1999 Isuzu Rodeo Question

CHRISBRECHT

MEMBER
1999 ISUZU RODEO
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
140,000 MILES

In the middle of a road trip my engine suddenly became very loud with the sound of wind. When I press on the gas in neutral or in gear the rpms rise very high and a heavy wind sound comes from my engine as if there is too much air coming in or blowing out.

I have replaced the Fan Clutch (which was faulty), the IAC Motor (which was also faulty) and Cleaned the MAF sensor.

Still as I press on the gas, the RPMs rise very rapidly with the sound of wind. The car runs "okay." However there is a small loss of power and the heavy wind sound.

Could this be a vacuum problem? If so, How do I know?

I took it to the repair shop. They directed me to the fan clutch and pointed out it's problem.

Could there be a problem with a different sensor?

thanks
chris

8 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,268 POSTS

Chris:
Does the sound ever go away? Honestly, you are describing a bad fan clutch. It sounds like it is stuck on and not slowing down as the engine cools. It is possible that you got a bad one.

Let me know.
Joe

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Monday, October 5th, 2009 AT 9:13 PM

CHRISBRECHT

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Hey Joe

Thanks for getting back. After reading your reply, I've monitored closely how my car has been working since.

The sound does go away after the car has been running and driving for about 10 minutes. Also, the wind sound occurs primarily in the first 2 gears and idle.

So, yes, the sound does go away. I don't know why it would go away simply because the car has been warmed up.

Does it still sound like a bad fan clutch. It is brand new you know? Maybe it engages after a while and fixes itself? What do you think?

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 10:35 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

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What happens is when the engine is shut, the temp goes up under the hood which engages the fan. After you drive, the temp drops and the sound should go away.

For some reason, I can't explain why, even when the vehicle is just started (cold), they engage for a short amount of time. I would say at least 75% of them do, but then they do slow to a point you can't hear them.

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 11:26 AM

CHRISBRECHT

MEMBER
14 POSTS

Joe -

So does this still sound like a bad fan clutch? Because the fan spins out of control causing the rpms to rise unnecessarily when the car has just been started and for the first 10 to 15 minutes of drive time?

I've had this car for over 100000 miles, this problem started about 8 months ago and it does cause a loss of power. It never did this before.

I would consider this a problem, and not something that is normal because it never happened before.

It sounds unhealthy. Could it be a vacuum leak?

At this point, I will

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 1:48 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,268 POSTS

Based on your description, it does. I wish I was there to actually hear it. Chances are you are about 1000 miles away. As described, it is a "wind sound" which sounds like a typical fan clutch staying on. Now, if your foot is off the gas and the RPM's go up and down, that could be something different, but the check engine light should have come on.

Please let me know if you have other questions. Since you had the fan clutch replaced once. Wait a minute. I have an idea!

This happens always when you start the car, right? If so, remove the belt that runs the fan and start the engine to see if the noise is gone. Please keep in mind that you can't run the engine long at all because it will over heat, but you would be able to hear if the sound is gone in a few seconds. Is that something you can do on your own? That will let us know if the fan is the problem.

Just so you know, I smacked myself in the head when I thought of this. It's easy, won't take long, and we will know if it's the fan.

Let me know what you think.

Joe