YACT: Isuzu Rodeo V6 problems

[Scarpozzi]

My boss has a 1995 Rodeo 75k miles on it...it's been running rough for the past few weeks so he took it to a few shops. One told him to go to the dealer and suggest a diagnostic test. He's doing that, but they're telling him it'll cost him just under a grand to fix the problems. First off, they told him he needs new plug wires and plugs and that he's got a leak in his valve seals. How can he confirm that the valve seals are leaking? I'm assuming there's a lot of buildup on the plugs, but I'm wondering if he should just have them fix the valve seals and do the rest on his own to save cash. Suggestions, comments? Thanks-

 

[Scarpozzi]

*bump

 

[Quixfire]

Contaminated spark plugs are on sign of bad valve guide seals. Fluctuating vacuum at idle is another one.

Has the vehicle been using oil?

 

[rh71]

Hey I have a 95 Isuzu Rodeo with 75k miles on it too. No problems to report... except I need to change those damn belts soon I guess...

Oh wait, you didn't care.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: rh71
Hey I have a 95 Isuzu Rodeo with 75k miles on it too. No problems to report... except I need to change those damn belts soon I guess...

Oh wait, you didn't care.

I do care... I think maintenance is important...plus I prefer to do all the work myself when possible.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Contaminated spark plugs are on sign of bad valve guide seals. Fluctuating vacuum at idle is another one.

Has the vehicle been using oil?

It has had a known leak for a while. He's already committed now and told them to go ahead. Maybe I'm cheap, but I wouldn't have let them do everything...I would have saved the easy stuff for myself to do to save cash. Oh well...

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Contaminated spark plugs are on sign of bad valve guide seals. Fluctuating vacuum at idle is another one.

Has the vehicle been using oil?

It has had a known leak for a while. He's already committed now and told them to go ahead. Maybe I'm cheap, but I wouldn't have let them do everything...I would have saved the easy stuff for myself to do to save cash. Oh well...

Most valve stems seals are quite expensive and not easy to do yourself. As for changing the plugs and wires, most likely it's an upsell and could cost more than $200. Maybe he values his time more than his money.