Jerry:
I own a 2002 Trooper with 20K miles on it. I run 5W30 Mobil1 and change oil/filter every 3K miles. Depending upon my driving habits during the 3K miles, I will consume anywhere between 3/4 and 1 Quart of Mobil 1. Admittedly, that isn't horrible, but it isn't "perfect" either. My question is: Is there a way for me to confirm if my specific engine has the new piston redesign? Is it possible for me to take the engine serial number and determine this with Isuzu? I plan on owning my Troop for the looooooong haul; it drives me crazy not knowing whether I have the redesigned pistons or not <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ... Fred.

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yes just check the pcv vlv it should be a screw in style, instead of the push in , type if so, you no doubt have the new eng, and that is not bad oil usage at all , i use staight dino grease of 5-30 and it do,s not use oil at all, previous eng at 58000 mi started using oil at the rate of about 1 qt per 800 miles , since eng change ---OO--.we think we have had oil problems just talked to a friend of mine a a very large caddy dlr and he say they are having a big prob, with the north star engines using oil and GM will not fix them untill they go below the 1000 mile per qt mark,, good luck with your truck just keep the oil changed and the filter a good brand and the pcv vlv every 25-30 thousand miles and you should be fine Jerry

Thanks for the info! I'm shopping for a new(used, low-mileage) engine. I'd love a 3.5, but I was worried about oil consumption. Now I know what to look for. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've worked for BMW dealer for 21 years and BMW says 1qt useage for every 800 miles is normal, been like that for years i think it's a lot more common with manufacturs than they would like the public to know about. Don

Same deal with Mercedes-Benz. They do not consider a qt. every 800 mi. to be an issue. Many dealers won't budge until you're using a qt. every 600 or <. It's just a matter of time before this mind-set finds it's way to all mfgs.

http://isuzufaq.ibctech.ca/#faq82

added it and also put some info in the oil useage faq link too.

Thanks Jerry!! Your knowledge and insight is extremely valuable to the rest of us Trooper owners. Wish I could buy you a cold beer, but that is impossible to do from up here in Vermont. Please accept this <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> as a very poor alternative! Thanks again ... Fred.