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
I am in California (live in Long Beach, work in LA).
Thanks for your advise. I will replace the PCV valve by myself I think I know what it is now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
As for #2 and #3, I will do more research and see what "exactly" dealer is offering to do...
Thanks!

Plus, Alldata online should have alot of this (i think in particular the PCV valve change) documented, just go to your local library to check it out (i just learned about this, wayyy cool <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)

Santi

Your PCV valve is on the front of the drivers side valve cover. You can take the engine cover (pulls right off) off, and it's got a squeeze type hose clamp on it. Pull the hose and PCV valve out of the rubber grommet and then get the valve off the end of the hose. Put a new one on.

It's pretty simple, 65 for that. No thanks.

Alright... I called the dealer again today and asked if all #1, 2 and 3 were done together, whether it would make any difference in terms of what I was quoted yesterday. Well, apparently there is no "labor overlap" between all three items. Yeah right!

So, I will replace PCV valve myself.

Apparently as part of the decarb service, they hook "something" to the fuel line and flash all the carbons, as well as manually clean the necessary components. It is not just pouring a gas treatment to the tank Should I still go for this for $174? EGR cleaning and decarb service together will cost me $260. I DO want to keep my truck for another 78K (heck until it dies on me). If this will be something beneficial in the long run, I wont hesitate doing it...

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

I'm no mechanic, or at least not a professional one, but I just did all those items myself today and it was no big deal. The PCV cost me $4 at the local parts store along with another $3 for a can of carb cleaner. Make sure you get carb cleaner safe for O2 sensors. I used a can of valvoline brand. It didn't have a plastic sprayer tube (the red thing on most aerosol cans) which would have made spraying out the EGR easier. Anyway, I used an snake-type brush to clean out the EGR pipe in the manifold and then removed the EGR valve itself and sprayed it out. My 2000 Rodeo had quite a bit of thick carbon deposits in it. Suprisingly though, I haven't had more than a quart of oil useage between changes unless I take along highway trip (300+ miles). Here's a write-up to do the EGR and carbon cleaning yourself.

http://geocities.com/endre_rl/isuzufaq.htm

Good luck,

Rob <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the replies. Very helpful!!!
I replaced the PCV valve (with an Isuzu part). Per recommendations of the people on this board, I also used Sea Foam... Added 1/2 can to the fuel tank and 1/2 can to the oil (drove around ~3-4 miles and had an oil change).
Apparently, there is one more place that Sea Foam can be applied: While reading the instructions on the web page for the Sea Foam, it says that "With engine warm, slowly pour 1/3 to 1/2 pint through carburetor or throttle body throat. If vehicle is port injected slowly pour SEA FOAM through direct manifold vacuum line that will feed all cylinders, possible sources are P.C.V. valve or brake booster line". So in my Rodeo, where do I feed this from? The PCV valve?
Any other recommendations/suggestions for the use of Sea Foam through injection would be appreciated.
Thanks!