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 specs |
FAQ s - Isuzu Frequently Asked Questions
_______________________________
RECALL on Amigo's - 1998-1999
_______________________________Lug: Wheel Lug Nuts will strip easily if using an air ratchet.
I always warn and remind my mechanic of this problem with Isuzu lug nuts.Tires: My 93 Amigo originally came with Desert Duellers. Replaced them once at 50k with aggressive BFGoodrich Mud Terrains, but found them to wear fast (40k max.) & very noisy. Now I am compromising with a good All Terrain tire. On Amigos - able to go 1 or 2 sizes bigger than orig. & still will not rub. Up to 30" for my 15" rims.
Flashers: Blinkers may freak out / electrical problem in steering column, not at bulb end. Nope.. wasn't the flasher unit/fuse thing. I tried that at $30 & still had the same crazy blinker signal burn out problem. Ended up installing a new BLINKER BAR (official part name - combo switch) at the Isuzu dealer for around $110 part/ $30 installation
Convertable : Nothin' like cruisin with the top off on a warm summer night, but what about the disadvantages of having an Amigo:
vinyl top - worn out , resulting in foggy / scratched up windows. Yellowed windows. Get a new one at an aftermarket distributor ($280) ....for half the price than the dealerships. I tend to leave my top off 8 months straight in So. Cal. (April - Nov.) & in safe storage until the rainy season. how to make a BIKINI TOP
storing - Store my top clean, neatly folded under a double bed. Or hang it flat on a garage wall- with large rubber coated metal clips to.
windows- No ammonia or Windex on those plastic windows - it'll fog 'em up. Plexiglass cleaner / plastics spray works great. 100% cotton rags, old Tshirts work best. Cleaners listed on assc.
old tops - can be converted into bikini tops by cutting the sides off, but leaving some back straps for support.
security - duh, leave nothing valuable in your vehicle. Unless you want that nice new top sliced open. I have had a cheap dirty Mexican blanket stolen. The 1992 Amigo came with a great purse sized lock box. You can always put a wallet or camera in the locked glove box for some safe keeping temporarily.
cat spray - it's inevitable, one day a furry curious animal will get on your car & possibly do damage. Professional steam cleaning the carpets & seats is the only way I know to get rid of the rancid cat piss odors. Keep 'em out with a great spray product called Shoo! made by Sergeant.
seats & carpets - steam clean at least once a year, but then again I go camping 20 times per year.
What to expect:
This is a general overview based on my 1993 2WD Amigo XS
@ 70-100k miles -
- new car battery
- O2 sensor replaced (factory spec)
- 'a must have' 90k tune up (do everything to factory specs, including the timing belt - if you forgot at 60k)
- new clutch (no gear oil? 30 weight oil is recommended...check mnfctr.specs)
- new rear seal (slight oil leak)
- exahust manifold - gaskets leaked
- 3rd set of tires (recommended - BFG All Terrains or Firestone Wilderness)
- new blinker control bar (multi function combo switch)
- new back brakes (fronts replaced at 60K)
- about half replacement lug nuts & studs (say no to overtightning air wratchets - week steel will snap 'em)
totalled 'wrecked' Amigo : @ 100k > see the rebuild
@ 120-140k miles -
start to expect problems. this following repairs list is from a few first generation Amigos that I am real familiar with
- 120k MAJOR TUNE UP: tming belt, valves adjusted - 1993 Amigo - waited it out to 129 k
- replace radiator - 1994 Amigo - 100 k
- new rotors - 1993 Amigo - 131 k (from using excessive braking; treating my 2WD like a 4WD)
- new valves & valve guides - 1990 Amigo - 135 k
- my blown head gasket - new head, valves, lifters & valve guides - 1993 Amigo - 134 k
my symptoms:
here is the weirdest thing I hear, " Isuzu can run pretty dang good with a blown head gasket!". So good in fact, that you may not even know it for months & months.... I am living proof of this. The symptoms can be slight, but if you really 'know your vehicle, you will notice some'.
1. I occassionally notivced my RPM tacometer behaving funny. On higher highway speeds, with accelartor depressed; it would jump from 3000 to 4000 RPM for a few seconds. Only happened a dozen or so times.
2. One morning when I started my 93 Amigo, I started to noticed a slightly rough idle. After a week, my mechanics couldn't find anything wrong.
3. A month or so later, my engine begins revving up at stops & idling. It heated up to half way on the temperature gauge, which is rare for my vehicle. I was loosing water in my radiator. Eeeek!
4. Radiator busted? nope. No radiator hose leaks. Mechanic check & no white milky residue in my oil change; Waterpump ? nope.
If the HEAD GASKET is blown --- a) excess water can go into oil OR b) go thru exhaust & come thru the radiator
5. Noticed water dripping out of my tail pipe.
6. Mechanic did another test on the radiator ( 3 months after my original #1 symptom) & it shows massive exahust coming thru the radiator.. bummer deal. New head gasket! Machine shop to resurface the head... could take a week. With this kinda milage may as well get new valves, lifters, seals & guides too.
> After breakin' this new head in, get oil change & valves adjustment at 500 miles
I lucked out, yep, as usual & got a new head thrown in for free. The total job cost me $1000
@ 140-160k miles -
expect more problems! cuz, let's face it, your poor vehicle has tons of dirt, rocks, wear & tear not to mention lots o miles
- 151 k replace heater core, new belts & hoses - 1993 Amigo
- 151 k replace noisy groaning moaning brakes ( aftermarket / non OEM pads made so much noise, so we went back to original equipment) Best thing I ever did for my ears & nerves!
- 152 k repair bolt & gasket on exhaust manifold - 1993 Amigo
- 153 k replace thermostat & radiator; fix tail gate rattles with new rubber strike plate
- 155 k replace catalytic converter in order to pass SmogOnly Test Station's test
- 158k & running strong - keeping my fingers crossed
@ 160k-199k miles -
well, this is about the time that you start thinking about a new car, something totally different. My Amigo stranded me in the Sierra's on a few trips in 2004. The list of repairs in that year ran over $4000; see list below
- 175 k loosing power & gumption
- 185 k another engine rebuild, head gasket, replace w/ CalMini cam, radiator, new exhaust, new muffler, new catalytic converter,
- 190 k after this last engine work, the Amigo is dying a slow death. New back brakes,
- 194 k electrical issues, often won't start. May hafta do with the old Viper alarm system. Always park on a hill or drive the Saabaru
Isuzu, Suzuki, Nissan, VW, Hyundai
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