Path: ...!local-4.nntp.ord.giganews.com!Xl.tags.giganews.com!local-3.nntp.ord.giganews.com!news.giganews.com.POSTED!not-for-mail
NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2025 19:08:56 +0000
Subject: Re: Lurching problem with 1997 rodeo
From: mummycullen@gmail-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (MummyChunk)
Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2025 14:47:30 -0400
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
User-Agent: newsSync 686779829
References: <3EF5B0E7.53946520@amerimail.net>
Message-ID: <sEidnZxgqr9VQXP6nZ2dnZfqnPednZ2d@giganews.com>
Lines: 83
X-Usenet-Provider: http://www.giganews.com
X-Trace: sv3-LZFNb+vXuh+P+NExrCaCInazLkhHsgZIbBc9nyTIN9Nil08bL08pa7x8qTx+ZGaBA57yzSQemfk1kDb!a5y9/87RzPcQfHhQAIN9BVmtKsubL/BKfOHTg+u2HcZ+Q4YYuf4S0gXHppRGmP0My2IV2xyh3sE+!YA==
X-Complaints-To: abuse@giganews.com
X-DMCA-Notifications: http://www.giganews.com/info/dmca.html
X-Abuse-and-DMCA-Info: Please be sure to forward a copy of ALL headers
X-Abuse-and-DMCA-Info: Otherwise we will be unable to process your complaint properly
X-Postfilter: 1.3.40
Bytes: 6352

> JohnHolley wrote:
> I have a 1997 Isuzu Rodeo with 103,000 miles on it. It has an automatic
> transmission and a 3.2L V6 engine. Yesterday (Saturday) I brought it to
> one of those quick oil change locations. I have used this particular
> location in the past but as is often the case there were all new faces
> working this particular day. I had the oil changed and the automatic
> transmission serviced. At 78,000 miles they did a T-tech service on the
> transmission (power replacement of fluid). This time they performed a
> Petro Transmission flush. In theory this is a two-part process. Part one
> puts a cleaner in the existing fluid. The engine is run for ten minutes.
> The fluid is drained. Part two puts an additive in the fluid and then it
> is topped off. That is how it was suppose to work. The problem is that
> on this engine there is no dipstick for the transmission. On the
> transmission itself there is a drain plug and a fill plug. So to make a
> long story short the engine oil was changed. Part one of the
> transmission kit (cleaner) was put in the dipstick for the engine oil
> and the engine was run for ten minutes. The transmission fluid was then
> drained. Part two of the transmission fluid additive was put in the
> engine oil dipstick. Afterwards approximately three quarts of
> transmission fluid was put in the engine oil dipstick. I paid for the
> service and drove off. The car was not driven very far. I went to get
> gas at a station about 4 to 5 miles away. On acceleration the engine
> would race (high RPM) and the car would lurch forward after shuttering.
> It did not do this on gentle acceleration or on straight slopes like
> leaving the location. It did it on inclines (climbing) and hard
> acceleration.
> I took it back thinking that there was either not enough transmission
> fluid or too much fluid.
> Anyway the mistake was discovered. The engine oil was drained and
> replaced and the transmission fluid was topped off at the transmission
> itself.
> Basically, the transmission did not ever receive parts one and two of
> the Petro Transmission Flush. The engine did. The car was driven with
> transmission cleaner, additive and transmission fluid all mixed in with
> the oil and heavily over filled. The car was driven without whatever
> amount of transmission fluid that drains out of the transmission when
> the plug is removed.
> When I drove the car off it seemed to be working okay. However the
> engine revving, the lurching, and the shuttering still occurs but only
> on hard accelerations and not as bad as before. The car did not have
> this problem before this service was provided. I suspect that there is
> some damage to the transmission. I don't know about the engine. The oil
> change place said the lurching was due to low compression and not the
> transmission but I don't think so. I plan on bringing it to the dealer
> for a diagnostic on Monday (tomorrow).
> 
> I am posting this information to alert readers so that this doesn't
> happen to them; to alert quick oil change shops not to make the same
> mistake and to solicit input from readers as to what they think may be
> the problem or problems created by this incident.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> JGH




This was a serious service mistake that's likely causing multiple issues with your Rodeo. The root problem is that the transmission flush chemicals and fluid were incorrectly added to your engine oil instead of your transmission.

Your 3.2L V6 ran with contaminated engine oil containing transmission cleaner, additive, and ATF, while your 4L30-E transmission may have been underfilled after the drain. The symptoms you describe - lurching, shuddering during acceleration, and high RPMs without proper power delivery - are classic signs of transmission fluid issues in these Isuzus.

Its been a long time since this was posted but if anyone else has this problem....

First, don't drive the vehicle until this is properly addressed. The contaminated oil could damage engine components, and low transmission fluid can quickly ruin the 4L30-E transmission.

You'll want to take it to a qualified transmission specialist familiar with Isuzus (rather than a quick lube shop).

They should:

Completely drain and refill the transmission with the correct Dexron III fluid using the proper fill plug procedure (since there's no dipstick)

Perform a thorough engine oil flush to remove all traces of the transmission chemicals

Inspect the transmission for any damage from fluid starvation

The shop that made this mistake should have been held responsible for these corrective services. Their claim about "low compression" doesn't explain why these symptoms appeared immediately after their service error.

Going forward, I'd recommend avoiding transmission services at quick lube places for your Rodeo. The 4L30-E transmission is particular about its fluid levels and condition, and the lack of a dipstick makes proper service more technical than most quick lube shops can handle reliably. A specialist familiar with these Isuzu systems would be a better choice for future maintenance. 


This is a response to the post seen at:
http://www.jlaforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=3295787#3295787